healing ways

Conservative Dentistry

Why Less Is More in Tooth Repair

by Linda Sechrist

Whether dentistry is described as being conservative, biological or biomimetic, the description that precedes such health care is extremely important. That 10- or 12-letter term signifies a specific type of dentistry that’s the best option for both our teeth and the rest of our bodies, as Ann Lee found out when the pieces to her dental puzzle fell together in just the right order.

Lee, a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist who owns the Health for Life Clinic, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, had been experiencing problems with her sinuses for years. She had been alerted to a potential problem with one of her teeth via a preventive tool known as medical infrared thermograph screening. But it wasn’t until after she read an interview with dentist Blanche Grube in a naturopathic magazine about conservative dentistry that she made the connection. She bought Grube’s book, Chew on This But Don’t Swallow: A Must-Read Before Your Next Dental Visit, and read it from cover to cover. Grube drew upon 46 years of clinical observation, continuing education conferences and thousands of hours of study to analyze how the whole body functions and what part teeth play in overall health.

Says Lee, “I had a capped tooth with metal underneath. Once I got it removed, all the things connected to it resolved. My sinus issues, post-nasal drippage, coughing, and even my trigeminal neuralgia that I had for 10 years resolved.” Trigeminal neuralgia affects the nerves running from the face to the brain, causing electrical shock sensations to the jaw and face that can be triggered by stress or certain movements.

Today, when Lee suspects a correlation between the physical problems a patient has with the amount of metal in their mouth such as fillings, crowns and permanent retainers, she relates their physical problems to metal oxidation and inflammation that can manifest in numerous ways, and suggests that the patient read Grube’s book and consider any of the non-metal options now available.

Bernice Teplitsky, DDS, owner of Wrigleyville Dental, in Chicago, interprets biological dentistry as dealing with the whole person. “Both biological and conservative dentistry deal with biocompatible materials, making sure that each is right for the individual. Determining the compatibility of dental materials is important for those

CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY A dentistry branch whose goal is to conserve the teeth in the mouth, using operative practices, as well as endodontics. It also involves various types of direct and indirect restorations of the individual teeth. BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY Dental practices that utilize mercury-free and mercury-safe dentistry, the impact of dental conditions, devices and treatments on oral and systemic health, including the biocompatibility of dental materials and techniques. BIOMIMETIC DENTISTRY A type of tooth-conserving dentistry, treats weak, fractured and decayed teeth in a way that keeps them strong and seals them from bacterial invasion; eliminates cutting teeth down for crowns and destructive root canal treatment.

who have existing allergies, because their immune systems have already been compromised, and having to deal with new allergies to dental materials may only worsen their condition,” she says.

Conservative dentistry involves removing a minimum of healthy tooth structure during the restorative process. By conserving natural enamel and dentin, many of the complications caused by excessive tooth shaving and drilling are avoided. “Students who went to dental school 15 years ago weren’t taught biological, biomimetic or conservative dentistry, and they didn’t have the superior materials that we have today,” says Teplitsky. “Unless they took continuing education units that taught these things, they didn’t learn that traditional approaches require unnecessary removal of tooth structure and fail to replicate the properties of natural teeth, leading to major complications including root canals, fractures and extractions. They also didn’t learn that what is going in the mouth with the teeth and gums relates to the overall condition of a person’s health.”

According to studies reported in Science Direct, which offers the latest peer-reviewed research papers, teeth naturally have the optimal properties and structure to withstand the many challenges of the oral environment. Conservative dentistry, with its innovative materials, efficiently preserves this natural tooth structure, particularly when combined with early detection.

Linda Sechrist is Natural Awakenings’ senior staff writer.

Holistic Oral Hygiene

Choosing the Right Products

by Amparo David

Overall health starts in the oral cavity, so a clean mouth is a top priority. Hundreds of species of bacteria live and thrive in the mouth, specifically the gum tissue. Some species of bacteria are more destructive than others. If harmful bacteria overpopulate the mouth, it leads to the destruction of the gums and bone that support the teeth.

Utilizing oral hygiene products to keep the bacteria population at a minimum is paramount. There are various oral rinses, toothpastes, and other hygiene aids to choose from, but it’s important to choose the right products for greater health.

