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The Dangers of Root Canals and How to Treat Them
Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2023/05/27/the-hidden-dangers-of-root-canals.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola Fact Checked May 27, 2023
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Root canal-treated teeth can harbor dangerous pathogens that contribute to chronic disease
- Modern technologies such as ozone and laser therapies can effectively address many issues so a root canal procedure can be avoided. They can also be used to treat infected root canal-treated teeth, and to safely perform a root canal when needed
- If you need a root canal procedure, see an endodontist who is trained in the use of these regenerative technologies
- Even when decay and bacteria have made it all the way into the nerve tissue, laser therapy can sterilize the surface of the nerve, while ozone gas, which also kills pathogens, can actually stimulate your immune system to kick in and eradicate the remaining infection
- If you have a root canal-treated tooth, be sure to get a 3D cone beam scan to assess the state of the tooth and rule out infection
Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published April 11, 2021.
In this interview, Dr. Val Kanter, a board-certified endodontist and biological dentist with a practice in Beverly Hills, California, discusses the oft-ignored dangers of root canal procedures and modern technologies with which these issues can be effectively addressed and corrected.
Unfortunately, few regular dentists fully appreciate the intimate links between your oral health and overall physical health and, as a result, some of their interventions can actually cause catastrophic health challenges.
The sad reality is that if we knew how to eat properly from the time we were born, the need for just about any type of dentistry would, in my view, decrease by at least 90%, because we just wouldn’t develop cavities.
Thankfully we have trained professionals who can help restore our health, and Kanter is one of them. Her transition into holistic dentistry occurred after she moved from Florida to California and started doing some self-exploration.
“I had some enlightening moments,” she says, “and it was really interesting because I was raised in mainstream dentistry and mainstream health, not really understanding what I do now. It was through that self-discovery that I actually learned about water fluoridation and the major damage that has created.
I got involved with the Fluoride Action Network and worked closely with Michael [Connett] for a long time, publishing research on some of the damages. One of the things that is so obvious to us is fluorosis in kids. It was originally thought to affect only 10% of kids, and now we’re up to a place where it’s affecting 50% or more.
That’s a window. It’s a view of what’s happening inside the body. That’s what got me on the path and that led me into learning about ozone and laser therapy and it really opened up a whole new world for me in the field of endodontics.”
Do You Really Need a Root Canal?
One of the founding members of the American Endodontics Society, Dr. George Meinig, wrote the book “Root Canal Cover-Up.” It’s a really good primer and provides solid information as to why you may want to consider avoiding root canal treatment.
The conventional idea is that it’s best to preserve whatever you can of the original tooth rather than replacing it entirely. Hence, they’ll do a root canal and attach a crown rather than pull the tooth and replace it, typically with an implant. The downside is that root canal-treated teeth can cause significant health complications that often aren’t recognized as being a side effect of the root canal.
There’s a whole new world of regenerative dentistry and regenerative endodontics that if you’re using the proper equipment, you can preserve the vitality of the teeth. ~ Dr. Val Kanter
According to Kanter, more than 20 million root canal procedures are done every year in the U.S. “It’s an astronomical number, and most of those root canal procedures are done by general dentists,” she says. That in itself is a problem, as you typically do less than 10 root canals while in dental school, and once you’re in practice, much of the training you get is done by sales reps of various equipment.
“One of the most important things that I want the listeners to understand,” Kanter says, “is that there is a specialty out there that focuses on this procedure. If you do decide to have the procedure done, please go see a specialist. See two or three. Get multiple opinions.
It’s so important, because I feel that a lot of root canal procedures are done unnecessarily. It’s a quick way to hit a symptom, just like a medication. It’s, ‘Oh, let’s take out the nerve and the pain will stop.’ These inflammations inside the teeth can be reversed. I see it daily in my practice. I see a lot of patients who want to prevent a root canal.
There’s a whole new world of regenerative dentistry and regenerative endodontics that if you’re using the proper equipment, you can preserve the vitality of the teeth and that’s my passion and goal. With that said, most of my practice is retreating old, contaminated root canals …
My goal is to teach all of the dentists out there about these procedures because then it doesn’t even have to go to that level. If someone needs a root canal procedure, they should see an endodontist if they decide to go that route.
I think one of the top things that you should be seeking if you are a patient looking for a practitioner that’s going to resonate with the things that you want — which are some of these regenerative procedures — is finding dentists that are using this laser therapy.
It’s becoming more and more popular, but still probably about 10% of dentists use dental lasers. I would start there. Go to Fotona’s website1 and find someone in your area using this laser therapy.”
Prevention Basics
Of course, prevention is the best medicine, and some basic care can help you minimize the time you need to spend in a dentist chair. The most important factor in that regard is nutrition. Three crucial nutrients for oral and dental health are vitamins A, D and K. You also need a good supply of minerals.
“Unfortunately, most of our food is deficient in the minerals and micronutrients we need because of the way that farming has been done,” Kanter says. Ideally, you’ll want to do micronutrient testing along with testing your vitamin D level and hemoglobin A1C. Kanter will perform many of these tests at her office, and helps patients customize their diet.
“It’s challenging because the nutritional component of dental schools is minuscule. That’s why I did advanced training with the ACIMD, which is basically integrative biological dentistry and medicine training to become a naturopath … By decreasing sugar in your diet, and stress, you can actually [heal your teeth].
Your teeth are a beautiful complex system that are actually healing themselves constantly. There’s an outward fluid flow inside the nerve complex in your tubules and it’s protecting your teeth. As soon as you start loading your body with sugar and all of these other things, the fluid flow just reverses, and that leads to an influx of bacteria and other toxins that can start to create inflammation in the tooth.
The tooth is a very complex and unique system, unlike anywhere else in the body. If you have inflammation from any other injury, your skin can stretch and swell, whereas the tooth is encapsulated in enamel, and it can’t stretch. When inflammation starts to build up, it can quickly turn into a pathological process and that’s what leads to major nerve damage.”
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Ozone and Laser Therapy
Once pain sets in, you’re past the point of being able to prevent deterioration, but this is where regenerative dentistry can come in and save the day (and your tooth). One is ozone therapy. Another is laser therapy.
Pulpitis is inflammation of the pulp nerve complex of the tooth. Using these regenerative therapies, Kanter has successfully reversed this kind of inflammation in many patients. Even when decay and bacteria have made it all the way into the nerve tissue, laser therapy can sterilize the surface of the nerve, while ozone gas, which also kills pathogens, can actually stimulate your immune system to kick in and eradicate the remaining infection.
In the interview, you’ll find a video showing how the Erbium YAG laser treatment seemingly melts away the decayed tooth structure. Contrary to mechanical drilling, the laser is so gentle on the tooth structure, you don’t even need anesthesia. It also sterilizes the surface as you go along. Why is this important? Kanter explains:
“When you drill, you’re starting to remove decay filled with bacteria. As the dentist is drilling deeper into the tooth into the more vulnerable layers near the nerve, you’re carrying that bacteria that’s trapped in the bur and you’re actually driving it deeper in the tooth. With the laser, you’re sterilizing cell layer by cell layer.”
Were the laser to hit the nerve, it also will not kill the nerve. Once the area is free of decay, Kanter will ozonate the entire surface, and since it’s a gas, the ozone is able to penetrate into and actually disinfect the tubules. Special bioceramic materials that are highly biocompatible are then used to complete the restoration of the tooth.
“Using photobiomodulation or low-level laser … a neodymium YAG laser, which is 1064 wavelength … you can actually stimulate the mitochondria inside the tissues, upregulating ATP production, collagen synthesis and angiogenesis,” she says.
“I generally use it at 20 Hertz, so the frequency is 20. Then, if it’s intraoral, we usually use it at a 2-watt power level. It takes just a couple of minutes … We do these low-level laser procedures on every single patient that’s coming to see me, and it’s profound, the amount of healing and the reduction of pain and inflammation that we can see.”
In the future, we may even have the ability to regenerate tooth material naturally. As explained by Kanter, researchers are investigating the ability of collagen matrices embedded with different medications to stimulate natural tooth formation. There are also studies looking at how to regrow teeth from scratch.
The Hidden Hazards of Root Canals
There are several reasons for avoiding root canals. Importantly, research by Dr. Weston A. Price demonstrated just how interconnected your teeth are with your overall health. He implanted infected root canaled teeth under the skin of rabbits, and in many cases, the rabbits went on to develop the very disease that the donor of the tooth had.
Granted, dentistry has changed a lot since Price, so his results may not be directly applicable to today. Kanter, who is the endo director of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), is now in the process of developing studies to try to recreate some of his studies to see whether the root canals of today, in which teeth are able to be cleaned to a far greater degree, still produce the same systemic effects.
That said, as recently as nine years ago, the American Association of Endodontists, which oversees the specialty of endodontics, admitted that current techniques fail to completely remove all infected material from root canaled teeth. To illustrate this, Kanter shows a CT scan of a root canaled tooth (see video).
“The red area is the area that the instrument has cleaned out. The green area wasn’t even touched. What this means is that a third of the soft tissue of this necrotic tissue in the tooth is completely untouched by instruments. Unfortunately, most [dental students] have in their head, ‘I need to get these instruments in and I got to do this shaping of these canals,’ and that’s actually not what’s cleaning the teeth at all.
