Some Basics of Holistic Dentistry
1. You should first floss your teeth regularly. Ideally after every meal. The best floss would be non-waxed type.
2. Then you can use a dry Periodontal Brush. Blot the brush at a 45-degree angle at the gum line about 20 times in each area around the mouth. Start behind the teeth first.
3. Keep your toothbrush clean by soaking it in a capful of hydrogen peroxide once a week. This is more than sufficient to kill the bacteria that normally accumulates in the brush.
4. Next, it would be helpful to use a Water Pik to remove any food particles that you might have missed with the above cleaning.
5. This step is one of the most important. Do NOT use regular toothpaste. Most of it has flouride -- which clearly is a poison and not intended for human use. Instead, use a mixture of six parts of baking soda to one part of Real Salt or Sea Salt. Place them in a blender and mix for 30 seconds then place in a container to use.
6. Wet the tip of your index finger and place a SMALL amount of the salt and soda mixture on the gums. Starting with the upper outside gums and then the inside of the upper, followed by the lower outside of the gums then the lower inside. Spit out the excess. After 15 minutes, rinse your mouth. This mixture is incredibly effective at killig the bacteria and parasites that cause plaque.
So you may be asking, what nutrition and
supplementation will help you have a good
outcome from any dental procedure?
My recommendations are the same I would make for
good oral health and healty teeth.
You should:
- Find out your nutritional type, and eat accordingly. This will tell you which foods are ideal for your unique biochemistry.
- Eat at least one-third of your food raw.
- Avoid processed foods, sugar, refined flour and all artificial flavorings, colorings, and artificial sweeteners. Instead, seek out locally grown foods that are in-season.
- Enjoy fermented foods like natto, kefir and cultured veggies.
- Make sure you eat enough healthy fats, including those from animal sources like omega-3 fat, and reduce your intake of omega-6 from vegetable oils.
- Your dietary choices also contribute to rising antibiotic resistence.
Compounding the problem is the fact that antibiotics are also widely over-used in agriculture. In fact, agricultural uses account for about 70% of all antibiotic use in the U.S., so it's a MAJOR source of human antibiotic consumption. Animals are often fed antibiotics at low doses for disease prevention and growth promotion, and those antibiotics are transferred to you via meat, and even via the manure used as crop fertilizer. So, reducing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is yet another reason for making sure you're only eating grass-fed, oraganically-raised meats. So keep in mind that in addition to enjoying better health, becoming an educated consumer and selecting organic meats over conventionally-raised meats will also help quell the rise of antibiotic-resistant disease.
Medications have side effects that can affect your oral health,
Side effects that may cause permanent consequences to the human being occur because drugs are not specific in their actions. Medications and drugs do not exclusively go to the cells that are involved in the problem -- instead they go to tissues, blood, lymph, all cells and organs of the whole body, metastasizing side effects to the whole system.
Dry Mouth:
This can be caused by common antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs and narcotics in addition to drugs used for glaucoma and bladder spasms and urinary retention as well as antihypertensives.
When the mouth is chronically dry, the teeth, oral musosa and soft tissue are easily inflammed, painful, and prone to infection. This environment commonly leads to tooth decay and necrosis of the nerves innervating the teeth.
Tooth Discoloration:
This is a common side effect of some antibiotics.
Side effects that may cause permanent consequences to the human being occur because drugs are not specific in their actions. Medications and drugs do not exclusively go to the cells that are involved in the problem -- instead they go to tissues, blood, lymph, all cells and organs of the whole body, metastasizing side effects to the whole system.
Dry Mouth:
This can be caused by common antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs and narcotics in addition to drugs used for glaucoma and bladder spasms and urinary retention as well as antihypertensives.
When the mouth is chronically dry, the teeth, oral musosa and soft tissue are easily inflammed, painful, and prone to infection. This environment commonly leads to tooth decay and necrosis of the nerves innervating the teeth.
Tooth Discoloration:
This is a common side effect of some antibiotics.
Gingival Hyperplasia:
This is a condition defined as overgrowth of the gum tissue. It is commonly caused by siezure medications, heart medications, medications for high blood pressure and immunosuppressant medications.
Oral Lesions:
This is defined as soft tissue discoloration and inflammation. This can be caused by drugs used for blood pressure, immunosuppressants, oral contraceptives and chemotherapy drugs.
