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How I Got Rid of My Daughter’s Cavities in 4 Months is one of the more astounding articles I’ve written, as I find I’m still scratching my head about how easy it was and how well Oral Calcium Therapy worked. I even wrote the founder of this product to ask, ‘Is this normal?’, to which he replied that, yes, he’s seen amazing results during the last 50 years from over 65 countries.
If you’re new to the idea of putting a specially formulated therapy of calcium-zinc liquid on the teeth and gums to cause complete oral health recovery, I was, too, until several months ago.
Is oral calcium safe
I learned from functional medical doctors many years ago to not take calcium pills (don’t swallow calcium as a supplement). Calcium supplements raise blood calcium levels, which actually throws off the balance of minerals in the body and does not build bone. (1, 2) Calcium pills do increase the risk of heart attack and death. (3, 4)
So honestly, I was wary of any calcium product.
However, Oral Calcium Therapy was recommended by my doctor. He works in the careful spirit of “do no harm”, with incredible research into what actually causes deep recovery in the body. So I tried it.
I am also reassured that the oral topical application of this product is negligible in terms of how much calcium is ingested.
As with any supplement, though, consult your doctor, and if you don’t feel good using it, stop.
How I Got Rid of My Daughter’s Cavities: her background
We adopted our daughter from Africa almost exactly one year ago. She was 4 years old at the time and came home to us with a few cavities in her molars that you could easily see. (I am so sorry now that I did not photograph her teeth so as to be able to provide “before” photos.)
But I hope you can imagine the likelihood of a child growing up in a shelter who was suffering from malnutrition and lack of great oral hygiene; she had cavities.
I waited to take her to the dentist for several reasons. During that delay, I focused on diet and looked for ways to reverse the cavities before her first dentist appointment.
We started Calcium Therapy
After she’d been home about seven months with a nutritious diet, I learned about Oral Calcium Therapy. I read up on it and ordered a bottle. We started brushing her teeth with this easy product.
My husband is the one who brushes her teeth at night, as part of our bedtime routine. So I literally did not look at her molars for months, amidst our busy life.
Then, one night recently, when I was doing her teeth for a change, I peeked in to see how her cavities looked, and was truly astounded to find that they were all completely gone!
In just four short months, gone.
How could this be? Most people believe fillings are the only answer, or worse interventions for bad cavities.
Still others share remedies that aren’t safe. Yet we found something that worked so gently and effortlessly?!
Yes, success, that easily. Checked that box! No cavities.
But we’ll continue to use Oral-Cal Mouth Rinse for overall tooth and gum health, as well as cavity prevention.
How I Got Rid of My Daughter’s Cavities: What is Oral Calcium Therapy
The Oral Calcium Therapy products and approach were created by Dr. Mark Manhart back in the 1970s. He’s been using them with his patients and sharing the methods worldwide since that time.
These products contain calcium, zinc and trace amounts of magnesium. As I’ll describe more below, patients brush these minerals onto the teeth, and then allow them to absorb while they sleep.
From the Calcium Therapy website: “These rapid, safe, advanced dental treatments stimulate the gums, the bone, whitens [sic] and tighten the teeth. They control abscesses, cysts and bad breath.”
When you go to the website, what you’ll see most of all is testimonies and information about his products healing periodontal disease. Look for amazing recovery of gum health, no longer needing dental interventions or surgery and also some talk of cavity prevention.
Regarding specifically the product we’ve used, we read, “Regular use of the Oral-Cal Mouth Rinse reduces plaque, stains, bad breath, calculus, sensitivity, decay and soothes canker sores or similar gum irritations.”
Why Oral Calcium Therapy works on teeth
Dr. Mark explains that teeth are VERY porous. He says that when we whiten our teeth with products like peroxide, we are sucking calcium from them — the worst thing we can do.
Instead, when we put calcium on top of the teeth with this product (don’t rinse it off), and leave it there night after night, the teeth suck it up. As a result, the teeth harden and whiten.
Where to buy
Find Oral Calcium Mouth Rinse here. (I do not benefit in any way from your purchase.)
How to use Oral Calcium mouth rinse
The main thing to know about Dr. Manhart’s simple product is that when the bottle comes in the mail, it looks empty!
That’s because the mineral solution is smeared around the inside neck of the bottle.
Fill the bottle with distilled water, seal the lid, and set it upside down for 6 hours to overnight. After that, enough of the calcium from the neck has dissolved into the water base. So you have your first solution ready to use. (Watch the instruction video for more details. But just know that the empty bottle that arrives in the mail isn’t really empty!)
