Each month, we have one book that is featured. This means it only costs you $5! Take advantage of this great deal to add to your collection and try some delicious new recipes!
This month’s book is Against the Grain.If you need gluten or grain-free meals or are on GAPS — or just want something different — this is perfect! Salisbury steak, beef tips with portobello mushrooms, chicken in sun-dried tomato-cream sauce, white bean vanilla cake and more! Eat and enjoy!
Do you ever wonder why your dentist asks you to come in every six months for a check up and then insists you sit through an X-RAY?
Do you ever wonder why fluoride is in your drinking water and toothpaste, yet it is considered toxic by the FDA and if you consume too much you are advised to call Poison Control?
For all those who think that dental procedures are just a normal part of life and everyone gets cavities, THINK AGAIN.
This is what the ADA doesn’t want you to know …
Your teeth do not need to be poked, prodded, and drilled …
You can clean and restore your own teeth without any special dentists, chemicals, or procedures!
We have been told a lot of flat out myths over the years when it comes to our teeth. The strides the government has taken to shield this from our view is appalling. Many dentists have realized the error in their ways, and now, follow a much more natural path. However, the majority of dentists are still promoting these fallacies.
Myth #1: Fluoride is Essential to Healthy Teeth
“Fluoridation is the greatest case of scientific fraud of this century” (Robert Carlton, Ph.D., former U.S. EPA scientist on “Marketplace” Canadian Broadcast Company Nov 24, 1992)
In the late 1940’s, the Department of Public Health recognized a study which showed that people drinking from local water sources possessing more natural fluoride had healthier teeth and less cavities than those people which drank from local water sources containing less natural fluoride. With the results of that study in hand, the Department of Public Health raced to find a man-made chemical fluoride to aid cities around the United States as they added fluoride to their public water systems.
It is very important that we realize that the fluoride added to our water supplies is not the natural mineral fluoride. The man-made chemical fluoride compound added to our drinking water is actually a toxic waste product from phosphate fertilizer plants. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola:
“Fluoride is a cumulative poison. Approximately 98 percent of the fluoride you ingest in water is absorbed into your blood through your gastrointestinal tract. From there, it enters your body’s cellular tissues. On average, about 50 percent of the fluoride you ingest each day gets excreted through your kidneys.
Whether this happens or not is highly dependent on the presence of calcium, magnesium, Vitamin C, and selenium in your bloodstream, to which the fluoride will bind so that it no longer is seeking calcium-rich tissues that make up so much of your body. The remainder accumulates in your teeth and bones, pineal gland, and other tissues, including your blood vessels.” (www.Mercola.com)
In January 2011, the EPA relented under growing concern about the dangers of fluoride from the public and lowered the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in public drinking water. In 2006 the National Academy of Sciences recognized the detrimental effects of fluorosis, poisoning from an overabundance of fluoride in the body. (FoxNews.com) In its mildest form it appears as white spotting on teeth. In its worst state it causes pitting and discoloration of teeth leading to other major dental problems. As of 2010, thirty-two percent of children suffered from dental fluorosis. (HuffingtonPost.com) FluorideAlert.org explains that excessive fluoride exposure has also been linked to a range of other chronic ailments including arthritis, bone fragility, glucose intolerance, gastrointestinal distress, thyroid disease, and possibly cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
A 2012 Harvard study showed disturbing evidence that fluoridation greatly affects the brain, lowering I.Q. levels of children living in those regions with highly fluoridated water. Studies are also beginning to link fluoride’s effects on the brain to Alzheimer’s. (FoxNews.com)
So why, you might ask, was this toxic chemical ever allowed to be put into our drinking water? Well there are more than a few people asking that question.
Fluoride can be filtered by distillation, reverse osmosis, or by my personal favorite a Berkey Water Filter.
You can pay big bucks for Fluoride Free Toothpaste or just make some yourself at home for pennies. I use this Homemade Remineralizing Toothpaste Recipe from Keeper of the Home. If you prefer not to buy all of the individual ingredients but still want to make it at home, you can purchase a toothpaste kit from The Bulk Herb Store:
Myth #2: A Root Canal Is A Safe Procedure
All of my life I had heard about the pain involved in having a root canal procedure done, but I did not actually know what a root canal was. Our teeth are not just “pearly whites” sitting there ready to chomp our food, although they do this with great ability. Our teeth are made of the hardest substances in our bodies. The outer layer of our teeth is the enamel which encases the dentin. In the middle of each tooth is what is called the pulp chamber. The pulp chamber contains blood vessels and nerves in its soft structure. The root of each tooth connects to the jawbone and these are held in place by your periodontal ligament. (WebMD.com)
Dr. Joseph Mercola explains that dentists are taught in dental school that “each tooth has one to four major canals. However, there are accessory canals that are never mentioned. … Just as your body has large blood vessels that branch down into very small capillaries, each of your teeth has a maze of very tiny tubules that, if stretched out, would extend for three miles. Weston Price identified as many as 75 separate accessory canals in a single central incisor (front tooth).”
When a root canal is performed the pulp within the tooth is removed and in its place a foreign substance is inserted to fill the chamber. Oral bacteria remains in this area and becomes toxic. When your immune system is strong these toxins may not harm you, but when your immune system fails to keep them in check these toxins can easily enter your bloodstream or into surrounding tissues. This is when a simple root canal can cause major complications.
The idea behind a root canal is to keep infection from occurring and abscesses from forming, but what a patient is not told is that many times the risk of the root canal procedure is much higher (as well as to save a damaged tooth instead of removing it in favor of a false tooth). Root canals have been linked in studies performed by Dr. Weston A. Price to heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis, joint, and rheumatic diseases, neurological diseases, and autoimmune diseases.
According to a five-year study performed by Dr. Robert Jones on three hundred breast cancer cases, there is an extremely high correlation between root canals and breast cancer. His findings showed that ninety-three percent of women who had breast cancer had also had root canals performed on them. Dr. Josef Issels claims that in forty years of practice, ninety-seven percent of his terminal cancer patients had also had root canals. (Mercola.com)
Dr. Joseph Mercola, explains in a recent article, that when the mercury from amalgam fillings is paired with the toxic bacteria hiding in the root canal the results can be disastrous. He describes how this pairing of toxins with mercury can actually alter a person’s DNA and cause a whole host of new diseases and birth defects not only affecting the patient, but also his family tree.
The safety of the root canal has been hotly debated among dentists for over one hundred years. Those that claim the safety of the root canal procedure have no legitimate studies or research to back their claims. To protect yourself from possible disease down the road, it is as simple as having a tooth pulled. Not only might this save your life, its a heck of a lot cheaper too!
Myth #3: It Is Better To Remove The Wisdom Teeth When A Patient Is Young
There are so many youth and young adults having their wisdom teeth removed now at the suggestion of their dentist, even though they show no sign of discomfort or problems. Why is this allowed? Ten to twelve percent of people will develop appendicitis or cholecystitis. You will not hear any doctor prescribe that a patient prophylactically remove his appendix or gallbladders on the off chance that he might need to one day based on these statistics. However, studies show that the exact same percentage, only ten to twelve percent, of people will develop impacted wisdom teeth that need to one day be removed, yet dentitsts are claiming that eighty-five percent of wisdom teeth need to be extracted? (Jay W. Friedman, DDS, MPH, The National Center For Biotechnology).
