The Facts About Ozone Therapy in Dentistry

Ozone: Natural Healing Agent … or Just a Lot of Hot Air?

Touted as a skincare treatment, a cure for cancer, and Mother Nature’s sunscreen, Ozone (O3) has also raised interest – and eyebrows – in the dental industry. As a 12-year dental practitioner passionate about holistic healthcare, I have been drilling down on the truth about ozone therapy. Here, let’s bust some myths about ozone and explore the proven applications of this treatment option.

True: Ozone is the strongest oxidizer in medicine. It’s the most powerful anti-bacterial treatment known, with the ability to kill viruses, yeasts, and bacteria.

True: Our bodies naturally produce ozone. Our white blood cells, which we use to combat infections, live in an ozone environment. Ozone applied as a dental treatment supplements that which our bodies already use naturally to kill bacteria and fungus.

False: Ozone treatment is a proven cure for cancer. Ozone does inhibit the growth of new tissue, and some proponents advocate that certain cancer cells can be inhibited by ozone, but there are no studies or clinical trials proving as much.

True: Ozone is not yet approved by the FDA for medical purposes. It is, however, FDA approved for food preservation and water treatment.

False: Olive oil infused with ozone can make you look younger. Some products, however, infused with ozone, are used for the treatment of skin inflammation including dermatitis and seborrhea.

True: Ozone has been used successfully for many years to combat cavities, infections, periodontal disease, tooth sensitivity, and cavitations. It also has effective applications in whitening and oral surgery.

False: Ozone is toxic to humans in all forms. Ozone, inhaled in certain quantities, can cause respiratory issues in mammals. At The Center for Natural Dentistry, however, we follow protocols that strictly limit ozone inhalation in quantity.

True: Ozone in dental therapy is not administered in toxic doses; it is not inhaled, or injected into the blood stream. At the Center for Natural Dentistry, we deliver ozone under a strict protocol, making it a safe and effective treatment option.

True: As a practioner of dentistry, I have seen remarkable and often immediate results from the use of ozone therapy. The strong and vital correlation between our oral environment and our entire body is supported by the use of holistic treatments such as ozone.

Further Reading:

Ozone Therapy as Treatment in Dentistry
http://naturaldentistry.us/1672/ozone-therapy-as-treatment-in-dentistry/

Dr. Frank Shallenberger, M.D., has noted 13 major effects of ozone on the human body, which help explain its effectiveness in holistic dentistry.

1. Ozone stimulates the production of white blood cells. As a result, allergies have a tendency to become desensitized.
2. Interferon levels – globular proteins that orchestrate every aspect of the immune system – are significantly increased.
3. Ozone stimulates the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor, inhibiting the growth of lone, metastasized cancer cells.
4. Ozone stimulates the secretion of IL-2, one of the cornerstones of the immune system..
5. Ozone kills most bacteria at low concentrations.
6. Ozone is effective against all types of fungi.
7. Ozone is the best virucide.
8. Ozone is antineoplastic, which inhibits the growth of new tissue.
9. Ozone oxidizes arterial plaque.
10. Ozone increases the flexibility and elasticity of red blood cells, allowing oxygen levels to stay elevated for days, or even weeks after treatment with ozone.
11. Ozone accelerates the Citric Acid Cycle. Also known as the Kreb’s Cycle or TCA Cycle, this is a very important step in the glycolysis of carbohydrate for energy.
12. Ozone makes the anti-oxidant enzyme system more efficient.
13. Ozone breaks down petrochemicals, which have a potential to place a great burden on the immune system.

What’s the Best Toothpaste? — Part 2

Simple Science: The Best Toothpaste

In the wide and confusing world of popular tooth cleansing products undoubtedly the safest, most effective combination you can use on your teeth is a soft bristle toothbrush and water, twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. Back up this simple exercise by flossing at least once a day, without fail — and you will have the healthiest mouth around.

But realistically most of us who are interested in maintaining a healthy oral environment probably will feel slightly dissatisfied with the notion that you can have clean teeth without using minty commercial toothpaste. So, what are the healthiest options and how can you make sure you are using products that promote clean teeth and preserve your overall good health?

It’s All In the Ingredients

When you consider that Ben Franklin used a combination of honey and ground charcoal to clean his teeth, it becomes fairly evident that people have been concerned with keeping their teeth clean for a very long time and over the course of time; there has been quite a few interesting ways of accomplishing the important feat of good oral hygiene.

Take for example an ancient Egyptian recipe discovered in 2003 dating back more than 1,500 years that combined one drachma of rock salt – (approximately 100th of an ounce) – two drachmas of mint, one drachma of dried iris flower and 20 grains of pepper all carefully crushed and mixed together to form the best known “powder for white and perfect teeth”. Modern scholars daring enough to try the concoction for themselves found it ‘abrasive and painful to use’. And so … it’s no doubt why we’ve been looking for better alternatives ever since.

