Holistic Dentistry Articles
Infected Root Canals and What To Do About Them
My book on root canal infections that are hidden and not being seen by your dentist is coming out in 2018. It delves into this issue of infected root canals, how they come about and what to do about them. The reason I’m writing this book is that I’ve seen evidence in my practice that a sizable percentage of previously done root canals are actually still infected or have become reinfected over time. I will be presenting evidence of this over the coming months, but suffice it to say the percentage of undiagnosed infections due to root canals is alarmingly high. It is enough of a problem that I find myself having to speak up and start to document it with current cases.
Wait a Minute! Isn’t a Root Canal Supposed to Cure My Infected Tooth?
Yes, at least that is what you are told by your well-meaning dentist. What you are not told is that the tooth you are saving by doing a root canal no longer has a blood supply or nerve.
What is Holistic Dentistry and What Makes It Different?
Holistic dentistry and biological dentistry refer to two different aspects of integrative dental care. Generally speaking the term ‘holistic’ refers to the fact that the body is one whole or holistic system. Common sense dictates that the mouth, the primary pathway...
Work Life Balance – Even a Holistic Dentist Needs a Vacation
After a very busy and productive 2017, we were ready to apply more balance to our working life. For those who wanted to see some pictures of our vacation in Kauai, here goes. We had such an outpouring of good will when we announced our plans, we just had to share...
What Causes Root Canal Infections and Failure?
What causes existing root canals to become infected and fail? In the photo to the right you can see a common presentation of an infected tooth. In this case, an old root canal that has failed is draining pus and infection from the tooth. As the picture shows, the...
First Do No Harm – Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment in Dentistry
As a holistic dentist in practice for more than 30 years, I still find myself referring back to the first thing I learned at USC Dental School, first do no harm. The Hippocratic Oath remains the Golden Rule of health care: First do no harm. This is the timeless...
Seasonal Stress, Dental Health and Jaw Pain – Part 2
In our last blog we discussed the importance of pH and how stress, especially at this time of year, can impact a healthy mouth. Another area where stress can affect the mouth is with clenching and grinding, also known as bruxism that can cause pain in your jaws and...
What You Need to Know About Ceramic vs Titanium Dental Implants
When I lecture on holistic dentistry, I'm often asked, 'What are ceramic dental implants?' As you can see in the picture to the right, ceramic implants are white and titanium implants are black and metallic looking. In the future I feel that ceramic implants are...
Seasonal Stress and Dental Health-Part 1
Each year, starting around Daylight Savings Time, everyone’s schedule becomes even fuller and more stressful, and in the dental office we often experience people calling in with more dental issues and emergencies. Most of us know how the time change can affect us, and...
Know the Cause TV: Interview with Dr. O’Rielly and Doug Kaufmann
I had the pleasure of being interviewed on the TV show and podcast Know the Cause hosted by Doug Kaufmann. It was a lot of fun. Here is the clip that aired Tuesday and a screenshot of the show that was posted on YouTube.com yesterday. During this segment Doug and I...
Can You Get Rid of Parasites in Your Mouth in 30 Days?
In my practice it's been proven with a high definition microscope that you can definitely get rid of parasites in the mouth in 30 days. Why should you care? If you have traveled much or have had pets in your life chances are that you have been exposed to parasites...
How Stealth Pathogens are Linked to Systemic Diseases
As a holistic dentist who has viewed hundreds of videos showing the microbiome in the mouth, the idea of stealth pathogens causing autoimmune disease is very familiar to me. Thanks to my wife Victoria’s interest in herbal medicine, we were in Los Angeles last week at...
5 Microbes That Cause Gum Disease
A healthy mouth is a complex ecosystem and like any ecosystem, is susceptible to imbalances. Microbes causing gum disease creates imbalances that results in local and systemic inflammation, affects heart function and compromises overall health. It’s important to know...
Bio-Friendly, Non Metal Fillings
What do health conscious people need to know about non metal fillings like composites? Here is a quick rundown: Whenever possible avoid metal (especially mercury) for restorations like fillings or crowns Use composites (white filling material) that have no BisPhenolA...
Why I Don’t Offer One-Step Cerac Crowns
In-office Cad Cam technology is generically called Cerac for short. The crowns are milled in the office from a block of porcelain, and then placed and adjusted on the same day. People see this as an advantage, since there is only one dental appointment necessary....
Biocompatible and Beautiful
This photo is of a porcelain crown seated with a newer generation dental cement made to be strong and biocompatible. Can you tell which tooth has the crown on it? It is very difficult even with a close up lens. This result is only possible when I do 3 very specific...