Uninformed dentists have been telling these myths to their patients for years:
Third Molars Have A High Incidence of Pathology
Early Removal Of Third Molars Is Less Traumatic
Pressure of Erupting Third Molars Causes Crowding of Anterior Teeth
The Risk of Pathology in Impacted Third Molars Increases With Age
There is Little Risk of Harm in the Removal of Third Molars
These statements are not true and actually studies show the opposite. Dentists also do not make it a habit to tell their patients the extent of risk present in having this surgery performed, especially when there is no health related reason to having it performed in the first place.
According to Jay W. Friedman, DDS, MPH, complications of wisdom teeth extraction include:
Pain
Swelling
Trismus
Hemorrhage
Alveolar osteitis (dry socket)
Periodontal damage
Soft-tissue infection
Injury to temporomandibular joint
Malaise
Temporary paresthesia (numbness of the lips, tongue, and cheek)
Permanent paresthesia
Fracture of adjacent teeth
Fracture of the mandible
Fracture of the maxilla
Sinus exposure or infection
Anesthetic complications
Many of these complications are not as RARE as your dentist would like you to believe. Is it more important to have your wisdom teeth removed early on the small chance that you might need to later in life even if the percentages are much higher that you will fall prey to one or more of these complications? For me, that is not a very difficult question.
Myth #4: Having Metal In Your Mouth Is Not Dangerous (Fillings)
The safety of silver fillings have been debated for years. Amalgam fillings, silver fillings, are are the easiest and cheapest for dentists to use. These fillings are primarily in question for their mercury content, about 1,000 mg. Amalgam fillings contain more mercury than any other product in America.
Dr. Joseph Mercola explains in his article, “Dangers of Mercury Contamination,” that mercury is the most toxic of all the heavy metals. Mercury poisoning can affect the body’s neurological, immunological, and endocrinological processes. Mercury hinders the body’s ability to detoxify itself which leads to further illness. Research links neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to mercury exposure.
Dentists are taught that because the mercury is bound with other metals, mercury does not leak into the patient’s body. However, studies show that mercury vapor can be measured from the tip of an amalgam filled tooth. The fact that this vapor can be measured, means that mercury is leaking into the body. Dr. Joseph Mercola continues to explain the dangers of mercury contamination:
“Once released from an amalgam-filled tooth, mercury in the form of nonreactive mercury vapor goes from your mouth to your lungs, then to your brain via your bloodstream. A common enzyme in your body called catalase converts (oxidizes) mercury vapor into the “Hg2plus” form, which is VERY toxic, and traps it inside your cells. Once here, it is very difficult for your body to remove it.
Experts say the mercury from amalgam is highly absorbed and gets into all parts of your body, including your brain and bone marrow. Every time you chew, mercury vapor is being liberated from those fillings and absorbed, potentially causing your health to decline over time.” (Mercola.com)
Many composite fillings, the second most used by dentists, are not much better than their amalgam counterparts. According to Douglas L. Cook, DDS, SC, most composite fillings contain the additives aluminum oxide, iron oxide, and fluoride. Metal oxides are very dangerous to a person’s health. If you are in need of a filling, ask about composite fillings that do not contain these dangerous metal oxides.
There is much valid research to prove the danger of amalgam fillings. Silver fillings should never be given to anyone, much less children and women of child-bearing age. The FDA has been unwilling to seriously consider the evidence presented to them when their own scientific panel says:
“Chronic exposure to mercury, even in minute amounts, is known to be toxic and poses significant risks to human health. Current scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that dental amalgam unnecessarily exposes dental patients to substantial amounts of mercury vapor, particulates and other forms and is therefore not a suitable material for dental restoration.”
Furthermore, “It is incompatible with current valid scientific evidence to continue to endorse or otherwise condone the use of a permanently implanted material in teeth that continuously emits a very potent enzyme inhibitor and metabolic toxin. Moreover, mercury’s damaging influence on the developing brain makes dental amalgam an entirely inappropriate material for use in children and women of childbearing age.” (The Center For Natural Dentistry)
If you are concerned about your dental health and desire to read more on the dangers of metal in your mouth, and/or how to go about having it removed and replaced in a healthy way read Dr. Joseph Mercola’s Article here.
To read more on the glaring evidence that the FDA is ignoring concerning amalgam fillings and their mercury content read this article by The Center For Natural Dentistry: “Dangers of Dental Mercury“
Myth #5: Dental X-RAYS Must Be Taken Yearly To Maintain Proper Dental Health.
Many dentists require their patients to have an X-RAY performed every six months to one year. They claim it is to maintain optimal dental health. Usually insurance covers this, and the dentist gets paid.
However, if you question the necessity of having an X-RAY at a particular appointment or if you dare say the “R” word and question the level of radiation you are receiving, the dental hygienist or dentist will be quick to respond with the same pat answer, “you receive less radiation from a dental X-RAY than if you were outside enjoying the sun.” Funny how they all give the same response, isn’t it?
Well, next time your dentist tells you this, give him a little lesson in science, the electromagnetic spectrum to be exact. John W. Gofman, M.D., Ph.D. reports:
“The mistaken assumption is that the ultraviolet light from the sun is comparable to the penetrating photons of x-rays and gamma rays. … Ultraviolet radiation does not penetrate past the skin, it does not cause cancer of internal organs such as the tongue, lungs, breast, pancreas, colon, etc. Ultraviolet light can cause cancers of the skin (and probably some cancers of the eye). X-rays can cause cancer not only of the skin, but also of any internal organ exposed by the x-ray beam.” (By John W. Gofman, M.D., Ph.D., and Egan O’Connor. The X-Rays and Health Project)
We are exposed to more radiation today than ever before in human history. Airplanes, cell phones, x-rays, even our food contributes to our radiation levels. Radiation is cumulative over the body’s lifetime. Children are very vulnerable to damage by radiation exposure, says the Chicago Tribune, considering a child is still growing. Radiation can hinder the proper development of cells.
The thyroid is one of the biggest concerns during a dental X-RAY for both an adult and a child. During a dental X-RAY a lead cover is placed over the major organs of the body, but the thyroid is left open for exposure. Unless you specifically ask for a thyroid guard, more than likely this lead shield will not be offered to protect you from the harmful radiation.
My advice, skip the x-ray if it is just a regular dental check-up. When you do need one, make sure you are covered with a lead vest, and do not forget to ask for that thyroid guard.
Myth #6: Routine Dental Examinations Are Necessary.
I believe that there are many good reasons to have dentists around. In much the same way that I am glad that there are doctors when I truly need them, I am glad that there are dentists when I truly need them. However, this modern day notion that every person young and old ought to visit the doctor or dentist at least once a year (and in many cases much more often) to be issued a clean bill of health is ludicrous.
I do not need to take my child into the pediatrician yearly just to answer a few questions on my car seat strapping procedure; nor does the doctor need to hear my child speak, or see my child walk to tell me if he or she is healthy. Unless my child is showing signs of illness or signs of problems with her teeth, I do not see a need to take him or her to the office on a strict schedule.
I understand the argument, that it is for maintenance. A check-up is for catching things before they become an issue. Whereas I am not against having my child’s teeth looked at, at some point, to make sure that everything is in good and proper order, I am concerned that the drill-happy dentist might get a little carried away.
I have seen it happen on more than one occasion. A dentist saw my husband for the first time in three years. She cleaned his teeth and took his X-RAYS and told him to come back in a week because they needed to drill and seal what looked like it might turn into a cavity one day. It wasn’t until months later that he could finally chew on that side of his mouth; and all for the “mystical cavity” that never was, but might have been.
