Integrative Health Blog

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. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, so now is a good time to learn the signs or oral cancer and get screened as part of your holistic dental check up.

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:

Starting your child out with good habits and dental care will help to ensure that they have the best chance for a healthy mouth that will last a lifetime.  Baby teeth have an important role and beginning to care for your child’s teeth before they erupt should not be overlooked.  The first tooth may appear at around 6 months and as soon as it starts to erupt it is at risk for decay.  By the time your child reaches his third birthday they will have all 20 of their primary teeth. 

Tips for Children's Dental Health

Start Early!

1. To clean your child’s teeth before they fully erupt use a warm washcloth or moist 2 x 2 gauze.  After teeth erupt use a child size soft toothbrush.  It is okay to use only water when brushing. 

2. If you use toothpaste only use a pea-sized amount.  I would not recommend using toothpaste until after age 2.  Until you feel that your child can brush on their own it is recommended that you brush for them after breakfast and at bedtime. 

During the preschool years your child may not want you to help.  Make an agreement with them that they can brush first and then they must allow you to take a turn.  When you see that their teeth are touching you can begin flossing. 

Diet is Important in Preventing Tooth Decay

As a dentist in the Holistic Family Dental Practice of National Integrated Health Associates I meet several patients every day with root canal or potential root canal issues.  Most patients presenting with potential root canal issues have great misunderstandings of the issues surrounding root canals.

The Simple Truth About Root Canals

The nerve and blood vessels within all teeth are collectively referred to as the pulp and provides the vitality and immune resistance to the tooth in which they reside.  Most people and even some dentists may mistakenly believe that a toothache necessarily means that the tooth requires a root canal but that is not necessarily the case.

If a tooth is decayed, traumatized or exposed to microbes the nerve will first become inflamed.  This is called a pulpitis or inflammation of the pulp.    The first stage of pulpitis is termed acute pulpitis and if left untreated will become a chronic pulpitis. 

Both acute and chronic pulpitis can have symptoms (pain) or be asymptomatic (ie no pain).   What most dentists may not understand or do not have the tools to accomplish is to reverse acute and chronic pulpitis.   This reversal needs homeopathic anti-inflammatories plus healing lasers.

What You Need to Know Before Going to the Dentist

If a pulpitis is not treated it usually becomes a dead, necrotic tooth.  The necrotic tooth may or may not have symptoms.  Once a tooth becomes necrotic it will attract microbial infection.  The ways to stop this infection within a necrotic tooth is either extractions or to perform a root canal.

Michelle Janbakhsh DDS

What is BPA?

BPA or Bisphenol_A is a chemical that has been used since 1960's in certain resins and plastics. It is a common ingredient in many plastics, including water bottles, cups, children's toys, plastic containers, cash receipts and paper currency. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are a common ingredient in containers that store food and beverages such as water bottles, cups, children's toys and baby bottles. Polycarbonate plastics are used for goods such as safety equipment, compact discs and medical devices.

Bob Johnson DMD

The Dangers of Leaving Missing Teeth Unreplaced 

Your teeth serve many functions.  Obviously they are critical for chewing and esthetics but more importantly if teeth are not replaced especially posterior or back teeth, that empty space will allow neighboring teeth to drift into the space formerly occupied by the extracted tooth.

Without replacing that missing tooth the neighboring teeth above and to the sides will move into that space altering the way your teeth come together.  That altered bite changes jaw alignment, blood flow to and from the brain as well as alters the nervous system function throughout the head and neck.  Bite changes will eventually disrupt the TMJ or jaw joint.

What are the options for tooth replacement?

Bob Johnson DMD

Tom Baldwin DDS

by Mark McClure DDS, FACG

Biological Dentistry is Whole person dentistry:

Whole - person dentistry, which is gaining understanding and support among the public and professionals, is the awareness of the intricate web-like relationships between dentistry and one’s general health and wellbeing. Its practitioners have advanced skills and knowledge in intervening to regain and maintain patient’s health. The whole - person dentist will embraces other descriptive terms like holistic, integrative medical and biological dentist. The whole - person dentist must wear multiple hats – first he/she is conventionally trained, incorporating the best developing dental technologies and aesthetics that modern dentistry offers but there is much more to a holistic dental approach.

Biological Natural Dentistry

Whole person, Biological Dentistry refers to routinely using biological (or natural) products and principles to help people be healthier more effectively and efficiently. The use of herbs, super-foods, nutrients, drainage remedies and homeopathics, and oxygen- ozone (as well as drugs and surgery when needed) in routine and specialty dental services defines the whole body approach that is employed. In summary, the principles of biological dentistry is treatments that are safe and effective, non-toxic with little or no side-effects, allowing the patient to heal themselves and ultimately reaching a state of biologic homeostasis - meaning health.