Tooth Whiteners Can Cause Damage to Teeth & Body

Tooth whitening is a well established procedure in cosmetic dentistry. Tobacco, coffee, tea, alcohol, food coloring and other additives, as well as natural aging can all cause teeth to lose their natural white appearance. Tooth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that can provide patients with fantastic results, but have you ever stopped to think about the chemicals that are involved in the whitening process?

A dental whitening process can take hours, and all that time the patient waits while their teeth and gums soak in tooth whiteners — and in the process, they may end up ingesting a plethora of toxins. Home whitening kits indicate that the product may irritate gums, and they may highlight the risk of using the bleaching agent incorrectly, but there is very little warning about the chemicals that you are absorbing into your system as you wait for your teeth to whiten. Many of the toxic chemicals leak from the trays containing the whitening gel onto surrounding areas inside the mouth, and an alarming amount can be swallowed. At the very least, bleaching agents can cause damage to the nerves within the teeth leading to heightened sensitivity.

Chemicals in Whiteners and Whitening Toothpaste

Over the counter teeth whitening kits and toothpaste are filled with potentially toxic chemicals that could harm health and teeth, causing; extreme tooth sensitivity and mouth sores. The most common ingredient is hydrogen peroxide which is rapidly broken down in the mouth by saliva but studies show that in regards to teeth whitening procedures, at least 25 percent is swallowed, potentially releasing free radicals into the body and potentially stimulating the growth of cancer cells.

Additional ingredients found in some whitening products along with their most potentially adverse characteristics may include:

• Coal tars: Severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, headaches, nausea, fatigue, lack of concentration, nervousness, increased risk of Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Found in bubble bath, hair dye, dandruff shampoo, toothpaste and foods.
• Fluorides: May contain lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic. Accumulates in body and contributes to bone disease. Potentially carcinogenic.
• Aspartame: Genetically Modified, synthetic sugar substitute. People report dizziness, headaches and even seizures. Scientists believe it can alter behavior due to altered brain function. Long term effects of this genetically modified organism on human health has not been studied or tested.
• Aluminum: Heavy concentrations may be linked to Alzheimer’s dementia. Aluminum is in many antiperspirants and prevalent in water supplies. Some processed foods contain dietary aluminum.
• Benzene: Inhalation of high levels can cause headaches, rapid heart rate, tremors, confusion, unconsciousness and death. Hodgkin’s and Lymphomas result from inhalation. Used in detergents, drugs, pesticides and adhesives.

Holistic Dental Whitening with Ozone

Perhaps the most current, safe and holistic way to whiten teeth is by use of Ozone Treatments which is generally applied where it is needed to kill germs, bacteria, fungi and viruses, effective within minutes and without any side effects. The added benefit of ozone treatment is that it has a bleaching effect on the teeth, it’s safe when done properly and has some great results. Call our office for more information or to make an appointment to learn more about ozone treatments.

Article Resources:

List of the More Widely Known Dangerous Ingredients in Body & Food Products http://www.purezing.com/living/toxins/living_toxins_dangerousingredients.html

Swallowing chemicals from teeth whiteners is common and very dangerous http://www.naturalnews.com/033959_teeth_whiteners_chemicals.html

Z-Systems Ceramic Zirconium Dental Implants

You can’t get much more natural than this

Before the advent of dental implants, lost teeth could only be replaced by bridges or dentures, which meant that significant portions of the natural tooth had to be removed in order to accommodate the dental appliance. These appliances were made of metal and metal alloys containing a mix of substances including copper, silver and nickel – all substances that can cause a cascade of damaging effects on the human immune system. Dentures, once installed, are uncomfortable, cause embarrassment and create the perfect environment for decay of the remaining natural teeth. To top that off, the material dentures are made of can also create toxic effects on the body, and the total loss of natural teeth causes the jaw to deform and recede, significantly altering a person’s natural appearance.

A Better Option

By the mid-60s dental implants began to revolutionize the field of dentistry. Originally designed as a way to stabilize dentures, over the years the technology developed to allow for restorations of a single tooth without causing damaging to the surrounding teeth. At first the only material on the market was titanium, chosen for its mechanical and comparatively low biological properties. Research and reports collected over the years began to point to potential health related issues of titanium, and so the dental field kept watching for a more appealing product to enter the implant market. Ceramics (ceramic zirconium) is that material.

