Many people don’t like going to the dentist. That’s probably because they hate having their teeth drilled. They may also remember painful procedures from years past. So they dread having a repeat experience.
First off, let me say that dental care is very important to your health. So I’m not recommending that anyone skip their teeth cleanings. However, I like to arm my readers with information, so they can make the right decisions for themselves, as well as for their family members.
There’s growing concern that some dental practices, including the use of “silver” fillings and fluoride treatment, may not be good for us. (Silver fillings contain mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal.) Root canals also have their detractors. An entire group of practitioners, known as “biological dentists,” tell us that these modern treatments are unsafe. So, what can we do to protect our health?
Potential Health Risks of Going to the Dentist
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The American Dental Association still maintains that “silver” fillings are safe. However, there’s also a great deal of evidence to the contrary. Doctors in England and in America, in the early 1800’s, began filling cavities with an amalgam made of mercury and other metals. This has continued despite the fact that even by 1860, there was an outcry against this practice.
Mercury and Amalgam Fillings
More recently, there’s been increased concern that people with these fillings in their mouths are constantly inhaling mercury vapors. Some scientists have demonstrated that significant amounts of mercury are released when people chew their food or drink a hot liquid, such as coffee or tea.
Right now, for these reasons, only about half of all dentists in the United States still use mercury fillings. The others have found replacement materials, such as porcelain or resin composites. However, even though the resin doesn’t contain mercury, it may contain Bisphenol A. This mimics estrogen and may be a hormone disruptor. Porcelain, though more expensive, appears to be the safest choice.
However, I’m not a dental health professional. So I can’t give medical advice. All I can do so share information, and urge my readers to do their own research.
Are Mercury Fillings Dangerous?
Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to man. So many people visit their dentist and ask for their fillings to be replaced. However, they also risk exposing themselves to massive amounts of mercury during this process. That’s why most experts, such as Dr. Hal A. Huggins, DDS, have developed a specific protocol that makes this removal safer. This includes vigorous suction during the procedure, as well as placement of a dental dam in the mouth to catch any fragments of mercury before they are swallowed.
Dr. Huggins also recommends that patients breathe supplement oxygen, through their noses, as their fillings are being removed. Ideally, one should find a biological dentist familiar with his protocol before undergoing a potentially risky removal. If you’d like to read more, Dr. Huggins has published a book called It’s All in Your Head: The Link Between Mercury Amalgams and Illness.
Are Mercury Fillings Safe?
Despite evidence linking mercury fillings to various diseases and conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, a great deal of mercury amalgam is still being placed inside the mouths of dental patients each year.
An estimated 30 tons is either inserted in cavities, or removed when people have their fillings replaced, according to Internet health advocate Dr. Joseph Mercola, DO.
He notes that mercury is extremely dangerous, and has a deleterious effect on many bodily functions. In addition to being poisonous, this heavy metal also makes it more difficult for us to detox. This, in turn, creates a vicious cycle that results in stores of trapped mercury with no way out, he notes.
Is it Safe to Get Mercury Fillings Removed?
Concern over dental amalgam has led to a booming business if filling removal. However, I want to point out that getting the mercury out of your mouth is not an easy process. Nor should it be done by just anyone. In fact, I wish I had shopped around more carefully. That’s because I suffer from chronic nerve inflammation. The dentist who took out the remainder of my fillings forgot to ask me if I wanted to wear an oxygen mask. Unfortunately, my symptoms worsened for at least six months afterward. So, if you decide to do this, choose the most experienced practitioner you can find. You can read about my experience here.
Is Dental Fluoride Bad for You?
Many conventional dentists routinely put fluoride gel on their patients during their regular office visits. The rationale behind this treatment is that it will prevent cavities. However, fluoride is also highly toxic. Even tubes of toothpaste, which contain fluoride, carry warning labels that if the paste is accidentally ingested by a child younger than six, in an amount larger than normal use, to contact a poison control center.
Dental fluoride applications result in a massive dose of sodium fluoride, a substance that’s been implicated in thyroid disease, as well as kidney and liver failure. Fluoride is also thought to raise the risk of certain types of cancer. If you’d like to learn more about the potential health hazards of sodium fluoride, you may want to read a book called The Fluoride Deception.
Where to Find a Biological Dentist
Fluoride treatments are not without controversy within the dental profession. One body known as the International Association Biological Dentistry & Medicine (IABDM) is a group of dentists throughout the world who practice what’s come to be known as holistic dentistry. Members pledge not to use mercury or fluoride in their clinics.
If you’re looking for a more natural-minded practitioner, you can start at the IABDM website. Another way to find a holistic dentist is to ask at your local health food store. I’ve found that health food store employees are generally excellent local resources.
Are Root Canals Dangerous?
For decades, the debate has raged over whether root canals cause cancer. Most biological dentists, and those that lean toward holistic medicine, advise against this procedure. The fear is that trapped bacteria will create a permanent state of infection in the body. This in turn, sets the stage for malignancy, as well as other chronic conditions, according to this school of thought. I’d you like more information about the root canal controversy, you may want to read The Toxic Tooth: How a Root Canal Could Be Making You Sick.
Alternative health practitioners, in general, also believe this procedure carries significant risks. If you’ve had a root canal, and are concerned, a biological dentist may be your next best step. The IABDM may be able to refer you to one in your area.
Can You Heal Cavities?
Please understand that I’m not a doctor or a dentist. Everything written here is my personal opinion only. However, it appears as if the best way to treat dental problems is to prevent them in the first place.
There’s even anecdotal evidence that it’s possible to heal cavities, once they’ve developed. You may also be interested in another book called Cure Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nutrition.
Disclaimer
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant should not use essential oils or herbal remedies except under medical direction.