Abnormal Bleeding:
This can be caused by drugs such as asprin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), steriods and anticoagulants, wich are used to thin the blood in common conditions associated with strokes and certain diseases associated with the heart and arrhythmias.
Jaw Clenching and Teeth Grinding:
These can be side effects of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. A diet rich in sugars and sugar-forming foods cultivate the growth of parasites, viruses and bacteria. This affects our metabolism and stimulates the nervous system causing it to be "over charged" and resulting in the clinging and grinding of the jaw.
This is a condition defined as overgrowth of the gum tissue. It is commonly caused by siezure medications, heart medications, medications for high blood pressure and immunosuppressant medications.
Oral Lesions:
This is defined as soft tissue discoloration and inflammation. This can be caused by drugs used for blood pressure, immunosuppressants, oral contraceptives and chemotherapy drugs.
Abnormal Bleeding:
This can be caused by drugs such as asprin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), steriods and anticoagulants, wich are used to thin the blood in common conditions associated with strokes and certain diseases associated with the heart and arrhythmias.
Jaw Clenching and Teeth Grinding:
These can be side effects of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. A diet rich in sugars and sugar-forming foods cultivate the growth of parasites, viruses and bacteria. This affects our metabolism and stimulates the nervous system causing it to be "over charged" and resulting in the clinging and grinding of the jaw.
Drugs Demand More Drugs
Drugs that are prescribed for certain symptoms and diseases commonly cause side effects -- this we have established. As though this weren't enough, those side effects are often treated with other drugs to counteract the initial side effects. Thus, the cylce goes on and on with more drugs being needed to counteract each other and eventually a break down of the body and mind occurs -- culminating in:
- Disease
- Disorientation
- Poor digestion and assimilation of foods
- Poor quality of life
- Premature death
An example of these effects include the bleeding disorders, stomach ulcers, kidney and liver failure and anxiety that can occur from anti-inflammatory medication used for pain. Another example, cholesterol medications cause liver and kidney problems and have been associated with an increase in dramatic deaths such as suicide and murders. The same can occur with antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
Antibiotics are a double-edged sword in that they not only kill the bad bacteria, but they also kill the good in addition to suppressing the immune system, which opens the body and the person to further disease.
The Mitochondria, which are called the "Powerhouse of the Cell" as they produce energy, are postulated to have evolved from bacteria and were once a single unique organism before it became part of the cell's cytoplasm. The Mitochondrial Theory supports that the mitochondria inside the cells is similar or originated from a bacteria. If this possiblility is true, then antibiotic therapy that is killing the bad bacteria is not only killing the good as stated above, but may also be exterminating the precious Mitochondria.
Antibiotics are a double-edged sword in that they not only kill the bad bacteria, but they also kill the good in addition to suppressing the immune system, which opens the body and the person to further disease.
The Mitochondria, which are called the "Powerhouse of the Cell" as they produce energy, are postulated to have evolved from bacteria and were once a single unique organism before it became part of the cell's cytoplasm. The Mitochondrial Theory supports that the mitochondria inside the cells is similar or originated from a bacteria. If this possiblility is true, then antibiotic therapy that is killing the bad bacteria is not only killing the good as stated above, but may also be exterminating the precious Mitochondria.
Alternative Solutions
Health arises from a combination of several factors that include good nutrition, lifestyle changes, sound dental choices and alternative medical approaches such as Traditional Osteiopathic Treatment. All of these work from a place of health that focuses on the whole patient, the mind, the body and the spirit. We DO NOT work from a place of symptoms!
Nutrition is the basis for good health. Sound dental choices that include the use of biological dentistry that properly employs choices of meterials, anesthetics and procedures that synchronize with the whole patient are also important. From a treatment perspective, Traditional Osteopathic Treatment is an excellent approach that utilizes a unique hands-on technique from a place of health.
We also need to be aware and educated about the impact of environmental stimuli such as power lines, cellular towers, excessive noise, pollution and other electromagnetic interference. Finally, we need to educate our patients to practice some form of meditation to have a better awareness of their mind, body and souls. This creates better balance and allows us to make sound choices. Mild exercise that does not put too much compression on the body, such as walking, swimming, stretching, Tai Chi, etc., are great ways to improve our health as well.