Dr. Fredrick Douglas Burton, M.D., explains that much disease comes from dental work performed in the mouth. Dentists are not properly trained, and not given new information concerning issues with outdated practices or dangerous methods. In Dr. Burton’s twenty years of practice, he has found that the source of many illnesses comes from diseased teeth, metal filled teeth, implanted teeth, root canals, metal braces and cavitations (cavities in the bone and gum).
What dentists meant to fix, actually caused life long health complications.
Myth #7: Without Modern Dental Care We Would All Be Toothless.
I cannot count how many times I have had conversations where someone would argue that without fluoride in our drinking water we would all have cavities and our teeth would be falling out.
I have had friends with young elementary age children tell me that they are already planning on having their children’s wisdom teeth removed early because they do not want it to be worse for them later.
I have read stories of those who have battled courageously with cancer for years, all to find out that it began with a mercury laden filling placed in their mouth once upon a time.
What is the truth? By no means, are dentists an evil group looking to poison us all. I might claim that about the FDA, but that is another post entirely (just kidding – sort of). You might ask, if dentists are not bad, but dental work might be, where do I go from here?
I will give you the exact same answer, I would give to someone asking about general healthcare. BE INFORMED! Take the responsibility on yourself to research medications, procedures, etc. Just because a man or woman has “alphabet soup” behind their name does not mean they know everything. You are your best advocate, because it is your body and your future health.
Practical Dental Care
Brushing and flossing daily is the most simple and logical step that you can take to proactively care for your teeth. Remember use fluoride-free toothpaste! Secondly, eating a healthy, whole foods, nutrient rich diet can impact your dental health more than you know. Sure we hear that sugar will give you cavities, but did you know that you can actually reverse tooth decay without ever going to see a dentist?
Dr. Weston A. Price did much research in this area. He documented for many years as he traveled, the plight of indigenous people groups as they came into contact with modern industry and commerce. Time after time, these once healthy people with healthy teeth would see declining health and tooth decay as over-processed and sugary foods made their way into each person’s diet.
“Through blood tests, Dentist Melvin Page pinpointed the cause of tooth decay in modern people. When our blood chemistry is out of balance, primarily from the consumption of processed foods (especially sugars), the ratio of calcium and phosphorus in our blood deviates from normal. When this happens, minerals are pulled from the bones causing tooth and other bone loss. So, sugar causes tooth decay because it depletes nutrients from the body, not because bacteria eat it and produce acid. In order to restore the ratio of calcium and phosphorus in our blood, and to enable minerals to bond unto our teeth, it is usually not sufficient just to avoid eating too much sweet or processed foods. One must also eat health building foods, containing potent amounts of minerals and vitamins to create a chain reaction that will build glassy hard tooth structure in place of decayed tooth structure.” (Natural News)
A study performed by Doctors Edward and May Mellanby, showed that diets where oatmeal was ingested regularly hindered healing and actually encouraged new cavities to form, presumably due to its ability to prevent mineral absorption. The same study showed that simply adding Vitamin D rich foods to the diet improved tooth health. The most impressive findings were of those diets which were completely grain-free, eating Vitamin D rich foods. This group had no new cavities forming and the cavities which previously existed had healed.
Diet has a huge impact on dental health. By cutting the sugars and increasing vitamin dense whole foods to our diet we can not only limit the cavities, but we can heal them too! Who needs drills and mercury? Go eat a spinach salad, and sprinkle a little Kelp on top to help with all that radiation poisoning!
Filter the fluoride out of your water and use fluoride-free toothpaste.
Do not have a root canal procedure. Have the tooth pulled if absolutely necessary.
Do not get amalgam fillings. Ask for a composite filling without metal oxides added.
Have x-rays taken sparingly and always use a lead cover-up and thyroid guard.
Choose a Biological Dentist if at all possible for check-ups and necessary procedures.
There are many things in the modern world of healthcare that we would greatly benefit from being more informed. When it comes to our dental health we need to understand how our small decisions might affect the big picture of our long term health. Asking questions and pursuing answers should be priority. Taking control of your dental health might be new a concept for some, but when it might be as easy as a change of the diet or flip of the faucet, trust me, its worth it!
If you need a book that can help you eat a healthier, whole foods diet, try Real Food Basics! For only $6.95 you’ll get 30 recipes that your entire family will eat, including pizza, fries, cheese sauce, sausage gravy, coffee cake, and more. Healthy-style! This book also contains the “what and why” of the real food lifestyle.
How Has Modern Dental Care Affected You, Good Or Bad? How Does This Information Affect Your Future Relationship With Your Dentist?
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TESTING!
Lindsey
Lindsey Stomberg is a pastor’s wife and loving mother to three little blessings living in rural North Dakota. Reading, sewing, and crafting are a few of the things that Lindsey enjoys doing when she is not cuddling with her hubby or playing with her children. Lindsey is cataloging her journey to become the Proverbs 31 woman on her blog, Road to 31. Her passion is helping women to understand their God-given role as a woman. Lindsey created Road to 31 to teach women how that role relates to singleness, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. Grab a cup of coffee and join Lindsey while she blogs about the Bible, natural living, marriage, homemaking, homeschooling and more!
Great article! My dentist had a fit last time I denied x-rays. They do always compare it to the sun as if what the sun emits and what that machine emits are identical substances? Can I get some Vit-D from your x-ray machine? I don’t think so.
You made me laugh. No, I cannot get Vitamin D from that X-RAY machine! I couldn’t have put it better myself. I would have loved to see the look on that dentist’s face.
Awesome post! Thanks so much for all of your research! I wish I had known these things before I subjected my oldest children to these needless procedures!
Thanks, Melanie! There are things I wish I hadn’t subjected my kids to either, but we must look to the future and not to the past in these things. Our God is sovereign and is Lord over all including our health!
I loved your article! Thanks for sharing. On a side note, I am a fellow North Dakotan:) Anyways, I have had a very long list of dental procedures throughout my life. I am a healthy individual and eat organic and whole foods for the most part and have done so since I was a teenager. However, I worry about my constant dental emergencies and wonder why it has ever started. As a child, I routinely received dental cleanings and fillings in my teeth. As an adult, all my old fillings needed to be replaced but as each one was, each tooth got severely sensitive to the point where I couldn’t stand the pain and received root canals. I have 5 maybe 6 total. Then a few years later, I’ve had 2 root canals fail on me. Since my nerves were stripped I had no idea the infections growing in my mouth until it was extreme. I would have known had I had x-rays sooner… two teeth have now been pulled and under the teeth was massive destruction of my bone due to infection. I now have one dental implant and another will be placed soon. I feel horrible about my predicament and know that I will continue to have the same problems because of all my root canals. What I’m wondering is: is it possible to “heal” my mouth at this point? The only thing I’ve heard about and tried is oil pulling but to be honest, I don’t do it daily like recommended. Thanks for any input you have for me!
I want to know the same things. I have always had weak teeth. I have a couple root canals and one that needs something done because it is in constant pain. I don’t want to walk around with gaps in my teeth, making it hard to eat, but I cannot afford implants either. This has always been a really tough subject for me. A couple of my children have the same weak teeth that I have, but others, on the same diet, have strong teeth like their father.
Also, how are braces bad?
I will admit that a lot of my research had to do with preventative measures or the repair of the average dental state. When it comes to extreme cases and serious damage, I would highly recommend if at all possible that you find a good biological dentist near you that can aid you according to what would be best for your situation. How you ought to proceed from here to help restore what has been lost and maintain the teeth you have. Check out this article by Mercola on how to find a biological dentist near you (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/08/25/biological-dentistry.aspx).