Ingredients to Avoid

The most common ingredients in toothpaste include; Silica and Limestone, Aluminum Oxide (provides coarseness to scrubbing) Titanium Dioxide (made from the minerals ilmenite, rutile and anatase – to give toothpaste its white pigment), Mica (adds sparkle to the toothpaste) and of course, fluoride.
For many of the ingredients in toothpaste there are potential health concerns and some have proven to be downright toxic. Some of the biggest offending chemicals include the following:

Fluoride: a byproduct of the fertilizer industrial – this toxic chemical can cause a myriad of health problems when ingested (usually as an additive of the public water systems) and, ironically it is a known demineralizer that removes calcium from teeth and bones causing discolorization of teeth leaving them brittle.

Saccharin and other artificial sweeteners: People ingest synthetic sweeteners and don’t realize how harmful it can be to their health, much less their teeth. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any artificial ingredients in your toothpaste, particularly in the form of sweeteners.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and other detergents: used in many known products as a foaming agent and as with most detergents SLS is known to be harmful to the skin, eyes, brain, liver and lungs. It is also quite corrosive and harmful to skin tissue. SLS is also widely used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and car wash soaps.

Aluminum: when combined with fluoride, aluminum is absorbed into the body at an alarming rate, and aluminum is a metal that seems to collect in the brains of Alzheimer’s victims.

Silica or Zirconium: an abrasive mineral – harms gums and wears away tooth enamel which is particularly hazardous for people who brush a little too enthusiastically or when combined with hard bristle toothbrushes.

Healthy Alternatives

Everyone is looking for a healthy alternative, so what’s the best toothpaste? What’s the best alternative? The fact is, each and every person reacts differently to different ingredients. Take for instance, the case of a recent patient of ours: she had been recommended a bee propolis toothpaste which, by most accounts, is a very biocompatible toothpaste. She broke out into blisters along her guns (and no, she is not allergic to bees). Even within our office we have different employees who are sensitive to different toothpastes. The choice of one employee actually causes dry mouth in another employee. So what’s the best toothpaste for you? You’ll have to learn the ingredients and try different types until you find one that you are most compatible with.

Mixing Up the Homemade Pastes

An online search will turn up hundreds of recipes for toothpaste, and most of those at least start with the two basic ingredients of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. For anyone interested in trying their own hand at making homemade toothpaste just keep in mind that you want to avoid anything that might be overly abrasive to tooth enamel or harmful to the gums, and never swallow the ingredients.
For its recognized healing properties, Aloe Vera is a good ingredient to include as is diluted tea tree oil but most recipes focus on taste and giving a lasting sense of freshness to the mouth. Some of those ingredients include cinnamon, ginger, fennel, clove, spearmint and peppermint – all relatively harmless when combined with other dry ingredients but stay away from essential oil versions of these flavors unless they are well diluted as they can cause burning sensations to the mouth and gums.

Store Bought Toothpastes

There is an unending list of toothpastes on the market today, some claiming to be ‘natural’ while still including ingredients that are either on our list of things to avoid or chemicals that cannot be pronounced. The bottom line is; avoid any toothpaste that has more than six or seven ingredients and never buy anything that contains chemicals or ingredients that you cannot identify. Look for toothpastes that do not contain fluoride, aluminum, artificial sweeteners or detergents and beware of toothpaste marked ‘natural’ – do your homework and read the label.

Toothpaste Analysis

To help make your decision easier (or maybe more difficult) we have compiled a list of many of the most popular alternative toothpaste options. We have done our best to provide complete analysis, but as formulas change, this list may become out of date. Hopefully it provides a starting point for you in your search.

Enjoy… and good luck!

This File May be Best Viewed if You Download it Using the Link Provided… It’s a Large Document.
Best Toothpastes

How Holistic Dentistry and Energy Meridians Work Together

Get the Tooth Chart App Today

If you are lucky enough to have a holistic dentist, you have undoubtedly heard about meridians, and at one time or another you’ve probably seen a meridian tooth chart. But exactly what are meridians and how do they relate to your teeth, and most importantly; your health? Having some understanding of how vital life force energy passes through the body and how that process relates to your teeth, requires some knowledge of energy medicine in general.

Energy Medicine 101

Basically, life giving energy flows through the physical body in a specific pattern. This pattern was mapped more than 5,000 years ago by the Chinese and is described today in diagrams called meridian charts. Meridians pass through the body along 14 tangible channels carrying energy into and affecting every organ and every physiological system, including the immune, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, skeletal (including teeth), muscular, and lymphatic systems.. These channels branch out like a tree connecting hundreds of tiny, electromagnetically distinct points along the surface of the skin known as acupuncture points. Since these sensitive spots have less electrical resistance than other areas of the skin they can be stimulated with acupuncture needles or simple fingertip pressure, to release or revive energy along the pathway.

