LOCAL HOLISTIC DENTISTRY
By Daria M. Brezinski, Ph.D.
A smile is the shortest distance between two people
. Why are the fossilized remains of dinosaurs or those of early man full of rows and rows of perfect teeth still intact? Why can’t modern humans get through a lifetime with all the teeth intact? What are we doing wrong? Although there is a fetish for white, bleached teeth in this culture, why doesn’t that equate with healthy gums and teeth?
Scientific studies regarding mercury fillings, plastic fillings, root canals and gum disease are uncovering dramatic conclusions. Recent acknowledgements about the status of the gums and teeth correlating to body illness such as heart disease, is enlightening. When teeth build up with plaque, gums become inflamed from fighting the bacteria and infection of the gums, seeping into the bloodstream. The heart having difficulty counteracting the blood infection will register an attack. The heart, over time, can no longer fight the infection and succumbs.
This information has been known for years among the WELLNESS community which has been circulating a diagram that correlates each quadrant in the mouth to a corresponding organ or system in the body. On this chart, molars represent the heart and small intestine which may also affect the shoulder/elbow/hand, restlessness, lack of joy, heart palpitations or lack of desire. Where infection in the molar may affect these areas of the body and psyche, pulling a molar may also have an effect. OR a broken number 10 tooth chipped after eating a cookie or pain emanating from it, may signal a kidney or bladder infection. Because the Cartesian notion of separation and compartmentalization has been an accepted fact for so long that the knowledge of these connections has been forgotten and lost.
Mercury levels are exceedingly high in individuals across the nation. Yet, scientists blame fish before considering tooth fillings. Only specifically trained dentists can remove mercury fillings imbedded in the teeth. The toxicity from the removal of mercury fillings is so high that many people have died just from breathing the fumes during removal. Even electric tooth brushing and flossing emits vapors. Mercury fillings also affect the physiology and mental states. Yet psychologists and physicians don’t consider dental health when a symptom arises (because professional training never introduced those connections) . Years ago, tooth fillings contained high levels of mercury. But nearly 50% of the over 1,000,000 amalgams placed in teeth of Americans today are PCB plastic composites. Either material causes physiological harm over time.
Root canals are just as significant a problem. Apparently bacteria is harbored in root canals no matter how perfect the procedure. These bacteria mutate and become toxin factories, get out into the bloodstream and cause degenerative diseases or make them worse. In cavitations (the space left in the jawbone when a tooth is extracted) if an infected tooth or simply a wisdom tooth needs to come out to make space, problems can arise with dead tissue in the jawbone. A 25-year research program that was conducted by Dr. Westin Price in the early 1900’s and published in 1923, reported that some 5,000 animals over the 25 year period who had root canals, no matter how good they looked, or how free they were from symptoms, always remained infected.
British colleagues of mine quip that US citizens have a fetish with teeth. Yet, science would concur that care and maintenance of teeth and gums is imperative to health and well-being as well as immune strengthening. Charts are available that describe the relationship between each tooth and its corresponding emotional and physiological counterpart. The key element is finding a Wellness Dentist who has been trained in the above: like Dr. Craig Zunka and Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D., PhD. (see Website links) Dental health affects the entire body and may be indicative of imbalance elsewhere! This is Dental QUOTIENT towards Equilibrium!
After reading last month’s article on the search for a holistic dentist in Charlottesville, I empathized with the writer in this quest and would like to add a few more details. As with any search for the truth, especially your own, it is a process and an exercise in listening to your inner self. In addition, finding a dentist or any other practitioner is a search for compatibility- spiritually, emotionally and otherwise. (In all of the scenarios below, I asked for an overall, whole mouth ‘plan’. EACH dentist projected not only a vastly different plan but also the prices were dramatically different ranging from $10,000 to 25,000 WITHOUT the tests. It pays to shop. )
After biting on a frozen cookie last summer, I cracked my front tooth. In the search for a holistic dentist in Cville, I too came up short. In a town with so many aware individuals and groups, it seems quite remarkable that not ONE exists.