What’s happening is that the dentist is grabbing a syringe of a fluid to irrigate the tooth. Generally, they’re using sodium hypochlorite, which is essentially bleach, and they’re just taking a syringe with a small needle on it and they’re introducing it down into the canal. It’s not cleaning everything out. It’s only cleaning a teeny tiny percentage of the dentinal tubules, leaving a ton of bacteria and toxins behind.
In the picture on the right, you see all this black material. These are complete channels of necrotic tissue that are left behind during these procedures. We can see why these teeth can be so toxic if all of this material is left behind. That’s just looking at the main nerve channels, not even tubules. It’s surprising that root canal treatments ever work.”
The good news is that the relationship of apical periodontitis and systemic illnesses is finally starting to be more widely recognized. Apical periodontitis is an infection around a tooth that leads to infection in the bone. “If you have apical periodontitis, you’re three times more likely to develop coronary artery disease,” Kanter says. It’s also associated with a higher risk of kidney disease and cancer.
Up to 78% of the plaques found in heart attack victims have oral pathogens in them, and they’re the exact same pathogens you find in failed root canal treatments. This kind of systemic infection can be identified by looking at biomarkers such as CRP and interleukin-6.
Yes, There Are Ways to Make Root Canals Safer
In cases where regenerative techniques are inappropriate and more aggressive treatment is required, you basically have only two options left: extraction of the tooth or a root canal. The good news is that there are safer ways of doing a root canal these days, but you need to use a combination of ozone and laser therapy in order to achieve optimal sterilization. Ozone alone isn’t even enough. Kanter explains:
“I have incorporated ozone therapy into my root canal procedures for the last five years. In fact, I started a pilot study at UCLA looking at the efficacy of ozone gas and comparing it to traditional techniques. It was a blow to me, but unfortunately the ozone gas wasn’t doing the job.
We use that at about 100 micrograms per milliliter, which is very high, but we only did it for one minute per canal. Now, what we know about ozone is that it’s both dose dependent and time dependent. Further studies are going to be done, but we may need to create a closed system where we can completely infuse the tooth with the ozone gas in order to sterilize it because, yes, of course, a gas is going to travel deeper into tubules than a liquid is.
The main issue is that if there’s debris and blockages in these tubules, I don’t believe the ozone gas to be able to penetrate. Now, with the traditional techniques, you’re leaving so much behind. I have a really cool video that compares the traditional technique with the new laser activated irrigation. This is what’s made me feel really good about these treatments that I’m doing on my patients …
With the new laser activation that I’m using in my practice, watch how quickly this biofilm is disrupted. The laser is simply at the top of the tooth. It doesn’t have to extend down the canal, and look at that energy.
This is what not a lot of people are familiar with. You cannot have a root canal procedure without an advanced irrigation. It is absolutely critical. Within 10 to 20 seconds, look at the amount of biofilm that’s disrupted. We’re also seeing complete cleaning of the dentinal tubules … down to the microtubules as well …
There’s one more technology on the market that’s reaching a lot of endodontists. If you need a root canal procedure, find someone that’s using either the laser or this gentle procedure. The general aid is using sound energy … all of these different frequencies, and you have a closed system on the tooth and it actually sucks all of the necrotic tissue and debris out of the root structure.
Between these two technologies, we’re getting results like this. This is the look of the tubules when they’re just sparkling clean. It is possible, but unfortunately the majority of root canal procedures that are being done are not using this.”
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment
Another alternative treatment that can be very useful is hyperbaric oxygen treatment. By introducing higher pressures, you’re able to get oxygen deeper into the tooth area, thereby facilitating and speeding healing. Kanter has a couple of different hyperbaric centers in Los Angeles that she will sometimes refer patients to.
“The patients that come see me are generally very committed to their health. We do a variety of treatments that support the procedures that we’re doing. We do ozone inside the tooth, where it has an antibacterial effect, but we also inject it around the tooth. We do that at their recall appointments as well, so we’re constantly stimulating the immune system around these teeth.
We’re also doing the low-level laser treatments, as well as microcurrent and other things to keep energy flowing in these areas where I know that there is scar tissue. We have to break that down, and eventually energy can start flowing through,” she says.
Why Extraction Isn’t an Ideal Solution
The second option, to extract the infected tooth, also has its issues. For example, there’s a decrease in neurofeedback to the brain, and so it’s correlated with early Alzheimer’s and other degenerative, neurodegenerative diseases, Kanter says. Also, when you take a tooth out, the periodontal ligament that encompasses the root needs to be completely removed as well.
This ligament nourishes the root from the outside and acts as a defense mechanism against bacteria. The problem is it also provides 70% of the blood flow to the surrounding jaw bone. So, when you take a tooth and the surrounding ligament out, you also cut the blood supply to your jaw in that area by 70%, which is why you end up seeing bone degeneration and resorption, as there’s nothing left to support that bone.
“There’s definitely cases [in which] a tooth extraction is indicated, but I think there’s plenty of patients out there that can withstand having a root canal procedure and remain healthy. Even Weston Price said there are different categories of patients out there.
There are patients who are going to be very susceptible to any sort of remnant bacteria in these teeth, causing systemic illnesses, and then there’s going to be people that are just fine … Apical periodontitis or root canal infections cause systemic illnesses. But a root canal procedure or a root canal treated tooth in itself does not cause the systemic illness …
We need to do more research with these new techniques. It’s definitely a goal of mine to get the research done, to mimic some of these older studies, using the new technology, and looking at not only getting rid of the bacteria but getting rid of the endotoxins and everything else the bacteria leave behind, because those move quicker than the bacteria once they’re released into the body.”
Replacing Extracted Teeth
If you have a periapical abscess, it is typically too late to save the tooth as it is dead and seriously infected. In that case, it will need to be removed. Once a tooth is extracted, you then have to decide what you’re going to replace it with. Here, there are a number of options — implant, bridge or partial — each with its own pros and cons.
“First of all, if you’re going to extract the tooth, it needs to be done by a surgeon using things like PRF, platelet rich fibrin, which really helps the site heal and create new bone and collagen in the area quickly, and also provides an immune response in the area. That’s really important,” Kanter says.
“Also, if you’re thinking about doing an implant, you need to do sensitivity testing … because [many] are sensitive to titanium, and most of the implants being placed are made of titanium. There are alternatives like zirconia, but it’s important that you find out if you are compatible with these materials before you put them in your body.
If you’re not able to put these in your body because of sensitivity, then your options are going to be a bridge or a partial. But metal in the mouth is becoming more and more of an issue. We’re seeing it constantly. It’s creating these interference fields in the mouth and a lot of people are having hypersensitivity reactions to them.
It turns into a domino effect on the patient’s overall health. We’re constantly evaluating that and helping our patients figure out what materials are best for them and what prosthesis or restorative plan is going to be best for them.”
Call to Action
Unfortunately, many have improperly cleaned root canal-treated teeth, and more often than not, there can be silent infections around these teeth. For this reason, Kanter urges anyone who has a root canaled tooth to get a three-dimensional cone beam image done of the tooth.
Many endodontists have this machine. If they don’t have one, they should be able to refer you out for one. “You should have a 3D scan if you’ve ever had a root canal procedure,” Kanter says. “That’s my call of action to all of your listeners.”
In the interview video, she shows what an infected root canal looks like. You cannot see this infection, however, on a standard dental X-ray. These are the kinds of post-root canal problems Kanter deals with in her practice, using the regenerative technologies discussed above.
“That’s 75% of my practice,” she says. “Patients get the CT, we find these issues, we find the connections into the sinus, how it’s related to all of these [health] problems, and we just start breaking it down and doing our best to help these patients.”
So, getting a 3D cone scan of your tooth is the first step. Kanter recommends having the scan radiographically interpreted by your nearest university or a company called Beam Readers. “These are board-certified radiologists that look through every detail,” Kanter explains.
Again, to locate a biological endodontist familiar with the regenerative technologies discussed in this interview, check out fotona.com, or gentlewave.com. They offer lists of practitioners that are using these technologies.
“If you’re going to someone using either of these technologies, you’re going to generally be in good hands,” Kanter says. “In my practice, I’m using both. I use the laser and the gentle wave, so we are cleaning to the ultimate capacity in these teeth and that’s what I feel is necessary.”
More Information
Kanter is creating an educational platform to teach and endodontists and dentists about diagnosis and precision dentistry on her website, i-endo.com. “These new courses are already starting, and I’m going to be spending the next decade really trying to change this paradigm and shift into the new way of healthcare,” she says.
To learn more about the nutritional aspects of dental health, check out Weston Price’s classic book, “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration,” and for a foundational understanding of the health hazards of root canal treatment, see “Root Canal Cover-Up.”
Is the Cause of Alzheimer’s Connected to Your Mouth?
Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2022/12/10/alzheimers-and-periodontal-disease.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola Fact Checked December 10, 2022<
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Periodontal disease may be a contributory factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease
- In 2019, researchers identified Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a pathogen involved in chronic periodontitis, in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease
- Gingipains — toxic proteases from P. gingivalis — were also found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients
- Levels of gingipains were associated with two markers of the disease, tau protein and another protein called ubiquitin
- In vivo and invitro studies also showed gingipains were neurotoxic and damaging to tau, which is needed for normal neuronal function
- The risk of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment in patients with periodontal disease is significantly higher than in those without periodontal disease, underscoring the importance of maintaining good oral health throughout your life
More than 6 million U.S. adults have Alzheimer’s disease. This number is expected to increase to nearly 13 million by 2050.1 Despite its growing prevalence, the causes of this devastating condition continue to be debated. There’s a growing consensus, however, that multiple factors play a role, from your gut health2 to your oral health.
Periodontitis, or gum disease, has been suggested as a potential risk factor for Alzheimer’s since at least 2015, when researchers with the University of Bristol noted “periodontal pathogens are possible contributors to neural inflammation and SLOAD [sporadic late onset Alzheimer’s disease].”3
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease often have poor oral health, which has commonly been attributed to declining self-care or neglect for oral health by caregivers. Now, however, it’s being recognized that periodontal disease may be a contributory factor in the disease’s development.4
Gum Disease Pathogen Found in the Brain
In 2019, researchers with the University of Louisville identified Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a pathogen involved in chronic periodontitis, in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.5 Gingipains — toxic proteases from P. gingivalis — were also found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Levels of gingipains were associated with two markers of the disease, tau protein and another protein called ubiquitin.6
Further, in mice, oral infection with P. gingivalis resulted in brain colonization of the pathogen, along with increased production of Aβ1-42, which is found in amyloid plaques. According to David Reynolds, Ph.D., chief scientific officer from Alzheimer’s Research UK:7
“Previously the P. gingivalis bacteria associated with gum disease has been found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s but it remains unclear what role, if any, it plays in the development of the disease. In this well-conducted study, researchers were able to show that when mice were given P. gingivalis, the bacteria was found in the brain alongside higher levels of the hallmark Alzheimer’s protein, amyloid.”
In vivo and invitro studies also showed gingipains were neurotoxic and damaging to tau, which is needed for normal neuronal function. When the researchers designed small-molecule inhibitors to target gingipains, bacterial load was reduced, as was neuroinflammation. Production of Aβ1-42 was also blocked.
Together, the data suggest that gingipain inhibitors could target P. gingivalis in the brain and treat neurodegeneration from Alzheimer’s disease.8 P. gingivalis was also detected in the brains of people without Alzheimer’s disease, lending support for the theory that’s it’s involved in development of the condition and not simply a byproduct of it. According to the study:9
“Our identification of gingipain antigens in the brains of individuals with AD [Alzheimer’s disease] and also with AD pathology but no diagnosis of dementia argues that brain infection with P. gingivalis is not a result of poor dental care following the onset of dementia or a consequence of late-stage disease, but is an early event that can explain the pathology found in middle-aged individuals before cognitive decline.”
Periodontal Disease Linked to Increased Alzheimer’s Risk
A systematic review and meta-analysis that included 13 studies showed the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment in patients with periodontal disease was significantly higher than in those without periodontal disease.10 This was especially true in people with severe periodontal disease.
A separate study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s disease, found that among people aged 65 and older, Alzheimer’s disease incidence and mortality were consistently associated with probing pocket depth, a measure of periodontal health, as well as Prevotella melaninogenica (P. melaninogenica) and Campylobacter rectus (C. rectus), bacterial markers of periodontitis.11
According to the researchers, “This study provides evidence for an association between periodontal pathogens and AD, which was stronger for older adults.”12 What’s more, the risk of cognitive decline in older men increases the more teeth are lost, while periodontal disease and caries, both of which contribute to tooth loss, are also linked to cognitive decline.13
How Gum Disease Leads to Alzheimer’s
Periodontal disease likely contributes to Alzheimer’s by increasing pro-inflammatory mediators, including C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α.14 According to researchers with the University of California School of Dentistry, three primary mechanisms have been identified for how periodontal disease may lead to Alzheimer’s:15
- Increased peripheral pro-inflammatory cytokines that systemically affect the brain via neural, humoral and cellular mechanisms
- Ectopic migration of periodontal bacteria and related molecules directly to the brain via blood and/or cranial nerves
- Leptomeninges (tissue covering the brain and spinal cord) that may act as a mode of communication between periodontal pathogens and microglia in the brain
In an editorial published in Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, it’s further explained:16
“A plethora of studies firmly place P.gingivalis … in the red complex as a risk factor for AD. This is because P.gingivalis is adept at modifying the peripheral and intracerebral immune responses.
Furthermore, this bacterium has a range of enzymes including cathepsin B and gingipains that are, respectively, shown to interact with the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and neuronal tau resulting in the formation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which are the cardinal hallmarks of AD.
Prospective, retrospective population-based, and nested control studies have shown that the risk of developing the sporadic form of AD doubles when periodontal disease persists for about 10 years.”
Since deposits of amyloid beta in the brain may start one to two decades before cognitive decline and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, and periodontal disease may also be persistent for about 10 years to initiate Alzheimer’s, positive oral health early on may help prevent the disease.17
This is important not just for older adults, but also middle-aged and younger adults, who may be able to protect their brain health by maintaining good oral health. Even in young, otherwise healthy, adults, episodic memory and learning rate are improved among those without good oral health compared to those with aggressive periodontal disease18 — suggesting damage to brain health may start early on.
Proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing and tongue scraping, and getting regular cleanings with a mercury-free biological dentist, will go a long way toward keeping your teeth and gums healthy. A lifestyle that includes a diet based on fresh, whole foods is also essential to a naturally clean mouth and good oral health.
What Else Contributes to Alzheimer’s?
With a complex condition like Alzheimer’s, oral health is only one contributing factor. Gut health is another. A team of Swiss and Italian researchers found a connection between imbalanced gut microbiota and the development of amyloid plaques in the brain.19
The researchers used PET imaging to measure amyloid deposition in their brains, then measured markers of inflammation and proteins produced by intestinal bacteria, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in their blood.
The study revealed that high blood levels of LPSs and SCFAs acetate and valerate were associated with large amyloid deposits in the brain. Other SCFAs, namely butyrate, appeared to have a protective effect; high levels of butyrate were associated with less amyloid.
“Our results are indisputable: certain bacterial products of the intestinal microbiota are correlated with the quantity of amyloid plaques in the brain,” explains Moira Marizzoni, a study author with the Fatebenefratelli Center in Brescia, Italy.20 It’s not surprising, then, that probiotics have been shown to be protective.
A 2016 study of 60 Alzheimer’s patients found those who drank milk containing probiotics experienced significant improvements in cognitive function.21 Probiotics, by the way, are also useful for managing periodontal disease.22
Electromagnetic exposures from wireless technologies are another crucial component that need to be addressed. This type of radiation activates the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in your cells, and the greatest density of VGCCs are in your brain, the pacemaker of your heart and male testes.
A 2022 study that summarized 18 different findings found they “collectively provide powerful evidence for EMF causation of AD.” Further, “The author is concerned that smarter, more highly pulsed ‘smart’ wireless communication may cause widespread very, very early onset AD in human populations.”23
It is my belief that excessive microwave exposure and mitochondrial dysfunction are among the most significant factors contributing to Alzheimer’s, along with exposure to the herbicide glyphosate, which also has negative neurological effects.24
Tips for Alzheimer’s Prevention
Overall, nourishing your brain health is best done with a comprehensively healthy lifestyle, including healthy diet. Not only does what you eat affect your oral and gut health, but it also impacts cholesterol, and cholesterol also plays an important role in the formation of memories and is vital for healthy neurological function.
As noted by senior research scientist Stephanie Seneff, Ph.D., insufficient fat and cholesterol in your brain play a crucial role in the Alzheimer’s disease process, detailed in her 2009 paper “APOE-4: The Clue to Why Low Fat Diet and Statins May Cause Alzheimer’s.”25
Time-restricted eating is another important strategy, as is reducing your intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, also called PUFAs, found in vegetable oils, edible oils, seed oils, trans fat and plant oils. For a more targeted approach, natural options are available.
Animal and laboratory studies demonstrate that the spice saffron is neuroprotective, for instance. Data also show it’s as effective as the drug memantine to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.26 One of the most comprehensive assessments of Alzheimer’s risk is Dr. Dale Bredesen’s ReCODE protocol, which evaluates 150 factors, including biochemistry, genetics and historical imaging, known to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
In his book, “The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline,”27 which describes the complete protocol, you will also find a list of suggested screening tests and the recommended ranges for each test, along with some of Bredesen’s treatment suggestions. By leveraging 36 healthy lifestyle parameters, Bredesen was able to reverse Alzheimer’s in 9 out of 10 patients.
