Dental and oral health are part of overall health. Your oral microbiome and dental health affect your entire body. If your oral microbiome is out of balance and you have dental health issues, it can affect your whole health and increase the risk of inflammation, symptoms, and disease. Dental care should be included in your overall healthcare program. However, there is a big difference between “holistic” dental care and “standard of care.” In this article we will dive into the problem with root canals, cavitations, amalgam fillings, and fluoride. I’ll also discuss solution using natural, at home practices as well as how to work with a holistic or Biologic Dentist. | |
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The Oral Microbiome I’m sure you have heard a lot about your microbiome, but did you know you have a whole host of bacteria that live in your mouth? Your mouth is the home of a unique community of bacterial organisms. Beneficial bacteria in your mouth help to carry ionic minerals from your saliva to your teeth. They help with remineralization. They transport molecular oxygen to your gums. They help to reduce waste and free radical damage. They also help to protect you from harmful bacteria and other environmental harm and infections. On the other hand, there are harmful bacteria and, in some cases, yeast and other pathogens, that can harm your oral health. Just like your gut microbiome, when they become overgrown, they can disrupt the delicate microbial balance and create some serious health problems. | |
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The Problem with Root CanalsIn the United States, dentists and endodontists perform over 15 million root canals each year, which is about 41,000 per day! A root canal is a dental treatment that treats infections in the tooth’s pulp. Root canals can replace damaged pulp with a dental filling, restore the tooth’s appearance, and enable the tooth to function without pain. But there can be some problems with root canals! • It’s impossible to kill all pathogens inside the tooth. As a 2008 study published in the International Endodontic Journal (1 ) has shown bacteria can reside in teeth that received a root canal even in asymptomatic patients. • Root canals can also lead to secondary infections and harbor pathogens. • Anaerobic bacteria left behind during treatment can not only survive but thrive here. • A 2000 review published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews (2 ) has found that oral infections can increase the list of chronic diseases, including arthritis, peptic ulcer, and inflammatory bowel disease. | |
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Watch “Root Cause”The documentary “Root Cause” on YouTube is an eye-opener! You will learn how many “dis-eases” are connected to root canals. Potential Risks Include • Arthritis • Heart Disease • Mental disorders • Neurogenerative disease • Digestion Disorders • Cancer | |
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The Development of CavitationsThe development of cavitations is another risk of modern dentistry. Cavitation is a hole in the bone that can develop when the tooth has been extracted but this hole in the bone hasn’t healed properly or hasn’t been filled. When your tooth is removed, your body usually fills the space in the bone over time. However, when the periodontal membrane (ligament) is left behind after the extraction, the healing is usually incomplete leaving a spongy space or a hole in your jaw bone. Inside cavitations, anaerobic bacteria can thrive, and toxins can hide. Because of this, cavitations may increase your risk of chronic inflammation, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, digestion problems, and other chronic health issues. | |
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Amalgam/Silver FillingsMillions of people have mercury fillings. This practice has been done for over one hundred years. We are now beginning to understand the impact this can have on your overall health. Every time you chew, a small amount of mercury will escape from your filling and get released into your body. Drinking hot tea, coffee, or other liquids or eating hot foods will also encourage the escape of mercury vapors from your silver filling. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mercury toxicity can lead to a list of health issues, including: • Headaches • Migraines • Insomnia • Fatigue • Tremors • Nerve damage • Respiratory problems • Respiratory failure • Kidney problems • Fibromyalgia like symptoms Further on in this article, I will tell you how to find a Biologic dentist who can safely remove the amalgam fillings. | |
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FluorideWe have all probably used fluoridated toothpaste, either currently, or in the past. Many of our water systems in the U.S. contain “fluoridated” water. Yet this is not an innocent chemical and something you may want to avoid as much as possible. Constant fluoride exposure increases your risk of: • Cognitive problems • Lower IQ • Higher risk of dementia and Alzheimers • It may increase hormonal issues • May increase the risk for diabetes • May increase the risk of hypothyroidism | |