The second product option, as you’ll see on the website, is to buy the toothbrush (here), with product already on it. Many customers find this product more convenient.
Use either of these products just before bed, with no drinking of liquids afterwards. (So the minerals sit on the teeth overnight.)
Who should not use OCT
If you’re very sensitive to zinc, which a small percentage of the population is, then you might react to this product.
Some people react to zinc not because it’s bad, but because it causes the detox of copper.
Most of us benefit from zinc’s effect on copper in the body. But supplemental forms of zinc are not gentle enough for everyone. Most people will not react to supplemental zinc. But it’s worth noting that some do, so proceed or decide with that awareness.
What else to add to Oral Calcium Therapy: co-factors
If you have sensitive gums (or gums that bleed), you may very likely be deficient in Vitamin K. Some patients add Vitamin K (about 3 drops) to their toothbrush when they brush with OCT, as an added step to improving gum health.
Similarly, magnesium citrate powder (here) can be helpful for some — another mineral that may aid in the gum health recovery process.
But for most, just starting with one of Dr. Mark’s simple and easy to use products may be enough.
Fat-sourced supplements confusion
In Ancestral communities, some success stories with cavities exist from the use of fermented cod liver oil.
For those interested in or confused about FCLO: When cod liver oil is digested, two things happen: one, it creates aldehydes, and two, the vitamin A in it oxidizes. This oil is not a food to be eaten; it is a toxic fat to be avoided. Learn more about why to avoid CLO here.
In regard to butter oil (often recommended with FCLO for its K2), ideally we do consume Vitamin K2 [MK-4] for tooth repair (but avoid butter oil and high fat supplements to avoid fatty liver).
Side note: If you supplement with Vitamin K pills (like these), choose the Vitamin K without Vitamin D.
Opt for natural responsible sources of D instead, like: the sun, Sperti Sun Lamp [I have the Fiji model], safe use of tanning beds or the economical reptile lamp option.
How I Got Rid of My Daughter’s Cavities: Dietary changes for better tooth and gum health
When we are less toxic, our teeth and gums reflect that. I could never say enough good things about a Low vitamin A Diet for improving liver and general health. You can read more about that and my personal testimony after over four years on the diet here.
For the least rigorous version of similar dietary changes, I’d point you to an Anti-Inflammatory Diet.
And if you need a great doctor, here’s my doctor’s website.
You can Pin How I Got Rid of My Daughter’s Cavities in 4 Months here:
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Heather W. says
Happy Sunday, Megan! Our entire family just began this Oral- Cal this week thanks to your recommendation. I am so glad that you got around to writing this powerful testimony re: your daughter’s cavities. I do have one question… re: the vitamin K that you link to- I noticed that it is MK-4. We use an MK-7 (without D). In my recent research to revisit the differences in the two, my choice was confirmed. I am curious, however, why you use MK-4. Thank you.
Megan says
Hi Heather, so glad to hear you all are starting! Great question. I just met with Dr. Smith, and he recommended I switch. I was using MK-7 as well. He told me that MK-4 is animal based, and that MK-7 is plant-based. He said that MK-4 is more bio-available for our bodies, and that he and Kelsey had both had experiences with MK-7 that were just a bit off; they didn’t feel good about it. He used to recommend either, but he no longer does. There’s definitely a little extra weight behind this with Kelsey having the same advice. What are your thoughts in favor of MK-7? Happy new week to you!
Heather W. says
I do wish I knew the reasoning behind Dr. Smith’s counsel. A quick perusal of some medical studies point primarily to MK-7. Examples are: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23140417/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3502319/, and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230802/. I think I will need some further info for me to change from MK-7 at this time. Thank you for your time, efforts, and keeping me on my toes, Megan! 🙂
Megan says
In looking back at my notes, he said that MK-7 is made from “bad bacteria sludge”. I’m sure there’s more knowing him … 😉
Theresa says
So this is ok to use when doing the low Vitamin A diet?
Megan says
Hi Theresa, yes, it is specifically recommended by Dr. Smith, and there are other good testimonies about its use in the forum for gum health and overall oral health improvement. Mine is the only one I’ve seen for dramatic cavity reversal, amidst the forum population so far.
Theresa says
Thank you!
Sara says
So happy to read this! I’ve been on the fence with buying but I know Dr Smith recommends it too! One (probably stupid) question: do you think it is ok to use retainers on top of it? I’m guessing once it dries it’s probably ok? ? Thank you!