This included the use of exercise, ketogenic diet, optimizing vitamin D and other hormones, increasing sleep, meditation, detoxification and eliminating gluten and processed food. For more details, you can download Bredesen’s full-text case paper online, which details the full program.28
- 1 Alzheimer’s Association, Facts and Figures, Quick Facts
- 2, 20 Science Daily November 13, 2020
- 3 Br Dent J. 2015 Jan;218(1):29-34. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.1137
- 4, 14, 15, 18 Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021; 11: 766944., Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Dysfunction
- 5, 8 Science Advances January 23, 2019
- 6 Science Alert November 22, 2022
- 7 Alzheimer’s Research UK January 23, 2019
- 9 Science Advances January 23, 2019, Discussion
- 10 Psychogeriatrics. 2021 Sep;21(5):813-825. doi: 10.1111/psyg.12743. Epub 2021 Jul 11
- 11, 12 J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;75(1):157-172. doi: 10.3233/JAD-200064
- 13 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society April 1, 2010
- 16 Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2020 Nov;18(11):1063-1066. doi: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1792292. Epub 2020 Jul 14., Introduction
- 17 Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2020 Nov;18(11):1063-1066. doi: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1792292. Epub 2020 Jul 14
- 19 J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;78(2):683-697. doi: 10.3233/JAD-200306
- 21 Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience November 10, 2016
- 22 J Dent. 2016 May;48:16-25. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2016.03.002. Epub 2016 Mar 8
- 23 Curr Alzheimer Res. 2022;19(2):119-132. doi: 10.2174/1567205019666220202114510
- 24 Neurotoxicology. 2019 Dec;75:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.08.006. Epub 2019 Aug 20
- 25 MIT.edu APOE-4: The Clue to Why Low Fat Diet and Statins May Cause Alzheimer’s by Stephanie Seneff
- 26 Human Psychopharmacology, 2014;29(4)
- 27 Amazon.com, The End of Alzheimer’s: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline, by Dr. Dale Bredesen
- 28 Aging September 27, 2014; 6(9): 707-717
7 Conditions Masquerading As Dementia
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More than 40% of dementia diagnoses have been shown to be wrong. Here’s what may really be going on.
Imagine this nightmare. For the last few years your mother has had serious memory problems. She gets lost driving. She repeats the same question to you over and over again. She can’t process new information. She loses her train of thought in mid-sentence. A CT scan comes back with a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease. The doctors offer a prescription with little encouragement it will work.
Do you despair?
A new program from UCLA and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging offers new hope. In the first study of its kind, researchers have proved that natural therapies can not only slow the progress of dementia but can actually reverse it.
In a paper titled “Reversal of Cognitive Decline: A novel therapeutic program“ Dr. Dale Bredesen showed how 9 out of the 10 subjects diagnosed with dementia got their minds back.[i]
Dr. Bredesen is a professor of neurology at The Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research at UCLA, as well as a professor at the Buck Institute. The study was supported by multiple entities including the National Institutes of Health.
Cognitive decline is a major fear as we age. According to the Alzheimer’s Association “dementia is a general term for loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life.” Alzheimer’s disease – just one of many forms of dementia – accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. It affects about 5.4 million Americans and 30 million people around the world. By 2050, it’s expected to grow to 160 million people globally, including 13 million Americans. There is no effective treatment for Alzheimer’s and it is already the third leading cause of death in the United States.
Dr. Bredesen believes that multiple factors influence the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s. In a small study, he and his colleagues designed personalized and comprehensive protocols to reverse memory loss in 10 patients.
The results were remarkable. Nine of the 10 participants showed improvement in their memories within three to six months of starting the program.
Six patients had had to discontinue working or were struggling with their jobs at the time they joined the study. ALL were able to return to work or continue working with improved performance.
The subjects included five patients with memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The others had amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and subjective cognitive impairment.
Only one patient, diagnosed with late stage Alzheimer’s, did not improve.
Doctors used a “systems approach” in treating the patients. They developed a complex, 36-point therapeutic program that includes comprehensive changes in diet, brain stimulation, exercise, optimization of sleep, specific pharmaceuticals and vitamins, and multiple additional steps that affect brain chemistry.
In a press release Dr. Bredesen stated:
The existing Alzheimer’s drugs affect a single target, but Alzheimer’s disease is more complex. Imagine having a roof with 36 holes in it, and your drug patched one hole very well—the drug may have worked, a single “hole” may have been fixed, but you still have 35 other leaks, and so the underlying process may not be affected much.
Dr. Bredesen’s approach is based on extensive testing of each patient to determine what is affecting the signaling network in his or her brain. The protocol is then personalized for the patient. A sample protocol for one of his patients in the study included:
- eliminating all simple carbohydrates;
- eliminating gluten and processed food;
- increasing vegetables, fruits, and non-farmed fish;
- reducing stress with yoga and meditation;
- taking melatonin each night;
- increasing sleep from 4-5 hours per night to 7-8 hours per night;
- taking methylcobalamin (vitamin B12), vitamin D, CoQ10, and fish oil each day;
- optimizing oral hygiene using an electric flosser and electric toothbrush;
- hormone replacement therapy;
- fasting for a minimum of 12 hours between dinner and breakfast;
- fasting for a minimum of three hours between dinner and bedtime; and
- exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes, 4-6 days per week.
Although the downside to the program is the complexity and the number of lifestyle changes required, Dr. Bredesen noted that the only side effect of the protocol was “improved health and an optimal body mass index, a stark contrast to the side effects of many drugs.”
What can you do when faced with a diagnosis of cognitive decline, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease?
The UCLA protocol recognizes that dementia can have many causes and those causes are often reversible.
Sharp Again Naturally (www.sharpagain.org) is a non-profit organization formed in 2012 to educate the public and the medical community about the reversible causes of dementia.
Here are seven areas Sharp Again Naturally suggests you investigate before accepting a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis. These are conditions that may cause memory loss and dementia but can be reversed:
1. Nutritional imbalances and deficiencies. Deficiencies of omega 3s, vitamin B12, vitamin C, magnesium, selenium, probiotics, and other nutrients frequently cause symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Adhering to a balanced Mediterranean-style diet is associated with slower cognitive decline. It’s also linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s.
Studies also show low vitamin D levels are linked to Alzheimer’s. Low folate (vitamin B9) may also lead to cognitive decline.
Adding coconut oil may rescue a brain from Alzheimer’s. And turmeric is known to boost working memory in just one dose.
2. Artificial food colors, flavors, and sweeteners. Artificial additives of all kinds may cause dementia symptoms.
Studies show the artificial sweetener aspartame impairs cognitive function and leads to memory loss.
3. Prescription medication side effects. Drugs, especially pain medications, and psychotropic drugs can severely disrupt cognition.
Statins are particularly harmful. In one study from the University of California – San Diego, 90 percent of patients who stopped taking statin drugs reported improvement in cognitive problems in a matter of weeks. In some of the patients a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s was reversed.
Another study showed that the sleep drug Ambien increased the risk of dementia in elderly patients.
4. Inflammation from low-level infections, mold, food allergies, and Lyme Disease. Inflammation is the body’s attempt to get rid of a toxic element or organism, and so it occurs in many different situations, even root canals and urinary tract infections.
Studies suggest that mental disorders result from neuroinflammation.
5. Stress and stagnation/inactivity. Stress elevates cortisol levels, leading to inflammation, and in turn to hormone imbalances, cognitive impairment, heightened blood sugar levels, hypertension, delayed healing time, and susceptibility to disease. The body’s self healing mechanisms depend on unimpeded flow of lymph, blood, and other fluids, all of which are promoted by exercise. Inactivity, by contrast, allows cellular shutdown and blockages, taxing the whole system and interfering with healing on every level.
One study showed that in patients younger than 65 years-old, 41% of dementia diagnoses were incorrect. Misdiagnosis occurred most frequently in patients with depression or alcohol abuse.
6. Thyroid and other hormonal imbalances. Many people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia simply have low levels of T3 thyroid hormone. However, standard thyroid tests completely miss T3 levels, and Synthroid (T4) doesn’t help. It is estimated that 10 to 15% of all nursing home residents may be there because of low T3.
7. Mercury and other heavy metal poisoning. So-called silver amalgam fillings contain 50 percent mercury, and that mercury is neither stable nor inert. It off-gasses, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and destroys neurons even without contact. Removing these fillings is hazardous unless done with mercury-safe protocols.
Annual flu shots are another source of these toxins. Research shows that people who took the flu shot for five consecutive years had 10 times or 1000 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease than people who only had one or two flu shots due to the accumulation of mercury and aluminum in the vaccines.
Most doctors are not expert in these causes of dementia or how to treat them. Sharp Again Naturally is building a medical advisory board and a database to get the word out. It also offers help finding functional medicine specialists, naturopaths, or doctors who practice integrative medicine who are familiar with these areas.
Click here for more information on natural approaches to preventing and overcoming dementia.
Additional References
[i] Dale E. Bredesen, “Reversal of Cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program.” AGING, September 2014, Vol. 6, No. 9.
Top Three Reasons to Try Holy Basil
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From fighting bad breath or gum disease without the use of chemical mouthwash to pushing glucose levels down, holy basil — also known as tulsi — can be your powerful tool for great health
Holy basil, also known as tulsi, is an aromatic herb that is widely celebrated in India within Ayurvedic medicine. According to the ancient wellness system, it’s an “elixir of life” for its many flexible health uses and benefits. In the modern world, holy basil is an “herb for all reasons” for its ability to address physical, chemical, metabolic and psychological stress via a range of pharmacological actions.[i]
Part of the Lamiaceae family, Ocimum sanctum is believed to originate in north central India and today grows in the eastern tropics. It is a known potent adaptogen, believed to help with adaptation to stress and promote homeostasis in the body. Here are three powerful reasons to try holy basil and make it part of your wellness arsenal.
