Freedom from Fluoride

With all of the discussion about how public water supplies across the United States are artificially fluoridated – allegedly to help prevent tooth decay – while the evidence showing that ingesting fluoride is NOT the best way to protect oral health, one must wonder – is there a safe alternative?

Happily, the answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’ – and the solution is as simple as supplementing your diet with vitamin D, which not only helps prevent cavities, but it also helps to keep your gums healthy. Oddly enough this isn’t really news since the link between adequate vitamin D levels and increased cavity prevention is long established, with documentation going as far back as 1861-1865.

Putting Light on Historical Research

According to the Vitamin D Council there are more than a few comprehensive studies that clearly illustrate the connection between solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) light and dental cavities (or caries). These observations begin during the Civil War when a certain population was rejected due to tooth loss – those most notably coming from areas of the United States that lacked consistent sunshine. Then, in the 1900’s enlisted men were similarly evaluated and rejected. A few decades’ later researchers began charting the number of cavities among adolescent boys – and an undeniable correlation between available regional sunlight and the increase or lack of cavities became obvious. Finally, during the 1950s researchers were able to demonstrate that schoolchildren living in the sunnier inland counties of Oregon had fewer caries than those living in persistently foggy coastal counties.

How Vitamin D Works to Prevent Cavities

Vitamin D and calcium creates the best combination to prevent cavities, but at the same time one must remember; adding vitamin D to the diet after the fact will not cure a cavity. However, vitamin D and calcium can reduce the likelihood that additional caries will develop.

Not only is vitamin D naturally produced by the body in response to sunlight, but it comes with no side effects – particularly when activated though exposure to sunlight and as long as proper dosages are followed when using supplements. Vitamin D – which is found in such foods as shiitake and button mushrooms, mackerel and salmon, herring, tuna, catfish and eggs – among others – while green leafy vegetables are a good source for calcium – and calcium we already know it is necessary for bone health. Together these important nutrients create a powerful antimicrobial peptide or protein which actually attacks oral bacteria known to cause dental caries.

Fluoride vs. Vitamin D – A No-Brainer

The prevention of cavities through responsible exposure of adequate sunlight combined with vitamin D supplementation is quite simple and an effective method for achieving good oral health. Whereas fluoride in any form does not adequately prevent cavities but will very likely damage the body when ingested.

What is the Correct Dose?

The only way to know for sure if your vitamin D levels are optimal is to have your blood tested. The Vitamin D Council notes that as of yet there are no observational studies or randomized controlled trials on how vitamin D reduces the risk of cavities. Since there is considerable difference from one person to the next in response to vitamin D supplementation, please see your alternative health practitioner for more information on the available types of vitamin D supplementation and to find out what will work best for you.

Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy in 2011 and Beyond

Take Care of Your Natural Teeth in 2011 and Avoid Having to Buy New Ones!

At the risk of serious cliche, I have decided to post a list of ways to help you protect your teeth in 2011. Of course, these aren’t resolutions. I won’t call it a “top 10″ list, and to be honest, it applies no matter what time of year it is. But… people always seem to inspire themselves to make changes as the calendar flips on another year, so here goes: my “non-list of ways you can improve your dental health in 2011 and beyond.”