I have read much in the way of Vitamin D and Fermented Cod Liver Oil ( which has Vitamin D) being able to heal teeth.
Consistent Oil Pulling has also gained much ground as a method to heal tooth decay.
Sometimes we do have to have major dental surgery to take care of ourselves. Read this article by Dr. Weston A Price. It is a great resource as to what to do when surgical steps are necessary: http://www.westonaprice.org/dentistry/dental-cavitation-surgery
I had a quick question on the one point for steps to natural denal health you said “Do not get amalgam fillings. Ask for a composite filling with metal oxides added.” Do you want it with or without metal oxides?
Fabulous post, Lindsey! I had a cracked filling that became severely abscessed and ended up with a root canal, but that was just before I began learning about natural remedies. I love seeing this info out here for people to learn from!
Thank you so much, Justyn! I have had a lot of dental work done myself and so has my husband. We are now learning better ways to take care of ourselves and teaching our children a better way. Hopefully they will learn from our mistakes!
In 2007 I was started having a bad tooth ache and needed a root canal. Soon after that I learned about Young Living Essential Oils and started using their Thieves Ultra toothpaste. The toothpaste cleared up the infection and healed the tooth plus two other teeth that had cavities. The toothpaste also helps keeps tartar from forming on the teeth so I don’t even need to have cleanings and check-ups. It’s great not to have to spend all that money at the dentist. You can find out more about the oils and toothpaste or contact me thru my web page at http://www.youngliving.org/joannawheeler. God provided everything we need to keep us healthy.
You know, I have to say that I probably shouldn’t read these articles because they just make me mad. I am a very conscientious dentist and I truly care about my patients. I am interested in alternative treatments and I actively pursue natural remedies. There are so often misleading “facts” or “revelations” presented in this article that just make me sad! I am not talking about things that are controversial- fluoride or amalgam, x-rays, etc. but “facts” about dentists’ training and what “modern dentists believe.” Weston A Price wrote in one of his articles that “dentists are generally taught to leave the PDL intact during an extraction- like leaving the placenta after the birth of a baby” but this isn’t true. Dentists are taught to remove it. Your article states that dentists do not “make it a habit to tell their patients the extent of risk present in having this surgery performed.” These are well known risks. Dentist are very aware of them and I have never, ever, been in an office where these risks were not presented to the patient prior to an extraction. You also state that dentists are not taught about accessory canals in dental school. Untrue. Of course we learn about accessory/lateral canals! Anyway, I find it really difficult to be in “alternative” circles with an open mind when there are lies going around about things like training. How can I trust the controversial information when I know from my own personal experience that much of the non-controversial information is false? It just makes me very sad. It means that dentists will dismiss the entire article. There is no hope of “winning over” conventional dentistry when this misinformation is presented as truth.
I understand that you are frustrated, and I do appreciate the fact that you say you pursue natural methods and remedies for your patients. The problem is that there are many dentists who do not, and there are many patients who are not as informed as they ought to be concerning these procedures. My post was not meant to inform dentists, but to make patients better aware of the risks and the alternatives.
You listed a quote in the above comment from Weston A. Price that I did not list in my article so I will not speak to that. The only other statement you labeled as false information came from Dr. Joseph Mercola’s research on the subject.
I am glad that this has not been your experience; however, it has been the experience of many others. I tried to be thorough in my research and site as much as I possibly could. I am not an expert in this area, so I deferred to those who are. Dr. Weston A. Price’s work in dental health is very thorough and has much scientific data to back it up. Dr. Joseph Mercola is also very thorough in his research and tries to inform the public about the risk of medical practices and the better, more natural alternatives to those practices.
Thank you for your hard work to care for your patients. I am sorry that this article was offensive to you.
P.S – We have a great, caring dentist. We have been with him since he graduated dental school 25 years ago. He bends over backward to help us when we have an emergency.
I am a dental hygienist and I agree with Madison. I find this article very judgemental to all dentists and what they do. If you find that you go to a dentist that fills a tooth that might turn into a cavity one day then find another dentist. As for x-rays, a lot of lead aprons have the thyriod collar attached. I have a low cavity rate therefore I personally get x-rays every couple of years. If you have a high cavity rate then more often might be necessary otherwise you might develop a larger undetected cavity that is more likely to have sensitivity or need a future root canal. Also I looked at the homemade toothpaste and it looks quite abrasive to me therfore could likely do damage. When I see these 1 sided opinions with one article to back it up it makes it difficult for me to respect it. One thing I do agree on though it it is super important to have a healthy diet to mantain good oral health as well as staying away from bad habits like smoking and high sugar consumption.
This is not a one-sided article. In fact, it’s very well-researched with many sources cited throughout. There are all kinds of quotes and links from various doctors and research papers, many of them mainstream sources (and some not). I don’t agree that there’s nothing to back it up!
Some dentists are very good. Some are not. The point of this article wasn’t to judge dentists (or hygienists) but to point out that maybe there’s another way, and that modern dentistry has arisen out of need due to poor modern diet and general health, rather than because we absolutely have to have dentists. Not that we don’t want dentists if something is truly wrong, but perhaps in many cases we can avoid them by taking care of our health in a different way. Everyone’s familiar with the mainstream dental advice — visit your dentist every six months, fill the cavities, don’t eat so much sugar — but very few people are familiar with *this* advice and information presented here. So it’s not even really fair to say that the article is “too one sided” because every other article on dental health pretty much is totally one-sided on the opposite end of the spectrum!
Please remember this is an alternative site and we present alternative information here. Mainstream advice is everywhere, so we don’t focus on that at all. If you are not interested in alternative information, this may not be the right place for you.
We have used lots of natural alternatives (without any side effects) to enpower our family’s choices in accessing medical care. My friend’s family of 5 were taking 11 prescriptions and now take none.
I have a permanent retainer attached to the back of my bottom row of teeth, does that have the same composition as a mercury or silver filling? and does it cause the same effects?? Also it’s glued on there with some adhesive material, not sure what that is made out of had it now for 5 years.
Jennifer, my understanding is that retainers and braces are not made of the same materials as silver fillings. However, they do have stainless steel in them which some people are allergic to. You may not be if you have had yours for a long time and have had no issue.
As for the glue, you would need to find out the name of the adhesive and maybe do some research of your own concerning the material and its possible toxicity.
The “glue” that many dentists use is a composite, just like the material used for fillings. Actually the dentist I work with uses the filling material to place those wires. Many dentists now use a surgical grade metal for both braces and the wires. My advice would be to just ask, a good office will either know right away or be willing to find out and let you know. Also really clean and floss around that thing!! Because of where they are they can accumulate plaque and calculus also called tartar very quickly, left for long periods of time this can cause the tissues to recede and expose the roots.
I realize that there are often various sides to any health situation – the “mainstream” one and the “alternative” one. I am all for knowing information, but I have to say that sometimes these sites cause me anxiety because I have had something do (root canal) in the past and now connected to cancer? This tooth is towards the front of my mouth, so I didn’t really want it taken out. I often will try an alternative method first and then if it doesn’t work go to the more mainstream – like homeopathic remedies. This is hard to read since there are times that you do have to just have the regular work done, and then I am all worried about it.
Jennifer, I completely understand your concern, and it is a valid concern. What do you do if you have already had these procedures performed? Do we worry for the rest of our lives that we have doomed ourselves to cancer and death?