1. Oral Health
Chlorhexidine is an antimicrobial agent that remains the conventional standard for addressing bacteria present in the mouth. It is also often prescribed as an antimicrobial oral wash for the beginnings of gum disease, helping to prevent gingivitis.
This drug, however, is not without side effects, such as greater likelihood of teeth staining and altered taste sensation with prolonged use.[ii] There’s also growing recognition that using harsh antimicrobials in your mouth negatively alters your oral microbiome.[iii]
Holy basil is considered a natural alternative to chemical mouthwash. A double-blind randomized trial randomly assigned 60 patients to three groups: those using holy basil, another using aloe vera and the third using chlorhexidine mouthwash.[iv]
All subjects were treated with scaling and asked to rinse with their assigned mouthwash twice daily for a month. Results indicated that holy basil was as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing plaque, gingivitis and bleeding at 30-day intervals. Like aloe vera’s, its benefit may stand for the long term.
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 30 individuals used holy basil mouthwash, chlorhexidine mouthwash or a sterile water rinse twice every day for four days.[v] Holy basil acted effectively against P. intermedia and F. nucleatum, two pathogens known to cause gum infection. It also demonstrated an antiplaque effect, with no significant difference from chlorhexidine’s action.
In tackling the potential causes of bad breath and related oral health woes, there is a wealth of natural options that are worth exploring besides commercial, chemical-based mouthwash products.
2. Stress and Anxiety Fighter
The current and emerging science on holy basil as a potent adaptogen reinforces Ayurvedic wisdom, which suggests that the herb is an effective tonic for the body, mind and spirit.[vi] One of its benefits is helping reduce stress and anxiety, a problem afflicting millions worldwide.
In a study, fresh leaves of holy basil were tested for antistress activity against experimentally induced oxidative stress in animal models.[vii] The subjects received 2 grams (g) of fresh leaves each for 30 days.
According to the results, holy basil had potential antistress action that can be partially attributed to its antioxidant properties. This antioxidant effect was found in other studies to back many of its pharmacological actions, with phenolic compounds including eugenol, circilineol, isothymusin, isothymonin, rosmarinic acid and zinc, an antioxidant mineral.[viii]
A separate study concluded that holy basil was effective in managing the effects of stress by inhibiting the release of cortisol and other stress-inducing processes in the body.[ix]
These psychotherapeutic properties of holy basil were deemed comparable to diazepam as well as antidepressant drugs.[x] Animal studies further revealed memory and cognitive enhancement, alongside memory protection during aging.
3. Antidiabetes Action
Virtually all parts of the plant can help reduce blood sugar, particularly in those who have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes.[xi],[xii] Holy basil may also be effective against weight gain, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and high cholesterol.
Findings of a 2020 study showed that the active crude extract of holy basil leaves and its active fractions, namely ethyl acetate/butanol, could provide significant glucose-lowering effects because of the presence of polyphenols.[xiii] “In conclusion, isolation of the active components … may pave the way to the development of new agents for the treatment of diabetes and its complications,” the researchers wrote.
To use holy basil and incorporate it into your daily regimen, keep some tea bags handy especially during travels. You may consume it every four to six hours while on the move, preferably starting and ending the day with it.
Organic tulsi capsules are also available: 1 g a day as a preventative or 2 g a day if already feeling unwell, or as directed by your doctor. Learn more about this medicinal food via the holy basil scientific research available on the GreenMedInfo.com database.
References
[i] Cohen M. “Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons” J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Oct-Dec; 5(4): 251-259.
[ii] Manipal S et al. “The Mouthwash War – Chlorhexidine vs. Herbal Mouth Rinses: A Meta-Analysis” J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 May; 10(5): ZC81-ZC83. Epub 2016 May 1. [iii] Scientific Reports March 24, 2020 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61912-4 [iv] Penmetsa G et al. “Efficacy of,and chlorhexidine mouthwash on gingivitis: A randomized controlled comparative clinical study” Ayu. 2019 Jan-Mar;40(1):23-26. [v] Hosamane M et al. “Evaluation of holy basil mouthwash as an adjunctive plaque control agent in a four day plaque regrowth model” J Clin Exp Dent. 2014 Dec; 6(5): e491-e496. Epub 2014 Dec 1. [vi] Cohen M. “Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons” J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Oct-Dec; 5(4): 251-259. [vii] Jyoti S et al. “Antistressor activity of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) against experimentally induced oxidative stress in rabbits” Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2007 Jul-Aug;29(6):411-6. [viii] Wangcharoen W et al. “Antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of holy basil” Songklanakarin J Sci Technol. 2007;29:1407-15. [ix] Richard E et al. “Anti-stress Activity of Ocimum sanctum: Possible Effects on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis” Phytother Res. 2016 May ;30(5):805-14. Epub 2016 Feb 22. [x] Cohen M. “Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons” J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Oct-Dec; 5(4): 251-259. [xi] Vats V et al. “Ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves partially attenuates streptozotocin-induced alterations in glycogen content and carbohydrate metabolism in rats” J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jan;90(1):155-60. [xii] Jamshidi M et al. “The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017; 2017: 9217567. Epub 2017 Mar 16. [xiii] Mousavi L et al. “Antidiabetic andEnzyme Inhibition Studies of Methanol Extract ofLinn Leaves and Its Fractions” Trop Life Sci Res. 2020 Apr ;31(1):141-158. Epub 2020 Apr 7.
The GMI Research Group (GMIRG) is dedicated to investigating the most important health and environmental issues of the day. Special emphasis will be placed on environmental health. Our focused and deep research will explore the many ways in which the present condition of the human body directly reflects the true state of the ambient environment.Researchers Discover Why Gum Disease Causes Heart Disease
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Posted on: Friday, December 18th 2020 at 1:45 pmWritten By: GreenMedInfo Research Group
This article is copyrighted by GreenMedInfo LLC, 2020
Think skipping your nightly dental care routine is no big deal? The results of a recent study linking gum health to inflammatory diseases like heart disease may convince you to never skip oral hygiene again
Medical science has firmly established a link between periodontal (gum) disease and inflammatory conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. But the mechanism linking these conditions has remained a medical mystery — until now.
Researchers at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry have identified what they believe is the correlation between these conditions — blood cells called neutrophils — and their findings present the first evidence pointing to the body’s own immune system response.
The controlled clinical experiment, conducted in collaboration with top dentists from Sinai Health Systems and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, indicates that neutrophil immune cell activity is the “missing link” connecting periodontal disease with other inflammatory diseases. Their findings were published in the October 2020 Journal of Dental Research.[i]
When the Immune System Uses Excessive Force
Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that is activated to respond to areas of acute inflammation.[ii] When neutrophils, which play a critical role in immune system response, were activated to fight infections from active cases of gum disease, researchers observed a hyperactive, systemic response that they believe makes the body susceptible to damage from secondary inflammatory conditions.
The study’s senior author, Professor Michael Glogauer, put it this way: “It’s almost as if these white blood cells are in second gear when they should be in first.”[iii]
Produced initially in in vivo models, the findings were confirmed through a controlled clinical experiment involving mice with induced periodontal disease (PD). A human gingivitis study was conducted in tandem, with volunteers being instructed to cease all oral hygiene practices for three weeks to induce gingivitis, followed by a two-week recovery period.
Blood and tissue samples were taken from the mice; blood and saliva samples were also collected from human gingivitis study volunteers. Multiplex cytokine analysis was performed on immune system cells for both human and mouse subjects to indicate the presence of neutrophils.
Periodontal Disease Can Aggravate Pre-Existing Conditions
After analyzing immune system cells harvested from the oral cavities of both healthy and PD-infected tissues, researchers observed that the numbers of neutrophils in diseased tissues were greatly increased over the neutrophils present in healthy tissues. They further found that PD in mice mimics human PD when it comes to the number of neutrophils recruited to sites of oral bacterial infection.
This aggressive neutrophil response to PD primes the immune system to attack, and much like what is seen in autoimmune diseases, the target of the attack is the body’s own tissues and organs. If secondary infection sites are present in the body, as is often the case with cardiac and diabetic patients, the abundance of neutrophils can respond to these areas with excessive force, leading to negative health outcomes for patients.
The study’s lead author, Noah Fine, states, “We believe this is the mechanism by which oral hygiene can impact vulnerability to unrelated secondary health challenges. Neutrophil (immune) priming … can connect these seemingly distinct conditions.”[iv]
Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
Studies like this underscore the importance of oral health as a window into the overall health of the body. Periodontitis is a serious yet common gum infection that can destroy the soft tissues and bone structure supporting teeth. Over time, this damage can result in permanent tooth loss and lead to worsening comorbid conditions.[v] Symptoms of periodontitis include:
- Swollen, sore gums
- Chronic halitosis (bad breath)
- Red or purple spots on the gums
- Bleeding of the gums when you brush or floss
- Pain when chewing
- Loosening or lost teeth[vi]
Tooth decay, or dental caries, is often a precursor to periodontitis and serves as a warning sign that oral hygiene, and possibly diet, need to be improved. Outside of poor oral care, dental caries are a common side effect of a high-sugar diet, especially in children.
