Stopping Tooth Decay

Every now and then, I have a patient who is not a perfect candidate for dental work. Usually, there is a cavity that needs to be filled but the patient can’t sit still long enough to have a filling done. These patients are either very young (under the age of 5) or considerably aged. Either way there are compliance issues and they can’t cooperate enough to have a filling completed.

Standard protocol would usually require for the dental work to be done under general anesthesia (most likely in a hospital setting). As many of you may be aware, general anesthesia can have many adverse side effects, some which can be deadly.

For non-cooperative or medically compromised patients, silver diamine fluoride (see our post here) has been one option and is a minimally invasive treatment to arrest decay. However, the only negative with this product is that it contains fluoride. In the holistic community, fluoride is taboo. (see our many posts on fluoride here.)

Teeth Stained from Silver Nitrate

For the holistically minded, there is another option for treatment. Silver nitrate can be used instead of silver diamine fluoride to totally stop decay in deciduous (baby) teeth. It is also a good option for the elderly who are not cooperative for dental work due to mental or physical challenges. Silver nitrate will prevent further damage from the decay and ultimately buy some time until the deciduous tooth exfoliates in the young child or the patient can be more compliant.

Silver nitrate has all the advantages of silver diamine fluoride but none of the neurotoxicity that is associated with fluoride. Here is a list of advantages in using silver nitrate on dental cavities:

• effective to help stop cavity development after a cavity has formed.

• helps kill the bacteria that break down tooth surfaces while also keeping them from spreading to other teeth.

• often suggested as a more comfortable alternative to drilling cavities. This can be helpful for children or adults who have anxiety about the dentist or may not be able to fully engage in dental procedures, such as those with special healthcare needs.

• helpful as a cavity treatment if you’re overly sensitive to the instruments and substances used during cavity treatments.

• help keep cavities to a minimum or prevent them entirely if you feel that it’s difficult to make time for regular dental check-ups or feel uncomfortable about cavity procedures. It’s quick, requires no special equipment, and generally only needs to be done once per year.

The downside of using silver nitrate (as well as silver diamine fluoride) is it will turn the tooth black, permanently. Not a problem for posterior teeth or baby teeth, but can be unsightly on front teeth. Also silver nitrate can stain more than just teeth. It can also stain soft tissues, restoration margins, fingernails, skin and clothing. So special care must be used to prevent this. For the skin, the stain will dissipate in about 2 weeks. It will take longer for everything else, and may even remain permanently discolored. The extent of staining and the length of staining vary significantly among individuals.

Silver nitrate is a safe, painless alternative to traditional cavity drilling procedures. It may stop the cavity from spreading, but will not fill the hole created by decay. It is a good interim procedure when a restoration is not possible.

We may not recommend silver nitrate in every case of cavities. But it has been proven to be highly successful in stopping the development and spread of cavities. A great choice for young children and the elderly.

If you like this post, you may also like:  Silver Diamine Fluoride in Caries Management

Finding Natural Health Information on the Internet

In case you haven’t noticed, it is getting more and more difficult to find natural health information through the usual search engines. In June 2019, Google began a new algorithm to change ranking results in their search engine. Many “holistic” and “natural” websites have been excluded from the page one listings thereby making it more difficult to find the health information and/or practitioner that you are seeking.

Some of the most popular sites, such as Dr Mercola, Dr. Axe and even IAOMT, cannot be found on page one when searching for information on holistic medicine or dentistry. In some cases, they cannot be found at all, unless you specifically look up their website. Even with that, some pages of these wbsites have been blocked to keep specific information out of the public knowledge. This seems to be particularly happening with ant-vaccine sites. Mike Adams at Natural News wrote an interesting commentary on this here.

In addition, QuackWatch seems to consistently come up on page 1 of Google search, which further undermines alternative/holistic health issues.

It seems that the only way to get around this is to use a different search engine. There are many to choose from, but I am personally using DuckDuckGo with good comprehensive results.

Feel free to share any information in the Comment section below that may be useful for those looking for answers.

SMART Certification- Why it is important for your health

According to research published recently in the peer-reviewed Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology (JOMT), the safety thresholds for mercury exposure can be exceeded during dental procedures involving drilling on silver mercury amalgam fillings, specifically if special precautions are not in place.

