I have a bunch of chlorhexidine gluconate on my shelf, but I confess I’ve not been very diligent about using it. I don’t know what my problem is.

Speaking of home remedies, I’ve started using cayenne mixed with apple cider vinegar for a persistent sore throat:

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/sore_throat.html

It tastes like Tennessee hot sauce and it may be total snake oil, but as Steve Martin once said, “I got this great new drug: it’s called PLACEBO.”

I loved your blog. You must have been one of those who got A’s in creative writing in highschool. :>)

I wanted to tell you that heredity may have something to do with your dental woes, but managing the bacteria (specifically, the gram negative anaerobes) is of primary importance.
I would suggest a toothpaste that you can make at home with 3 simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen pantry or bathroom cabinets.

Baking soda, salt (preferably sea salt) and hydrogen peroxide - mixed 50/50 with water - kills the bugs on contact.

If you want the specific recipe, it is on my website, www.mamagums.com, and is available for free as a downloadable chart.
http://www.mamagums.com/pages/oral-care-guide.html

My best wishes,
Sheila Wolf, RDH
“Mama Gums”
www.mamagums.com

I did, however, exhibit a sensitivity to the ultrasonic cleaner - when near my back teeth, it could produce a painful high-pitched resonance much like a squealing mic. Imagine the Broad St Cafe in your ear canal. The hygenist remarked that it seems only men have this problem. That’s my genetic tie-in.

I was told I could skip that procedure from now on because of the superiority of my superior teeth.

Oh, and my dad was treated for pyorrhea. Go figure.