Integrative Health Blog

Dental Implants:  An Important Development

Teeth are critical for overall health, not just for aesthetics.   Teeth structure and alignment affect the nervous system, digestive system, immune system, structural alignment and so much more.

Teeth can be lost due to infection, decay, accident, orthodontics, a disrupted bite or even for aesthetic reasons.

Missing teeth that are not replaced can  negatively affect the overall bite, which in turn can affect structural alignment of the jaw and even our sleep.  Without replacing the missing tooth the neighboring teeth will move into that space, altering the way your teeth come together. That altered bite can change jaw alignment, blood flow to the brain as well as alter the nervous system function of the head and neck. Most of these missing teeth should be replaced to restore the bite for long term health and body  alignment.

Over a year ago, the Biological Dental Group at NIHA embarked on new dimension in dental services: the same day dental crown/onlay.

The technology and advantages to our patients and the quality control has been nothing short of fantastic.

For the first time, dentists can have total control over the quality of the lab work for the restoration process. That means precision in the design of the crown to the under 10 micron level. This level of precision has not been achievable in the past by dental lab transfer or the old way of making crowns and onlays.

More importantly, the whole process is done on site while the patient waits, and the result is a durable, high quality and attractive ceramic crown.

Are you aware of the critical tooth-sinus connection?

While most of us welcome the beauty of spring, for many it may be the beginning of bothersome symptoms. The explosion of pollens may result in a host of sinus problems- a runny nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing, facial congestion, headaches and “tooth pain.”

Yes, I said tooth pain.  Your upper back teeth, the maxillary molars, actually project into your sinuses and are only separated by very thin bone and the sinus membrane.

When your sinus lining is inflamed in a sinus infection, not only are your sinuses irritated and painful but the nerves of the teeth projecting into your sinuses are irritated.

The tooth - sinus proximity is such that inflamed sinuses may result in painful teeth.  

Dry mouth (also called xerostomia) is what happens when saliva flow is reduced or absent. It may be a symptom of your medical condition or medications. It is not a disease and is quite common.  While it may seem like a minor condition, moist saliva is critical to the health of the mouth and has protective benefits for oral tissues and to prevent tooth decay. Extreme dry mouth may contribute to permanent mouth or throat disorders.

I was recently honored to have been selected to be interviewed by the Holistic Oral Health Summit 2015. The interviews were taken from leading edge medical, dental and other health practitioners. The theme we addressed was why patients may have difficulty getting the treatment they need and how dental issues and oral health may relate to sleep issues and overall health. Even with the best of intentions some dental patients are still getting piece meal treatment instead of integrated treatment.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month 

More than 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. According to the National Cancer Institute, oral cancer is more common than leukemia, skin melanoma, and cancers of the brain, liver, bone, thyroid, ovaries, and cervix. It is a major cause of disfigurement and death in the United States.

Oral cancer includes cancers found in the mouth, on the tongue, lips, throat, parts of the nose, and larynx. Seventy five percent of these cancers are caused by tobacco and alcohol. Infection with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) has been linked to a subset of oral cancers.

Current Statistics on Oral Cancer