The study further indicates that standard methods accepted by the American Dental Association appear to be inadequate because these methods do not account for the overlooked source of mercury vapor released from particles of the filling that are generated by the dentist’s drill.

The good news is that the research data also emphasizes that specific safety measures (SMART protocol) can mitigate these mercury levels and provide more rigorous protection for patients and dental personnel.

In addition to acknowledging the toxic health risks for dental patients exposed to the vapor from removing these mercury-containing fillings, scientific research has also recognized the additional toxicity hazards for dentists and dental professionals, who routinely do teeth cleaning and polishing (prophy) at routine recall dental visits.

After analysis of the previously published research about mercury releases during amalgam removal, crucial new data is quantified in the latest study on this topic, which is entitled "Mercury vapor volatilization from particulate generated from dental amalgam removal with a high-speed dental drill – a significant source of exposure."

For those of you who are thinking of replacing your mercury fillings for health or cosmetic reasons, it is important to be aware of the potential toxicity exposure involved with this procedure, and to be sure to work with a dentist who applies all the necessary protective measures so that your exposure to mercury vapor is minimal. Finding a SMART Certified dentist from the IAOMT is a good place to start.

The IAOMT has developed a Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) based on scientific literature about amalgam filling removal. SMART is a series of special precautions dentists can apply to protect patients, themselves, other dental professionals, and the environment by immensely reducing the levels of mercury that can be released during the amalgam filling removal process.

Our office is SMART Certified and also fully accredited (AIAOMT) for following the highest standard of safety protocol.

Black Seed Oil for Dental Health

Black Seed oil, also known as cumin seed oil or black caraway seed oil, is an oil extract from the seeds of the Nigella Sativa plant. Nigella sativa is a small plant with pale purple, blue, or white flowers that grows in Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East.

Nigella Sativa Plant

The oil comes from the tiny black seeds of the Nigella Sativa fruit and contains the powerful antioxidants of thymoquinone, phytosterol, amino acids, and omega 3-6-9 fatty acids. Black seed oil has been the subject of scientific research for its reputed benefits on cardiovascular health, immunity, cell metabolism and cytokine balance. This oil has been used a s a natural remedy for thousands of years and is said to “cure everything except death”.

Traditionally it has been used successfully to treat:

• Arthritis

• Skin conditions (can be used to topically)

• Diabetes (regulates blood sugar)

• Lowers cholesterol

• High blood pressure

• Asthma

• Obesity

• Kill parasites

• Boost immune system

Upon further research, I found some studies where black seed oil has been successful in treating these dental issues.

• Reduce Dental caries- was found to be very effective for killing off gram positive bacteria (but ineffective for gram negative bacteria)

• Reduce Periodontal and gingival diseases –has an antiplaque activity (results were equivalent to, synergistic with, or even better than the regularly used antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or tetracycline).

• Prevent nerve/pulpal inflammation when applied directly to the inflamed nerve

• Accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers and mucositis especially those induced from chemo and radiation therapy

• Expedite bone healing at dental extraction and surgical sites (good for all wound healing)

• Improve osseo-integration of dental implants into bone

• 4-fold potential effect when used with certain antibiotics. This makes Black Seed oil an excellent choice for treating antibiotic-resistant infections.

• Antifungal activity – to treat candida albicans systemically or topically (use a carrier oil with it)

The information from the study cited above basically provides the basis for a good natural analgesic for most dental related problems. The immune-modulatory activity makes the seed oil a good alternative for oral immune diseases. Additionally, its antioxidant and its antineoplastic activities, which have been extensively studied in relation to several cancers, (including oral cancer) make it an excellent treatment for just about every disease or infection.

The amazing thing about Black Seed Oil is that the plant has no toxicity or health hazards that have been reported by any researchers who have been working on related clinical trials for years. In substantial doses, it can affect blood clotting, so best to speak with your licensed health practitioner for proper dosage, before proceeding.

It does have a tangy peppery flavor that can be unpleasant, so it might be best to mix in with some honey and water to get it down. One teaspoonful once or twice a day is the recommended dosage to be effective and maintain good health. Usually, I would recommend starting at a lower dosage, to deal with any adverse Herxheimer (die-off) reactions that may occur.