The addition of probiotics has been shown to significantly reduce caries in young children,[vii],[viii] and both green tea and black tea have been effectively used in clinical studies as a mouth rinse to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria in the mouth.[ix],[x]
While most synthetic, non-nutritive sugar alternatives are toxic to the body, xylitol, made from birch bark, discourages bacterial growth that can lead to dental caries, and stevia is a safe, plant-based sweetener that can satisfy your sweet tooth without causing it to fall out.
Practice Healthy Eating and Oral Hygiene for a Happy Mouth
Fortunately, dental caries and periodontitis can be reversed and are largely preventable by reducing sugar consumption and paying attention to good oral hygiene. Start by brushing your teeth at least twice daily for around two minutes per session to remove dental plaque. Floss a minimum of once per day and use a water pic to remove bacteria around the gumline (where teeth meet the gums).
See your mercury-free dentist every six months and follow his or her recommendations for achieving and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.[xi] To learn more about natural remedies for dental caries, consult the GreenMedInfo.com research database, the world’s most widely referenced, evidence-based natural medical resource.
References
[i] Fine N, Chadwick JW, Sun C, et al. Periodontal Inflammation Primes the Systemic Innate Immune Response. Journal of Dental Research. October 2020. doi:10.1177/0022034520963710
[ii] British Society for Immunology, Public Information, Bitesized Immunology, Cells, Neutrophils.
<https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/cells/neutrophils>
[iii] University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry, News, Mechanism linking gum disease to heart disease, other inflammatory conditions discovered, <https://www.dentistry.utoronto.ca/news/mechanism-linking-gum-disease-heart-disease-other-inflammatory-conditions-discovered>
[iv] University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry, News, Mechanism linking gum disease to heart disease, other inflammatory conditions discovered, <https://www.dentistry.utoronto.ca/news/mechanism-linking-gum-disease-heart-disease-other-inflammatory-conditions-discovered>
[v] Mayo Clinic, Diseases & Conditions, Periodontitis. <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473>
[vi] Mayo Clinic, Diseases & Conditions, Periodontitis. <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473>
[vii] Svante Twetman, Christina Stecksén-Blicks. Probiotics and oral health effects in children. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2008 Jan; 18(1):3-10. PMID: 18086020
[viii] Keiko Tanaka, Yoshihiro Miyake, Satoshi Sasaki. Intake of dairy products and the prevalence of dental caries in young children. J Dent. 2010 Jul;38(7):579-83. Epub 2010 Apr 28. PMID: 20433890
[ix] Maryam Hajenorouzali Tehrani, Gholamreza Asghari, Maryam Hajiahmadi. Comparing Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus colony count changes following green tea mouth rinse or sodium fluoride mouth rinse use in children (Randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial). Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2011 Dec ;8(Suppl 1):S58-63. PMID: 23372597
[x] Vishal Arya, Lavina Taneja. Inhibition of salivary amylase by black tea in high-caries and low-caries index children: A comparative in vivo study. Ayu. 2015 Jul-Sep;36(3):278-82. PMID: 27313414
[xi] Mayo Clinic, Diseases & Conditions, Periodontitis. <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354473>
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of GreenMedInfo or its staff.
Health WARNING: Prolonged use of a face mask has 4 NEGATIVE health effects
Reproduced from original article:
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by: Sara Middleton, staff writer | December 3, 2020
(NaturalHealth365) Let’s be frank about something that the mainstream media doesn’t like to admit: while some people believe that wearing a face mask may help slow the spread of viral illnesses like COVID-19, it doesn’t come without a cost. In fact, there is plenty of evidence revealing the negative health effects of prolonged use of face coverings, from N95s to cloth masks.
So, whether you’re choosing to wear a mask or forced to wear one due to a local or state mask mandate, keep reading to discover how you can avoid “maskne” and other unintended health consequences.
Your face mask could be causing oral health problems plus 3 other issues, scientists say
If you’ve ever gone several hours wearing a face mask, you may notice that your mouth feels unpleasantly dry. Unfortunately, wearing a mask can exacerbate dry mouth by promoting mouth-breathing and reducing humidity in the air you inhale.
And it turns out a dry mouth isn’t just uncomfortable and foul-smelling. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofascial Research, persistent dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and oral infections, including an infection with Candida albicans, the bacteria responsible for oral thrush. Masks can trap bacteria inside your mouth, where they can overgrow and irritate your delicate oral tissues.
Wearing your face mask day-in and day-out could also be leading to these other issues, according to experts:
- Skin irritation. “Maskne” is a trending topic for a reason! Known clinically as acne mechanica, maskne happens as a result of prolonged use of face coverings, which trap bacteria and debris against your skin, clog your pores, and lead to inflammation and breakouts. Skin irritation caused by face coverings are made even worse if you wash cloth masks with harsh chemicals.
- Carbon dioxide build-up in the body. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), prolonged use of certain face coverings like N95s may lead to a build-up in carbon dioxide levels in people with pre-existing lung diseases, which, by the ALA’s own count, is as many as 37 million Americans. Excessive amounts of carbon dioxide in the body, known as hypercapnea, can cause symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath. While you may not experience this issue from your mask, anyone with respiratory illnesses should be speaking to their doctors about what kind of face mask practice is right for them – if any at all.
- Increased risk of respiratory illness. A 2015 randomized controlled trial published in BMJ Open revealed that the use of cloth masks, at least in the healthcare setting, may increase the risk of respiratory infections due to a combination of “moisture retention, reuse of cloth masks and poor filtration.” As a disturbing side note: many ancillary staff members in hospitals are being instructed to wear their own cloth masks at work in order to “preserve” personal protective equpiment for clinical staff.
Ultimately, while some officials may suggest that wearing a mask reduces the risk of respiratory illnesses, it’s important to consider that the evidence on this is weak, at best. In fact, when you dig a little deeper into the research (for the past 10 years) – wearing a mask does little to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Not too mention all the very real threats that increase our risk of getting sick.
Do NOT ignore the health dangers linked to toxic indoor air. These chemicals – the ‘off-gassing’ of paints, mattresses, carpets and other home/office building materials – increase your risk of headaches, dementia, heart disease and cancer.
Get the BEST indoor air purification system – at the LOWEST price, exclusively for NaturalHealth365 readers. I, personally use this system in my home AND office. Click HERE to order now – before the sale ends.
Hopefully, this information will motivate you to optimize your overall health through no-nonsense lifestyle habits like eating more healthy (organic) food, staying physically active and minimizing your exposure to unwanted (chronic) stress.
If you are covering your face, do these three things to reduce your risk of complications
No matter how you feel about wearing a mask, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of unintended health effects while wearing them:
- First, avoid touching or fidgeting with your mask. If you do touch your mask, be sure to do so only after washing your hands with soap and water.
- Cleanse your face after removing your mask with a gentle product that will remove any built-up bacteria, dirt, oil, and debris.
- Avoid using harsh detergents and fabric softeners to wash your cloth masks, as these have been show in research from New York University to irritate your skin.
Remember, your best defense against any bacterial or viral infection is a strong immune system. Take good care of yourself … it’s worth the effort.
Sources for this article include:
ScienceDaily.com
BMJ.com
LLU.edu
NIH.gov
Lung.org
Lung.org
MIT.edu
Med.NY.edu
HealthAffairs.org
CW.UA.edu
WIRED.com
Hartfordhealthcare.org
Everydayhealth.com
BREAKING research: Gum disease linked to heart problems and other serious health conditions
Reproduced from original article:
www.naturalhealth365.com/gum-disease-inflammation-3610.html
by: Sara Middleton, staff writer | November 2, 2020
(NaturalHealth365) It’s well-known that people with poor dental health are more likely to suffer from heart disease and other chronic health conditions. This could be because people who don’t take care of their teeth are less likely to practice other good health habits, like exercising, eating healthy food, and not smoking. But, doctors also point to an apparent link between inflammation and gingivitis (an early form of gum disease) as a possible explanation.
Until recently, the specific mechanism underlying the link between inflammation, gum disease, and overall health hasn’t been fully clear. But a new study published in the Journal of Dental Research offers some interesting insights.
Gum disease triggers UNWANTED immune system response, new study reveals
A team of researchers from the University of Toronto recently discovered that inflammation in the mouth associated with gum disease activates the body’s immune system in a way that makes someone more vulnerable to future health problems.
In their study, the researchers discovered that in vivo models with periodontal disease had higher levels of neutrophils in their bodies. Neutrophils are part of the innate immune system and help fight off bacteria.
Unfortunately, this excess of neutrophils appears to “prime” the immune system to attack, causing an excessive response to other infections and injury elsewhere in the body. The result is that other tissues and organs (including the heart, blood vessels, and brain) may be accidentally destroyed by an over-the-top immune response.
In an interview with the University of Toronto, the study’s lead author Michael Glogauer explains, “The [neutrophils] are much more likely to release [immune substances] much more quickly, leading to negative outcomes.”
Do NOT ignore the health dangers linked to toxic indoor air. These chemicals – the ‘off-gassing’ of paints, mattresses, carpets and other home/office building materials – increase your risk of headaches, dementia, heart disease and cancer.
Get the BEST indoor air purification system – at the LOWEST price, exclusively for NaturalHealth365 readers. I, personally use this system in my home AND office. Click HERE to order now – before the sale ends.
While this study used animal data, it is also supported by earlier research involving human subjects, including a 2011 study published in the Journal of Periodontology which found evidence of hyperactive neutrophils in blood samples of patients diagnosed with gum disease.