Energy meridians are important to a person’s overall health as they conduct life force energy in the same way as arteries transfer blood to vital organs and throughout the body. Similarly, a meridian transports energy carrying the life force, adjusting metabolism and removing blockages. This system also determines the rate and structure of cellular change within the body. Healthy flow of energy along the meridian pathways is as critical to life as is the flow of blood, as we all realize that if there is no energy there is no life. If a meridian’s energy is obstructed or if the flow gets interrupted by disease, infection or trauma, the system it feeds is jeopardized.

Meridians and Teeth

In holistic dentistry we understand that every part of the human body is directly linked to a specific tooth or area of the mouth through the body’s meridians. This connection is so strong that it is actually possible to accurately determine a person’s dental history simply by reviewing the physical symptoms and correlating the flow of energy as it moves though the meridians. Our interactive meridian tooth chart will help to illustration these connections.

As it relates to dentistry, blocks or disturbances to the flow of energy can be created by procedures such as root canals, the use of metal fillings and tooth decay and tooth, sinus or jaw infections. These events short-circuit the energy as it naturally flows through the pathways between the affected tooth and the organs. This disturbance in the flow of energy can eventually lead to the breakdown of healthy organ function, jeopardizing the health of the patient. For instance, where a physical weakness already exists in an organ and a root canal is performed on the associated meridian, disease in the related organ will more than likely manifest immediately or over time, depending on the person’s overall immune health.

How Unblocking Energy Meridians in the Teeth Leads to Greater Healthfulness

More and more holistic practitioners are reporting the dramatic disappearance of symptomatic diseases immediately following a restorative dental treatment. Improvements in health are also seen following the extraction of a diseased tooth that is interfering with the healthy flow of energy through the body’s meridian system. These cases provide growing evidence that disease in a particular tooth or a cavitation in the jaw can have a negative impact on a related organ by obstructing the flow of energy as it circulates throughout the body.

Using our interactive meridian tooth chart it is possible to see that the upper first and second molars or the lower first and second bicuspids are related to the esophagus, stomach, spleen, mammary gland and maxillary sinus. In view of these connections, any dissimilar fillings or traumatic dental procedures may produce a chronic stimulus which in turn may change the electromagnetic energy and cause a variety of diseases to manifest in the related organs.

Our Goal with Energy Medicine

Our goal as holistic dentists is always to help our patients improve their overall healthfulness and long term well-being through the mindful practice of dentistry. This goal is only enhanced by a well-rounded understanding of how life force energy moves through the human body via meridians in the teeth.

More About Meridian Charts

You can use our Interactive Tooth Meridian chart on our website at http://naturaldentistry.us/holistic-dentistry/meridian-tooth-chart-from-encinitas-dentist/

You may also want to check out the iPad and iPhone version at the app store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toothchart/id443360636?mt=8

The World Health Organization urges “switch” away from amalgam

Great news from Charlie Brown at Consumers for Dental Choice. I can’t say it much better than he did, so you can read his letter verbatim, below.

In a clear sign that dentistry’s amalgam era is fading, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) just released its long-awaited report on dental amalgam.  In Future Use of Materials for Dental Restoration, WHO urges “a switch in use of dental materials” away from amalgam.

“[F]or many reasons,” WHO explains, “restorative materials alternative to dental amalgam are desirable.”  The report describes three of these reasons in detail:

• WHO determines that amalgam releases a “significant amount of mercury”:  WHO concludes that amalgam poses a serious environmental health problem because amalgam releases a “significant amount of mercury” into the environment, including the atmosphere, surface water, groundwater, and soil.  WHO says “When released from dental amalgam use into the environment through these pathways, mercury is transported globally and deposited.  Mercury releases may then enter the human food chain especially via fish consumption.”
• WHO determines that amalgam raises “general health concerns”:  While the report acknowledges that a few dental trade groups still believe amalgam is safe for all, the WHO report reaches a very different conclusion: “Amalgam has been associated with general health concerns.”  The report observes, “According to the Norwegian Dental Biomaterials Adverse Reaction Unit, the majority of cases of side-effects of dental filling materials are linked with dental amalgam.”
• WHO determines that “materials alternative to dental amalgam are available”:  WHO concludes that “Materials alternative to dental amalgam are available” – and cites many studies indicating that they are superior to amalgam.  For example, WHO says “recent data suggest that RBCs [resin-based composites] perform equally well” as amalgam.  And compomers have a higher survival rate, says WHO, citing a study finding that 95% of compomers and 92% of amalgams survive after 4 years.  Perhaps more important than the survival of the filling, WHO asserts that “Adhesive resin materials allow for less tooth destruction and, as a result, a longer survival of the tooth itself.”

