Vitamin K-2 for Healthy Teeth and Bones

 When we think about how we can make our teeth and bones stronger, the first Vitamin that comes to mind is Vitamin D. As we discussed in our previous post  (Vitamin D: How much do we need?) Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth. But you will see here that it is so much more effective when taken with Vitamin K-2.

Vitamin K-2, or menaquinone, is the missing link that Dr. Weston Price referred to when he did his studies of nutrition, dental health, and physical health.

In 1945, Dr. Price described “a new vitamin-like activator” that played an influential role in the utilization of minerals, protection from tooth decay, growth and development, reproduction, protection against heart disease and the function of the brain. He determined that this compound—which he called Activator X—was found in the butterfat, organs and fat of animals that consumed rapidly growing green grass (in other words, grass-fed animals), fish eggs, and also in fermented foods. It was 40 years later that Activator X was determined to be Vitamin K-2

Demineralized Chipped and Transparent Teeth

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So what are the implications of Vitamin K-2 with dental health?

The most obvious would be bone support holding your teeth in your jaw. If your teeth are loose or your gums are receding, chances are that you are deficient in Vitamin K2. Concomitantly with that, there would be osteopenia or osteoporosis. So it might make sense to get a bone density test, if you are diagnosed with periodontal bone loss.

Another implication of Vitamin K-2 deficiency would be the density of your teeth. If your teeth are thinning, looking more transparent, or have lots of dental cavities (even if you brush and floss daily), then your Vitamin K-2 may be low. At deficiency levels, your teeth will slowly demineralize, making them very susceptible to chipping and decay.

Also notable would be the structural bone growth of children. Vitamin K-2 deficiency will usually create tooth crowding due to underdevelopment of the upper and lower jaws. Vitamin K-2 is essential for bone development as well as bone growth and bone density. Vitamin K-2 promotes healthy bone mineral density by carboxylating osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to bones.

There are other health benefits associated with Vitamin K-2.

• Heart health. Activates a protein that prevents calcium deposits from forming in the walls of blood vessels. If your K-2 levels are good, it lowers your odds of aneurysm or heart attack.
• Reduce tumor growth. Has antioxidant properties that may help protect against cancer. In addition, findings suggest that K-2 may suppress genetic processes that lead to tumor growth.
• Normalize blood sugar levels. Interacts with osteocalcin which may help the body to use insulin more effectively
• Improve brain health. Mostly due to its antioxidant properties and prevention of blood clots everywhere.

 

It is clear that Vitamin K-2 plays a vital role in achieving excellent health.

In my many years of dental practice, I have helped countless numbers of patients with obvious Vitamin K-2 deficiency. It is easily correctable if you add the necessary beneficial foods or proper supplement.

To learn more, it would be wise to make an appointment with an informed health practitioner who can guide you appropriately.

 

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.

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.

Candida Infection of the Mouth

Oral candidiasis -- also known as Oral thrush, is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans accumulates on the lining of your mouth and tongue. Candida is a normal organism in your mouth, but sometimes it can overgrow and cause symptoms. When the fungus begins to grow uncontrollably, an infection can develop.

Oral Candida

Oral thrush most often occurs in infants and toddlers, people receiving cancer therapies, diabetics, and anyone with a compromised immune system. If you have any history of taking antibiotics or heavy metal toxicity (including mercury fillings),  you are a prime candidate for a Candida infection. 

There are many cases of patients with a long history of “stubborn” candida overgrowth and yeast infections that couldn’t be easily healed. Only when the heavy metal toxicity problem was addressed, the candida overgrowth became easier to manage. This is very common in people that have mercury fillings or a known exposure to mercury.

Oral Symptoms of Candidiasis:

• Creamy white lesions on your tongue, inner cheeks, and sometimes on the roof of your mouth, gums and tonsils

• Slightly raised lesions with a cottage cheese-like appearance

• Redness, burning or soreness that may be severe enough to cause difficulty eating or swallowing

• Slight bleeding if the lesions are rubbed or scraped

• Cracking and redness at the corners of your mouth

• A cottony feeling in your mouth

• Loss of taste

• Redness, irritation and pain under dentures (denture stomatitis)

Other Symptoms of Candidiasis:

• fatigue

• skin issues

• sugar cravings

• autoimmune disease

• digestive issues

• joint pain

• headache

• brain fog

Some Simple Remedies for Treating Oral Thrush:

1. Salt water rinses

2. Oral probiotics throughout the day: yogurt, manuka honey, probiotics lozenges

3. Coconut Oil Pulling

4. Apple Cider Vinegar to maintain proper pH and increase good bacteria in the mouth

5. Tea Tree Oil or Peppermint Oil rinse. Gargle with few drops added to warm water

6. Baking Soda to maintain good pH by neutralizing acids in the mouth

7. Chewing garlic

8. Grapefruit seed extract rinse

9. Aloe vera applied directly to the lesions

10. Visit your dentist for treatment with ozone or laser treatment  

In severe cases, usually related to cancer or a weakened immune system from HIV/AIDS, the lesions may spread downward into the esophagus — the foodpipe stretching from the back of your mouth to your stomach. If this occurs, you may experience difficulty swallowing and pain or feel as if food is getting stuck in your throat.