It is recommended to brush twice a day, every day, which means exposing the body to a clean toothpaste is important. There are numerous toothpastes that commonly contain fluoride, sweeteners and preservatives that will overburden the body. Toothpastes that contain the mineral hydroxyapatite are a good option as a large majority of tooth and bone structure are made up of calcium phosphate. The hydroxyapatite mineral supports this natural structure, reducing the chances of dental cavities from forming.

Like toothpaste, floss will often contain similar ingredients that should be avoided. Water flossing is an excellent addition to the flossing routine as its mechanism to clean is simply a steady stream of distilled water. This water can be treated with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria hiding under the gum line. Tea tree oil naturally with reduce inflammation, making it a great product to use to treat bleeding gums. Soaking dental floss in tea tree oil prior to use will get the product underneath the gum line and encourage growth of firm, pink gums.

When choosing an oral rinse to add to

the hygiene routine, the same judgment from above can be used. A simple, natural oral rinse containing essential oils like clove, peppermint or tea tree oil is a good option. A more simplified mechanism of rinsing can be used as well. Saltwater rinses will cleanse the mouth and encourage gum tissue healing. Baking soda water can also be used periodically to neutralize the pH of the mouth and discourage acidity, as bacteria will flourish in an acidic environment. Oil pulling is another favorable form of rinsing. Coconut oil has been shown to excrete toxins from not only the mouth, but from the entire body. Swishing with the oil for several minutes is necessary to allow for proper cleansing.

Finding a proper oral hygiene homecare routine can take time to put together. Every mouth and body are different. Maintaining a healthy level of vitamins, especially vitamin A, C and E, and minerals is directly related to the health of the oral cavity. Maintaining heart health and a stable blood pressure is another basic building block of a healthy mouth. If these levels are not sufficient, it can present as inflamed gum tissue, unexplained bleeding or, in severe cases, periodontal disease. So, establishing basic health parameters is necessary when choosing an oral home care regimen.

By keeping all aspects of overall health in check, optimal oral health will be achieved and vice versa. If the bacteria levels in the mouth are kept as low as possible with good oral hygiene habits, it is certain the rest of the body will respond positively.

Dr. Amparo M. David, DMD, has her own practice, Dentistry by Dr. David, located at 563 Main St., Bolton,MA, where she practices general and cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics, as well as assisting patients with sleep apnea. For more information, call 978-779-2888 or visit BoltonDental.com. See ad on page 21 and Resource Guide on page 35.

The Human Body

A Galaxy of Interrelated Organ Systems

by Alora Frederick

Earth is part of the solar system within the Milky Way galaxy. It’s common knowledge that each planet influences the others creating planetary harmony within the galaxy. Similarly, each human could be described as an individual galaxy consisting of inter-related organ systems. The human body has 11 systems that influence each other to create health and vitality. These systems include the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal and urinary system.

Some of the organ systems have such an intimate relationship that hybridized words are used to describe the union of these two systems. For example, the word enteroendocrine describes the interplay between the intestinal tract (entero) and hormones (endocrine). Enteroendocrine cells are sprinkled throughout the intestinal tract and secrete a myriad of hormones in response to various stimuli derived from food consumption, such as the byproducts of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Nearly 100 million of these cells are regenerated every day.

Of the hormones released into the intestinal tract, some travel on to the pancreas to enhance insulin release, which will then go on to control blood sugar levels. Alterations in enteroendocrine cells is associated with blood sugar dysregulation seen in insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Other hormones released after a meal will induce satiety in the central nervous system. The feeling of satiety creates an inner calm and sense of safety for the nervous system, which may support lower levels of anxiety. This is partially why anxiety can be exacerbated when breakfast is skipped or too many hours have passed between meals during the day.

Beyond anxiety, other elements of the digestive system influence mental health. The gut-brain axis is a term coined to describe the two-way communication between the brain and the gut. What happens within the gut, also referred to as the microbiome, will directly influence the brain and, therefore, mental health. Individuals affected by depression are shown to have a higher prevalence of digestive and intestinal issues. Inflammation in the gut and inadequate levels of certain bacterial strains are two potential intestinal issues that influence depression. A fiber-rich, anti-inflammatory diet is the first aid to support intestinal health and consequently

mental health.