Nutrition is the basis for good health. Sound dental choices that include the use of biological dentistry that properly employs choices of meterials, anesthetics and procedures that synchronize with the whole patient are also important. From a treatment perspective, Traditional Osteopathic Treatment is an excellent approach that utilizes a unique hands-on technique from a place of health.
We also need to be aware and educated about the impact of environmental stimuli such as power lines, cellular towers, excessive noise, pollution and other electromagnetic interference. Finally, we need to educate our patients to practice some form of meditation to have a better awareness of their mind, body and souls. This creates better balance and allows us to make sound choices. Mild exercise that does not put too much compression on the body, such as walking, swimming, stretching, Tai Chi, etc., are great ways to improve our health as well.
Nutrition
Nutrition plays an integral role in not only your dental health, but also in your health overall. My approach to nutrition requires discipline, eating oraganically grown and produced foods with no processed sugars and flours. A diet rich in raw vegetables, raw vegetable juices, dairy and animal proteins is a great basis. In addition, there are many nutritional plans and approaches out there; at the clinic we utilize a nutritional approach called metabolic typing, which is an efficient way for an individual to discover the foods that metabolize best for them and is unique for the individual. With many nutritional plans, most individuals have difficulty abiding by them 100 percent of the time as they do not cater to each individual and their metabolic needs. Nutritional typing, on the other hand, caters to an individual's needs and will leave you feeling satisfied, not hungry or craving unhealthy foods.
The typical American diet is rich in processed foods, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, and high in sugars and simple carbohydrates. This diet is surely one of the worst diets in the world. Obesity and diabetes are running rampant in our society and are directly a result of our poor diets. Our children are feasting on foods with psychedrelic colors and numerous preservatives, sugar-enriched sodas, and processed breads and pastas, not to mention all the fast foods.
These foods have contributed to terrible dental decay and gum diseases in addition to severe medical problems that lead to both chronic and terminal abnormalities.
Dr. Mercola's books and Website have contributed a great deal toward nutrition and alternative medical truths, but there is still work to be done.
The typical American diet is rich in processed foods, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, and high in sugars and simple carbohydrates. This diet is surely one of the worst diets in the world. Obesity and diabetes are running rampant in our society and are directly a result of our poor diets. Our children are feasting on foods with psychedrelic colors and numerous preservatives, sugar-enriched sodas, and processed breads and pastas, not to mention all the fast foods.
These foods have contributed to terrible dental decay and gum diseases in addition to severe medical problems that lead to both chronic and terminal abnormalities.
Dr. Mercola's books and Website have contributed a great deal toward nutrition and alternative medical truths, but there is still work to be done.
Lifestyle
Similar to nutrition, lifestyle also plays an integral role in a person's health and well-being. The way an individual conducts their life, the activities that they are involved in, whether or not they practice some type of meditation, and how well they sleep are all integral parts of their health.
Exercise,
when utilized properly, promotes flexibility and strength, stimulates lymphatic and venous drainage, increases our stamina and helps relieve stress. Meditation and relaxation are a very important part of balancing the nervous and immune systems. Steady practice helps to cultivate an optimal place of health in addition to creating the optimal environment of recovery from illness to a place of recovery and health.
Finally, and most importantly, we need around eight hours of sleep a night to recharge our batteries. This is essential to help our bodies to regenerate and to stay healthy.
A healthy lifestyle that includes all of the above will support health and well-being especially in challenging times. Medications should not be the first choice in times of need. We must look at the whole and not the symptoms.
Physicians, dentists, and various practitioners should be committed to treating patients in a holistic way. Human beings have different parts to themselves, which include the mind, the body and the spirit. True holistic practice looks at all these parts.
Exercise,
when utilized properly, promotes flexibility and strength, stimulates lymphatic and venous drainage, increases our stamina and helps relieve stress. Meditation and relaxation are a very important part of balancing the nervous and immune systems. Steady practice helps to cultivate an optimal place of health in addition to creating the optimal environment of recovery from illness to a place of recovery and health.
Finally, and most importantly, we need around eight hours of sleep a night to recharge our batteries. This is essential to help our bodies to regenerate and to stay healthy.
A healthy lifestyle that includes all of the above will support health and well-being especially in challenging times. Medications should not be the first choice in times of need. We must look at the whole and not the symptoms.
Physicians, dentists, and various practitioners should be committed to treating patients in a holistic way. Human beings have different parts to themselves, which include the mind, the body and the spirit. True holistic practice looks at all these parts.