I think about it the same way that I do other things that I wish I maybe had not done in my own life or in the lives of my children.
I took a medication during my pregnancy with my daughter, that I just recently discovered causes birth defects, digestion problems, slow development, and the children exposed to this drug are particularly susceptible to environmental and chemical toxins. I did not NEED to take that medication, yet my daughter has experienced and is experiencing every single one of that medication’s side effects. Do I live the rest of my life angry at myself for making the decision to take that medication without thinking twice? Do I wallow in fear of what will happen to her? Absolutely not.
The Bible tells us that if we are in Christ we should not fear the future, nor have anxiety because it is God that is sovereign and holds our lives in His hands. That being said, we are called to be good stewards of what we are given.
When I find out new information that counters something that I have done in the past, and I am convinced that this new way is a better way, I try not to worry myself crazy about the lousy decisions I made before, but I try to look to the future and plan best how to make the changes and decisions necessary to make the future better – more productive.
As for my daughter, I have grieved since I found out that many of her problems can be linked to that medication. However, she is a beautiful and wonderful little girl that God has blessed us with. Now equipped with knowledge concerning her health I can make better choices on her behalf to make up for the damage caused by the medication.
When it comes to something more simple as dental health: do not worry about past root canals or fluoridation. If all we focus on is our demise then we will forget that there is much hope. We can work to restore our health by proper diet, exercise, and homeopathic routes. Sometimes, you are right, we do need dentists and doctors to intervene. We do this as the last ditch effort to maintain something that might otherwise be lost. We can be careful with which doctors and dentists we choose, maybe choosing ones with holistic tendencies would be best. However, overall, in the end, we cannot control every motion of our lives and every decision that we make. We cannot micromanage our life. We must trust that for those found in Christ, everything is to the glory and purpose of God – our good decisions and our bad.
Thank you for this reminder! I have had to tell myself this before after we had our third child. He had to be a c-section and I got an infection after the fact, but the dr at the ER was not very good. He ordered a cat scan or mri or something with massive amounts of radiation even though he knew that I couldn’t take the iodine contrast (allergic). After the fact, I found out how bad those scans are, especially since I couldn’t have the iodine. It has made me fearful, especially of cancer, so I had more anxiety when I initially read this post. My husband is also good to remind me that God is ultimately in control of every part of our life, so thank you for your reminder too. Now if you just could tell me what to do about all the other radiation I had!
No problem! My husband has to give me this pep talk often too! Your question actually inspired me to write a post on my own blog about how health and spiritual sanctification are connected. I’m working on it write now, and hope it will be up tomorrow. It is something I have been dwelling on for a while and you inspired me to think on it further. I believe that many women like you and myself are sometimes left a little bewildered and fearful after reading posts such as this because it makes you questions every decision you have made. You are right, God is ultimately in control, and we must pray and do the best with what we are given.
As for the radiation, are you allergic to iodine or just the contrast? Kelp is a natural source of iodine, which is a necessary nutrient. Iodine is well known for helping our bodies cope with radiation exposure. You can get kelp in capsule form, powder form. I am actually upping mine because I believe I might be iodine deficient right now. I have been dealing with a lot of headaches, which I guess is a side effect of that. We just stopped using iodized salt 2 months ago and went to sea salt which would probably be the culprit.
I too agree with Madison. (I probably shouldn’t read these articles either.) I am a dental hygienist who is about as natural, organic, and “crunchy” as you can get, but many facts in this article are deeply inaccurate and misleading. I find it a bit odd that people outside of the dental profession, who have never spent a day of their life with their hands in someone’s mouth or eyes on one x-ray can weigh-in on the subject and appear to be the expert. I too like Dr Mercola, and enjoy reading his research, but that does not mean he is an expert on dentistry, and he certainly (nor do you) know what dentists are taught in dental school. (that is evident in the statements you made in your article.) I caution you to be so “black and white” in your judgements as it does cause a lot of unnecessary fear in people. There are some things in dentistry that I am not fond of, but articles like this come across that all dentists are misinformed and uneducated about their profession! Also, you seem to be very cynical in your approach that all dentists are ordering x-rays , treatments, and cleanings for the love of money. Like Madison, did it occur to you that many dentists are very concerned about their patients and very compassionate toward them and their needs? This notion of not need needing regular dental cleaning is ridiculous. Do you realize that gingivitis and periodontal disease is present in a majority of people and if left untreated can be a risk factor for heart disease and pre-term birth…among other risk factors? Regular, routine dental visits are designed to prevent disease and prevent extensive dental treatment. All in all, I love the fact that people are educating themselves about natural approaches, and many dental offices are implementing such things. This article though, has several inaccuracies and misinformation. And Madison is right, the blue model in the article is upside down.
I think that you misunderstood the point of this article. It was not to bash dentists, but to bring a new perspective to the art of modern dentistry, to ask readers to question if what we currently “need” is because all humans really need it, or because of our modern lifestyle. I tend to believe, and research supports, that much of both modern dentistry and medicine has come about due to necessity because of our modern lifestyles (poor diet, lack of exercise, etc.). This does not mean that there are not caring and compassionate dentists out there who only want to help their patients — of course there are. We’re asking our readers to think outside the box, though. Instead of needing a regular dental cleaning to keep your teeth healthy, might making lifestyle changes improve your smile even more? We don’t expect everyone to agree or be ready to take steps away from the mainstream model, but we’re going to keep showing alternative perspectives.
I’m not a dentist, and I’m suspicious of the modern health industry where regulated by the government. I’m not a regular reader of this site, but I’m not a troll, I promise; a friend posted the link on Facebook. I guess all I wanted to say is be careful: statistics can be skewed to say essentially whatever you want them to say. You cite a study that said 93% of breast cancer patients had root canals. Scary thing, for sure. But since root canals are so prevalent, in order to really prove correlation, we need to prove a high incidence ON BOTH SIDES. So the next question becomes, how many root canal patients have also had breast cancer?
It’s like saying that 100% of people who die in car accidents were in cars, therefore no one should drive cars. It may be a flawed analogy, but do you know what I mean? When we only look at one side, we can make the numbers say whatever we want them to say. We also need to look at the number of people who drive/ride in cars every year who get to where they intend to go safely and without major incident. Obviously, no one would argue that we shouldn’t seriously respect the safety issues while driving, but very few people would argue that because all of the people who die in car accidents were in cars, therefore no one should drive, you know?
Again, I’m not saying there aren’t serious repercussions of many aspects of modern health practice based in unnatural/synthetic means. Obviously, there are. But as someone who’s not invested at all in this argument, I just want to offer the simple caution, be careful that your numbers are really saying what you think they’re saying.
Steph, thank you for your respectful caution. I understand your concern as I share it myself. In particular that study I listed of the correlation of breast cancer and root canals, my husband questioned the exact same thing you just did when he read my article. I do understand both your thoughts on the matter.
I did list multiple other studies though that showed the high rate corresponding to cancer and dental work. I attempted to show multiple sources for all of my arguments in the effort of protecting myself against serious flaw. I didn’t list everything I read, multiple sources overlapping and verifying those things that I wrote above.
I thank you for your concern and hope that this alleviates to some extent. I did not write anything above that I could only find one article or one type of study to verify the issue. My research led me to believe that there is definitely enough studies showing the great possibility of error on the side of modern dentistry that concerned patients should definitely do the research for themselves before having any major dental work done.
