August 23, 2017
Your Teeth & Your Overall Health--10 Tooth Truths You Need to Know
READ TIME: 8 MIN.
If you're looking for better health, you may have to look no further than your mouth. That's right, your mouth has a huge impact on your overall health. Whenever something goes wrong with your teeth or your oral health, it can affect other parts of the body -- sometimes profoundly.
Likewise, imbalances elsewhere in the body sometimes manifest as problems with the teeth and mouth. Therefore, caring for your oral health is about much more than a pretty smile -- at least it should be.
"Most people don't understand that problems with your teeth -- from impacted wisdom teeth to bite problems -- can greatly affect your total health," says Mark Breiner, author of Whole-Body Dentistry: A Complete Guide to Understanding the Impact of Dentistry on Total Health. "In fact, very few mainstream dentists or even holistic dentists know this information. Only whole-body dentists even think this way. We look at your teeth through a different filter, and our expertise can help you maximize your overall wellness -- not just the health of your mouth."
Dr. Breiner and his team use leading-edge technology alongside integrative strategies to give patients beautiful smiles and healthy mouths. Keep reading for ten insights that most people don't know about their teeth and how they relate to your overall health and wellness.
Your gums may look healthy, but a bad slide indicates another type of hidden infection. Today, periodontal disease is often treated by using dental lasers to generate new bone. Other natural therapies, such as supplementation, oil pulling, homeopathics, irrigation, and in-office ozone therapy, are also helpful.
"Here's an example," says Breiner. "Esther was experiencing pain on the side of her head and her right eye tooth became sensitive. When I examined her, I determined that her tooth was fine. However, there was a problem with the associated gallbladder meridian -- the same meridian associated with the portion of her head that was hurting. I treated her with a homeopathic remedy to address the problem on that meridian, and subsequently, both the tooth pain and the head pain went away."
"Energetically, a root-canaled tooth can be checked to see if it is impacting one's health," says Breiner. "If it is, there are some things that can be tried to mitigate the situation, such as strengthening the associated organ, injecting ozone around the tooth, and building up the immune system. If it cannot be mitigated, removal of the tooth is best for one's health."
And in cavitations, the segments of dead bone are very toxic and can cause a whole host of symptoms similar to the symptoms root canals may cause. The usual treatment is surgical debridement of the area; however, with injections of ozone gas and use of homeopathics, surgery can usually be avoided.
"There is no safe level of mercury in the body," says Breiner. "Yes, it is a small amount that vaporizes, but it is cumulative. The more fillings you have, the more mercury you have in your brain. Mercury also crosses the placental barrier and goes straight to the fetus, and accumulates in the mother's milk. The perils of mercury go on and on. However, safe removal of mercury fillings requires knowledge in what to do before, during, and after their replacement."
Brain neurons fire at about 70 millivolts, and I have seen metals in the mouth generate over 900 millivolts! It's no wonder that patients with these high voltages couldn't think clearly! The solution, of course, is to not use metals in the mouth. Today, we are fortunate that this can be avoided in most instances."
Sleep-disordered breathing problems in adults are related to higher incidents of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and more. When TMD is treated properly, the jaws are placed in their proper position and relationship and are allowed to obtain their full expanse. This results in the physiologic harmony of the entire jaw, skull, and musculature, which has a profound impact on one's health.
"Fluoride in drinking water has not been proven to decrease tooth decay," says Dr. Breiner. "Ultimately, tooth decay is a systemic disease. Proper nutrition, supplementation, and homeopathic treatments are a better solution than medicating our drinking water. And when selecting toothpaste and mouthwashes, consider choosing fluoride-free versions to reduce your exposure."
"If you have unexplained symptoms that won't go away no matter what you do, the answer could be in your mouth," concludes Breiner. "Understanding the vital relationship between the teeth and the rest of the body allows us to provide deeper levels of diagnosis and care to improve your life. Anyone who wants to feel as good as you possibly can should consider an integrative approach to your oral health; it could improve your wellness in astounding ways."
Mark A. Breiner, DDS, is the author of "Whole-Body Dentistry: A Complete Guide to Understanding the Impact of Dentistry on Total Health." He is a pioneer and recognized authority in the field of biological and holistic dentistry.
Dr. Breiner is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, a past president and fellow of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, and a diplomate of the College of Dentistry, American Association of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Breiner practices dentistry in Fairfield, Connecticut.
For more information, visit www.wholebodymed.com