Ask Dr. Mike: Remineralize Your Teeth, Receding Gums, & Organic vs. Natural Food Labels

Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans. Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:

Can you remineralize your teeth?

Your teeth are on one of the most important parts of your body. In order to function properly, they need to be taken care of. If you've lost minerals or enamel, your teeth are more susceptible to infections, diseases and decay. If you're not taking care of them, for instance not brushing or flossing, your teeth can slowly start to decay and cause a handful of health problems.

In order to keep a healthy mouth, you need to reestablish a balance between tooth breakdown and build up. Some researchers suggest minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese, and biotin can help. However, make sure you have adequate amounts of vitamin D & K2. These vitamins are crucial in helping the minerals get to the teeth.

Studies have also shown that maintaining a low acid diet can help remineralize your teeth.

My gums are receding, is there anything I can use to stop it?

Receding gums occurs when the lower part of your teeth becomes exposed, which can be a sign of gum disease. However, if you cut open the soft gel CoQ10 and rub the oil from the inside right on your gum, it can help.

What's the difference between organic and natural?

Organic refers to how things are grown, raised and cultivated. Natural refers to how it is processed. Food that's labeled organic means the food is without pesticides, chemicals, hormones, or antibiotics. When food is labeled as natural, it has to do with how it's packaged. For example, if you add preservatives in the packaging process, it's not natural.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com so he can provide you with support and helpful advice