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A landmark federal court ruling has confirmed the current fluoride levels in U.S. drinking water, endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pose an unreasonable risk to children’s cognitive development. The ruling underscores the need for immediate regulatory action to ban water fluoridation, as it challenges decades of government promotion of fluoridated water as safe and beneficial. | |
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What is a Holistic Dentist?Holistic dental care puts a great emphasis on the effects of nutrition on the oral microbiome and oral health. Alternative strategies that holistic dental clinics use may also include nutrition education, nutritional strategies, dietary supplementation, and minimally invasive treatment options. Holistic dentists also don’t use amalgam fillings because of toxicity issues and opt for composite fillings instead. They also do not perform root canals because of safety issues and the chemicals involved. Instead of a medicated mouthwash, they may offer a herbal mouthwash for gingivitis. Holistic dentists also advise against fluoride toothpaste. They may recommend herbal toothpaste, herbal tooth powder, neem toothpaste, propolis, or other herbal and natural options for dental care. Your oral microbiome is critical not only for your oral and dental health but also the health of your entire body. For example, according to a 2019 study published in Food Science and Human Wellness (3), poor oral microbiome balance can be linked to oral diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. | |
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What Can You Do?If you have mercury fillings, you can have them removed by a Biologic Dentist. Holistic dentists use the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) protocol to safely remove any silver dental fillings you may have. The dentists and dental personnel wear protective gowns and covers, non-latex gloves, face shields, and hair coverings to avoid the spread of mercury particles from patient to dentist and to avoid infections. Patients are protected with a full-body impermeable barrier and a non-latex dental dam around the tooth. Get A 3D CT Scan Holistic dentists use 3D CT scans, or Cone Beam Analysis as a diagnostic tool. The Cone Beam Analysis is a computed tomography (CT) scan that takes detailed images of your teeth, the bones around your teeth, soft tissue, and nerve pathways in one single scan. They can often see if there is a lingering infection in a root canal or cavitation and safely clean it and replace it with a non-toxic substance. | |
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At Home CareOil Pulling Oil pulling helps to reduce bad microbes, inflammation, and the risk of infections and helps to ‘pull’ out toxins from your oral cavity. Swish a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for about 10 minutes and spit it into a waste basket. You can do this daily or as often as you like. Certain essential oils, like clove oil, peppermint, and spearmint, offer antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits that can reduce infections in your mouth. You can add these oils to your coconut oil as you are “swishing!” | |
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FLOSS!Make it a habit to floss at least once a day. Depending on the spaces between your teeth, receding gums, and crowns, many food particles can get trapped between your teeth. Many of the floss products are made with a Teflon coating so they slide easily. Search for a floss product that does not contain these chemicals. Use non-fluoridated toothpaste We all have had it drilled into us that fluoride is safe and effective. It turns out that they were not true! As mentioned above, there can be many detrimental health hazards to using a daily fluoridated toothpaste. There are many healthier options now available online. | |
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Educate YourselfThis website is a wealth of information, and you can search for a holistic or biological dentist on this site. The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology In the Austin, Texas Area This dental practice has had rave reviews, and I know many friends who have used them and loved them. In Marble Falls, Nunelly, Freeman, and Owens is a Biologic Dentistry team. | |
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Your dental and oral health is part of your overall health. Your oral microbiome and dental health affect your entire body. If your oral microbiome is out of balance and you have dental health issues, it can affect your whole health and increase the risk of inflammation, many of the symptoms and diseases listed above. Approach your dental health care from a holistic point of view to reverse and prevent many diseases. Chris Mckee Certified Nutritionist at Achieve Integrative Health | |
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References 1. Aetiology of root canal treatment failure: why well-treated teeth can fail https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2591.2001.00396.x 2. Li X, Kolltveit KM, Tronstad L, Olsen I. Systemic diseases caused by oral infection. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2000 Oct;13(4):547-58. doi: 10.1128/CMR.13.4.547. PMID: 11023956; PMCID: PMC88948. 3. Oral microbiota: A new view of body health https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453018301642 |
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