New research and new diseases are prompting some dentists to question the wisdom of traditional dental materials and dental procedures. These dentists practice what is called holistic or biological dentistry.

Biological dentists recognize the close connection between dental health and such areas as nutrition, body structure, the cranial system, the immune system and the central nervous system. Most are very concerned about the materials used in dental fillings, the safety of root canals, cavitations and holistic approaches to gum disease. Many are interested in nutritional aspects of dentistry and the alignment of the temporo-mandibular joint.

The purpose of this article is to inform, so that each can make the best dental choices. State dental boards acknowledge this view, but often censure and harrass those who offer holistic dentistry. The future of biological dentistry depends upon your understanding and willingness to insist upon the dental treatment of your choice. Let us discuss several dental topics.


NUTRITION

Biological dentists are aware of the intimate connection between dental health and nutrition. The author is continually amazed that dentists, of all the medical specialties, are not more concerned with our diets. Dr. Weston Price, DDS explored this subject in a classic book entitled Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. In 1938, Dr. Price traveled the world, exploring the connection between healthy teeth and nutrition. He found that wherever Western refined food replaced native natural foods, dental health declined quickly and severely. Dr. Price's book makes fascinating and convincing reading regarding the importance of nutrition in dental health.

The teeth require many minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese and boron. These minerals are missing from refined foods. Refined sugars, white flour and white rice, for example, contain little if any of these essential trace minerals. Sugar in the diet feeds bacteria in the mouth that cause plaque and can destroy the teeth. Acidic cola drinks can damage tooth enamel. Phosphoric acid in these drinks also binds and removes calcium, magnesium and zinc from the body. This can lead to bone loss, a common problem today.

Vitamin C, bioflavinoids and many other nutrients are needed for the gums. Eating hard foods such as raw carrots and whole meal bread encourages chewing, which may improve the bite. The author wore braces until age 20. Then he discovered that thoroughly chewing natural foods realigned his jaw and made braces unnecessary.


MERCURY AMALGAM FILLINGS

The standard material used to fill cavities for the past century is a mix of mainly silver and mercury, with a small amount of copper, cadmium and other metals. To place the filling, the tooth must be hollowed out. The mixture is then placed in the tooth. The dentist squeezes out some of the mercury, causing the filling to harden. Mercury makes the filling soft enough to place in the tooth. Mercury also kills bacteria that might cause infection.

Amalgam fillings have three drawbacks. First, mercury is a highly toxic metal. Placing it in the mouth assures that some will be leached from the filling into the body. Second, the filling material provides no strength to the tooth. Hollowing out the tooth to place the filling weakens the tooth. This enhances the possibility of cracking the tooth. Third, placing metals in the mouth, particularly several kinds of metal in the same mouth, can generate a flow of electrical current in the mouth. This can affect the brain and general health in some people. The metals react with saliva like the materials in a car battery. In batteries, dissimilar metals in a conducting medium produce electricity.

Sensitivity to mercury, as to all poisons, varies among individuals. Mercury affects the immune system, the central nervous system, the thyroid gland and other body systems. The "mad hatters" of Alice in Wonderland were actual hatmakers who became poisoned with mercury. To make felt hats, workers in the 1800's rubbed mercury on felt. After several years on the job they became ill, developed mental disturbances, and had to quit their job.

Research regarding the toxicity of mercury is very clear. Several nations including Sweden have banned the use of amalgam fillings entirely. Other nations permit them, but not in pregnant women. Studies prove that mercury continues to leach from amalgam fillings for years after they are placed in the mouth.


TOXIC WASTE IN YOUR MOUTH

An odd aspect of modern dentistry is the very material placed in the patients' mouths, when removed is considered a toxic waste. The dentist must store removed amalgam under water, in a special container, and cannot dispose of it in the garbage. The material must be sent to a designated toxic waste dump site. You will not find carpeting where a dentist sees patients. If mercury amalgam spills on carpeting, it is hard to clean up and could contaminate the entire office. Therefore it is not legal to have carpeting around the dental chair.

Biological dentists arouse the wrath of some conventional dentists by recommending that apparently healthy amalgam fillings should be replaced with other, less toxic materials. The materials may include gold or ceramic inlays, or composite resins or acrylic plastic materials. Some holistic dentists use blood or other tests to determine if a material is compatible with a person's body chemistry.

The American Dental Association frowns on the replacement of amalgam fillings that appear healthy. However, many people report feeling better, often immediately, when less toxic material replaces amalgam fillings. The improvement may be due to eliminating the offending material, or eliminating subtle electrical currents generated in the mouth.

Biological dentists exercise care when removing mercury amalgam fillings. The ones generating the greatest electrical currents should be removed first. Also, care needs to be taken so that a minimum of mercury ends up in the patient's body due to the removal process. Finally, sensitive patients may experience symptoms during removal that can be minimized by a nutritional regimen designed to help remove mercury from the body.

No dental material is perfect. The resin and ceramic materials do not have the germ-killing effect of mercury. They require a more thorough technique for correct placement. On the positive side, the resins or inlays are glued in place, and actually strengthen the tooth. This helps avoid cracking. If a composite resin filling wears down, the entire filling does not have to be replaced, as with amalgam. The dentist may just add another layer of resin to the filling. Resin and ceramic fillings also match the color of your teeth, producing a more aesthetic appearance. An excellent book on the dangers of mercury amalgam fillings is It's All In Your Head, by Dr. Hal Huggins, DDS.


