Holistic dentistry

The Dangers of Sugar

~ lac239 ~ 1 Comment

Traditional advice has been that too much sugar causes cavities, however, this simple mantra is not only misleading – it also ignores the impact sugar has on your overall body health.

Candy, cookies, cakes, and any other variety of sugary desserts, even starchy, refined carbohydrates such as chips, bread, pasta, and anything made from white flour breaks down quickly in your body to simple sugars, causing higher dental and health problems. Carbonated soft drinks are an absolute no-no because not only do they contain a high amount of sugar, they also contain phosphorous and carbonation which breaks down the enamel on your teeth.

However, sugar doesn’t just attack the tooth from the outside of your mouth – eating too much sugar attacks the composition of your teeth from the inside as well.  Dr. Weston Price was a Canadian dentist who was a pioneer in researching the relationship between nutrition, dental health, and physical health.  He studied diverse native diets of natural, unprocessed, and organic foods, with very little sugar except for the occasional bit of honey or maple syrup. He contrasted this with the modern Western diet (particularly flour, sugar, and modern processed vegetable fats). Twenty-five years of research showed that the natural diets promoted healthy oral health while the Western diet did not, and in fact the modern Western diet promoted deformed dental arches crooked teeth, more cavities, and more chronic and degenerative diseases.

The Sugar Industry has long known of the dangers of sugar, but has not been forthcoming about the actual impact it has on your health. When the doors closed at the Great Western Sugar Company in Colorado in 1976, they left 1500 pages of internal documents exposing how the sugar industry used Tobacco-style tactics to dismiss negative healthy claims against their products. Discovered by Dr. Cristin E. Kearns, assistant professor at UCSF School of Dentistry, in 2016, Kearns and her colleagues published a paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine detailing the Sugar Industry’s decades-long manipulation of the nutritional research of sugar. Kearns also partnered with science journalist and author Gary Taubes to write the expose “Big Sugar’s Sweet Little Lies.” Kearns’ story is told in the Canadian documentary, Sugar Coated, (available on IMDb).

To learn more about how sugar affects your health, check out SugarScience.org.

Resources:

Price-Pottenger Organization

Big Sugar Buried Evidence to Hide Sugar Harms, Mercola.com, December 6, 2017

Sugar Industry and Coronary Heart Disease Research; Kearns, Schmidt, Glantz, (JAMA Internal Medicine, November 1, 2016).

Sugarscience.ucsf.edu/

Sugarcoateddoc.com

The Case Against Sugar, Gary Taubes

The Body/Tooth Connection

~ lac239 ~ 1 Comment

Ongoing research is proving that oral health has an impact on your overall general health. For instance, there are studies showing that gum disease has been linked to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, premature births, and other conditions.

Essentially, poor oral health translates to germs and toxins that, when unchecked and left to roam your system, can inflict serious damage and cause body-wide inflammation. Your mouth, as the gateway to your body, is constantly being infiltrated by these invaders – all of which can seep into your bloodstream, cells, tissues, and organs. Your mouth is not a closed system!

Not only is your mouth under assault from germs and toxins, common dental procedures like root canals can cause deadly bacteria to enter the body, multiply, and cause infection unless dentists take certain precautions. Even materials used in dental procedures such as mercury or fluoride can be toxic to your body.

Additionally, Holistic Dentistry (sometimes called Biological or Alternative Dentistry,) recognizes that each individual tooth in the mouth correlates to a specific organ or body part. Holistic dentistry integrates modern science with the meridian system utilized in Chinese Medicine, and the Qi (pronounced “tchee”). In a living organism, Qi is the energy that circulates within the body through meridians that intersect all parts of the body. For instance, in acupuncture, needles are inserted into specific points on a meridian system that also corresponds to every organ and body part.

Your teeth are key points on the meridians, both energetically and physically. If there is currently a problem with a specific tooth or if there have been problems in the past, that tooth is directly connected to another place in the body, such as the heart, the kidney, the breast, the prostate, the neck, etc.

