[switch007]

I haven't used toothpaste regularly for about 8 years. I've never told my dentists. I have had 3 fillings but I'm not sure if not using toothpaste was a contributor (I used to be really lazy with flossing. I think that's more likely).

[VLM]

Whats your diet? I'm not trying to ignite the traditional HN flamewar about the evils of a science based paleo diet, but I have had a similar experience where not eating grains or sugar none the less results in a relatively tartar free mouth per my dentist. Even though I hate waiting and am impatient and do not visit every 3 months or whatever often its supposed to be.

Archeologically, before people started eating grains and processed "psuedo-food" we mostly died with good teeth and its a stereotypical observation that you can tell when grain agriculture sets in with a people when their teeth start rotting out at a young age.

[sanoli]

These humans that died with good teeth, weren't they mostly dead by their 30's?

[lukifer]

The average life expectancy for those times factors in infant mortality and severe injury. If you survived your first few years and never got mortally wounded, you could still expect to live to 60-70.

[switch007]

Pretty awful to be honest! Way too much sugar and not enough vegetables. (I don't drink juice/cola/etc, though)

[nknighthb]

My understanding from what dentists have said to me in the past is that ordinary toothpaste in the abstract is of limited value, especially if you brush often, but it's a useful vehicle for fluoride.