PROBLEMS WITH ROOT CANALS

Dr. Price and many modern dentists are concerned about root canal procedures. The procedure involves destroying the nerve of a tooth, and filling in the entire nerve canal. The problem is these teeth are particularly prone to chronic infection. The infection may not be detected on x-ray, and goes unnoticed. However, chronic infection anywhere in the body can release toxic substances that are damaging to health. This is particularly true of dental infections. The infection places added stress on the body that contributes to illness. Several cancer experts have noted that cancer patients improved when infected teeth were removed. One reason for the importance of dental infections is many acupuncture meridians pass through the mouth and face.

Biological dentists may use electro-acupuncture machines or other methods to detect subtle dental infections. Antibiotic therapy may be ineffective against these conditions because circulation is poor in these teeth. Dead or dying teeth make excellent hosts for bacteria. If a dental infection cannot be healed with antibiotics or other means, extraction of the tooth may be the best idea.


CAVITATIONS

Cavitations are pockets of infection left behind when teeth are extracted, or from some other dental procedure. They become foci of infection, similar to infected root canals. Bacteria or bacterial toxins move from the cavitation into the blood stream, where they can cause damage to other organs and tissues.

While many conventional dentists don?t consider cavitations a problem, they may be an important cause of ill health. Anyone who has had dental extractions or procedures and is not feeling well afterwards may consider visiting a biological dentist to assess if cavitations remain.


TEMPORO-MANDIBULAR JOINT PROBLEMS

Another area biological dentists may address are problems caused by misalignment of the temporo-mandibular joint or TMJ. This joint is located just below the ears. The jaw pivots at this joint when it opens and closes. Misalignment or stress on this joint is common. It may be due to an imperfect bite, missing teeth, dental appliances, accidents or other reasons. The condition can cause fatigue, headaches, neck aches, facial ticks, disturbed sleep and other symptoms. Those with TMJ problems often hear or feel a slight clicking sound or sensation when opening or closing their mouth. By correcting the alignment of the joint, many symptoms may diminish.


GUM DISEASE

In addition to good hygiene, a standard treatment for gum disease involves unpleasant surgical scraping of the gums to reduce infection that can loosen teeth and eventually cause them to fall out. There are some excellent alternatives to gum surgery. One is the blotting technique pioneered by Dr. Joseph Phillips, DDS. It is simple, inexpensive and often works superbly. For more information about it, call the International Oral Health Society at               (715) 839-9103       .

Biological dentists may also recommend nutritionally-based treatments that in many cases can avoid gum surgery. Improving body chemistry often makes a great difference in alleviating gum disease. Ironically, some common mouthwashes such as Listerine contain alcohol and other chemicals that irritate the gums.


WATER FLUORIDATION

Many biological doctors and dentists oppose medicating our water with a chemical that is ineffective and highly toxic. The author debated this subject with several dentists when a proposal arose to fluoridate the water in Phoenix, Arizona. Promoters claim that fluoride reduces tooth decay 40 to 65%.

However, recent studies show that tooth decay has declined in both fluoridated and unfluoridated areas. Unfluoridated areas showed the same decline as fluoridated areas. Most other Western nations do not permit fluoridation of their water. Sodium fluoride is a potent enzyme poison. The toxic dose is very close to the safe dose used in municipal water supplies. Problems with artificial fluoridation at "safe levels" include allergic reactions, fluorosis (fluoride poisoning), increased hip fractures, osteoporosis, increased birth defects, cancer, learning disorders and most recently, lowered IQ scores in children.

While the federal government supports fluoridation, the Environmental Protection Agency's union of professional employees, Local 2050, opposes fluoridation. They even attempted to sue the EPA for covering up and omitting data in their fluoridation studies. Fluoride is a by-produce of the aluminum and fertilizer industries, and is considered a toxic waste. Companies are delighted to dispose of their fluoride in our water supplies. References at the end of this article offer more detail for those who are interested.


HOLISTIC DENTISTRY UNDER FIRE

Should you be able to choose your dental materials and dental procedures? When asked, most Dental Boards says yes. They say that choice is available right now. However, biological dentists often come under investigation, not for unethical practice, but for practicing biological dentistry.

Colorado and other states have passed bills guaranteeing that dentists will not be censured for practicing the newer dentistry. They also guarantee freedom of choice of dental materials for patients.


CONCLUSION

Bological dentistry has much to offer, and much to teach about the relationship of dental health to overall health. Some day, the insights will spread to all of dentistry. In the meantime, it is up to consumers to demand the dentistry we desire. If you are concerned about your access to biological dentistry, write your state representatives and State Dental Board to let them know that dentists must not be censured just because they offer patients biolgoical dentistry.

References

1. Caldwell, G. and Zanfagna, P, MD, Fluoridation and Truth Decay, Top-Ecol Press, Reseda, CA, 1974.

2. Foundation for Toxic-Free Dentistry, PO Box 608010, Orlando, FL 32860. (offers an excellent newsletter).

3. Hileman, B., "Fluoridation of Water", Chemical and Engineering News, August 1, 1988.

4. International Oral Health Society, P.O. Box 1968, Eau Claire, WI               (715) 859-9103       . (Provides information and materials for the blotting technique for gum disease) - excellent resource!

5. "Interview with Carl H. Jelstrup, DC", The Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb/Mar 1998, #175/176, pp. 64-76.

6. Huggins, H., DDS, It's All In Your Head.

7. Price, W., DDS, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, La Mesa, CA, 1945, 1979.

8. Stockton, S., ?Jawbone Cavitations: Infarction, Infection and Systemic Disease?, Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients, April 2000, p. 102-105.


Dr. Lawrence Wilson
P.O. Box 54
Prescott, AZ 86302-0054
              (928) 445-7690       
Visit http://www.drlwilson.com/ for books, and audio tapes from Dr. Wilson.