Megan says
Hi Sara, yes, I do think it’s probably okay. I don’t think the metal would react with calcium, Mg and zinc. Perhaps you can ask your orthodontist to be sure. (Not a stupid question.) 🙂 Or if you’re in LYL, you could ask there as well. People are so nice in that forum, so I hope you won’t feel bashful. Best!
Kim Mims says
Is this safe for people who have calcium oxalate kidney stones? Will the calcium therapy on the teeth contribute to the body making stones?
Megan says
Hi Kim, please ask your doctor if you’re concerned. But theoretically, no. The calcium is not ingested. Your teeth absorb it, and it stays in them. The calcium is not swallowed.
Nancy in Alberta says
Hi, Kim,
I’m sorry you have kidney stones. That’s rough.
Those calcium oxalate stones are formed because the body binds calcium to oxalates found in the diet in an attempt to get rid of the oxalate crystals. Going on a low/medium oxalate diet (not a no oxalate, or you’ll dump them too fast) can rid your body of them. The calcium is helpful, in this case.
I am not a doctor – nor do I have the bank of knowledge or experience that Megan does – but I wanted to reassure you that our bodies use calcium to usher oxalate crystals out. Oxalates are robbers, actually.
But in any case, we apparently don’t absorb the Ca past our teeth? So that’s likely not going to affect those stones of yours.
Christina says
Hi Megan!
Thank you again for all of the information you share with us. I have a few general questions for you if that’s okay … I am currently lower vitamin A and fruit free/potato+grain.
For fertility reasons, I am currently doing lower carb. I was looking into buying some electrolytes, but most of them have citric acid, which is to be avoided when you’re not consuming fruit from what I understand. Would the unflavored LMNT packets work? They contain sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium malate. I was unsure if magnesium malate would process as a fruit or not. I know citrates are helpful in moving oxalates out of the body, would the other forms of potassium and magnesium do that too?
I was also wondering what you do for carbohydrates? I am struggling due to oxalates. I try having things like oats in the morning with beef, but I get visual disturbances (floaters/blurry in my right eye). 1/2 a cup of parsnips are medium oxalate. I know there’s white rice which isn’t ideal for me, maybe some squashes like spaghetti squash or white acorn squash. Would love to know what you do!
Do you still take sun fiber? Would love to know your experiences with it. I was thinking of starting (doing a pinch the first two weeks), as the lectins in low oxalate beans/grains just seem to bother me. I do enjoy a light sourdough bread, but for fertility will steer clear of that for now.
Thank you so much!
Megan says
Hi Christina, great to hear what you’re doing. Yes, those 3 ingredients you listed are all great. That’s a good form of Mg. It sounds like our health issues are very similar. I can do more carbs than you, but the other limitations are similar. My main carb is actually masa, so I make my Masa Waffles daily. They’re obv not low carb. Because they’re not nutrient dense, I supplement my diet with macadamia nuts and pecan butter… (Do you have links to those staples? I’ve shared about them in other places, so you may already have those.) Unf. spaghetti squash and acorn are out on the diet, and yes, parsnips are limited with oxalates. (I also eat sourdough bread.) Do you do hummus? I have found store bought to be less aggravating than homemade, I think because they pressure cook the beans at a higher temp/pressure so the lectins are further reduced. Small amounts are low carb, high fiber and nutrient dense. I often eat lettuce with hummus and meat inside. Would that help? And then snack on macadamia nuts (only the brand I share that’s organic and not rancid). I do take SunFiber. I use a full scoop nightly. I started with maybe a 1/8 scoop and then worked up to the full dose within about 2 weeks. It’s helpful to remember that if you can just find a few more foods for now, you’ll be able to expand. Sounds like you’re on the right track and just need those. Thoughts on hummus, mac nuts etc…?
Christina says
Hi Megan!
Thank you so much for getting back to me! My family and I have been traveling, I meant to get back to you much sooner! Lettuce with hummus and meat sounds great. I have been enjoying black eyed peas as they have literally no oxalate in them. I soak them overnight and pressure cook them. They are good for blood type 0 too, which I am. I’ll make a hummus/bean dip with those, that sounds like a great idea! Did you go the bean route on your vitamin A detox? I find if I overdo the beans, I feel off and a little drained. My body really needs fats. I guess its about finding that right balance.
What do you do for oils? Would cold pressed macadamia oil be okay? It is high heat, and I also have been using that for salad dressings, along with rice vinegar and a splash of maple syrup. I’m assuming you don’t do avocado or olive oil due to them being a fruit.
