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Holistic Dentistry Articles

DIY Ways You Can Meet the Challenge of the Coronavirus Covid 19 – Part 2

DIY Ways You Can Meet the Challenge of the Coronavirus Covid 19 – Part 2

What is the significance of stress and inflammation and how do they impact the immune system? Stress causes aging because it causes inflammation, and inflammation is often created by chronic stress. Short tern stress, or the ‘Fight or Flight’ response, is to be expected as it is a normal part of life.  However, when the stress response becomes chronic, meaning that it lasts for a long time, then it’s really hard on the body.

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Alert: High Blood Pressure Medication and Covid 19 Infections

Alert: High Blood Pressure Medication and Covid 19 Infections

A new research paper, just out as of March 23rd, states that high blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors negatively affect people with Covid 19 infections. James Diaz MD, of Louisiana State University Health Center, has proposed a possible explanation for the severe lung complications seen with some patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The paper states that there is a correlation between complications in the lungs and high blood pressure medication, specifically ACE inhibitors and ARB’s.

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DIY Ways to Keep Your Mouth Healthy During the Coronavirus Mandate

DIY Ways to Keep Your Mouth Healthy During the Coronavirus Mandate

I wanted to get out some DIY ways that my subscribers and patients can use to meet the challenge of the Coronavirus.  So, over the next couple of weeks I will be posting tips and guidance on what you can do on your own to maintain and improve the health of not only your mouth, but your entire body.

One of the services dentists in California have had to eliminate is teeth cleanings. This includes all routine recall appointments. While this is not a big problem short term, long term it’s an issue. The gums and the mucosal lining of the mouth is exposed to the outside world and susceptible to microbial growth and infections. If you don’t get cleanings done on a regular basis, then these microbes make a home around your teeth and under your gums, creating constant inflammation. These microbes can also gain access to the rest of your body, because bleeding or ‘leaky’ gums can give aggressive microbes access to your bloodstream.

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How Dentistry Can Meet the Challenge of the Coronavirus

How Dentistry Can Meet the Challenge of the Coronavirus

Due to the changing global landscape caused by the Coronavirus, dentistry has had to adapt as well.  Based on the ‘shelter in place’ mandate issued by California’s governor, all elective, non essential services are going to be suspended.  This is the guidance from the CDA, the ADA, the CDC and Home Health as well. But what does that mean?  If you have an appointment for a non essential dental procedure like a cleaning, you’ll need to reschedule your appointment.  However, if you have an essential need that can’t wait, then you should definitely seek care and not put it off.  What is essential care? Read more to find out.

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Hidden Microbes in Your Mouth Affect Your Gut, Heart and Brain: Part 1

Hidden Microbes in Your Mouth Affect Your Gut, Heart and Brain: Part 1

Can the microbiome in your mouth affect the microbiome in your gut?  The answer is yes, according to a study in the Journal of Oral Microbiology, published in  March of 2019.  More on this later. First, let’s explore what the microbiome is and why it’s so important.  We are actually walking, talking microbial ecosystems.

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What Causes Root Canal Infections and Failure?

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...

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The Mouth as a Barrier System

The Mouth as a Barrier System

At Integrative Dentistry one of the first things we do is look for infections in the mouth so that your body and barrier systems remain healthy. What is a barrier system? A barrier system keeps what’s bad for you on the outside rather than getting into your body, or...

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3 Truths in ‘Root Cause’ Movie on Root Canals

3 Truths in ‘Root Cause’ Movie on Root Canals

The Netflix movie “Root Cause” caused quite a stir and not a day goes by that someone comes into my practice and says, ‘I watched that movie on root canals and I want to know if my teeth are ‘infected.’  I have to tell them root canal infections are a real thing and can be very serious but not all root canals are infected as the movie states.

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Is The “Root Cause” Movie Right About Root Canals?

Is The “Root Cause” Movie Right About Root Canals?

A lot of my patients have seen The Root Cause movie on Netflix about the perils of root canals.  Does the movie have it right when it comes to root canals being bad for you and causing diseases like cancer, arthritis, heart disease and strokes?  My answer is 'yes' and...

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What’s the Most Important Vitamin for Dental Health?

What’s the Most Important Vitamin for Dental Health?

What's the most important vitamin for dental health? Many nutrients play a role in a healthy 'ecosystem' in the mouth.  However, there is one vitamin that rules them in the oral microbiome, especially when it comes to connective tissue and  gums.  From the picture I...

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How To Heal Root Canals and Infected Teeth with Photon Induced Photoacoustic Streaming

How To Heal Root Canals and Infected Teeth with Photon Induced Photoacoustic Streaming

There has been a lot of controversy over the last decade or two about root canals.  The disagreement is usually between dentists and root canal specialists (endodontists) on one side and alternative practitioners, like naturapaths, Integrative M.D.’s and chiropractors on the other.  Dentists and endodontists almost always recommend saving the tooth.  Alternative doctors usually land on the side of extracting the tooth.

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Inflammation May Cause Failure in Extractions, Root Canals and Implants: A Case Study

Inflammation May Cause Failure in Extractions, Root Canals and Implants: A Case Study

Have you put off doing the dental work you need because you are afraid it might fail?  You may have had the right idea!  Have you heard that all root canals are bad for you?  Or that a titanium implant blocks the meridian flow, or can corrode because of the acids in your mouth?  Or that extractions are bad for you because they might lead to cavitations or dry sockets?  In fact, all the above are possible.  If you are immune compromised in any way, pay attention, because what you are going to learn here can make a difference between success and failure when it comes to dental surgery of any kind, whether it be root canals, implants, extractions or even gum procedures like deep cleanings.

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