I just finished the process of getting a dental implant yesterday, but I'm now suddenly hearing about the dangers of certain kinds of dental work. I made the terrible mistake of neglecting my teeth during college and I'm still paying for it 10 years later! I presently have 1 root canal, 1 implant, and 1 amalgam filling.
I don't want to make anyone paranoid or scared, but I feel people should be well informed about dental and medical procedures. I am still learning myself, so more opinions on the subject are welcome!
The two biggest dangers I have read about are:
Root canals and amalgam fillings
Root Canal Process
During a root canal, a hole is drilled into the tooth and the pulp and debris is removed from the pulp chamber and root canals. Afterward, the empty tooth is sterilized and then filled with a rubber-like substance to seal it off.
Issues and Concerns for Root Canals
- Once a root canal is performed, the tooth is technically no longer living, making it susceptible to pathogens.
- The root canal process exposes the inside of the tooth to bacteria and other microbes that could be potentially sealed inside.
- Over time the filling can also shrink, allowing bacteria to enter the tooth.
- Once bacteria or other pathogens have entered the tooth, there are no immune cells to kill them. The microbes are trapped within the tooth and left to potentially migrate to other parts of the body.
- The teeth are thought to be connected "energetically" to the rest of the body according to chinese medicine. When an artificial substance is introduced into the body, it can alter the "energy meridian" passing through it, affecting different areas of the body
Issues and Concerns for Amalgam Fillings
- Amalgam fillings have mercury in them.
- Over time the mercury enters the blood stream potentially causing neurological, GI, cardiovascular, immune, or other problems.
In saying all of this, I don't think anyone (including myself) should rush out and remove thousands of dollars of dental work. The best form of medicine as always is prevention. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene and get cleanings/check-ups twice a year.
I think a lot of people don't connect good health with their mouth, often neglecting their teeth. This couldn't be more wrong! A healthy mouth helps maintain a healthy body!
The reverse is also true: a healthy body helps maintain a healthy mouth. If you have a lot of fillings, root canals, dental works, etc., I think it is especially important to stay healthy. It is also important to stay aware of the potential problems associated with dental work, in case any health issues DO arise down the road. IF there are any health problems that you feel may be connected to dental work, it may be a good idea to visit a holistic dentist.
If you decide that you want to remove fillings or root canals, it is important to select a dentist who is properly trained. An improperly trained dentist could potentially make problems worse, causing additional mercury or bacteria to enter the bloodstream.
A great resource is the nonprofit organization DAMS (Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions) which provides lists of local biological or holistic dentists trained to remove this type of dental work. They also have a brochure explaining the dangers of certain kinds of dental work. You can email them your name and address and they will send you the list and brochure.
http://www.amalgam.org/
Some other resources for finding holistic dentists:
http://mercuryfreedentists.com/
http://www.iabdm.org/cms/
http://dentalwellness4u.com/freeservices/find_dentists.html
http://www.iaomt.org/patients/search.aspx
In a few years, if I still have dental insurance, I will see a holistic dentist for an evaluation. In the meantime, I will get cleanings twice a year, drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, and try to get plenty of exercise!
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