Hello Lee--

It seems to me that the herbs (though I haven't actually seen the formula) *could* stain the teeth, to some degree, if they sit on them all night. Is it a very fine powder?(I used to brush my teeth with a powder of charcoal'd eggplant and Sea Salt , that was black--picture that!!! You had to rinse for several minutes to get it all out, but being much younger I enjoyed scaring myself!)

I think there are two issues here. One, the staining or action *on* the enamel, from external sources, and two, the permeability/opacity/porosity of the teeth, if you will.(and then there's the third 'party', which must be the alchemy that all these add up to)

You know how blueberries can stain the teeth?! Even cherries...It can be quite horrifying sometimes to catch a glimpse of a smile after blueberries...and you know that oddly garish look you see in pictures, where people have been drinking red wine? That reddish bloody smile? All these things can stain to some degree, and I would guess, moreso, depending on the porosity of one's enamel. Usually it's sort of temporary, with a small percentage building up over time.

one idea:
Herbs I would think are highly alkaline,(?) and maybe something in the mix is reacting with the specific pH (and other qualities) of your saliva?

I guess the thing that is troubling you is whether such staining is transient, and will eventually stop. Whether the teeth will *fill themselves up* on the herbal minerals--I really don't know. It sounds a bit idealistic, but I wonder who can say, with any certainty.

I remember the old discussion in the Barefoot forum over this...can't really recall how it all ended. I know that I have at times been a bit freaked to see what looks like brownish teeth, after I've had some of the molasses drink, and not brushed for some hours. So I guess, I would imagine anyone's experience would have to do with the action of their saliva in combination with the herbs.

It always sounded a bit *simple* to my ear:the notion that the teeth would 'absorb' the herbs and then when they get enough, begin to whiten. Sometimes though, simple is sensible.

Your post reminds me of something I heard long ago: that rubbing the teeth with the white inner pith of a lemon peel could help to whiten them. And apparently strengthen them. Has to do with the bioflavonoids in the pith. Sometimes I do this. It feels quite refreshing;it's a good polisher.

My teeth are not nearly as white as I would like, but they seem to brush up pretty well -- with a little baking soda, now and then.


let's see what someone else says

Oh, and please excuse my repetitiousness today; no sermonizing or pedantry meant: it's just that the mind is a little foggy... "Marshy" actually, but without the beauty of a passing strand of ducks, in descending size, or the fun of big shiny galoshes.
:-)

Hi Continuum Force

If I were hazzard a guess, it would be the tannin (tannic acid) in the White Oak Bark