Dentistry May be a Key in Cancer Prevention

A simple inspection of your cheek could reveal potential life-threatening lung cancer, says the leading oral cancer researcher in the country, Dr. Li Mao.

“We hypothesized that tobacco-induced molecular alterations in the oral epithelium are similar to those in the lungs,” which may prove to be a vital cog in the future of lung cancer prevention trials, explained Mao.

Dr. Mao, professor at the University of Maryland Dental School, is pioneering the idea that tissue in your cheek can be an excellent indicator for tobacco-induced lung cancer. As he continues to pursue the links between oral indicators and cancer, it’s important to realize that this discovery has even broader implications: that doctors, researchers, and scientists are coming together to realize and promote the importance of oral care in our overall well-being.

At The Center for Natural Dentistry, we have built our practice on the foundation that good, proper oral care is vital for our overall health; that what goes into the mouth affects the body. Now prominent members of the medical community are starting to build and promote the bridge between medicine and dentistry.

If we can prevent and/or catch lung cancer early by simply examining tissue from your cheek, what will it mean for the future of preventative medicine? Hopefully it means that we will all take a more vested interest in caring for our bodies as a whole, rather than as individual parts.

Is Stress Taking it’s Toll on Your Teeth?

The economy is bad. Unemployment is high. Real estate values are low… It’s a stressful time for many — if not most — families in America right now. But who’s taking the worst of it? Who — or what — is the biggest punching bag for all our stress? It’s possibly our teeth.

In a recent New York Times article (When Stress Takes a Toll on Your Teeth, By Camille Sweeney, October 7, 2009), Manhattan dentist Dr. Robert Rawdin, reported to have seen “20 to 25 percent more patients with teeth grinding symptoms in the last year. And in San Diego, Dr. Gerald McCracken said that over the last 18 months his number of cases had more than doubled.”

“We’re finding in a lot of double-income families, we have the people who have lost jobs and are worried, and then we have the spouse, who still has the job, with the added pressure and uncertainty,” Dr. McCracken said. “This can cause some real grinding at night.”

Teeth grinding — or Bruxism — is an unconscious act, so most people don’t know they grind their teeth. In fact, most grinders are night grinders, rubbing away at their teeth as they sleep. The only way to distinguish what’s going on is symptomatic. Jaw and facial pain, headaches and earaches are some of the most commonly reported. Perhaps the most damaging affect, however, is the physical wear on the teeth.

Teeth grinders can exert as much as 10 times the amount of pressure on their teeth when the are sleeping as they do when they are eating. Not coincidentally, they can also wear away the enamel on their teeth 10 times faster. Since we only get one set of “adult” teeth that are expected to last us a lifetime, the long term affects of severe tooth wear can be devastating.

So what’s the solution? On the high-end is veneers. Expensive, veneers can repair the look and functionality of your teeth. Unfortunately, veneers won’t help solve the root problem: you’ll still grind your teeth. The most common solution is an occlusal splint, or night guard.

Custom night guards can not only help stop the grinding, they can actually help train the muscles to stop the grinding motion altogether for some patients, eliminating the long term need for the guard.  Night guards are not all the same.  We fabricate guards the fit the lower teeth and are adjusted to the proper bite alignment.

While inexpensive night guards are available over the counter, many are made of soft plastics that can actually increase the chewing and grinding action, compounding the problem.  That’s right, run of the mill guards can make things worse!

Stress can affect us all in different ways, but one of the more common manifestations is the grinding of our teeth. If your teeth show wear in your molars or anywhere else — whether you’re stressed or not — or if you’re getting frequent facial pain or headaches, see a dentist. While over the counter and prescription pain medications can alleviate the pain, they will do nothing to solve the problem, which may well be rooted in your teeth.

The Alternatives to Root Canals

We talk a lot about the alternatives to root canals typically the only alternative mentioned is extraction of the tooth. But is that really the only alternative? Surely there must be other options, right? This was the question posed by Sean after listening to recent podcasts (Root Canals, Infections, Formaldehyde, Oh My!).

The truth is, there are other alternatives depending on the situation. We’ll try to explain it all in detail, here.