• Cut back on the snacks. Sure, you can eat pretty much whatever you want (although I’d stay away from the gummy bears), but the problem comes from consistent snacking. It creates a very acidic environment in your mouth, which erodes your teeth and makes it a perfect resting spot for bacteria that can lead to cavities.
• Don’t eat the sticky stuff. We all know that chewy candies probably aren’t the best snack when we need an afternoon pick-me-up, but we do it anyway. The fact is, if you want to avoid cavities, then stop eating the stuff that sticks in your teeth for hours after you’re done eating them (this includes dried fruit, which really isn’t much different from a sour gummy worm).
• Watch what you drink. Coffee and tea not only stain your teeth, but they are very acidic. So is wine and orange juice. And most people sip on something all day long. So stop already! If you need to sip on something, sip on water. Heat it if you have to. Enjoy your acidic beverages in moderation and your dental health stands a better chance of improvement.
• Brush and floss. I know… “duh”, right? But the simple fact is, most people just don’t brush often enough, long enough, or properly… and don’t even get me started on flossing! So grab a good, soft toothbrush and put one in your desk at work, in your bathroom at home, in your car… anywhere you may snack. Brush after you eat and you’ll not only avoid costly trips to the dentist, but you’ll also have better breath.
• Don’t worry about fluoride. Everyone tells you that you need fluoride to prevent cavities… but the science shows that ingested fluoride has little to no affect on your teeth and topical fluoride needs to be at dangerously high levels to have an adverse affect (oh, which reminds me, fluoride is toxic. It’s a byproduct of fertilizer and was/is used in rat poison. You get more than the EPA recommended limit in your daily food intake alone, so no, you do not need to drink fluoridated water). Plus, it can have some serious side-effects with your bones (including links to bone cancer and more). So grab a fluoride-free toothpaste at the store or, better yet, avoid the toothpaste altogether… you don’t need it to prevent cavities. The brush alone will do the trick.
• Visit the dentist. Look, the best way to save money at the dentist is to go more often. We all get a cavity eventually… but waiting and avoiding the dentist will turn an inexpensive filling into a pricey inlay, crown, or extraction. So go to the dentist and take care of the problems while they are still small so you can prevent things from getting too big.
• Drink more water. Drinking water is a great way to keep your mouth clean and free of bacteria. So drink more. It’s that simple (oh, and if you have access to a good, high pH water, there’s a mounting body of evidence suggesting alkaline water has sweeping health benefits, along with dental benefits).
• Get your bite balance. No idea what I’m talking about? That’s because most dentists don’t do it anymore. However, all of us, over time, use one side of our mouth over the other. Or we clench or grind at night (or during the day), or we’ve had some sort of jaw trauma (maybe we stepped into the ring with Manny Pacquiao). As we start to favor one side, the muscles tighten and pull our jaw out of alignment. This means our teeth don’t come together properly. The result can be anything from tooth wear to TMJ problems, to chronic decay. So, visit a dentist who understands occlusal adjustments (bite adjustments) and have yours checked out… if you’re always getting cavities in the lower left (or any other specific area of the mouth), this could be a simple fix.

Prevention is the key here folks. I understand most people don’t get excited about a trip to the dentist… and I don’t blame them. But anyone who thinks that all dentists are just out to find problems so they can stay in business is naive and, I think, more than a little cynical. I would MUCH rather have patients who take care of themselves at home than to drill on teeth. I’d rather repair a tooth that broke in hockey fight than one than crumbled apart because someone didn’t think flossing was worth the 60 seconds it takes. So, take care of yourself at home; take these tips seriously, and you can save yourself a lot of time and money in 2011 and beyond!

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

Holistic Dentistry Focuses on Whole-Body Wellness that Starts with the Mouth

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.

Orange Juice — The Silent Tooth Killer?

New research shows orange juice rapidly erodes teeth

Orange Juice. It’s been a classic, refreshing breakfast sidekick for generations. It’s loaded with Vitamin C and nothing tastes so good fresh out of the juicer. But what if every sip actually did more harm than good?

According to Dr Yan-Fang Ren, of the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, the acid in orange juice “is so strong that the tooth is literally washed away.”

Using a revolutionary vertical scanning microscope for the first time, researchers were able to see the extensive surface detail on teeth, revealing massive erosion of the enamel caused by drinking highly acidic juices, such as orange juice.

But that’s not all. The unnatural acceleration of erosion of the teeth caused by acidic juices can substantially increase your risk of developing tooth decay.

So orange juice — the breakfast staple most of us have enjoyed for years — may not be the “wholesome goodness” our parents told us about. Does this mean you shouldn’t drink it? If you value your dental health, you should definitely think twice before downing that glass of OJ with your scrambled eggs.