FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Does your toothpaste contain carrageenan?

A. Just to be certain we checked with our chemistry department and received this answer: Carrageenan is an extract of Carrageen (Irish Moss) which is a red algae. We don't have it in our products.

Q. Why do you use vegetarian glycerin in the products?

A. Vegetarian glycerin has been clinically tested on thousands of consumers and has been proven to be a highly active antimicrobial. The vegetarian glycerin actually enhances the action and allows the herbs to remain in contact with the gum surface for a much longer time period.

Q. I noticed that your toothpaste contains green tea. It is important I stay away from fluoride and aluminum. Through my research about green tea, I find that although it has great antioxidant properties, it also contains fluoride and aluminum. It this true pertaining to the green tea in your product?

A. Commercial toothpastes have from 1,500 up to 10,000 parts per million fluoride. We use a small amount of green tea extract (prepared in our lab) as one of the antioxidants to help with the oxidative stress in inflammation. The total amount of fluoride in the product is less than the levels found in good drinking water. I have not analyzed for aluminum, but I am confident that the content is very low.

Q. I was wondering what is in the PerioPaste that whitens teeth. I am looking for a product that has some whitening ingredient but is still safe.

A. We usually say that we use the highest grade of calcium carbonate available along with a small quantity of baking soda. This combination cleans the teeth without abrading the surface. We do not have the white, but possibly carcinogenic, titanium dioxide which makes most toothpastes look white but noes not whiten the teeth. Keeping the teeth really clean prevents the staining that most people find objectionable. I do not recommend the daily use of peroxide on the teeth or gums.

Q. I recognize symptoms of periodontal gum disease in my mouth. I am also concerned about osteoporosis in connection with gum disease. My question is if I buy the antiseptic oils and pastes, will they kill the bacteria in my mouth? If I ingest the natural antiseptic oils, will they kill the bacteria in my bones if it has traveled there? I am most interested in the bone issue. I feel like the bacteria has traveled to my shoulder bone and my hip bone. I am only 37 and want my bones to be healthy.

A. First I must say your questions are important and difficult to answer definitely. My opinions on them are mine and not necessarily what your doctor or dentist will recommend. It is important to clean up your gums. Follow with detail the "Steps To Great Oral Health" on our home page. Essential oils have been around for centuries and have been used successfully on many infections. I think they will help you as well. I also like hyperbaric oxygen treatments for bone infections.

Q. My dentist has diagnosed me with early periodontitis, and I have been deep cleaned recently withing the last month. Now, my dentist is requiring that I undergo "subgingival irrigation," and I am skeptical in that I do not trust that this is the only method to combat periodontitis, and it seems like all she really wants is the money. Is "subgingival irrigation" necessary to treat periodontal infection?

A. Subgingival irrigation in a DAILY program of oral hygiene is the BEST way to keep the doctor away. For the cost of ONE in-office treatment, you can purchase the professional equipment and do it yourself for years. You can buy one of the irrigators in an introductory special and take control. Yes, I am trying to sell you something, FREEDOM. You don't have to go to a spa once a month to take a shower; you can do it more conveniently at home. You do have to have a shower, however, when you shower you use soap and shampoo. That is why you should use the PerioScript in the irrigator. That solutions effectively changes the environment below the gum line discouraging the microbes from returning. The book "The Periodontal Solution: Healthy Gums Naturally" thoroughly explains that the area below the gum line MUST be cleaned. My irrigator has been used by two of us every day for more than three years and still works great. Dr. Jim

Q. I like your PerioScript so much. Please tell me if there is anything in it that can hurt enamel. I put a drop on a toothbrush numerous times throughout the day as it is so good (and I eat so often) but I know it is for gums more than teeth, so I am wondering if I am hurting my teeth by brushing so often with it. Also, it seems you may have said something kills spirochetes on contact. Does this do that?

A. Personally I brushed with the PerioScript as our "toothpaste" for a year as we were working on the real toothpaste formula. I liked it. However, during that period a couple of people in our trials said it was too strong or it caused sensitivity. We therefore recommend using the toothpaste. I do now know any reason why it could damage teeth since it contains pure essential oils and herbs. Our approach is to change the oral environment to discourage spirochetes among other microorganisms from flourishing in your mouth. PerioScript does effectively kiss with sufficient concentration, but flushing away using an irrigator and leaving a protective shield of essential oils and healing herbs works the best. Dr. Jim

Q. Is brushing, flossing and rinsing enough to prevent periodontal infections?

A. Yes and No. If you are diligent at this level of home care before any periodontal problems arise, then this is enough. However; brushing, flossing and rinsing only reach 1 millimeter below the gum line. So, if your hygienist is saying you have a problem, then you need to take a more aggressive approach to your oral health care program. Using an oral irrigator for deep cleaning plus a concentrated formula such as PerioScript® would be beneficial.