First off, if you really need a root canal, then that means the damage has gone too far and you are having serious symptoms (toothache or swelling). At that point, the healthiest option is to extract the tooth and replace it.

Root canals, however, are often recommended for the wrong reasons (such as when a dentist has exhausted or ruled out other sources or causes for tooth pain). A common incident is when the bite is off and the problem tooth is sore and causing pain. Another common example is when the gums have receded and the tooth is painful because of exposed dentin. Of course, taking out the nerve will cut sensation or feeling to the tooth, but it by no means is the source of the problem is cured.

The reason root canals are so often recommended is because many dentists don’t spend enough time diagnosing the root cause of the problem. Diagnosis is time-consuming and inefficient. For every minute a dentist spends diagnosing the source of your dental pain, he or she loses money (because that time could have been spent seeing more patients). While many dentists will dedicate the time to properly diagnose problems, far too many take the easy route and make assumptions in order to quickly provide a solution. Root canals will most often remove the cause of the pain (again, because you’ve removed the nerve), therefore, root canal therapy is often recommended.

Now, if the dentist has properly diagnosed the cause of your problems and if you really have a true need for a root canal (infection or deep cavity), then the damage is too great to reverse. The healthiest alternative to a root canal is simply to take out the infection by removing the tooth.

Does this sound barbaric when you can “save” the tooth with root canal therapy? Probably at first. But what dentists are unaware of are the links between leaving an infected tooth in the body and other systemic illnesses (such as breast cancer). It’s called the focal infection theory. A better question would be, “Would you jeopardize your health to ’save’ a tooth?”

If you have an infection or severe decay that has caused a deep cavity and a root canal is recommended, your only two options are extraction or root canal therapy. That’s why knowledge and prevention is of utmost importance: learn how to prevent decay and the spread of tooth decay and you’ll never have to deal with a root canal.

If a root canal is recommended to you, you should definitely get a second or third opinion to confirm the true need for the procedure. Unfortunately, too many dentists do root canals for the wrong reasons and you may have other, less “barbaric” solutions if you were misdiagnosed and don’t need to undergo the procedure.

If you already have a root canal and are wondering if there’s a link with that tooth and the rest of the body, view a tooth meridian chart (we have an interactive meridian chart here: Tooth Meridian Chart) or visit a natural or holistic dentist. A lot of times, extracting the problem tooth can help alleviate or eliminate problems (not always, so again, get a second or third opinion before taking action).

The short answer to the alternatives to a root canal question is… If you really, truly need a root canal, you have only two options: root canal therapy or extraction. However, there is always the chance that you have been misdiagnosed and have many, safer, more appealing options available to you.

Is Your Health Negotiable? Washington State Thinks So….

In an interesting health move, Washington State has suspended the safety levels of mercury in vaccines for a 6-month period in order to ensure more people have access to the H1N1 vaccine.

The decision allows pregnant women and children under the age of 3 to receive versions of the H1N1 vaccine that would otherwise have been deemed dangerous due to the amounts of thimerosal and mercury used as preservatives in the vaccines. And while the attempt to make more swine flu vaccine available to a larger segment of the population is commendable, the idea that safe levels of mercury — and, therefore, the health of children — is negotiable is disturbing.

The American Association for Heath Freedom first published information regarding Washington’s decision to suspend safe limits of mercury in the swine flu vaccine on their website at www.healthfreedom.net. Their article is republished here in it’s entirety:

Despite the known risks associated with administering mercury/thimerosol-stabilized vaccines to pregnant women and children under the age of 3, health officials in Washington state have temporarily canceled the limit on how much mercury may be allowed in swine-flu vaccine given to pregnant women and to children up to the age of 3. The six-month suspension will be in effect through March 23, 2010, and applies only to the swine-flu vaccine.

Mary Selecky, secretary of the Washington State Department of Health, has said, “Mercury-free H1N1 vaccine may not always be in stock, and we want to be sure there are no barriers to protecting people”.