Those waffles look delicious! I’ll definitely try them. For low vad, fruit free, low oxalate, what cook books of yours do you recommend? I would love to purchase some for food ideas! I am part of the low oxalate group on facebook and they do say well boiled parsnips only contain 5mg oxalate per half cup when tested so I seem to tolerate those okay. I also do sunflower butter as that is low oxalate too for a good fat snack, and love macadamia nuts! I was reading on your daily diet, such a helpful post. Do you still eat oatmeal every day?
Was curious why you choose sunfiber over psyllium husk and what benefits you noticed? Do you try and have your fiber away from fats to clear bile? Thank you!
It was so interesting, I got my carroll food intolerance results back and I am intolerant to eggs and gluten (gluten was a bummer!) and also fruit+sugar combination. I was so excited at the prospect of introducing fruit again, but within about 5 days I developed gerd/heartburn/lump feeling in my throat with air constantly coming up and all of my other bladder type symptoms came back! I emailed them to troubleshoot and waiting to hear back. She did say on the consultation call that they sometimes have to go back and re-asses if the person seems to still be reacting. Within a few days of cutting out all fruit, everything calmed down and has gone away. So interesting! But I am so thankful to have found your blog, and everyone at the clinic has been amazing. Did you use the cell salts? They do have lactose in them, but overall that seems to be a very tiny amount, was curious if you took them.
Thank you for all you do Megan, we have a lot of similarities and I am so thankful to be able to talk to someone who understands!
Christina 🙂
Megan says
Hi Christina, happy to help! I do just a small amount of beans and do well with that. I had to find my sweet spot for sure. I used to feel my body really needed fats, but the longer on the diet, I no longer feel that way, but it did take years. I do think cold pressed macadamia oil could be a good option, as long as it agrees with you; so I’d just keep that awareness there about it. After being on the Low A diet for maybe a year, I can’t remember how long, I was able to add in small amounts of fruit, so I now use both avo and olive oils, refined. The second cookbook is the one that includes VAD and Low Ox recipes. I do still eat oatmeal daily, but for medium oxalate, I created Drinkable Oatmeal, so I enjoy that more often than regular oatmeal, as I can have a bigger serving: https://eatbeautiful.net/drinkable-oatmeal-recipe-gluten-free/ I use both psyllium and sun fiber, but they work differently. Sun Fiber actually benefits the gut flora and is low fodmap for people who need that. Psyllium is not gentle for everyone, but it adds great bulk for others. I like both. No, the fibers help to push bile through the GI tract; they are not eaten separately. I also eat very little fat anymore, but Dr. Smith would def say to not separate them, just the opposite, and adding in charcoal, too. So glad the Carroll eval has been helpful for you! I did try the cell salts but didn’t notice any difference, but that was many years ago. You may notice more being on the diet, but Dr. Zeff also told me that adults can be a lot less sensitive to them than kids. But again, on the diet, they may help with a breakthrough more. So nice to connect with you, too!! 🙂
Danielle says
I’m so intrigued, but also a little apprehensive if I’m being totally honest. Are there negative side effects, long term issues? I’m aware of too much calcium intake causing a corrosion-type effect in the arteries, but I’m assuming this amount is small and you’re also spitting some out.
Also, you mention not taking vitamin D. I’m curious your reasoning behind that as well. I know anything from a natural source is preferable, but when that’s not an option and your levels are low, why not supplement?
Thanks for this post. I’m so interested!
Megan says
Hi Danielle, that’s correct that you spit out the extra after brushing it on your teeth. It’s possible that a very small amount could be absorbed inside your mouth after that, but it’s mostly a very thin coating on the teeth after spitting. The vitamin D concept is very new and controversial, of course. It’s a bit too much to go into fully here, but a few thoughts to scratch the surface: If you’ve heard of D-Con, it’s a rat poison. The active ingredient is vitamin D. The reason for that is vitamin D is not a vitamin, even though we call it one. The body produces it when exposed to UVB rays, to go to the skin and grab toxins. It takes those toxins to the liver, and then both are disposed of by the liver. We have misunderstood what it is and its role. When it’s added to the body orally, it goes into the bloodstream and raises serum vitamin D levels, but it doesn’t function the way it does when the body makes it; it doesn’t grab toxins from the skin. We need light. Humans often think we understand, so we create an intervention that causes more trouble.
Emma says
I purchased the oral-cal, but when it arrived, it had such a strong odor (like a bottle of cleaner) that there’s no way I can use it. The website says the ingredients are calcium, zinc, and “natural food coloring” although they won’t state what kind of calcium, zinc or food coloring they are using. The bottle itself does not admit to the “natural food coloring” on the label. If calcium and zinc are the only two necessary ingredients here, I’d like to know the preferred type of calcium and zinc to use to make my own rinse. Thank you.
