Dr Ellie Phillips, an oral health specialist from Austin, Texas, claims she has gone 40 years without having a dentist clean her teeth.
However, in a video with over 3.5 million views, Dr Phillips said her teeth are perfectly healthy.
Even dentists say so. She has recently been “prodded and poked in every possible way” by several, who say her mouth is in great shape despite previous cleanings.
Her routine runs counter to official recommendations, which advise visiting the dentist for a cleaning once every six months.
Dr Phillips claims she hasn’t had to have her teeth cleaned in over 40 years and said her passion is helping people avoid needing dental care
Although Dr. Phillips hasn’t had her teeth cleaned in 40 years, she said she visits a dentist’s office periodically to make sure her teeth are in good condition. Her most recent checkup, in 2023, was uneventful, she said.
Dr. Phillips, a licensed dentist, says she has developed a regimen that allows her to avoid time-consuming appointments while maintaining a healthy smile.
This includes a daily oral care routine consisting of three mouthwashes, two separate toothbrushes and several sticks of medicated gum daily.
“My true passion is helping people avoid dental treatments,” said Dr. Phillips.
The American Dental Association recommends a professional teeth cleaning every six months, but notes that this can change depending on your individual oral care needs.
“Regular dental cleanings are one of the most important things you can do to take care of your teeth,” Dr. Jeff Kinsethsaid a dentist based in Dana Point, California.
Despite these recommendations, 40 years ago, Dr. Phillips decided to see how long she could go without needing a professional cleaning. Every few years, she visits a dentist to check her teeth are okay and ask if she needs a cleaning – but she said she’s always been sent home.
Dr Phillips’ oral care routine extends far beyond brushing – and continues throughout the day – focusing on incorporating a sweetener called xylitol.
Xylitol is a sweet compound found naturally in strawberries, mushrooms, and corn, among other products.
It has 40 percent fewer calories than sugar and has been shown to stop the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth that can destroy your tooth enamel. according to Delta Dental.
Approved by the FDA as a food additive in 1986. Commonly found in chewing gums. In high doses it can cause diarrhea, but is generally considered safe for humans.
In Finland, chewing xylitol gum is part of a public health recommendation made by dental authorities promoting its cavity-fighting properties. Dr Phillips produces and uses its own brand of xylitol gum, called Zellies.
Each day, she aims to get between 5 and 10 grams of xylitol by chewing her gum after every meal, snack or drink.
Then there’s the brushing routine.
First, she rinses her mouth with an unflavored antibacterial wash such as CoSYS for one minute.
Immediately after, he grabs one of the two toothbrushes. She has one dedicated to night care and one for the morning – since she likes to let hair dry completely between uses to kill bacteria.
She wets the brush and applies the Crest Anti-Cavity Toothpaste. She then uses a gentle, circular motion to brush her teeth and gums.
When she’s done, she rinses her mouth with Listerine until it “starts to warm up.” Using mouthwash instead of tap water helps keep the fluoride from the toothpaste from washing off her teeth.
After Listerine, she takes an anti-cavity fluoride mouthwash, brand name ACT. These mouthwashes work “synergistically, they work in harmony with xylitol to improve your oral health,” Dr. Phillips said on her TikTok account, which has 473,800 followers.
Having an oral care routine is important, but genetics are also thought to play a large role in your oral health. For example, research has suggested you are between 20 and 85 percent more likely to develop tooth decay if your parent had it.
Dr. Phillips’ children underwent some of the same oral hygiene tests as her and had similar readings, which could be a sign that they are following their mother’s protocol and have inherited her teeth.
TikTok users were quick to point this out in her video.
Also, the fact that Dr. Phillips has a background in dentistry makes her more likely to practice good oral health regularly than the average person.
Dental associations recommend that average people get regular cleanings because they will prevent you from developing dental problems that require surgery, prevent bad breath and gum disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
They added that maintaining a clean mouth through regular cleanings also reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia.
“In addition to being able to prevent certain oral health problems, dental cleanings are also essential to maintaining good overall physical health, not just oral health,” said Dr. Kindseth. “Good oral hygiene is an absolutely necessary aspect of personal health. ‘