Dental Fluorosis Update

Dental fluorosis is not a pretty sight. In this modern day, pearly white teeth are in, mottled teeth are not. It is particularly upsetting when our children’s teeth erupt this way and are disfigured for life, knowing that there is little that can be done to undo the damage.

 Dental Fluorosis

According to a new study published in the Journal of Dental Research –Clinical & Transactional Research, Dental fluorosis is on the rise. This analysis of the most recently available government data (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey –NHANES- 2011 to 2012 survey) found that 65% of American children now have some degree of dental fluorosis. This is an 8-fold increase (WOW!!!) from the previous national survey in 1999-2004 that found only 3.7% of children with dental fluorosis.

Not happy with these statistics, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) published its own report several weeks later. While they also calculated the same drastic increase in dental fluorosis, they suggested that it is “not biologically plausible” and there “may have been some changes in the way the examiners evaluated the levels of fluorosis over time.”

It would seem that the CDC does not want to admit that the population is being over-fluoridated and is now looking for an excuse to explain the tremendous increase in our children’s damaged teeth.

Too much fluoride in our water and food supply is a reality that is easily seen in teeth. Just imagine the unseen damage that it is having on the internal aspects of our bodies in both children and adults.

Since it doesn’t seem that fluoride will be removed from the municipal water supply anytime soon, it is best to be proactive and filter our individual tap water supply and also take supplements to remove this toxin from our systems. Details on how to do this can be found on our many posts on Fluoride.
Feel free to share your additional ideas in the comment section below on the many ways you are dealing with removing fluoride from your environment.

A Gentle Heavy Metal Detox

I’ve tried numerous detoxes over the years. Many have been incredibly effective. Others not so much. Most have had some uncomfortable side effects.

Presently, I am using a detox product that is working well for me and I believe it will fare well with even the most sensitive person.

I am now into my third month of Advanced TRS, and I must say that I truly feel that this is one of the simplest most effective heavy metal detoxes that I have ever tried.

TRS is short for “Toxin Removal System”. It is a product manufactured in the USA by a company called Coseva and works to remove heavy metals and other positively charged poisons from the cells of the body

There are only two ingredients in TRS - man made nano-zeolites and purified water.

Nano-zeolites are tiny sized zeolite that are able to work at the cellular level. It goes deeper than other detox systems that simply pull out whatever is floating around. Advanced TRS actually passes through the blood-brain barrier, possibly making it more effective than most other heavy metal detox systems.

The creator of the product is Dr. Tracy Holdford. He holds 5 PhDs in various disciplines and used to work at NASA and is extremely knowledgeable about environmental pollution and detoxification. He has been working with zeolites since the 1970s and was very excited to chance upon a method that allow nano-zeolites to be encased into water molecules.

HOW DOES THE PRODUCT WORK?

Zeolites have a high negative charge and a strong affinity for toxins as most toxins are usually positively charged. This nano-zeolite acts like thousands of tiny toxin magnets going into your body. These toxin magnets attract heavy metals, pesticides and any other toxin that has a positive charge. They are so tiny (0.9 nanometers) that they cross the blood brain barrier easily and detox the body at a cellular level. Once the toxins get stuck onto the magnets, they are captured within the water molecules in the zeolites' cage-like structure. Our website explains more on this technology.

The beauty of this detox mechanism is that it does not cause redistribution and damage to the body. These little toxin magnets are then transported out of the body via the kidneys and intestine. The magnets are so tiny that the kidneys don’t have to filter them; that’s how gentle this method of detoxing is. This is also the reason why support supplements are not usually required while using TRS. Personally, I have been drinking lots of extra water and taking additional liver support to keep the system moving. Side effects have been minimal.

Here is our website that explains more about this product. And here is our previous blog that explains more about zeolite.

As most of you already know, toxins are everywhere. A daily detox is critical to maintaining good health. Advanced TRS may be the solution that we are looking for.

Why is My Head Buzzing?