Megan says
Hi Emma, I believe it’s proprietary, which is why they don’t say. You could try emailing them to ask about the coloring on the label. I did get good results when I reached out to them, but in general, I’m not sure about how prompt or reliable their customer service is. For me the good outweighs the drawbacks, but I understand your concern, for sure. Mine has a strong mineral smell, but not one of cleaners.
Adrian Smith says
After reading your article on the Oral Calcium for Therapy I filled in the contact form on their website to find out the cost of shipping to the UK for the “Economy Homecare Kit” with my address as requested, I have done this twice now and got no response from them, am I doing something wrong?
Megan says
Hi Adrian, sorry to hear this. I think they have really limited customer service. When I heard back, it was from the doctor himself who founded the company and created the product. I think he answered my email because of the article I wrote. It’s hard if there isn’t an infrastructure to replace his hard work as he ages, and I think that may be the case. Excellent product, but not a major business with a staff, maybe. Sorry for the limited availability to you!!
Adrian says
Based on what you said, then this on the home page then no one is liable to get an answer:-
Dr. Mark Manhart has retired, but his materials and information remain available via this website, which includes his 50+ years of research and all the important information about the practice of Calcium Therapy. However, he has permanently closed his dental clinic in Omaha, Nebraska.
I will see if I can run the order process and get the shipping cost before ordering. Before covid most shipping from the USA was ok, but since covid costs have gone up considerably.
Megan says
Good information. I hope it works! Thanks for sharing that with us.
Adrian says
This is an update on my previous post about shipping costs for the package I wanted to order from http://www.calciumtherapy.com. I found a page on their site telling me they used USPS (Shipped world-wide via USPS First Class Mail), so I went to the USPS site and found this “First-Class Package International Service®” quoting $17, so I went ahead and ordered and when they emailed me the receipt the shipping cost was $18, so I was happy with that.
If anyone in the UK wants to order I think this may change a bit depending on the area they live in.
Megan says
Hi Adrian, so kind of you to update us; thank you! So glad it worked out for you!
Jessica says
Thrilled I found this linked. Any thoughts on using either the rinse or toothbrush with a two year old? Is that too young?
Megan says
Hi Jessica, I would use them for my kids if they were that young, as long as they can spit it out and not swallow. But I would recommend the toothbrush. I’ve had 2 readers recently tell me that their bottles of solution went bad. This has not happened with mine, but the toothbrushes won’t have that risk, and ours have worked well.
Bethany says
Hi Megan!
Someone in the LYL group recommended your article and I’m so glad they did! In your experience would you say this is good for plaque (calcium buildup)? My husband has a few cavities and we both have plaque behind our bottom teeth 🙁
We are 3 weeks into low vitamin and have a consultation in September. So excited for the this health journey!
Megan says
Hi Bethany, so nice to meet you! 🙂 I wouldn’t think of this product for plaque build-up, no. I would say, if you want to, you can get a simple plaque remover kit, like this: https://amzn.to/4bFTZ3u. And then, consider the alternatives to toothpaste, for example not using regular toothpaste. This article shares the options, and then at your consult, you can see if Dr. Smith or Nathan suggest an alternative. Our family has ended up doing the #7 option here, no toothpaste at all: https://eatbeautiful.net/7-best-toothpaste-alternatives/ I hope any of this is helpful. Blessings on your health journey, so happy for you all!
Nancy in Alberta says
Hi, Megan,
We finally ordered and received our bottle! So excited.
I was planning on sharing this with my daughter (we shared the cost), but my main question is: how does this make 2 gallons? We keep refilling the bottle till it’s made 2 gal? (It seems so small for that!)
I’m grateful for your detailed article. It’s been so helpful, and I know you understand and relate to a mother’s anxiety when her children have teeth that aren’t doing what they were designed to do!
Thanks a million!
Megan says
Hi Nancy, yes, that’s correct that you keep refilling. It may not quite meet the 2 gallon claim in my experience. So glad yours arrived, and I’m excited for you to see good results! My pleasure!
Nancy in Alberta says
Hi,
Thanks, again! How big of a mouthful did you take? I can’t find that info anywhere. 🙂
Megan says
Hi Nancy, you’ll actually put some on your toothbrush bristles and brush with it. Then do not rinse with plain water afterwards or drink any water. It will sit on your teeth overnight. 🙂