The body has five meridians, and each tooth corresponds to one of the meridians and a separate part of the body. To further explore the Tooth Meridian chart, click here. Click on the individual teeth to learn about its relationship to the rest of your body.

Suggested resources:

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission or other compensation if you click through and make a purchase.

*Whole-Body Dentistry: A Complete Guide to Understanding the Impact of Dentistry on Total Health, by Mark Breiner, DDS

* I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

** I receive no compensation from these websites but I highly recommend and endorse them.

Are Those Pretty White Composite Fillings in Your Mouth Safe?

~ lac239 ~ 10 Comments

Some patients believe they are “safe” because they have white “composite” fillings. Mercury is the most toxic of all materials placed in patients’ mouths, but even “white” fillings can contain metals or other materials that can damage a patient’s health.  For that reason, holistic dentists will run biocompatibility tests to determine materials that work best with each patient.

Biocompatibility tests are also advisable because a patient can have an actual allergy to dental materials that may be placed in your mouth. This is different than metal toxicity – some people are allergic to some metals and can have an allergic reaction completely different than reactions caused by metal toxicity.

Most traditional dentists don’t believe in or simply don’t know about biocompatibility testing and they will not test you to see if the materials they use will cause a reaction when placed in your body. This is also true of many dentists advertising they are “mercury-free”; they may not use mercury in the fillings they place but they may also not test to find out the materials right for each individual patient. Your dentist should at least advise that you be tested for potential allergens prior to even placing a filling.

Making sure your dentist does not use mercury fillings, properly removing any mercury you have, and making sure the materials placed in your mouth are right for you is an important step in maintaining your overall good health, helping to prevent serious health issues, or helping your body to heal from any current health issues you may have.

The Dangers of Mercury Fillings

~ lac239 ~ 4 Comments

Do you have any amalgam fillings in your mouth? If they are new, they may look silver and shiny. The longer they are in your mouth, the more they tarnish and begin to look grey – and then black. If you do have any amalgam fillings, chances are, you are carrying toxic poisons in your mouth.

Those “silver” amalgam fillings actually have mercury, silver, tin and copper. Older amalgam fillings may also contain nickel and zinc. All of these metals can be released into the body; first, when they are first placed in your mouth, and later, as the filling breaks down through every day activities – like eating, chewing, drinking hot liquids, grinding your teeth, and even getting your teeth cleaned. (Click on the link for The Smoking Tooth to see how toxic vapors can be released from your teeth.)

The vapors from these substances can migrate from the tooth into the bones, connective tissues and nerves.  From there, they can travel to the central nervous system, where they can permanently disrupt the body’s normal functions. For many people, the build-up of metals in their body doesn’t affect them at all, however in others, those same materials can make them sick.

The American Dental Association (the ADA) and the Food and Drug Association (FDA) have long taken the stand that mercury, once it is mixed with other metals and placed in someone’s mouth, becomes “safe” – contrary to all scientific evidence. Ironically, the ADA has cautioned against the use of mercury amalgams in children and pregnant women. If dental amalgams are not safe for pregnant women or children, what makes them safe for the rest of us? (I was one of the dentists allowed to comment during the 2010 FCA hearings regarding the use and classification of mercury fillings. Click on the video to the right to see it.)

The ADA is a strong advocate of mercury amalgams. Amalgams are inexpensive, and with their use, people who could otherwise not afford dental care are able to keep teeth that, in the past, would have simply been pulled. However, science has shown the adverse consequences mercury can have on your health and it is now time for the public to insist they be protected from these dangers. Unfortunately, most insurance companies only cover the cost of mercury amalgams because it is the cheapest filling on the market. Even worse, most dentists place it in patients’ mouths because they don’t KNOW any better.