I am a dental hygienist and just want to say wow!! Every research and article we read we have to take with a grain of salt, you have done some good research and for sure I agree that it is really important to watch our eating and to question everything! This is your body that is being altered no matter if it is for good or bad, and sometimes we have to look at an option for many different angle. I for sure look into alternative measures for my patients because if I didn’t I wouldn’t. Be helping them. Each person I see I set up treatment plan for just that person, I see many people in the same household on different schedules, one might be once a year one might be every 3 months. And if someone asks me something I don’t know ow I look it up. Home made tooth pastes do tend to be very abrasive and can cause recession and expose the roots of the teeth. So there needs to be other options as well. Baking soda and salt will cause the damage quickly, but if you do not want to use a commercial tooth paste my job is to help you find a healthy choice that you can be comfortable with, try grinding it into a fine fine powder, use a very small amount, use a toothbrush marked extra soft or sensitive and run it under warm water to soften it more. Also ask your hygienist to assessment your brushing technique to be sure you are not causing damage, also ask to have any recession charted each visit and be advised if it changes. I have clients that will not use a fluoride paste so we have opted to use only a tooth brush with water one day and theirhome made toothpaste on other days and of course to floss floss floss!
Any dentist I know will always be willing to discuss treatment options and possible complications from any procedure. Don’t be afraid to ask if they would have it done or if they would do it on their children. All dental professionals have continually update their education and you willsee more an more looking into natural options as their clients ask more about it, but the key is to just ask or they will not see a call for it in their practice.
Bottom line is prevention!! And Ask!! We are people to and some people just need that question to say oh I didn’t know you wanted to know about that!!
if you *DO* need to have your wisdom teeth pulled (or any tooth). Make sure your dentist/oral surgeon is aware of practices to minimize the stress on the jaw which can induce TMJ.
Thank you for this insight, like many people nowadays I’m starting to learn about all the benefits of natural treatments over commercial ones, and I knew that fluoride wasn’t good, but all of this other stuff I didn’t know and thank you for that. I have fillings and a crown on one tooth and several more to fix, I’m wondering if it’s going to be better if the dentist replaces the dark fillings I already have, I assume that’s the mercury, with the white fillings?
Your article had some GREAT points but like the dentist above (I think it was “Madison”) posted, there are some INCREDIBLE dentists out there. My family currently sees a wonderful, Christian dentist who is VERY honest and very considerate of his patients. He went out and spend lots of $ on new x-ray machines that emit less radiation. He doesn’t push fluoride, he doesn’t even DO metal fillings. I know he’s a rare one, but they are out there. You just have to learn to be very particular.
I do have to say I disagree with not having regular check-ups. My kids go every six months to have their teeth cleaned and our dentist checks on them, but doesn’t necessarily DO except ask if everything is feeling okay in those visits. X-rays are not every visit, but every few visits maximum. My daughter had a cavity that was caught VERY early because one of these check-ups and the pain and restoration was extremely minimal. Again, I have an incredible dentist who is willing to show me what he sees and why. Of my four children in 3.5 yrs, this is the ONLY filling they have ever had. As for me, I have gingivitis (and an assortment of other auto-immune issues) and I go regularly because it is necessary.
I also totally understand that your point about wisdom teeth isn’t to just pull everyone’s and that is a good point. Another GREAT point would be to have a real oral surgeon do the surgery. I had terribly infected (4 times over) wisdom teeth that caused INCREDIBLE PAIN for me. I had a maxillofacial surgeon remove them. He was HIGHLY skilled and that’s key. I wouldn’t just let anyone pull my children’s wisdom teeth, even when necessary!
I am a dental hygienist and although I don’t agree with your article I respect that you have taken time to do some research. I agree with another post that we could all find articles out there to show evidence on either side of the spectrum. However, it saddens me to read this article when I have spent so much of my life going to school, practicing dental hygienist and trying to give my patients the best care I can give! I am not going to touch base on some of the more controversial issues, but I have to disagree with myth #6…. I truly feel it is important to get your teeth cleaned and examined regularly. Some people may not need to come in every 6 months (I do have patients on longer recall schedules), but ALL of my family members and people I LOVE come see me every six months (one every 3 months) Per my request! All of my training and education along with what just feels right in my heart tell me to plead with your readers to at least come in for regular cleanings and oral cancer screenings(which are done during the examination)! Even if you don’t do any fluoride or x-rays or even, gulp…fillings….. just keep a healthy mouth so that bad bacteria doesn’t accumulate and lead to any other health issues with your body. I wish more people would brush and floss more regularly… Sadly, it’s just not that common (at least not in my neck of the woods).
A couple observations: “I think about it the same way that I do other things that I wish I maybe had not done in my own life or in the lives of my children.” I really need to take this statement to heart as sometimes I do feel angry , mainly at myself, that I didn’t “wake up” earlier than I did. My kids are grown now, but if I were having children today, I would not vaccinate them at all. I am convinced that vaccinations caused constant ear infections that my children suffered from and the asthma and eczema that one of my kids had. I have been ridiculed by dentists (more than one) for refusing fluoride treatment. If you dare to question their “superior” knowledge they do tend to get angry, at least the ones I have dealt with. I am now driving 5 hours each way to visit a dentist that I know is good. I will be making my 6th trip there this calendar year in a couple weeks. I have had all my amalgams removed, and am in the process of having my children’s removed. I have spent a small fortune. The two dentists in this office have patients that come from all over the country and I am told one family comes from Europe. One more thing: Thanks Lindsay for writing this article. We need to all be diligent about informing people of truth. If you can get your hands on a copy of the book, “Am I Dead? Or Do I Just Feel Like it?” by Fred Hughes (amazon), you should read it. Lots of info on the link between cancer and teeth, very enlightening.
Thank you so much for the time you have taken to write this article! I am having a meeting today with my Dentist to either keep him of fire him and go to a holistic dentist. We have been with this one for 14 years but in the past 2 years there have been many issues and he is not respecting our wishes. You article gave us just what we needed to take charge of our health and equip us with with just the right topics to converse about and see is he can be the dentist for our family or not. Simple as that! Thanks again!
I had an old injury to one of my front teeth from childhood that rarely bothered me…right up until I went to a dentist in my late 20s that aggressively “tested” that tooth with cold/heat/shocks to see if it was still alive during a routine cleaning. Um, yep…it was!! And, thanks to him, my tooth began bothering me to the point where I went in for a consultation re: a root canal. Thank goodness I saw a different dentist and she suggested a wait and see approach, since a root canal is so invasive. I went home feeling sick to my stomach that I was going to end up losing the tooth, and a front tooth at that!
Several years later, I still have my tooth, and while I have to be careful (no more biting into apples), it beats the alternative! Hear, hear to looking at your options and trusting your body. Don’t blindly follow ANY rules/guidelines/etc if it doesn’t feel right to you.
In my experience, dentists and doctors are some of the worst at using fear tactics to get you to stay in line. Great post!
I have two root canal/crowns next to each other. There is a gap between them that is constantly irritated and bleeding. On top of this, I have at least 3 more crowns. What do you do if your mouth is already so messed up? If I had all of these teeth pulled, I wouldn’t have many teeth left. It’s so frustrating. I haven’t had anything done because I’ve been pregnant the last couple of years w/ my two babies and don’t want to expose them to toxins if I had these things dealt with. Thanks.