Q. Why is the HydroFloss® Oral Irrigator better than other oral irrigators?

A. The HydroFloss® is twice as effective as other oral irrigators through the innovation of HydroMagnetics. The difference is the HydroFloss® has the ability to inhibit the bacteria from adhering to the surface of the teeth. Clinical studies show that the HydroFloss® oral irrigator is 44% more effective than non-magnetic oral irrigators, (Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Vol. 20, No. 5, May 1993, pages 314-317), and up to 64% more effective than non-magnetic oral irrigators, (Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Vol. 25, No. 4, April 1998, pages 316-321).

Q. Will PerioPaste^TM natural toothpaste whiten your teeth?

A. PerioPaste® has the purest calcium carbonate, baking soda and Bio-Saponins^TM (natural mild foaming agents) available as cleansing agents. The absence of dark-colored contaminants allows us to maintain the natural color of the herbs and essential oils without the use of metal oxides that make toothpaste white. The result is brighter, whiter teeth will less abrasion of tooth structure.

Q. How do I know if I have a periodontal infection?

A. If your gums are red, swollen and bleed easily, even a little when you brush or floss, you may be experiencing early onset of a periodontal problem and should speak with your oral health practitioner. (Aspirin and prescription drugs such as blood thinners can also cause gum bleeding.)

Q. Why is Lysine, an amino acid, in the toothpaste?

A. Research has shown that white blood cells can release too much of the enzyme collagenase when battling the germs in the mouth. Collagenase is a very destructive enzyme that breaks down collagen in the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Lysine has been shown to inhibit this enzyme, protecting teeth naturally.

Q. Does PerioPaste® protect against tooth decay?

A. PerioPaste® contains Xylitol, a natural sweetener, which has been shown in many studies to flush away bacteria responsible for tooth decay.

Q. Why isn't your toothpaste white?

A. Our toothpaste contains no additives, preservatives, or colors - making our toothpaste truly "all-natural."

Q. Is PerioClear® or any of your products harmful if swallowed?

A. NO, our products contain herbs, vitamins, and essential oils and they contain absolutely NO alcohol, synthetic solvents, sodium lauryl sulfate, artificial sweeteners, colors or dyes.

Q.Do I still need to have my teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist?

A. YES, just like professional athletes have coaches & trainers, we must have a "coach" to let us know where our problem areas are in our mouth, i.e., if we are missing an area between our teeth when brushing or irrigating.

Q. Is your product safe for children?

A. YES. Because our products have no additives, sweeteners, colors, dyes, etc. our products are not harmful if swallowed. Unlike other toothpastes, we do not have a "poison control warning" on our product.

Q. Are your products chemical-free?

A. Yes, our products have absolutely no chemicals or preservatives.

Q. What are other names for sodium-lauryl-sulfate?

A. Sodium Laureth, Sodium Cochl Glutimate.

Q. What is bio-sapinin?

A. Bio-sapinin is a proprietary herbal extraction of natural plant soaps and is a natural cleanser.

Q. Are there any restriction on who can take this product...eg. pregnant women, diabetics, etc.?

A. No restrictions that we know of unless someone was allergic to a specific ingredient. PerioComfort® has been used with great success on teething babies.

Q. Do you have a product that is equal to "Sensodyne" toothpaste for sensitive teeth? I believe it has potassium in it to reduce the sensitivity. Do you have or could you recommend a product that performs the same function with the same results? Please let me know! Thanks.

A. Our toothpaste, in my opinion, is far superior to the one that you mentioned. Every effort was made throughout our research and development process to create a toothpaste that would thoroughly clean and brighten teeth without irritating them which results in sensitivity. The first and one of the most irritating ingredients, that we have totally eliminated is sodium lauryl sulfate. We use natural plant saponins, plant soaps, which we extract in our own facility. Many companies are using chemicals that are similar to SLS but are using a different name because of a very slight change in the formula. The second big difference is in the abrasive. We use the highest grade of calcium carbonate available. We do not use titanium oxide which has unknown medical implications. It makes the toothpaste white but does nothing for the teeth. We also make a soothing gel that can be used as toothpaste without any abrasive at all. Most important is the control of the irritating bacteria. Our 22 active ingredients really make a difference.

Q. I noticed the list of ingredients in the mouth wash, PerioClear®, contains herbs that can stain teeth. Does using PerioClear® on a regular basis stain teeth? I drink a green tea daily and noticed that my teeth are stained. I am concerned about using a mouthwash that has green tea, peppering and other staining herbs. Do you recommend using a tooth whitening system such as those that have been advertised on TV?

A. The staining that you suggest just doesn't seem to happen. In fact the tooth paste gets excellent reviews as a tooth whitener. Please try the entire system together and I am sure you will be satisfied.

Q. I was recommended your products for the treatment of receding gums, but not which products I should use. Is the toothpaste and the irrigation solution all I need for the treatment or do I need any other products as well.

A. We feel the most important thing you can do is to irrigate with PerioScript® Oral Irrigating Solution. Only irrigating can get below the gum line to flush out the "pockets." Our toothpaste is made from all natural ingredients and has NO coloring, dyes, fluoride, sodium-lauryl-sulfate. If you usually use mouthwash or mouth rinse of some sort, we would recommend you try our PerioClear®, which is also all-natural.