People with mercury or heavy metal poisoning can have symptoms ranging from: Anxiety, Blindness, Confusion or loss of memory, Depression, Eczema, Fits of rage or outbursts of temper, Gastrointestinal disturbances, Headaches, Insomnia, Joint pain, Kidney disorder, Miscarriages, Neuralgic pain, Paralysis, Thyroid problems, Tremors and tingling of fingers, Unusual fatigue, Skin disorders, Vertigo, Weakness of legs, and other symptoms.

So if your dentist suggests putting a “silver” filling in your mouth – just say no!

Suggested resources:

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission or other compensation if you click through and make a purchase.

* The Poison in Your Teeth, by Tom McGuire, DDS

* It’s All In Your Head: the Link Between Mercury Amalgams and Illness, by Dr. Hal A. Huggins

* Whole-Body Dentistry, by Mark A. Breiner, DDS

** Mercury Free Dentistry Campaign at www.toxicteeth.org

** Learn the Essential Dental Mercury Facts at www.iaomt.org

** Mercury Amalgam “Silver” Fillings Essentials at www.iabdm.org

FDA’s “About Dental Amalgam Fillings” at www.fda.gov

* I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

** I receive no compensation from these websites but I highly recommend and endorse them.

Have You Had Your Daily Dose of Poison Today?

~ lac239 ~ 11 Comments

Would you be surprised to know most traditional dentists and the ADA recommend you daily ingest a common neurotoxin, and that some cities are even putting it into your drinking water?

What is it? — Fluoride.

Most toothpastes, fluoride treatments, mouthwash, even teeth whitening products contain fluoride, but there are serious health risks that come with using and ingesting fluoride. It is a poison and toxic to the human body. It acts as a neurotoxin. Fluoride can damage fertility, destroy bones and cause early puberty in children. Research from a leading toxicologist at Harvard which shows an association between an exposure to fluoride and lowered IQ; additional research shows fluoride is an endocrine disruptor that can affect your bones, brain, thyroid gland, pineal gland, and even your blood sugar levels. It is a cumulative poison, meaning it accumulates in your body. Research has linked ingested fluoride to cancer and various bone problems, while other research has shown no benefit to the teeth from ingested fluoride. Too much fluoride can cause fluorosis (staining on the teeth) and fluoridating public water supplies is poisoning the general public.

The FDA insists that warnings be placed on toothpaste tubes not to swallow the toothpaste, and even warnings to just use a “pea” size amount to brush your teeth. But toothpaste is made with enticing flavors, mint or cinnamon for adults, bubble gum or fruit-flavored for kids. How many people eat just a dab of toothpaste for fresh breath?  How many kids eat the fruit flavored toothpaste because it tastes good? How many people just use a pea size amount of toothpaste on their toothbrush – or do they cover the entire amount of the brush? Parents are even advised to give a baby fluoride drops before the child even has any teeth, where fluoride can be directly absorbed into soft tissues of mouth.

Cities are putting fluoride in the city’s water system for people to drink, claiming that it will help prevent cavities, however the ADA has said that fluoridated water (water with fluoride added) should not be mixed into concentrated formula or foods intended for babies age one and younger to prevent tooth damage. However, this message is not widely spread, and even if it were, it ignores the entire demographic of families who cannot afford bottled water to mix formula for their baby and must use tap water. Even bottled water must be researched carefully to make sure it doesn’t contain fluoride as well.

Water fluoridation has been banned in many countries including: China, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Japan. Nearly all of Europe’s water supply is fluoride-free. There is a group by the name of Fluoride Action Network that has a resolution: Calling for an End to Water Fluoridation, which has signed by 600 professionals from 39 different countries including 50 professionals from Canada and 10 from Alberta asking governmental agencies to stop polluting the waters with fluoride.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission or other compensation if you click through and make a purchase.