H1N1 vaccination is voluntary in Washington, but the law requires that women who are pregnant or nursing, and parents/guardians of children under the age of 18, be told that the vaccine they are getting contains more mercury than is usually permitted. Most patients will learn this from a handout. But will the handout contain any information about the risks of mercury administered to pregnant women and young children? And will the handout explain that there is a subset of the population who are unable to detoxify mercury, a possible link to learning and behavior disorders, including autism?

Epidemiological studies in the United States have discovered less than optimal levels of vitamin D in certain vulnerable populations, including seniors, pregnant women and young children. Given that Washington is at a latitude where vitamin D deficiency is common, the suspension of limits on mercury in order to “improve access” to the H1N1 vaccine rings hollow unless that state’s residents are also educated about vitamin D and the flu, monolauric acid and the flu, and how nutrition and lifestyle can optimize immune system function.

American Association for Heath Freedom

http://www.healthfreedom.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=907&Itemid=1

What does this mean for health regulations going forward? Is Washington State setting a dangerous precedent that health and safety regulations may be compromised if it suits the public agenda? Are officials saying that mercury toxicity is less of a threat than the flu? In either instance, this is a case of your health — and the health of children — being negotiated… would you be willing to trade one health risk for another, or would you rather see a constructive solution: a fulfillment of the promise made years ago to find a safe alternative to thimerosal and mercury used as preservatives in vaccines?

What Is Holistic Dentistry? How is it Different from Traditional Dentistry?

As an holistic dentist (and former “traditional” dentist and dental school professor) I frequently get asked about the differences between “traditional” and “holistic” dentistry. While there are a few distinct differences that categorize dentists and dental practices into one group or the other, the truth is that every dentist is different and to place one dentist in the “holistic” group and another in the “traditional” group is not a good way to segment all dentists.

The Background of Holistic Dentistry

Before we can get into depth on the differences, I think it’s important to look at what the word “holistic” really means. The word holistic is not a reflection of the practices and techniques used by the dentist, but of an overall philosophy of the role of oral care. The word itself comes from “wholistic” meaning “the whole.” Truly holistic dentists will educate patients on the importance of overall health and how dentistry can play a role in the overall health.

All dentists to some extent see the importance of the mouth in the overall health of an individual. For instance, studies have concluded a link between gum disease and heart health, diabetes, and pregnancies. However, many dentists are not trained in the long term effects of what dentistry does (or could possibly do) to the whole body. Hence the reason the field of holistic dentistry was formed.

Truly holistic dentists are dentists who perform dentistry that is good for the body as well as the teeth and gums.

There are dentists who call themselves holistic (for marketing or differentiation reasons) but the only thing “holistic” about them is that they don’t place mercury fillings. On the flipside, there are conventional dentist who perform complex, comprehensive dentistry that involves more than the teeth and gums… it involves the face, head, neck…. the whole body… hence the “wholistic” nature of what they do, yet they don’t call themselves holistic. To say that a dentist is one or the other is not always accurate.

At The Center for Natural Dentistry, we have put emphasis on a more natural or holistic approach to dentistry. But what does this mean? What are the nuts and bolts of the differences between truly holistic dental practices and more traditional dental practices? What are the topical differences?

The Issues

When most people think of holistic and natural dentistry, they think of mercury fillings. But there are many more issues that divide most traditional and holistic dental practices. (Please keep in mind that many “traditional” dentists practice under the philosophies of the “holistic” side and vice versa. This is why labels don’t work. But for simplicity’s sake, I’ve divided the issues below.)

Mercury Fillings:
Traditional dentistry espouses the longevity of mercury amalgam fillings and the fact that insurance will typically cover the cost of placement. They will also point to the ADA and FDA’s statements that the mercury in the fillings is stabilized and safe, leaking only tiny amounts of mercury. They are also typically easier for the dentist to place than composite fillings.

Holistic dentists understand that mercury is a toxin and even small amounts are too great a risk to the body and your overall health. While amalgam fillings last longer than composites, they put extreme pressure on the tooth and often cause weakening of the tooth — meaning that the filling may outlast the tooth it was placed in. Truly holistic dentists do not place mercury and meet or exceed safety guidelines for removal.