In other words:
Allowing your gums to become inflamed and infected with bacteria can make your immune system overactive, which may cause it to damage other parts of your body.
Who knew your mouth had that much power?
Do you know how your oral health is? Remember these seven key warning signs…
You should know that gum disease can be treated (successfully) and the threat eliminated. With appropriate lifestyle habits like regular flossing and brushing; use of a hydrofloss along with essential oils; and the avoidance of sugar-sweetened foods and beverages – you can stop the damage.
Hopefully, by remaining aware of the consequences of gum disease, you’ll be inspired to keep up your good dental habits. To get you motivated, just consider these seven key warning signs and complications of gum disease:
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Red, tender, and/or swollen gums
- Gums that bleed, especially when you floss or brush
- Pain with chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Receding gums (your teeth may start to look longer)
And don’t forget – allowing your dental health to deteriorate may increase your risk of hypertension, heart disease, and other health conditions.
So, are you willing to deal with the pain, embarrassment, and cost of gum disease? Keep in mind, dentures can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000, and dental procedures like tooth extractions and flap surgery can be painful on the mouth and the wallet.
If you don’t want trouble – and why would you be? – simply commit to the small investment in time, money, and energy needed for good oral hygiene. Your future self will thank you. And, of course, see an experienced biological dentist for serious health issues in the mouth.
To search for a good dentist in your area, consider visiting: IAOMT.com
Sources for this article include:
Eurekalert.org
UToronto.ca
Journals.sagepub.com
NIH.gov
NIH.gov
Discover natural remedies for gingivitis and avoid the loss of teeth
Reproduced from original article:
www.naturalhealth365.com/signs-of-gingivitis-3207.html
by: Lori Alton, staff writer | December 1, 2019
(NaturalHealth365) While its symptoms may seem easy to ignore, gingivitis can cause serious health problems, if left untreated. Over time, gingivitis can develop into gum disease, ravaging surrounding mouth tissue and bone. Also known as periodontitis, this advanced gum disease condition can often cause a loss of teeth and be the “seed” to many other health issues.
For example, periodontitis – and poor oral health in general – has been linked with life-threatening conditions like a heart attack, lung disease and stroke. It’s also suspected that pregnant women suffering from periodontitis are more likely to experience premature births and low birth-weight babies.
What are the symptoms of gingivitis?
Healthy gums are firm and light pink in color. If your gums have become puffy and soft, or changed to a deeper color, you probably have gingivitis. Other symptoms include gums that bleed easily, a film covering mouth tissues, bad breath and receding gums. Often, pink (from bleeding gums) toothbrush bristles are a telltale sign.
To improve gum health, it’s important to brush regularly with a high-quality toothpaste, essential oil or sea salt solution and follow other good oral health practices, like visiting a biological dentist – on a regular basis. In addition, if you need it, here are a variety of natural remedies for gingivitis:
1. Vitamins C and D greatly reduce the risk of gingivitis.
You may remember hearing in childhood that certain vitamins are important for building strong bones – especially the teeth. The same holds true for developing healthy gums.
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A number of studies have shown that vitamin C deficiency is associated with increased signs of gingivitis. This likely explains why smokers are at greater risk for gum disease since the unhealthy habit also depletes the body of vitamin C. In fact, just one cigarette can deplete 25 mg. of vitamin C!
Vitamin C can both prevent and reverse gum disease. One study involved subjects suffering from periodontal disease who normally consumed only about 25-30 mg of vitamin C each day. Provided with an additional 70 mg of the vitamin, they showed marked improvement in gum health after just six weeks.
According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vitamin D is also associated with decreased risk of gum disease. Boston University researchers looked at National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 6,700 non-smoking subjects of a wide age range.
Those exhibiting the highest blood levels of a vitamin D metabolite were less likely to show signs of gingivitis. It’s thought that vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory effects help to decreases susceptibility to gum disease.
2. Antioxidants and probiotics promote healthy teeth and gums.
You may not have heard of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), but this vital nutrient plays an important role in energy production for every cell in the body. When it comes to oral health, CoQ10 also has a critical role to play – as an antioxidant – in preventing periodontal and other diseases.
In fact, researchers have shown that dosages of 50 to 75 mg per day can slow advancement of gum disease, providing a natural approach on how to treat gingivitis.
Clinical cardiologist and author Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D., found that patients exhibited noticeable improvement in gum health after starting a CoQ10 supplementation regimen for heart disease. The effect is likely due to CoQ10’s support of the immune system.
Holistic dentist and author Dr. Victor Zeines, well-known for his natural approaches to oral health, recommends 100 mg of CoQ10 each day, in combination with other supplements.
Another well-known antioxidant, pomegranate, has also been found to improve dental health. This antioxidant vigorously attacks bacteria that can lead to gum disease. Scientists believe it works by interfering with production of chemicals that bacteria normally use to adhere to surfaces of the mouth.
In fact, study subjects rinsing with pomegranate solution – as a mouthwash – had a lower protein content in saliva, a nutrient found to be higher in saliva when gingivitis is present.
Another natural approach to reducing gingivitis includes the use of probiotics to promote the growth of healthy organisms in the mouth while reducing the numbers of bacteria known to cause inflammation and disease.
Although regular brushing helps remove plaque from teeth, probiotics can take this good oral health habit a step further by actually changing the mouth’s environment, making it a less desirable place for plaque to develop. Examples of probiotics that have been shown through research to improve the environment of the mouth include S. salivarius probiotic and Bacillus coagulans.
Bottom line: Gingivitis should not be ignored and, more importantly, resolved (quickly) to protect your health.
Sources for this article include:
Mask mouth: Dentists issue serious health warning
Reproduced from original article:
https://www.naturalhealth365.com/mask-mouth-oral-health-3532.html
by: Joy Jensen, staff writer | August 26, 2020
(NaturalHealth365) While the debate about wearing a mask continues to rage, these days, most places require them in public places. Whether you head to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or a pharmacy, many areas, and businesses require you to wear a mask. However, one of the unforeseen issues that come with wearing a mask so much is one referred to as “mask mouth.”
In a recent report by the New York Post, dentists have issued a serious health warning to their patients and the country about the dangers of what they call mask mouth. It turns out that all those hours of wearing a mask may do severe damage to your oral health.
Dentists see the oral health side effects of mask mouth
For some time, dentists closed their doors, but now that dentists are seeing patients again, they’ve quickly started seeing something new among patients – new oral symptoms they’re calling “mask mouth.” While patients are wearing a mask with the hope to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, it’s resulting in dental disasters like bad breath, decaying teeth, receding gum lines, and even gum disease.
According to dentists, they see inflammation in the gums of patients who have long had healthy gums. Suddenly people who’ve had perfect oral health have cavities. Dentists report that around 50% of their patients are being affected by this risky habit, and if left untreated, it has the potential for long-term oral health risks.
What’s causing this problem? Dentists say that face coverings increase dry mouth problems, as well as a buildup of bacteria. When people wear a mask, they often breathe through the mouth, which dries out the mouth by decreasing saliva.
Saliva is essential for fighting bacteria and cleaning the teeth, and it neutralizes acid within the mouth to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Do NOT ignore the health dangers linked to toxic indoor air. These chemicals – the ‘off-gassing’ of paints, mattresses, carpets and other home/office building materials – increase your risk of headaches, dementia, heart disease and cancer.
Get the BEST indoor air purification system – at the LOWEST price, exclusively for NaturalHealth365 readers. I, personally use this system in my home AND office. Click HERE to order now – before the sale ends.
If you’re wearing a mask all day, you’re also less likely to drink enough water through the day, which dries out the mouth further. And more people are consuming alcohol and coffee during lockdown, which also leads to dehydration.
Others may be slacking on their oral hygiene since they’re spending so much time wearing a mask or so much time at home.
The potential for long-term health risks of mask mouth
Beyond the cavities and gum recession dentists see now, they’re warning patients about the long-term health risks of covering your mouth for hours and hours. This dangerous habit can lead to gum disease, and gum disease can eventually result in an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
While you can’t go most places without wearing a face covering these days, mask wearers can take some precautions to reduce the oral health risks of mask mouth. Take time to drink more water, reduce your caffeine intake, and skip the alcohol.
Using a humidifier, scraping the tongue, going with alcohol-free mouthwash, and stopping smoking can all help, too. And try to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth when wearing a mask.
Sources for this article include:
Heart attack risk linked to unhealthy teeth and gums
Reproduced from original article:
www.naturalhealth365.com/heart-attack-healthy-gums-3008.html
by: Robert Kulacz, DDS | June 11, 2019
(NaturalHealth365) Heart disease – including a heart attack – is the number one cause of death in the United States. Although there are many contributing factors to the development of cardiovascular disease – inflammation is the critical factor.Inflammation drives the progression of atherosclerotic plaque within the arteries and is the critical factor in plaque rupture that leads to clot formation and a heart attack. In addition, contrary to popular belief, the root cause of a heart attack is not just cholesterol.
What really causes a heart attack?
Everybody knows that high cholesterol can cause a heart attack, right? Well, no – and yes. It is not that simple. Let’s look at the development of arterial plaque.