For more than one hundred years, dental gold has been considered the “gold standard” in dental restorations. Used in crowns as well as tooth fillings alongside mercury silver fillings and other metals in the mouth, it has been found that this can create an electrical current sensation in the mouth.

Silver Mercury Filling next to Gold Crown

Sometimes, a patient will come in with exactly this symptom- electric shock sensations in the mouth with no obvious cause. Or something even more esoteric- a buzzing feeling in their head.

The concern with gold or any metallic material (titanium implants, nickel braces, mercury silver fillings, stainless steel crowns and partial dentures, etc.) in the mouth, is that they have the potential to create a galvanic reaction. Oral electro-galvanism is a term used for the association of oral or systemic symptoms of electric currents created between diverse metals between dental restorations and electrolytes (minerals) in saliva.

The pain associated with galvanic shock is caused by an actual electric shock. This shock occurs when the restoration of one tooth, touches the restoration of another tooth containing a dissimilar metal. Saliva facilitates the shock by functioning as an electrical conductor.

The electrical shock can be intense, especially when the 2 metals oppose each other and meet during chewing or when a fork tine should accidentally touch one of the metals. Or it can be mild, almost not noticeable as anything, except maybe for symptoms of chronic headaches, dizziness, nausea, concentration and memory issues, insomnia, psychological problems, tinnitus, epilepsy, hearing loss, eye problems, mouth pain, and other obscure indications.

With the introduction of EMF (electromagnetic frequencies) from cell phones and wi-fi, the symptoms can become intensified. Also, one should bear in mind that EMF exposure has its own set of health issues already associated with it, even if your mouth is metal-free. (See our many EMF postings here).

What is the best way to treat oral electro-galvanism?

The treatment is rather simple: remove all metals from the mouth and replace them with biocompatible dental materials. This will give you the start you need to move things in the right direction. Besides reducing the buzz in your head, other health challenges may abate.

Although there are no definitive studies on this topic, real clinical patient results have been observed. Here is one recent anecdotal account that may be of interest.

If you are having any of the symptoms that we mentioned above, it is advised that you should consult with your healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis before proceeding with any dental work.

A Mercury-Free World

Once the mainstay of dentistry, amalgam mercury fillings are now in sharp decline and have been discontinued in several countries. Despite its deceptive name "silver fillings," amalgam's main component is actually mercury, a neurotoxin and a heavy metal.

The banning of mercury fillings has become a worldwide issue. The use of mercury-silver or amalgam dental fillings has been completely outlawed in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Twenty-five other European countries have strictly limited the use of silver mercury amalgam.

This European ban officially started July 1, 2018 when mercury filling material was banned for children under the age of 15 and for pregnant or nursing women — banned everywhere in the massive European Union (EU)— 28 countries in all. With a population totaling more than half a billion people, this is good news knowing that the next generation of Europe's children are safe from toxic dental mercury.

It is unfortunate that we can’t have the same future for our own American children.

“In sharp contrast, the U.S. government has done nothing to protect these vulnerable populations from exposure to amalgam’s mercury,” says a petition filed by Consumers for Dental Choice (CDC), which has been vigorously campaigning for mercury-free dentistry, since its founding back in 1996.

Just recently, Nepal has jumped on the bandwagon. As of March 2, 2019, they too have banned the use of mercury fillings for children, pregnant or nursing women. (Look here) It’s marvelous to see the anti-mercury movement reaching that part of the world. 

Interestingly enough, the American Dental Association (ADA) still states that mercury filling material is perfectly safe for everyone.

As other mercury usages decline (thermometers, vaccine preservatives, etc.), dental amalgam fillings have become the single largest use of mercury in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not allow dentists to put mercury filling debris into the regular garbage or drain into the waste water, yet the ADA says it’s perfectly fine to put mercury filling material in your mouth. The logic just doesn’t hold up. Mercury has been implicated with autoimmune diseases and chronic health problems. (Here is a ton of research explaining this)

Keeping this toxic substance out of the human body should make a lot of sense to everyone.

Dental amalgam silver filling material is a combination of mercury with other metals like copper and silver. It has been used for nearly 200 years for the treatment of tooth cavities and decay. However, amid widespread health concerns on the use of amalgam fillings in dentistry, it is heartening to see that all European countries, Canada and now Nepal, have either totally banned or discouraged mercury fillings. Children and babies in utero are particularly vulnerable to mercury as their developing brains and neurological systems are especially susceptible to neuro toxic effects of mercury.