Thrush is uncommon in healthy children and adults, so if thrush develops, see your doctor to determine if further evaluation is needed to check for an underlying medical condition or other cause.

Ozone Dental Therapy for Dental Cavities

As a city dweller, when you hear the word “ozone,” air pollution probably comes to mind. Yes the two (air pollution and ozone) often go together, but only because ozone is nature’s response to counteracting the air pollution. Uncontrolled ozone at ground level does impact air quality levels, usually negating air pollution toxins.

Ozone is simply oxygen (O2) with an extra atom in its gas molecule (O3). It is often referred to as “excited oxygen.” Ozone is constantly trying to throw off the extra atom, an instability that gives it an oxidizing property, similar to the fizz of hydrogen peroxide. That makes ozone extremely valuable in fighting not just air pollution, but all types of toxins, including those found in dental cavities.


Historically, when faced with a dental cavity, a dentist’s only option was to “cut” the tooth – drill away structure damaged by decay. Today, however, we are able to heal many small cavities with a gentler alternative.

Nutrition is of primary importance as we are rebuilding tooth structure. That being said, following the Weston Price protocol is critical. What you eat is as important as what you don’t eat. (See this post for more information http://www.thebrandwellnesscenter.com/apps/blog/show/24822385-reversing-and-preventing-cavities- )

Ozone dental treatment involves the painless, controlled application of dental ozone gas. It is sprayed onto a tooth with early stages of decay. Ozone drives oxygen through microscopic tubules in enamel, killing bacteria. Oxidation also eliminates acid waste products from bacteria. This creates an unfavorable setting for harmful bacteria that thrive in an acidic environment, and allows beneficial bacteria to take over. The progress of tooth decay is essentially halted.

This new, healthier environment allows minerals to flow back into the tooth, stimulating natural repair of the cavity and hardening of the tooth structure. Once a tooth is remineralized, decay doesn’t usually return once you continue with good nutrition and oral hygiene.

If you have a large cavity with a sizeable hole, your tooth won’t regrow that much structure. However, sterilizing the prepared tooth with ozone before placing a filling can be beneficial. It will sterilize the internal tooth structure and assist with internal remineralization of the tooth. This will practically eliminate the possibility for any bacteria starting a new cavity under the filling.

The applications of ozone in dentistry are many, as it can be used successfully for treating resistant tooth, gum and bone infections of the jaw.

If you like this post, you may also like our other Ozone postings:
http://www.thebrandwellnesscenter.com/apps/blog/entries/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=ozone 

Healing Your Adrenals

As a follow-up to our last post, there are some simple remedies to improve your adrenal health:

• ·        Limit all caffeine (soda, coffee, tea, chocolate). Or just limit it to the early morning
• ·        Limit all sugar foods or foods that quickly break down to sugar (most simple carbohydrates)
• ·        Increase Vit C intake
• ·        Increase mineral intake (grey Celtic salt is a good choice as it has 84 minerals)
• ·        Increase magnesium intake- Epsom salt baths or magnesium oil
• ·        Get off the computer/cell phone before 10 PM
• ·        Do your best to get in bed by 10 PM. The circadian rhythm of the body allows for optimum physical healing between the hours of 10 PM and 2 AM
• ·        Install the free f:lux software  so that your computer/cell phone does not emit the blue light in the evening. (The blue light from these electronics stimulates brain activity and keeps you awake)
• ·        Do not eat within 3 hours of bedtime
• ·        Add healthy fats – Coconut oil, ghee, olives, organic olive oil, and clarified butter all greatly support adrenal health.
• ·        Eliminate stress -try meditation, yoga, breathing techniques
• ·        Eliminate toxic metals from your environment (cookware, dental fillings, water supply, etc.)
• ·        Add adaptogenic herbs – Ashwagandha, panax ginseng, and astragalus are good choices
• ·       Add medicinal mushrooms – These include Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, etc. They all have stress-relieving properties and boost overall levels of health.  I use them as teas.

By integrating as many of these natural adrenal healing practices, you should start feeling more rested, healthy, and energetic over time. Adrenal fatigue can be healed; you just need to see what works best for you. Making better daily choices in foods and lifestyle is key. 

As always, it is best to work with an adrenal educated health practitioner to get the best results.

 If you like this post, you may also like: Adrenal Fatigue and Mercury Fillings

Can removing amalgam fillings help patients in New York live healthier?

More than 150 million Americans have at least one “silver” filling in their mouths. Yet dental amalgam contains very little silver. It is made up of about 50 percent mercury. As consumers become more aware of the health hazards associated with having one of the deadliest toxins known to mankind a few inches from the brain 24/7/365, many are considering removing amalgam fillings. I advise friends and family in New York to carefully research the dentist they choose to do the work.

Inappropriate removal of amalgam

Conventional methods of removing amalgam fillings greatly increase the mercury hazard. Little or no protection is provided to the patient as the filling is ground out with a drill. Particulate matter lands on the skin and is swallowed. The greatest threat, however, is from the drilling itself. When amalgam is heated by friction, it releases mercury vapor. Inhaled mercury vapor quickly passes through lung membranes and accumulates in the body.

