Naturopathic Cancer Treatment Provider for over 25 years
DENTAL QUICK FACTS
Oral health is an important component of overall health. There are links between chronic oral infections and other health problems including diabetes, heart disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Even though dental cavities and tooth decay are largely preventable, they remains the most common chronic disease of children age 5-17. In fact, dental cavities are 4 times more common than asthma. Nearly 75% of American adults suffer from various forms of gum disease and don’t know it, according to the American Dental Hygienist Association. Disease and inflammation in the mouth can foster the development of clogged arteries and blood clots. People with periodontal disease are 1.5 to 2 times for likely to suffer a fatal heart attack and nearly three times more likely to suffer a stroke. Periodontal disease can also make diabetes worse. Diabetic patients with severe periodontitis have greater difficulty maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
Why does periodontal disease and tooth decay cause systemic problems? One of the important factors to consider is that the human mouth is full of bacteria. When there is inflammation of the gums and tissues of the mouth it will create an environment that encourages the growth of unhealthy bacterial species. These bacteria can get into the bloodstream very easily from the mouth and circulate and cause problems elsewhere. For example, people who have heart disease of the valves are frequently prescribed an antibiotic prior to a dental treatment because the release of these bacteria into circulation could cause inflammation of the heart valves.
A thorough oral examination can detect tooth decay as well as signs of nutritional deficiencies, systemic diseases, immune disorders, injuries and some cancers. Yet, last year only 60% of American adults visited the dentist. When patients are seen at the Portland Clinic of Holistic Health we understand the importance of nutrition and disease – and dental decay and periodontal disease are symptoms of underlying nutritional disorders. One of the tests we perform routinely is the Polysan Antigen-Antibody infection screening test. Several of the groups of infectious bacteria we test for in the body reside in the mouth.
When patients do have dental work – a cavity filled, a root canal, even a teeth cleaning and routine dental exam- there are some things to consider. With any cleaning there is going to be dispersal of these dental bacteria into circulation. With any type of filling, root canal, etc there is irritation and exposure to the dental materials, gluing agents, the anesthetics that the body must detoxify, there is the potential nerve damage from the necessary procedures, and potential risk of infection in the area of the procedure.
For those reasons and more we advise patients who are having dental work or cleanings and exams to schedule a Bio-Thermal Therapy® Treatment as soon as possible after the procedure. The same day is not too soon. We have a special Diathermy procedure designed for after dental work. This is a special type of Bio-thermal Therapy® in addition to the standard treatment which improves digestion, organ function, immune function, cardiovascular function, reduces inflammation, fights infections and improve the blood.
We incorporate into the customary Bio-Thermal Therapy® treatment infrared therapy to the jaw along with contrast hydrotherapy locally and to the torso. We use the sine wave pads to increase the number of white blood cells and use high frequency at the end of the treatment to reduce inflammation and encourage tissue healing. The post dental treatment is designed to reduce inflammation, encourage healing, detoxify from the dental anesthetic, the glues and solvents, to help the damaged injured nerves and gum tissue to heal, and to help clear the body from the bacterial exposure of the dental treatment. This special Bio-Thermal Therapy® protocol has been in use for over 70 years. It improves the outcomes of dental procedures by encouraging tissue healing and decreases the chances of post dental infection, nerve damage, and damage from the toxic metals, composites, adhesives, etc.
Remember to schedule a Bio-Thermal Therapy® Treatment as soon as possible after each dental visit, ideally the day of or the day after the dental appointment.
Are you concerned about the potential risks and side effects of too many mercury or amalgam fillings? Do you plan on having your mercury fillings removed? There are risks associated with mercury but also with mercury filling removal. It is always important to discuss with your doctor and dentist whether removal is a good idea. Also, it is important to consider that the ‘ceramic’ fillings also contain heavy metal preparations. Gold is generally the most biologically compatible but can also be more expensive.
At the clinic a simple urine test can screen for excess levels of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, etc. Many of us are exposed to mercury or other heavy metals via our teeth or from environmental exposures such as Tuna, air pollution, flu vaccines, chemical fertilizers, etc.Sadly in the modern era it is no longer a matter of IF but when we will be exposed to toxic metals that can contribute to health problems. The issue now is that we maintain adequate detoxification and elimination of those toxic substances. That is a part of why an annual or twice annual 21 day purification program is so important.
Taking care of your mouth is an important part of a daily regimen. For good oral hygiene:
Too many people mistakenly believe that they need to see a dentist only if they are in pain or think something is wrong, but they’re missing the bigger picture. A dental visit means being examined by a doctor of oral health capable of diagnosing and treating conditions that can range from routine to extremely complex.
What you eat and how often you eat play an important role in the health of your teeth and preventing cavities. Research shows that children who have healthy dietary practices are 44 percent less likely to exhibit severe dental caries in early childhood compared to children with poor diets. For adults, a healthy diet can protect tooth enamel and result in fewer trips to the dentist.
The moment you place food in your mouth, bacteria in the mouth turns sugars and carbohydrates from food into acids. These acids erode the enamel on teeth, starting the decay process. The more often you eat, the more you are exposing your teeth to the cycle of decay. To promote mouth and tooth health, pay attention to the types of foods you’re eating.
Hard candies and mints, fruit “chews,” dried fruit bits (except raisins), cookies, pretzels, and potato chips all have high sugar content that bacteria feeds on. Soda, sports drinks, sweetened coffee and tea contribute to the breakdown of enamel. Sugar-substitutes such as Splenda and aspartame don’t react on teeth the same way as natural sugar, but these artificial sweeteners aren’t a healthy staple for anyone’s diet. Read food labels: Sugar-free does not always mean a food does not contain sugar; it may mean additional sugar has not been added. Many sugar-free products contain fructose, sucrose, maple or rice syrup, which can be just as bad for teeth.
Cheese, chicken and lean meats, nuts, plain yogurt, and milk all contain calcium and phosphorous, two nutrients thought to protect tooth enamel and to remineralize teeth. Other great food choices include leafy greens, fish, and eggs.
Hard, crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, carrots, and broccoli all have a high water content that stimulates saliva and helps wash away food particles and acid. However, citrus fruits and tomatoes are more acidic and should be eaten with other foods (e.g., a turkey and cheese sandwich with tomato slices; orange slices with a few almonds). When it comes to beverages, your best choice is water followed by milk and unsweetened tea. And about those raisins … the sweet, bite-sized raisin does not contain sucrose (table sugar), plus it is rich in phytochemicals that, in some studies, have been shown to affect the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease.