Root Canals (or Root Canal Therapy):
Most traditional dentists will recommend root canal therapy as a means to save a tooth that has suffered severe decay and has already or will soon die completely. They argue that the procedure has been done for centuries and has been proven safe and effective as a means to keep a natural tooth.

Holistic dentists point to the research that says root canal therapy cannot be effective unless the canal is 100% sterilized and cleaned of bacteria, and the repeated studies have shown that it is 100% impossible to completely sterilize the canal. They also argue that the chemicals used for sterilization are toxic (formaldehyde is one such chemical) and that the bacteria left in the canal can lead to adverse health affects down the road, including breast cancer, heart disease, and more. Holistic dentists typically do not recommend root canals.

Fluoride:
Traditional dentists are in favor of using fluoride in both a topical and ingested form. They argue in favor of fluoridating water supplies and recommend fluoride drops for infants. They point to research showing a decrease in cavity rates in areas where the water is fluoridated.

Holistic dentists typically argue against any form of ingested fluoride, arguing that research has linked ingested fluoride to cancer and various bone problems while other research has shown no benefit to the teeth from ingested fluoride. They also argue that too much fluoride can cause fluorosis and that fluoridating public water supplies is forced medication of the general public. Some holistic dentists are for topical fluoride and some are against it.

Biocompatibility of Dental Materials:
Most traditional dentists don’t believe in biocompatibility testing and will not test you to see if the materials they use will cause a reaction when placed in your body. Most traditional dentists do not explain the differences between different composite filling materials nor do they give you a choice on which materials will be used for your cavity.

Holistic dentists believe that what goes into your mouth can affect your entire body and many have on-site equipment to test for biocompatibility of the materials they use. Most holistic dentists use a variety of different composite filling materials as well as different materials for other procedures (bridges, crowns, etc.).

Summarizing the Differences

The above is a partial, topical list of some of the philosophical differences between traditional and holistic dentists. The fact remains that many traditional dentists will fall onto the side of holistic dentists in the above instances, and vice versa. The differences between the two aren’t necessarily topical in nature (although topical differences are easy for us to understand, and easy to pinpoint, so they make a tidy way to differentiate).

The true differences between holistic dentistry and traditional dentistry is philosophical: traditional denitstry is the practice of treating the symptoms in the teeth and gums and attempting to prevent such problems from reoccurring. Holistic dentistry is the practice of treating the underlying problems that cause symptoms in the mouth, attempting to eliminate those problems (and, hence, preventing the symptoms from reoccurring) while ensuring the work done in the mouth does not have an adverse affect on your overall health.

So How Do You Know Which to Choose?

So, if the differences are philosophical how do you find a dentist that’s right for you — a dentist whose philosophies match your own? Ask good questions! Ask questions such as “How do you determine which type of filling is right for me?” and “If I get cavities in one area of my mouth, can you tell me why?” If you want a truly holistic dentist, their answers will revolve around your entire body and he/she will discuss the role your oral health plays in your overall health. If you want a traditional dentist, look for answers that talk more about the topical symptoms and ask questions about cost/benefit and insurance coverage.

You always have the right to ask questions and know what’s going on. You never have to implicitly your dentist. While most dentists are good people who want to look out for your best interests, the fact remains that no two people have the same “best interests” and their are alternatives out there. It’s more than just your right to ask questions of your medical and dental advisers, it’s your duty. It is, after all, YOUR health we’re talking about.

About The Center for Natural Dentistry:

The Center for Natural Dentistry focuses on natural dentistry that’s good for your whole body as well as your mouth. Are primary focus is your health and we emphasize that disease can be prevented with proper nutrition as well as proper daily oral hygiene. We believe that proper education about the role of oral health in your overall wellness will help you stay healthier longer and help you make informed decisions about your health.

We are located in Encinitas, California, in San Diego County and serve patients from around the world. To schedule an appointment or request more information, please contact us by phone at (888) 825-5351 or via email at info@naturaldentistry.us. We can be found online at http://NaturalDentistry.us and http://AmericasHolisticDentist.com.

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