Atherosclerosis begins as fatty streaks on the lining of the endothelium. (Endothelium is the cell layer lining the inside of the artery). Damage occurs to the endothelium of the artery due to conditions such high blood pressure, free radical oxidative stress, bacterial toxins, diabetes and inflammation.
Inflammation causes adhesion molecules to bind to the endothelium lining the inside of the artery making it sticky. Then, white blood cells become trapped in the damaged and sticky endothelium. The white blood cells then penetrate the endothelium and move inside the blood vessel.
Naturally, LDL cholesterol that floats by gets taken up by the white blood and forms the fatty streaks. Continuous progression of this process leads to larger and larger plaque within the artery.
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The less popular truth about LDL cholesterol
Without endothelial damage caused by conditions such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, free radicals, and infections, LDL cholesterol just floats through the artery and doesn’t get deposited to form arterial plaque.
In most cases, a heart attack occurs when this plaque ruptures and breaks through the endothelium into the lumen of the artery. The subsequent blood clot that forms in response to this plaque rupture and tear in the endothelium is the actual cause of the heart attack.
Keep in mind, the plaque ruptures because it is inflamed. These “hot” plaques are the root cause of most all heart attacks. Bottom line, plaque ruptures cannot occur without inflammation.
Did you know that stable arterial plaque does NOT cause a heart attack?
Contrary to popular belief, most heart attacks don’t occur because the plaque completely blocks the coronary artery. In fact, 68 percent of heart attacks occur when the coronary artery is only 50% blocked.
Therefore, it is not the complete blockage of the artery by the plaque that causes a heart attack but rather the rupture of the inflamed plaque within the arterial wall, and the subsequent formation of a blood clot that occludes the coronary artery and causes a heart attack.
If high cholesterol were the sole cause of heart disease, then everybody who has had a heart attack should have high cholesterol. That is simply not the case. The truth is that many heart attack patients have perfectly normal cholesterol levels.
I will discuss the other risk factors that cause heart disease in future articles. For now, let’s focus on the main player in this disease process, and that is inflammation.
Periodontal disease and root canal treated teeth are a primary source of toxins and inflammation
Systemic inflammation increases due to: infection, obesity, lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, stress, insulin resistance and, low vitamin C levels. One prime source of chronic infection is periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is a chronic infection of the gums. It should be noted that over 400 species of bacteria populate the human mouth and some of those bacteria are pathogenic.
These bacteria form colonies in periodontal the sulcus (the space between the gum tissue and the tooth) and cause both inflammation of the gum tissue and eventual destruction of the supporting bone around the teeth.
Periodontal disease causes a rise in inflammatory mediators throughout the entire body including the endothelium of the coronary arteries and the developed plaque already inside the arteries. Unless the periodontal disease is controlled, and the inflammation in the gums reduced or eliminated, this continual assault of inflammatory mediators will fuel the development of arterial plaque as well as make the plaque already in the artery “hot” and prone to rupture, resulting in a heart attack.
Don’t ignore the dangers of gum disease
The inflammation in the gums also makes the gums permeable to bacteria to enter the blood stream and travel to distant sites in the body. These pathogenic periodontal bacteria travel from the mouth to the plaque inside the coronary arteries, essentially infecting the plaque.
DNA analysis of bacteria found within coronary artery plaque has confirmed this focal infection of dental origin. These bacteria not only increase inflammation, but they contain endotoxins and exotoxins that damage the blood vessel lining making the endothelium “leaky.” Furthermore, this increased permeability of the arterial wall allows more white blood cells and LDL cholesterol inside the artery wall increasing the formation of plaque.
To make matters worse, some strains of oral bacteria make blood more prone to clotting, which is exactly what you don’t want happening inside a coronary artery.
Dentists should be physicians of the mouth
Many dentists continue to claim that oral infection only shows a correlation to heart disease, not causation. One remark I read recently from a dentist commenting on the link between periodontal disease and heart disease: “people with bad hearts often have bad teeth too, therefore no causative link between the two. I bet they all drink water, take showers and drink coffee…doesn’t mean much.”
Comments like that are disturbing coming from a health professional. To superficially dismiss the causal mechanism of inflammation and oral bacteria on the progression of atherosclerosis shows a failure of reasoning using first principles.
When distilled to the fundamental truths of cardiovascular disease progression, the negative effect of periodontal disease and root canal teeth becomes self-evident and cannot be ignored.
Learn how to put out the ‘fire’ in the mouth
Optimal oral health is vital to reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. This means regular visits to your dentist for cleanings to keep the gum tissue healthy as well as early detection and treatment of any developing cavities. Extraction of root canal-treated teeth should also be considered.
Good oral home care is the key to keep chronic oral infection and inflammation form gingivitis and periodontal disease in check. Of course, brushing a minimum of twice per day with a soft brush is a must. I suggest an electric or sonic toothbrush.
Brush for a minimum of two minutes, with four minutes being ideal. Angle the brush towards the gum-line so that the bristles work their way under the gum-line where the disease causing bacteria live. If using an electric or sonic toothbrush, let the toothbrush do the work. Slowly move the brush around the entire mouth, cleaning both the front and back of the teeth.
Most people hate flossing but it does have benefit. Pulling the floss between the teeth helps clean the contact area between adjacent teeth that a toothbrush cannot get to. This helps to prevent cavities from forming in between the teeth.
Rub the floss against the tooth to manually clean the tooth root of sticky tooth plaque that is adhering to it and to also remove debris from the periodontal sulcus.
The main reason why you should be using an ‘oral irrigation’ device
The primary goals of a good home care programs is the disruption of the bacterial colonies under the gum line, removal of any food remnants, and the reduction of the bacterial load. My favorite home care device is water pic with an antimicrobial agent such as hydrogen peroxide or a non-alcohol containing mouthwash added to the water reservoir.
The pulsating stream of water directed under the gum-line is an effective way to accomplish this goal.
Since many of the pathogenic bacteria are anaerobic and cannot live in the presence of a high oxygen content environment, the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the water reservoir is a potent antibacterial, especially to the anaerobic bacteria. The pulsating stream of water breaks up the bacterial colonies and flushes away many of the bacteria along with any remaining food particles.
Fill the reservoir of the water pic with warm water about 3/4 full. Fill the remaining ¼ of the reservoir with hydrogen peroxide or your favorite non-alcohol containing mouthwash.
After thoroughly brushing your teeth, use the water pic by aiming it in between the teeth and under the gum. First time users should set the power to ¼ power. After about a week of use you can increase the power setting to 50 percent. You will be amazed at what comes out of your mouth even after you have brushed your teeth.
Don’t be alarmed if you see blood in the sink. Blood is an indicator of inflammation and the continued use of the above brushing technique, water pick, and frequent dental cleanings should eliminate any bleeding in a short time.
When you no longer see any blood, in the sink, when using the water pic that is an indication that the inflammation has been reduced or eliminated. Not only will your teeth and gums be healthier but your heart will thank you as well.
In addition, I advise measuring the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) by getting a high sensitivity CRP blood test. CRP is a measure of systemic inflammation and is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Treating active periodontal is beneficial to both dental health and overall systemic health.
Keep in mind, periodontal disease always raises systemic inflammation. But, the decision to have a root canal or extract existing root canal teeth is not an easy on to make. Although all root canal teeth remain infected and release toxins, not all root canal teeth raise systemic inflammation.
Please be advised: I am not saying avoid root canal procedures or to extract all existing root canal-treated teeth. What I am saying is that this decision should be made only after becoming informed of all the possible systemic risks. Putting out the inflammation fire in the gums, along with the removal of offending root canal-treated teeth, will significantly reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, and help prevent a heart attack.
About the author: Dr. Kulacz had extensive training in implant dentistry through the Brookdale Hospital implant training mini residency and placed many implants during the first half of his private practice career. The second half of his career was entirely devoted to the surgical treatment of root canal extractions and cavitations. Dr. Kulacz continues to do research on the oral/systemic connection. His website is Coletrex.com. His latest book, The Toxic Tooth: How a Root Canal Could Be Making You Sick, co-authored with Thomas E. Levy, MD is available here.
Sources for this article include:
The Toxic Tooth, Robert Kulacz, DDS, Thomas E. Levy, MD. 2014. ISBN: 978-0-9837728-2-8
Beat The Heart Attack Gene, Bradley Bale, MD, Amy Doneen, ARNP, with Lisa Collier. 2014. ISBN: 978-1-118-45429-9
Microbial Composition of Atherosclerotic Plaques. Calandrini, CA, Ribeiro, AC, Gonelli AC, Ota-Tsuzuki C, Rangel LP, Saba-Chujfi E, Mayer MP Oral Dis, 2014 Apr;20(3):e128-34. Doi: 10.1111/odi. 12205
Microbial Diversity Similarities in Periodontal Pockets and Atheromatous Plaques of Cardiovascular Disease Patients, Serra e Silva Filho W, Casarin RC, Nicoleta EL Jr, Passos HM, Sallum, AW, Goncalves RB PLos One 2014 Oct 16;9(10):e109761. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109761
Stop America’s #1 Killer! Proof That the Origin of All Coronary Heart Disease is a Clearly Reversible Arterial Scurvy Levy, Thomas E. 2006 MedFox Publishing. ISBN: 0-9779520-1-0