America needs to speak up and push the ADA to change its stance on the use of toxic mercury in the human dentition. Our children and future generations will thank us.

Tooth Erosion

Have you ever noticed that your teeth look thinner than they used to? Maybe even a bit darker? Some wear is inevitable as we age, but excessive wearing away of the tooth surface can have many causes.

According to one recent study, general dental erosion was found in 28% of 15 year olds and 34% of 17 year olds. Basically that means that erosion prevalence is rising as we chronologically age. Additionally, severe dental erosion was found in nearly 20% of adolescents (age 15 to 17). That’s almost 1 out of every 5 teenagers.

Statistics like this are alarming, since erosion of teeth will only lead to bigger dental problems in the future – usually tooth sensitivity, nerve exposure and even breakage of the teeth involved.

This bio-corrosion of teeth is a multifactorial issue that needs to be addressed at an early age, before damage is done, as the damage is usually irreversible.

Tooth erosion can look different depending on the cause. Here are a few different scenarios.

Fronts of teeth are eroded

         

Teeth edges are eroded

     

These are the many causes of tooth erosion:

• Clenching or grinding of teeth

• Acidic foods and drinks (carbonated beverages, some bottled flavored waters, ACV or lemon water)

• Medications

• GERD –gastro-esophageal reflux disease

• Eating disorders (vomiting after eating- anorexia or bulimia)

• Overbrushing with electric toothbrushes or hard bristle toothbrushes

• Abrasive toothpastes

• Acidic saliva pH (usually due to diet or toxicity in system)

• Mineral deficiencies

• Vitamin deficiencies

• Swimming in chlorinated pools (See our blog Swimming Can Be Harmful to Your Teeth 

All of the above are correctable, with simple lifestyle modifications. Be sure to ask at your next dental appointment on how we can best address these necessary changes in habit, diet or nutrient supplementation. By being proactive now, you will prevent bigger dental problems in the future.

Toxic Dental Floss

Dental floss seems fairly innocuous. But like with any modern-day personal care products, consumers need to be aware of added chemicals that may go into its production.

A new study suggests certain types of consumer behaviors, including flossing with Oral-B Glide dental floss can contribute to elevated levels in the body of toxic PFAS chemicals.

PFA (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is a highly fluorinated chemical usually added to a wide variety of consumer products to make them non-stick, waterproof, and stain-resistant. PFAs are found in carpets, upholstery, waterproof apparel, floor waxes, non-stick cookware, grease-proof food packaging, and now have been found in dental floss.

Glide dental floss is a staple in most dental offices and in many homes for personal use. It is a great floss as it slides easily between the tightest teeth and is impossible to shred.

According to the recent study, women who flossed with Oral-B Glide tended to have higher levels of a type of PFAS called PFHxS in their body compared to those who didn’t. The study, led by Silent Spring Institute in collaboration with the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, CA, appears online January 8 in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology (JESEE), and is part of a special issue dedicated to PFAS.

PFASs are among the most ubiquitous manmade chemicals in the world. Approximately 98 percent of Americans have PFASs in their bodies. While their strong chemical bonds make them very effective at repelling water and oil even at high temperatures (great for non-stick pans and stain repellant), these same characteristics also make PFASs extremely persistent, meaning they don’t break down easily in the human body.

Scientists are concerned about widespread exposure to PFAS in the population because the chemicals have been linked with health effects including kidney, breast and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, low birth weight, decreased fertility, and effects on the immune system.

So for those of us who rely on Glide floss to clean the space between our tight teeth, the best solution is to used thin waxed floss with the additional use of a irrigator (preferably magnetic) to remove as much plaque as possible. Other options would be to use unwaxed silk thread (popular in the 1800’s), thin nylon string, or to follow the advice of Dr. Hulda Clark and use a two-or-four pound monofilament of fishing line.

Recently, I have seen other newer types of floss on the market made from coconut fiber and other plants, which seem to work well.

There are many alternative options available. Choose wisely.