Proven Results

Ceramic zirconium combines biocompatibility with mechanical properties well beyond that of titanium. In the mid-90s the first zirconium dental implant was developed in Switzerland. Over time research led to greater improvements in the product that made it possible for the first prototypes of a new zirconium implant used in Germany beginning in 2000. Four years later the implant was certified in Europe and used in 2000 patients, verifying the products superior properties. Ceramic zirconium is a material of choice for dental restorations today, and the product most recommended by holistic, biological and natural dentistry.

Ultimately, the advantages of ceramic zirconium include:

• Significantly reduced plaque adhesion, making it easier to clean and maintain than titanium
• Free of metals
• Good biocompatibility
• Natural white appearance
• Aesthetic appeal
• Superior gum regeneration
• Certified bio-inert

The holistic dental community has been able to embrace the newer forms of dental implants presented by ceramic zirconium by the advantages it offers patients including biocompatibility and presenting few to no adverse reactions of the human immune system. The natural white coloring of the material is much preferred over the gray of titanium, offering a pleasing cosmetic appeal. In addition, the long-term health benefits presented by zirconium implants include its apparent ability to resist plaque build-up, making it easier for patients to care for their teeth and sustain good oral hygiene.

Another added benefit of zirconium implants has to do with how well the gums react to the material following surgery, lessening incidents of gum disease, a high contrast to results observed in cases where titanium implants were chosen. Appreciating the low impact of zirconium implants can only be achieved when it is compared to titanium. With titanium products there is a trail of complications including gum disease and inflammation likely caused by the free radicals present in the metal. Additional issues include:

• allergic reaction
• irritation
• inflammation
• foreign body response (rejection)
• cancer and other autoimmune disorders

Healthy Smiles

Our goal is to provide absolute metal-free, biocompatible dentistry. Ceramic options are proven holistic, aesthetic and hygienic over other their metal counterparts. Contact our office for more information, or to schedule an evaluation appointment: Request a Ceramic Dental Implant Evaluation

Example of Fluorosis – Symptoms, Treatments, and Causes

A large percentage of America’s public water supplies are fluoridated. The reason most commonly given is because fluoride helps strengthen teeth. In fact, there is very little evidence suggesting that ingested fluoride has any benefit whatsoever. Instead, there are mounds of evidence proving the negative effects of fluoridated water.

The pictures below (taken in our office) show a 30-year-old male who has been stricken with fluorosis. In the pictures you can clearly see the unsightly white spots and the soft spots caused by fluoride. Ultimately, any attempts to fix the problems caused by fluoride result in very expensive cosmetic dentistry.

Of course, white spots and soft spots are not the only problems linked to fluoride. The most common symptoms of fluorosis are cosmetic:

• Chalky white teeth patches
• Yellow stained teeth
• Brown stained teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Soft Spots (or weak teeth)

For cosmetic problems caused by excessive fluoride intake, the treatment options include teeth bleaching, sand blasting or microderm abrasion, and veneers.

In some cases, drinking fluoridated water can also lead to more serious problems, including Skeletal Fluorosis. According to the Fluoride Action Network “Crippling skeletal fluorosis might occur in people who have ingested 10-20 mg of fluoride per day for 10-20 years.”

So what are the symptoms of Skeletal Fluorosis?

Skeletal fluorosis, a complicated illness caused by the accumulation of too much fluoride in the bones, has a number of stages. The first two stages are preclinical-that is, the patient feels no symptoms but changes have taken place in the body. In the first preclinical stage, biochemical abnormalities occur in the blood and in bone composition; in the second, histological changes can be observed in the bone in biopsies. Some experts call these changes harmful because they are precursors of more serious conditions. Others say they are harmless.

In the early clinical stage of skeletal fluorosis, symptoms include pains in the bones and joints; sensations of burning, pricking, and tingling in the limbs; muscle weakness; chronic fatigue; and gastrointestinal disorders and reduced appetite. During this phase, changes in the pelvis and spinal column can be detected on x-rays. The bone has both a more prominent and more blurred structure.

In the second clinical stage, pains in the bones become constant and some of the ligaments begin to calcify. Osteoporosis may occur in the long bones, and early symptoms of osteosclerosis (a condition in which the bones become more dense and have abnormal crystalline structure) are present. Bony spurs may also appear on the limb bones, especially around the knee, the elbow, and on the surface of tibia and ulna.