I have been looking around at natural fillings myself, I believe nowadays (in Europe at least) mostly composite is used without metal oxides. But it still contains BPA, a hormone disruptor, wich leaks especially at placement or removal. I haven’t found any totally safe options yet…
I find it interesting that I had a period in my early 20′s when I did not get rountine dental care for almost 3 years and drank mostly bottled water (no fluoride). When I started having tooth pain, I found a dentist and had 5 cavities. I ditched the bottled water, went back to the tap and get checkups every 6 months now. No cavities or dental problems since then. Coincidence? I think not. I LOVE my dentist, she gives all the options and I choose the plan. I get xrays every 12-18 months and an apron/thyroid shield is always offered (I get waaay more xray exposure at work in the ICU with my patients, but that’s a whole other story). Only 1 of my kids has had a dental xray, she is 9 and has had only 1 xray ever, Routine xrays are not done on the kids before age 8 unless there is a potential problem. I pass on the fluoride treatments, but have had some sealants done for my oldest. I would rather my kids have that over cavity fillings.
My mother in law’s tongue cancer was detected it the very early stages by her dental hygenist. Thanks to the good catch, it was easily surgically removed, no chemo or radiation was needed and she has been cancer free for over 3 years.
My husband had been told for years to have his wisdom teeth removed, he waited until he had problems, went to an oral surgeon, the surgery was VERY invasive and recovery was long and miserable. Two of his teeth had to be chiseled into tiny bits and the jaw bone was in jeopardy of being damaged. He could not eat anything hard or put excess pressure on his jaw for 6 months. The oral surgeon told him if he had done it 10 years earlier as the dentist recommended, it would have been ” a breeze”. I had my wisdom teeth out when in college as part of my orthodontist’s plan, and was eating a sandwich the next day. An oral surgeon did mine too.
I would be wary of not getting any professional dental care at all, but agree that dentists should be more holistic and respectful of patient requests. And IMO, fluoride in moderation is OK. There are plenty of studies that go both ways and studies that contradict each other, so in my mind it’s all about as clear as mud. I just know that my family drinks fluoridated tap water, uses fluoride toothpaste, we’re all just fine and perfectly healthy, so I’m gonna stick with it.
Great article! My dentist had a fit last time I denied x-rays. They do always compare it to the sun as if what the sun emits and what that machine emits are identical substances? Can I get some Vit-D from your x-ray machine? I don’t think so.
You made me laugh. No, I cannot get Vitamin D from that X-RAY machine! I couldn’t have put it better myself. I would have loved to see the look on that dentist’s face.
Awesome post! Thanks so much for all of your research! I wish I had known these things before I subjected my oldest children to these needless procedures!
Thanks, Melanie! There are things I wish I hadn’t subjected my kids to either, but we must look to the future and not to the past in these things. Our God is sovereign and is Lord over all including our health!
Amen, Lindsey!!
I loved your article! Thanks for sharing. On a side note, I am a fellow North Dakotan:) Anyways, I have had a very long list of dental procedures throughout my life. I am a healthy individual and eat organic and whole foods for the most part and have done so since I was a teenager. However, I worry about my constant dental emergencies and wonder why it has ever started. As a child, I routinely received dental cleanings and fillings in my teeth. As an adult, all my old fillings needed to be replaced but as each one was, each tooth got severely sensitive to the point where I couldn’t stand the pain and received root canals. I have 5 maybe 6 total. Then a few years later, I’ve had 2 root canals fail on me. Since my nerves were stripped I had no idea the infections growing in my mouth until it was extreme. I would have known had I had x-rays sooner… two teeth have now been pulled and under the teeth was massive destruction of my bone due to infection. I now have one dental implant and another will be placed soon. I feel horrible about my predicament and know that I will continue to have the same problems because of all my root canals. What I’m wondering is: is it possible to “heal” my mouth at this point? The only thing I’ve heard about and tried is oil pulling but to be honest, I don’t do it daily like recommended. Thanks for any input you have for me!
I want to know the same things. I have always had weak teeth. I have a couple root canals and one that needs something done because it is in constant pain. I don’t want to walk around with gaps in my teeth, making it hard to eat, but I cannot afford implants either.
This has always been a really tough subject for me. A couple of my children have the same weak teeth that I have, but others, on the same diet, have strong teeth like their father.
Also, how are braces bad?
Debbie, I hope my answer above to Bridget helps. As for the braces, Metal braces do not contain mercury, but they do have stainless steel which many people are allergic to. You can read up about it here: http://emediahealth.com/2009/12/15/toxic-dentistry-how-fillings-and-braces-can-harm-your-health/.
And you definitely do not want to get braces if you have metal fillings: http://www.icnr.com/articles/mercuryamalgamtoxicity.html
I will admit that a lot of my research had to do with preventative measures or the repair of the average dental state. When it comes to extreme cases and serious damage, I would highly recommend if at all possible that you find a good biological dentist near you that can aid you according to what would be best for your situation. How you ought to proceed from here to help restore what has been lost and maintain the teeth you have. Check out this article by Mercola on how to find a biological dentist near you (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/08/25/biological-dentistry.aspx).
You said that you are eating a whole foods, organic diet and that is very good. This article that I listed above had a lot to do with proper diet for dental health: http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2009/03/reversing-tooth-decay.html.
I have read much in the way of Vitamin D and Fermented Cod Liver Oil ( which has Vitamin D) being able to heal teeth.
Consistent Oil Pulling has also gained much ground as a method to heal tooth decay.
Sometimes we do have to have major dental surgery to take care of ourselves. Read this article by Dr. Weston A Price. It is a great resource as to what to do when surgical steps are necessary: http://www.westonaprice.org/dentistry/dental-cavitation-surgery
I hope this helps!
Check out this link for more info on using ozone therapy to save “root canal worthy” teeth . Hope this helps!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSsuJ5wrs8o
I had a quick question on the one point for steps to natural denal health you said “Do not get amalgam fillings. Ask for a composite filling with metal oxides added.” Do you want it with or without metal oxides?
Joy, thank you for bringing that to my attention. Of course NO metal oxides. I fixed it immediately. I appreciate your help!
Fabulous post, Lindsey! I had a cracked filling that became severely abscessed and ended up with a root canal, but that was just before I began learning about natural remedies. I love seeing this info out here for people to learn from!
Thank you so much, Justyn! I have had a lot of dental work done myself and so has my husband. We are now learning better ways to take care of ourselves and teaching our children a better way. Hopefully they will learn from our mistakes!
In 2007 I was started having a bad tooth ache and needed a root canal. Soon after that I learned about Young Living Essential Oils and started using their Thieves Ultra toothpaste. The toothpaste cleared up the infection and healed the tooth plus two other teeth that had cavities. The toothpaste also helps keeps tartar from forming on the teeth so I don’t even need to have cleanings and check-ups. It’s great not to have to spend all that money at the dentist. You can find out more about the oils and toothpaste or contact me thru my web page at http://www.youngliving.org/joannawheeler. God provided everything we need to keep us healthy.
What a great testimony!