To temporality allay the pain from a broken tooth along the gum line, I visited a local dentist. Full mouth x-rays did not reveal the length and breathe of the fracture (at $150). In collaboration with a surgeon, the two decided the tooth needed to be removed and replaced by an implant (costing $15,000). Like most, I do not possess dental insurance and the cost seemed prohibitive. More importantly, no one wanted to broach the topic of SAVING my tooth. A temporary cap was inserted, my teeth were cleaned at $400 (half the mouth as the hygienist was so rough) and I went off to continue my search.
Next, I traveled to Washington DC where a noteworthy holistic dentist, Lowell Weiner, proceeded to examine me for nearly two hours. Deciding the length of the visit must be relative to the distance I traveled and thinking the best of the individual, I dismissed that nagging inner voice that told me something was amiss. Lowell is infamous for removal of amalgam fillings in a respectful and healthy manner (having done so for two friends). This time a 360-degree mouth x-ray was conducted revealing some bone issues (another $150). This person then requested an MRI and CT scan of the mouth to determine if infection had seeped through to the sinus area. Again, all in all, these tests would have ranged in the thousands of dollars. I made the appropriate appointments and returned home. For one reason or another, the appointments were rescheduled and by the third time, I wondered if Divine intervention had a hand. (In all fairness, this person has studied extensively and is greatly knowledgeable on the effects of dentistry and sinus. Although some of his surgical skills may be wanting.) Then I discovered, quite by accident, uhum, that the female who had surgery with the above dentist was displeased with the final results. The diagnosis was accurate but the techniques were unsatisfactory.
My search began again in earnest (as I did not know how long the temporary cap would last). Several people recommended two dental practitioners in the Newport News area, Peter Evans (dentist) and Shirley Vermillion (hygienist). The hygienist was in collaboration with a female dentist who was willing to learn holistic dentistry. Did I want to ‘teach’ my dentist? One grows weary of constantly have to teach one’s practitioners. I wasn’t sure. Besides, she was nine months pregnant and due any day. It would be months before she returned to the office again. I had the rest of my mouth cleaned and moved along to the next visit (another $400).
That same day, I crossed town to visit Peter. He was unwilling to save my tooth. In addition, he suggested I seek out a professional (he gave me names) who would test me for dental allergens prior to having any dental work. These tests can be conducted through blood, saliva, urine or a new vibrational technology. For the technology tests, he recommended Mark Davidson at Advance Therapeutic Solutions (a Brit) at a cost of $500. For urine, Doctor’s Data Inc out of Illinois (sends a kit) was recommended. The Clifford Tests for Dental Sensitivities, saliva tests, are found at the Clifford Consulting and Research Inc in Colorado. The last two cost dramatically less. Accuracy for the various techniques is negotiable although blood, urine and saliva are preferable.
Upon returning to Cville, a friend told me about another local dentist. Although she knows nothing about holistic dentistry, she agreed to save my tooth and remove my amalgams. However, after lengthy conversation, it was clear that she did not understand the ramifications of removing amalgams. She was directed to watch a video on Dr. Klinghardt’s website. The video says it all! It is the truth about amalgams, mercury vapors and its effects even with as little pressure as an electric toothbrush. You’ll never forget it! The website/video is
http://www.klinghardtacademy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=0&Itemid=73
On his website, Dr. Klinghardt listed dentists throughout the United States that are in alignment with his philosophy and techniques. The closest person to Charlottesville is Dr. Cheryl Billingsly in Richmond. Tada! Finally, eight months later, someone who is knowledgeable, respectful and reasonable in the holistic dentistry domain!
This information has been presented so that YOU have a clearer path to understanding, reconciling and administering to your mouth more holistically and with less time and effort than I did.
ADDENDUM: If you decide to be tested for dental materials, there are 2 places: BioComp Lab and The Clifford Report….both in CO.
BioComp Lab in Colorado: 800-331-2303
800-331-2303
BioCompLab compare 95% of the ingredients in the dental products versus the Clifford Report(a different company) which does about 60% of the materials tested in dental products according to BioComp Lab.
BioComLaB: porcelains have aluminum in them and the Cilfford test does not address/test for that part….because the dentists want to use porcelains.
The composites have a small amount of plastic (BPAs in them) and BPA is an endocrine disrupter.
The silver amalgams contain mercury which lodges itself in kidney and liver.
Each dental brand comes with a MSDS report-(tells the chemicals in them) and is given to the dentists.
There are no perfect choices just “least reactive choice” to the immune system. Gold is the best way to go.