In advanced skeletal fluorosis, called crippling skeletal fluorosis, the extremities become weak and moving the joints is difficult. The vertebrae partially fuse together, crippling the patient.

Fluoride Action Network

http://www.fluoridealert.org/s-fluorosis.htm

The fluoridation of public water supplies amounts to forced medication of our citizens. In theory, the practice is bad enough, but when coupled with the cosmetic and physical problems fluoride is known to cause, the practice is irresponsible and negligent.

30-year-old male with white spots and soft spots caused by Fluorosis

Taken in our office in Encinitas, CA, this image shows a close-up of the cosmetic affects of Fluorosis

Lumineers/Veneers

Lumineers & Porcelain Veneers

Lumineer Veneers by CERINATE®

We offer Lumineer Veneers by CERINATE®. No pain, no drill, no shots! Do you have discolored or crooked teeth, teeth with spaces between them or teeth stained by fillings? You can change the shape, color and length of your teeth using veneers. Veneers are thin, durable shells designed to cover the front of the tooth. They are typically made of porcelain and are extremely durable, stain resistant, natural-looking and easy to maintain. For more information, please visit LUMINEERS® online.

Traditional Porcelain Veneers

Veneers can beautify your smile by improving the color and shape of one or more of your teeth. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or plastic that’s bonded to a tooth, generally covering only its front and top.

Veneers can be used to close spaces between your teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained teeth. And if your teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers can protect them from damage and restore their original look.

It takes two or more appointments to restore your teeth with veneers. On the first appointment, your teeth are shaped and roughened. From impressions, precise working models are made of your teeth. It’s on these models that the veneers are crafted to exactly fit your teeth.

On the second appointment, your prepared teeth are polished and cleaned. Then an adhesive is used to bond the veneers to your teeth. A harmless high-intensity light hardens the adhesive.

Once in place, veneers virtually become part of your teeth. You can use them like you would your own teeth, because the bond is extremely strong. The final result is a more beautiful and natural looking smile!

Got A Gummy Smile?

Do you have a gummy smile?  You know, the smile where you show more gums than teeth… sometimes making your teeth look short or small.

If so, you’re not alone.  Most beauty pagent winners have gummy smiles.

But what about too gummy?

As a dentist I’ve been trained to evaluate smiles aesthetically and the gums are just as important as the teeth.

The following are the things we look at, other than color:

• Your gumline (the line where your tooth ends and the gums begin) is uneven.
• The height and width of your teeth.
• How many teeth are shown (ie. how many back teeth can I see when you smile.
• Are the edges or your upper teeth straight or parallel to your eye line?
• Do you have any “black” spaces between any of your teeth?
• When you’re not smiling, can I see any part of your teeth?
• Symmetry - is the right side a mirror image of your left.
• Is the color of the gums the same on both sides?

But today, let’s look at the gums.  How much gums can you show and still look acceptable?  The answer is a maximum of 2 mm.  Two millimeters of gum is acceptable as they don’t over power the teeth.

The other key element is that the 2mm be 2mm across the whole smile.  In other words, you can have 2 mm of gums shown in the front and 6 mm of gum shown in the back or 0 mm of gums showing in the back of the mouth.

If that happens, then your teeth will not look proportional because some teeth will look bigger and some smaller.  The reason being, your teeth start and end with the gums.

You Self-Diagnose a gummy smile… now what?

As a dentist in San Diego, I’ve seen how patients can be shocked when I mention their gummy smiles.  It’s because no other dentist mentioned it as most dentists look at teeth.  I like to say that I look at smiles and the whole body.  The teeth are a small component.

Anyway… what can you do if you have a gummy smile.  The real answer is….  as one of my mentors told me, “it depends!”

It depends on why you have a gummy smile.  As you know, treatment should be driven by a diagnosis.  All too often treatment is done without figuring out what really went wrong.

Now I know what you are thinking.  If it doesn’t hurt, then don’t fix it.  If that is true, then why do you put makeup on…. why do you put deodorant on… why do you take a bath?

A gummy smile to me is not pretty and if I point it out to you, then you may feel the same way.

So there are 4 main reason why you have a gummy smile and each requires a different treatment.  The treatments can range from full blown jaw surgery to orthodontics to minor gum surgery to restorative dentistry.

If you want to know more… I’ll be sharing more in my newsletters.  Just go to my site drmarvin.com and sign up.