We have come a long way.  Less than a year ago, dental trade groups were circulating an unedited and unreviewed draft of this report to government officials, implying that it was WHO’s final position.  But the draft was riddled with factual errors and scientifically unsupported claims.  Consumers for Dental Choice – working with non-governmental organizations, scientists, and environmentalists from around the globe – organized a letter-writing campaign to insist that the draft be immediately withdrawn, accurately rewritten, and properly reviewed.

And it worked!  Now WHO has removed all claims of amalgam’s safety.  Now WHO has committed itself to “work for reduction of mercury and the development of a healthy environment.”  Now “WHO will facilitate the work for a switch in use of dental materials.”

Thank you to everybody who urged WHO to take this important step to protect future generations from dental mercury.

It’s time for the U.S. FDA to catch up with the world – and we need your help.  FDA’s support for amalgam is radically inconsistent with WHO’s new position.  Please contact Dr. Jeff Shuren, Director of the FDA Center for Devices, at

Email:  jeff.shuren@fda.hhs.gov

Fax:  301-847-8149 & 301-847-8109

Telephone:  301-796-5900

Mail: 10903 New Hampshire Ave., WO66-5431, Room 5442, Silver Spring MD 20993-0002
Here is a sample letter:
Dear Dr. Shuren:

In its recent report, the World Health Organization concludes that dental amalgam releases a “significant amount of mercury” and raises “general health concerns.”  In light of these serious problems, WHO calls on health authorities like FDA to take action now: “Health authorities can play an active role in advocacy for use of dental materials alternative to amalgam…Directives can be set up for provision of dental care incorporating concerns for oral health and the environment.”   

The WHO report says “Materials alternative to dental amalgam are available.”  In particular, “Alternative restorative materials of sufficient quality are available for use in the deciduous [baby] dentition of children” – the population whose developing neurological systems are most susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of dental mercury according to FDA.  So there is no excuse for subjecting children to the risks associated with dental mercury exposure.

FDA needs to stop amalgam use in children immediately and join WHO in working for a switch to the many mercury-free alternatives to amalgam.    

Sincerely,
Your name

Thank you for working with us to protect everyone worldwide from mercury fillings!

– Charlie, 18 October 2011

Charles G. Brown
National Counsel, Consumers for Dental Choice
President, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry
316 F St. NE, Suite 210, Washington DC 20002
Telephone: 202-544-6333
Fax: 202-544-6331

Can Root Canals Cause Breast Cancer?

For over 100 years, dentists have been performing root canal therapy: the practice of drilling out the canals of a dead tooth to remove bacteria and “save” the tooth.

But by attempting to save a dead tooth, have dentists been causing breast cancer?

Click to Download the complete report!

Some scientific research says yes.

“Dr. Thomas Rau, who runs the Paracelsus Clinic (cancer clinic since 1958) in Switzerland recently checked the records of the last 150 breast cancer patients treated in his clinic. He found that 147 of them (98%) had one or more root canal teeth on the same meridian as the original breast cancer tumor. His clinic has a biological dentist section where all cancer patients, on reporting in, have their mouth cleaned up first — especially all root canal teeth removed.?There are about 24 million root canals done in the U.S. alone every year. They were proven deadly disease agents in 1925 in a study by Dr. Weston Price and 60 prominent researchers. That study has been suppressed ever since by the ADA and the American Association of Endodontists (AAE).”

(The Independent Cancer Research Foundation,
http://www.new-cancer-treatments.org/Articles/RootCanals.html)

100% of the breast cancer patients involved in the study had root canals, or other infections, on the same acupuncture meridian. (Click Here to Discover the Meridian Tooth Chart.)

When a root canal is performed, the dentist attempts to remove all bacteria and fill the canal with foreign substance to stop bacteria from re-entering the tooth. However, due to the shape of your tooth canal, it is 100% impossible to remove all bacteria and completely fill the canal. What you end up with is a partially filled tooth canal that is actively growing and hiding bacteria.
Root canals are a safe haven for microbes and bacteria. When the canal is filled, it eliminates blood flow to the tooth, prohibiting your immune system from killing off the microbes and bacteria that remain in the tooth canal.

These microbes originate in the same biological locations that cancer cells form.

Microbes, bacteria, and other toxins from inside the tooth can leak from inside the tooth and into your body, causing infections and other health problems, including cancer.

Despite the fact that root canals have been directly linked to cancer through multiple research studies, the results have never been published by the ADA.

For more information about the dangers of Root Canals and the link between root canal therapy and breast cancer, please download our breast cancer and root canal information flier: Breast Cancer and Root Canals.