Farther north in the digestive tract away from the intestines and into the stomach lies a surprising factor in cardiovascular health: stomach acid. Stomach acid is commonly vilified and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which stop stomach acid production, are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs. However, stomach acid is a vital component that affects many aspects of human health. In regard to cardiovascular health, betaine hydrochloride (HCL), or stomach acid, has the ability to break down homocysteine, which is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Some studies have shown that betaine HCl supplementation significantly lowers plasma levels of homocysteine. Supplementation of betaine HCl should be monitored by a health professional, especially if there is a history of acid reflux or stomach ulcers, or with the use of PPIs. If HCl supplementation is not a possibility, there are other strategies for increased HCl production. These include zinc intake via beef, nuts, seeds, beans, oysters, etc., ginger intake, sufficient protein intake, thoroughly chewed food and limited intake of refined carbohydrates.

The organ systems are either subtly connected or overtly connected like a cascade of falling dominoes. The connections are often facilitated by cofactors or “helper molecules” that assist with biochemical processes that are imperative, not only for survival but for vitality and health. These “helper molecules” are acquired from nutrient-dense foods. Often the first domino is related to nutrition and the digestive system, which is why nutrient-dense foods should be prioritized with an imbalance in any one of the organ systems.

Alora Frederick, RDN, LDN, is an integrative and functional dietitian in Waltham, MA. She is currently accepting new patients at Johnson Compounding and Wellness for virtual nutrition appointments. Schedule a free, 15-minute introductory call at NaturalCompounder.com/Alora. See ad on page 7 and Resource Guide on page 35.

Doing Good for the World

A Conscious Ownership of Earth

by Courtney V. Lindop

While many yearn for a healthier Earth, the state of the world has become painful to face, and people have become numb to it or turned a blind eye for the sake of self-protection. Some have lost hope that there is enough time to turn the tide or doubt that it’s even possible. But hope is the very ingredient missing from all the statistics, calculations and discoveries from the scientific world and at the core of a concept known as Earth Management.

Earth Management is about making a connection between human consciousness and the health of the Earth. Collective consciousness has the power to make or break our society and save or destroy our planet. The key is for each of us to have a sense of responsibility and a conscious ownership concerning the Earth. True peace can arise from an awakening of true human value.

There is a philosophy in the Korean tradition called Hongik Ingan. It speaks to a universal benefit for all of humanity. A Hongik Ingan is simply a person who lives for the good of all. It’s one who has awakened to the fact that healing themselves is helping others, which in turn is helping the planet. The only way to truly create a healthy planet, starts and ends with this principle and absolute knowing that a human’s true nature is not separate from that of the Earth. There is a connectedness to everything, and somewhere beyond the stress and desire for relief and comfort is the Hongik instinct—a wanting to do something good for the world.

When that spark is reignited, a certain lightness arises, and consciousness rooted in perpetual numbness and loneliness begins to dissolve as connection arises. This follows the principle that the stronger energy in a situation generally overrides the weaker, such that if one stressed person walks into a group of bright individuals, it’s likely that person’s mood will improve. Thus, it follows that if an increasing number of individuals can spark the spirit of Hongik Ingan within themselves, that shift has the power to enable a shift in humanity as a collective.

We as humans have lost the knowing and sense that everything is connected. We can see how this has dissolved our humanity, leading us to act out of survival instincts only, creating hate, pain and destruction. The kind, loving, courageous best parts of our human character have been dispelled largely from our collective narrative. But there is hope in Earth Management, which holds the vision of coexistence for the health of humanity and the Earth, together. This begins with healing of the individual and reconnecting to the sense of one’s true nature. Essentially, the energy and state of consciousness of an individual has a direct impact on families and communities, creating a ripple effect out into nature and all of humanity.

If the individual focuses on de-

veloping sensitivity, harmony, diligence and productivity with empathy and integrity, then the collective can work together to find the solutions to the problems the Earth faces today. Earth Management represents the responsibility of the individual to manage and take care of themselves and others. When like-minded individuals share the same concern and earnest desire to move towards peace, coexistence can be cultivated and the hope for a harmonious future and a healthy planet can emerge.

To learn more about Earth Management, visit YouTube.com/c/ EarthManagementTV. Courtney V. Lindop is a content creator for Earth Management TV on YouTube and a Body & Brain Yoga tai chi instructor. She helps others use simple mind/ body exercises to facilitate feelings of connection and emotional healing techniques to restore inner power and confidence. See ad on page 14 and Resource Guide on page 38.