However, you can do your part by not drinking fluoridated water and by using products, including dental products that do not contain fluoride. I recommend toothpastes and mouthwashes without fluoride. Some of the toothpastes my family and I use, and that I sell out of my office are:

Additional resources:

The Case Against Fluoride, by Paul Connett,‎ James Beck, and‎ H. Spedding Micklem ***

The Fluoride Deception, by Christopher Byson***

http://fluoridealert.org/ ****

https://fluoride.mercola.com/ ****

*My wife’s favorite, and if you click on the link you can purchase it through her webpage, for which she receives compensation.

** Sold out of my office, but can also be purchased through Amazon. Please refer to subsequent disclosure.

*** I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

**** I receive no compensation from these websites but I highly recommend and endorse them.

 

Good Oral Health is the “Gateway” to Overall Good Health

~ lac239 ~ 9 Comments

If your mouth is healthy, there is a high probability your overall health is good, too. On the other hand, if you have poor dental health, it may be an indication of other health problems, such as the following:

  • Bad breath and bleeding gums can be an indication of diabetes;
  • Dental x-rays may show the first stages of bone loss, arthritis, and/or osteoporosis;
  • Open lesions or other signs of oral and dental infections can be an indication of heart disease or HIV.

Research shows that more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations such as swollen gums, dry mouth, swollen gums or other gum problems. These diseases include some of the following:

  • Diabetes
  • Leukemia
  • Oral cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease

However, the reverse is true as well; hidden issues in your mouth can cause health problems in the rest of your body as well.  Dental problems can contribute to overall health issues in many ways:

  • Infections in the gums and/or jawbone: toxins can leak out from these infections and may affect your immune system, leading to disease.
  • The relationship between specific teeth and illness: when a tooth becomes infected or diseased, the organ on the same acupuncture meridian can also become unhealthy.
  • Root canals can be a source of disease. Root canals are dead organs left in your mouth.  Toxins can seep out of the root canal teeth and can cause systemic diseases of the heart, kidney, uterus, and the nervous and endocrine systems.
  • Toxicity of dental materials used: dental materials can release mercury, tin, copper, silver, nickel and zinc into the body, which can then migrate from the tooth into the bones, connective tissues and nerves. From there, they can travel to the central nervous system, where they can permanently disrupt the body’s normal functions.
  • Galvanic charges from the metals in your mouth: saliva in the mouth acts as a conduit in which dissimilar metals can create electric charges within your mouth.
  • Bio-compatibility to dental materials: in the same way some people have adverse reactions to drugs or allergies to foods or other substances, some people react negatively to specific dental materials which can lead to severe allergic reactions and can contribute to a multitude of chronic health problems.
  • TMJ and other alignment problems: TMJ dysfunction may cause misalignment of your teeth, jaws and muscles in your face which can affect your neck, spine, hips and other joints in your body. Similarly, your tongue can simply lie in the wrong position causing a multitude of health issues.  These dysfunctions can be caused by trauma to the body, such as a sports injury or car accident, or they can be caused by dental restorations that do not adequately support a person’s bite.

Traditional dentistry has often taken the approach that the teeth are separate from a person’s overall health, and in fact, people often procrastinate going to the dentist because they feel other health issues may be more pressing. The truth is that your dentist should be a part of your overall health care team. Good dental health and overall health go hand in hand.  Some key prevention measures include:

  • Give your body the proper nutrition it needs to stay healthy and actively protect against oral and overall health problems;
  • Just say no to putting toxins in your body, including sugar, tobacco smoke, fluoride, and mercury and other toxic materials;
  • Maintain proper dental and oral care by brushing, flossing, and caring for your teeth and gums, including regular visits to your dentist.

I encourage you to inform yourself and start looking at dental care as part of an overall health program. I want you to be actively involved in the care you receive and you should demand proper care and treatment. In subsequent posts, I will explain key dental treatments, including the use of non-toxic restorative materials, looking for and removing sources of dental toxins and hidden dental infections, and preventative measures you can take as part of your overall health care routine.