Safe removal of dental amalgam

At The Brand Wellness Center, we adhere to strict IAOMT guidelines for removal of even a tiny amalgam filling.

• The patient is given an activated charcoal tablet 15 minutes prior to filling removal.
• The treatment room has an air filtration system.
• An alternative air source is provided for the patient.
• A rubber dam keeps particles from being swallowed.
• The filling is kept cool with water and air.
• “Chunking” the filling into several pieces reduces the need to drill.
• A high volume evacuator removes vapor and particles.
• Once the filling is removed, staff uses fresh rubber gloves.
• The patient’s mouth is rinsed for a minimum of 15 seconds.
• The work area is immediately cleaned up, and the patient’s face and neck are wiped.

That is an oversimplification of a complex process, but it gives you an ideal of the importance of removing amalgam fillings safely, for an ongoing improvement in your overall health. 

Keeping tooth decay at bay: A holistic approach to preventing and treating cavities

One of the most rewarding aspects of dental practice is helping patients avoid oral problems. I know that even a simple cavity can cause physical discomfort, emotional stress related to appearance, and wellness of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – I take the wellbeing of each patient seriously. I believe in preventing and treating tooth decay with a holistic approach.

concern over treatment cost and taking time off of work. As a healer concerned with the

How tooth decay occurs

Your teeth are covered with a thin coating of enamel, which protects the underlying porous dentin structure. Enamel is incredibly strong, but it is not impermeable. Your mouth is home to hundreds of strains of bacteria. Many are beneficial; they help to break foods down for digestion. However, like any living organism, as bacteria eat, they excrete. In this case the excretion is quite acidic. It combines with acids from sugars in sweet foods and carbohydrates, sticking to teeth in a gooey film of plaque. These acids infiltrate microscopic tubules in tooth enamel and begin to dissolve its mineral compound. The result is tiny lesions that, without care, eventually become holes in your teeth – dental caries, tooth decay, or cavities.

Skeptics ask, “Why consider amalgam removal?”

Dental amalgam has been used in the United States to fill cavities since before the Civil War. In those early days, the material was inexpensive. Even today, some dentists prefer amalgam because fillings can be completed quickly. Prep work doesn’t require a lot of finesse – the dentist simply drills out a substantial portion of tooth structure and presses the malleable material into place. Plus, amalgam lasts a long time. However, these “silver” fillings actually contain only a tiny bit of silver. This combination of metals includes about 50 percent mercury. Many health-conscious patients are choosing to have amalgam fillings removed because of the implications of having one of the most toxic elements known to mankind situated a few inches from the brain. Yet doubters continue to ask, “Why consider amalgam removal?” Let’s take a look at some of their common contentions, from a holistic perspective.

Skeptic claim #1 – “Mercury is harmless in an alloy.”

An alloy is a combination of metallic elements. Dental amalgam is an alloy of copper, tin, and silver, with mercury as a binding agent. Mercury does not become inert in this mixture. Friction (chewing, biting, and grinding) allows mercury vapor to escape from amalgam and be absorbed into the lungs, digestive tract, and soft tissues of the mouth.

Biomimetic Dentistry

A relatively new phrase in the holistic dental community is "biomimetic dentistry".

The word "biomimetic" is derived from two terms: "biology," the science of life or living matter in all its forms, and "mimic," to imitate or copy. With the advent of adhesive bonding technologies in dentistry over the past few decades, materials and techniques have been developed that allow for the minimal removal of tooth structure, followed by adhering tooth-colored material onto or within the tooth. The philosophy behind this brings new meaning to the phrase “less is more”.

Historically, when prepping a tooth for a filling, dental schools taught students “extension for retention” and “extension for prevention”. In essence, the bigger you make the cavity prep, the more likely the filling will stay in and the less likely you will get a recurrent cavity around it. This no longer holds any truth in the modern dental arena.

Nowadays, decay is removed and a restoration is bonded that both strengthens and mimics the form and color of the remaining healthy tooth. Depending upon the individual needs of a tooth, it can be repaired either with a bonding material applied directly to the tooth, or with a conservative inlay/onlay (similar to a partial crown) fabricated in a dental laboratory.

Biomimetic Dentistry: Less is more.

In these cases, crowns and prophylactic root canals can be avoided. The integrity, form, esthetics and function of the tooth, as nature intended, can be preserved. Thus, biomimetic dentistry is achieved.

Is Fluoride Making You Sick?

Fluoride is found everywhere today. Not just toothpaste and mouthwashes, but in many antibiotics, medications, and even non-stick cooking pans. I think that most of us know that it is found in many bottled waters and municipal water supplies.
The fallout from this fluoridated water supply is that it is currently in just about everything we eat or drink that has been made from these waters. There is no escaping fluoride in the modern world, and as a result, there has been a plethora of diseases associated with this fluoride overdose.

Fluoridated water from the kitchen sink

Here are the top 7 fluoride related health challenges: