Integrative Health Blog

Holistic Dentistry and Heart Disease

Posted by on Fri, Feb 23, 2018

Heart disease is the #1 killer in the United States. Cardiovascular disease, or CVD, accounts for one in three deaths in the United States. It is a multi-factorial disease and there are many risk factors which contribute to heart disease including obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, lack of exercise, genetics, periodontal disease and other dental issues.

Biological dentists are conventionally trained and holistically oriented – and the dentists at NIHA assess the mouth in such a way that considers the condition of the mouth as it relates to the overall health of the body and disease prevention, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Specifically, early signs of gum inflammation may be risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. 

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Tags: heart disease, holistic dentistry, Dr. McClure

Ceramic Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth are Critical for Aesthetics and Health

Posted by on Mon, Dec 05, 2016

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.

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Tags: ceramic dental implant, holistic dentistry, biological dentist

Same Day Dental Crowns are an Excellent Option

Posted by on Mon, Nov 14, 2016

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.

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Tags: mercury free dentist, biological dentistry, holistic dentistry, ceramic crown, Dr. McClure

The Tooth-Sinus Connection

Posted by on Mon, Mar 21, 2016

Are you aware of the critical tooth-sinus connection?

At this time of year, spring rushes into our lives and brings warmer weather and longer daylight.  

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.  

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Tags: allergies, holistic dentistry

Problems With Dry Mouth?

Posted by on Mon, Mar 07, 2016

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.

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Tags: holistic dentistry, dry mouth

Holistic Dentistry Interview from Holistic Oral Health Summit

Posted by on Mon, Jan 11, 2016

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.

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Tags: holistic dentistry

Give the GIft of Integrative Health Care This Year!

Posted by on Tue, Dec 08, 2015

Trying to find a meaningful gift this holiday season?
 
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Tags: integrative health, holistic dentistry

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Posted by on Wed, Apr 08, 2015

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

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Tags: cancer, holistic dentistry

Understanding TMJ to Optimize Treatment

Posted by on Wed, Feb 11, 2015

Do you suffer from problems with your jaw or have pain when you chew or yawn?

Do you hear a clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth?

Do you grind or clench your teeth?

People generally do not understand what TMJ Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction is about other than they have pain or poor jaw movement. The cause of TMJ may be difficult to determine. TMJ is comprised of 2 components: Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD) and Myofascial Pain (MFP).

The concept of TMJ should be understood because the two different components of TMJ must be treated differently.

TMD, Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction, occurs when the jaw joint  (left, right or both) is not functioning well.   The second component, MFP, Myofascial Pain,  exists when the muscles of the jaw are painful or not functioning correctly.

                      TMJ =  TMD  +  MFP

The two components may exist together or exist separately.

It is important to understand how the jaw functions normally to conceptualize how to treat Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction.                    

In a healthy TMJ the lower jaw (mandibular) moves within the bone of the head (temporal bone) to open and close.  The muscles of the jaw provide the force for the mandible to move within the temporal bone.

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Tags: neck pain, pain, holistic dentistry, TMJ, jaw pain

How Holistic Dentistry Supports Your Immune System

Posted by on Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Mark McClure DDS

Have you ever wondered what will determine whether you remain healthy or get sick with cancer, heart disease, dementia, neuro-degenerative disease, chronic fatigue, the flu, a cold or Ebola?

It’s the immune system, stupid!

While I don’t usually use the word “stupid” - in this case it helps to illustrate the obvious fact of what really keeps us healthy, what prevents us from getting sick, what helps us recover quickly when we do get sick…is our amazing immune system!

In other words, it’s your immune system that keeps you healthy, strong and aging gracefully. Likewise, it is your grandchild’s immune system that will determine whether they will develop autism, ADHD, allergies, asthma, mental health issue,  diabetes, breast cancer (see Dr. Fuller's article Can Half of Breast Cancers Be Prevented?) or any other of the modern "epidemic" childhood diseases that are ravishing our youth’s health.

Of course genes play a role, but for purposes of this article I want to talk about the role of the immune system and how your dentist can support a healthier system. Dental treatment should be safe and effective and impact the rest of the body as little as possible.

A Healthy Mouth Affects Your Overall Health

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Tags: mercury free dentist, immune system, biological dentistry, holistic dentistry