Holistic Dentistry 101

HOLISTIC DENTISTRY 101

(all information therein is based on an extensive body of scientific evidence; for any specific primary research articles and for further information go to the websites of these independent organizations: International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology at www.iaomt.org and International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine at www.iabdm.org,)

Holistic Dentistry is Fluoride Free

Fluoride, a waste byproduct of aluminum manufacturing and phosphate mining industries, is a neurotoxin, hormonal disruptor and a carcinogen. It has been shown to cause osteosarcoma of the bone, birth defects, hip fractures, hypothyroidism, calcification of the pineal gland, neurological dysfunctions and lowering of IQ just to name a few. It has also been shown to increase the toxic effect of mercury on neurons in the brain. Holistic dental practice will not place fluoride gel or varnish as a preventative measure against caries as there are much safer alternative methods such as clean nutrition and a simple baking soda. Holistic dental practice also sources out fluoride-free versions of sealants, composite resin materials, cements, prophy pastes, whitening gels, etc. Furthermore, it is common for a holistic dental practice to install reverse osmosis filtration system on their water supply. Lastly, a holistic dentist will encourage their patients to use fluoride-free dental products and drink distilled water or highly purified water where fluoride has been removed, such as with reverse-osmosis technology.

Holistic Dentistry is Mercury Free and Mercury Safe

Mercury is the most highly toxic substance known to men next to radioactive plutonium. Just one atom of mercury kills one cell. Brain and nerve tissue is the most highly susceptible organ system followed by liver, intestine, kidney, lung, and blood cells. Dental amalgam fillings are 50% mercury by weight and mercury, contrary to the official narrative, is released from their surface in form of mercury vapor on an ongoing bases. It is also released in form of microscopic droplets when the surface of such fillings is stimulated by brushing, chewing, grinding, or drinking hot liquids. Mercury exposure resulting from these fillings has been shown to cause neurological dysfunctions ranging from anxiety, depression, insomnia, irritability, nervousness to autism, Asperger’s, ADD, ADHD, Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. Other mercury-induced diseases include Sjorgen’s syndrome, metabolic dysfunctions, liver toxicity and liver failure, kidney failure, arthritis, leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and the list goes on. Holistic dentist will not place these fillings in the first place and furthermore, their removal is accomplished under strictly controlled conditions such as dictated by the SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) protocol developed by International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. The so-called Huggins-Grube Protocol takes the protection of the patient and staff even further (see below). During these removal procedures the patient is protected by a rubber dam and garments covering their body and face. The staff is protected by appropriate garments as well in addition to mercury-safe masks or respirators. Mercury-specific filtration of the air and industrial style vacuum system is employed as well. Environmental amalgam separator is installed in order not to release the mercury into waste water (mandated by EPA). Further, the administration of charcoal tablets and liposomal vitamin C just prior to procedure is also utilized for the added safety of the patient. Removal of all mercury fillings must be followed by systemic heavy metal detoxification which is best accomplished by experienced naturopathic physician.

Holistic Dentistry Is Metal Free

Not only is mercury toxic but all the other metals routinely used in dentistry are too. Some are carcinogens, such as nickel, but all of them induce autoimmune response, symptoms of which may not show up until years or decades post-placement. All porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and bridges, metal partials, orthodontic wires and brackets, stainless steel crowns, and metal implants have any combination of nickel, cadmium, titanium, palladium, molybdenum etc. in addition to somewhat less problematic silver and gold. Hypoallergenic clear acrylic, BPA/BPB free composite resins, and biocompatible porcelain materials are used in lieu of any metals.

Holistic Dentists Will Perform Dental Material Biocompatibility Testing

While materials can be sourced out as clean as possible every person’s cumulative toxic burden, their immune status, and health history is unique. Same materials may be less compatible for some than others. In order to achieve an optimal outcome and to prevent any unforeseen autoimmune complications, dental material biocompatibility testing needs to be completed prior to dental revision.

Holistic Dentists Do Not Perform Root Canal Therapy

American Dental Association considers root canal therapy a standard of care in order to save severely damaged, infected, abscessed, dead, or painful teeth. However, extensive research has shown that even with highly advanced techniques sterilization of a tooth is impossible due to its extensive labyrinth of major canals, accessory canals, and microscopic dentinal tubules, all adding up to 3+ miles. In several studies and tens of thousands of teeth examined that have undergone this procedure not one was identified as being infection-free. Such tooth is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and their toxins are continuously released into the surrounding bone. These bacterial toxins then get picked up by blood supply and circulated around the body, causing systemic disease or disease in the distant parts of the body. Furthermore, the immune system is forced into perpetual state of emergency which is a primary cause of systemic inflammation. Further, root-canal treated, dead, or abscessed teeth have been shown to cause autoimmune disease as well as cancer. 98% of women with breast cancer have two or more root canals on the side of the offending breast. Similar grim statistics have been scientifically documented for the other organs, such as cancer of prostate, pancreas, liver, small and large intestine, etc. Given the fact that there are 40 million root canals performed in the United States on annual bases, no one should wonder why degenerative disease and cancer statistics have reached such explosive rates.

Holistic Dentists Will Take Great Care in Preventing Jaw Bone Cavitations also called NICOs (Necrotizing Ischemic Cavitational Osteitis)

When teeth are being extracted it is important to remove the fibrous tissue, called periodontal ligament, as well. This is not being taught in dental schools. It is thought that the ligament contains stem cells and thus should be left alone. However, the presence of this ligament signals to the body that the tooth is still there and proper bone healing is almost always halted or incomplete. This results in an empty void in the bone, called a cavitation, however small it may be. This is where bacteria will reestablish their colonies as the ligament itself is often infected prior to extraction. Holistic Dentists that routinely send the material that collects in these cavitations for histology have been reporting presence of bacteria, viruses, amoebas, fungi, and even all kinds of heavy metals likely originating from the previously offending tooth. Cavitations, just like root-canal treated teeth, have been implicated in degenerative diseases such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. A skilled Holistic Dentist will not only take great care in preventing these from forming in the first place but will be well-versed in revising and cleaning out these already existing cavitations.

Holistic Dentist Will Utilize Ozone as a Non-Toxic Alternative to Pharmaceuticals

Ozone gas and ozonated water is a highly effective way to disinfect, de-sensitize, as well as sterilize a tooth structure, gum tissues, extractions sites, and cavitations. Ozone is a dynamically unstable molecule of three oxygen atoms that will oxidize and neutralize literally everything on contact. Its disinfecting power is 3,000 times that of household bleach. Yet, it immediately dissociates into oxygen and water thus having no toxic side effects (inhalation into lungs and contact with eyes are the only contraindications). Application of ozone in dentistry and medicine is wide-ranging. Ozone gas utilization in sterilization of extraction sockets and revision of cavitations is paramount as it is capable to flow beyond the surgical site where microbes and other contaminants are known to spread. Furthermore, its application in treatment of periodontal disease is virtually unsurpassed not only due to its sterilization properties but also ozone has been shown to stimulate the immune response, oxygen metabolism, and, in some cases, regeneration of lost bone around teeth. Any conventional dentist will tell you of their frustration regarding treatment of moderate to advanced periodontal disease. Long-term results without surgical intervention are rare and most of us have watched these periodontal patients decline steadily despite regular recalls, eventually culminating in catastrophic loss of teeth. However, please note that in the presence of mercury fillings successful treatment of periodontal disease is impossible even with ozone, as presence of toxic mercury quickly reverses any achieved gains.

Huggins-Grube Protocol: When a Holistic Dentist Becomes a True Purist

(See our upcoming blog)