You know, I have to say that I probably shouldn’t read these articles because they just make me mad. I am a very conscientious dentist and I truly care about my patients. I am interested in alternative treatments and I actively pursue natural remedies. There are so often misleading “facts” or “revelations” presented in this article that just make me sad! I am not talking about things that are controversial- fluoride or amalgam, x-rays, etc. but “facts” about dentists’ training and what “modern dentists believe.” Weston A Price wrote in one of his articles that “dentists are generally taught to leave the PDL intact during an extraction- like leaving the placenta after the birth of a baby” but this isn’t true. Dentists are taught to remove it. Your article states that dentists do not “make it a habit to tell their patients the extent of risk present in having this surgery performed.” These are well known risks. Dentist are very aware of them and I have never, ever, been in an office where these risks were not presented to the patient prior to an extraction. You also state that dentists are not taught about accessory canals in dental school. Untrue. Of course we learn about accessory/lateral canals! Anyway, I find it really difficult to be in “alternative” circles with an open mind when there are lies going around about things like training. How can I trust the controversial information when I know from my own personal experience that much of the non-controversial information is false? It just makes me very sad. It means that dentists will dismiss the entire article. There is no hope of “winning over” conventional dentistry when this misinformation is presented as truth.
I understand that you are frustrated, and I do appreciate the fact that you say you pursue natural methods and remedies for your patients. The problem is that there are many dentists who do not, and there are many patients who are not as informed as they ought to be concerning these procedures. My post was not meant to inform dentists, but to make patients better aware of the risks and the alternatives.
You listed a quote in the above comment from Weston A. Price that I did not list in my article so I will not speak to that. The only other statement you labeled as false information came from Dr. Joseph Mercola’s research on the subject.
I am glad that this has not been your experience; however, it has been the experience of many others. I tried to be thorough in my research and site as much as I possibly could. I am not an expert in this area, so I deferred to those who are. Dr. Weston A. Price’s work in dental health is very thorough and has much scientific data to back it up. Dr. Joseph Mercola is also very thorough in his research and tries to inform the public about the risk of medical practices and the better, more natural alternatives to those practices.
Thank you for your hard work to care for your patients. I am sorry that this article was offensive to you.
I also wanted to point out that the photo of the model with the blue teeth is upside down.
Sorry, it was Hal Huggins on the Weston Price Foundation website–correction.
P.S – We have a great, caring dentist. We have been with him since he graduated dental school 25 years ago. He bends over backward to help us when we have an emergency.
I am a dental hygienist and I agree with Madison. I find this article very judgemental to all dentists and what they do. If you find that you go to a dentist that fills a tooth that might turn into a cavity one day then find another dentist. As for x-rays, a lot of lead aprons have the thyriod collar attached. I have a low cavity rate therefore I personally get x-rays every couple of years. If you have a high cavity rate then more often might be necessary otherwise you might develop a larger undetected cavity that is more likely to have sensitivity or need a future root canal. Also I looked at the homemade toothpaste and it looks quite abrasive to me therfore could likely do damage. When I see these 1 sided opinions with one article to back it up it makes it difficult for me to respect it. One thing I do agree on though it it is super important to have a healthy diet to mantain good oral health as well as staying away from bad habits like smoking and high sugar consumption.
This is not a one-sided article. In fact, it’s very well-researched with many sources cited throughout. There are all kinds of quotes and links from various doctors and research papers, many of them mainstream sources (and some not). I don’t agree that there’s nothing to back it up!
Some dentists are very good. Some are not. The point of this article wasn’t to judge dentists (or hygienists) but to point out that maybe there’s another way, and that modern dentistry has arisen out of need due to poor modern diet and general health, rather than because we absolutely have to have dentists. Not that we don’t want dentists if something is truly wrong, but perhaps in many cases we can avoid them by taking care of our health in a different way. Everyone’s familiar with the mainstream dental advice — visit your dentist every six months, fill the cavities, don’t eat so much sugar — but very few people are familiar with *this* advice and information presented here. So it’s not even really fair to say that the article is “too one sided” because every other article on dental health pretty much is totally one-sided on the opposite end of the spectrum!
Please remember this is an alternative site and we present alternative information here. Mainstream advice is everywhere, so we don’t focus on that at all. If you are not interested in alternative information, this may not be the right place for you.
We have used lots of natural alternatives (without any side effects) to enpower our family’s choices in accessing medical care. My friend’s family of 5 were taking 11 prescriptions and now take none.
Email me at akstockburgers@aol.com if you would like more information.
I have a permanent retainer attached to the back of my bottom row of teeth, does that have the same composition as a mercury or silver filling? and does it cause the same effects?? Also it’s glued on there with some adhesive material, not sure what that is made out of had it now for 5 years.
Jennifer, my understanding is that retainers and braces are not made of the same materials as silver fillings. However, they do have stainless steel in them which some people are allergic to. You may not be if you have had yours for a long time and have had no issue.
As for the glue, you would need to find out the name of the adhesive and maybe do some research of your own concerning the material and its possible toxicity.
The “glue” that many dentists use is a composite, just like the material used for fillings. Actually the dentist I work with uses the filling material to place those wires. Many dentists now use a surgical grade metal for both braces and the wires. My advice would be to just ask, a good office will either know right away or be willing to find out and let you know. Also really clean and floss around that thing!! Because of where they are they can accumulate plaque and calculus also called tartar very quickly, left for long periods of time this can cause the tissues to recede and expose the roots.
I realize that there are often various sides to any health situation – the “mainstream” one and the “alternative” one. I am all for knowing information, but I have to say that sometimes these sites cause me anxiety because I have had something do (root canal) in the past and now connected to cancer? This tooth is towards the front of my mouth, so I didn’t really want it taken out. I often will try an alternative method first and then if it doesn’t work go to the more mainstream – like homeopathic remedies. This is hard to read since there are times that you do have to just have the regular work done, and then I am all worried about it.
Jennifer, I completely understand your concern, and it is a valid concern. What do you do if you have already had these procedures performed? Do we worry for the rest of our lives that we have doomed ourselves to cancer and death?
I think about it the same way that I do other things that I wish I maybe had not done in my own life or in the lives of my children.
I took a medication during my pregnancy with my daughter, that I just recently discovered causes birth defects, digestion problems, slow development, and the children exposed to this drug are particularly susceptible to environmental and chemical toxins. I did not NEED to take that medication, yet my daughter has experienced and is experiencing every single one of that medication’s side effects. Do I live the rest of my life angry at myself for making the decision to take that medication without thinking twice? Do I wallow in fear of what will happen to her? Absolutely not.
The Bible tells us that if we are in Christ we should not fear the future, nor have anxiety because it is God that is sovereign and holds our lives in His hands. That being said, we are called to be good stewards of what we are given.
When I find out new information that counters something that I have done in the past, and I am convinced that this new way is a better way, I try not to worry myself crazy about the lousy decisions I made before, but I try to look to the future and plan best how to make the changes and decisions necessary to make the future better – more productive.
As for my daughter, I have grieved since I found out that many of her problems can be linked to that medication. However, she is a beautiful and wonderful little girl that God has blessed us with. Now equipped with knowledge concerning her health I can make better choices on her behalf to make up for the damage caused by the medication.
When it comes to something more simple as dental health: do not worry about past root canals or fluoridation. If all we focus on is our demise then we will forget that there is much hope. We can work to restore our health by proper diet, exercise, and homeopathic routes. Sometimes, you are right, we do need dentists and doctors to intervene. We do this as the last ditch effort to maintain something that might otherwise be lost. We can be careful with which doctors and dentists we choose, maybe choosing ones with holistic tendencies would be best. However, overall, in the end, we cannot control every motion of our lives and every decision that we make. We cannot micromanage our life. We must trust that for those found in Christ, everything is to the glory and purpose of God – our good decisions and our bad.
Thank you for this reminder! I have had to tell myself this before after we had our third child. He had to be a c-section and I got an infection after the fact, but the dr at the ER was not very good. He ordered a cat scan or mri or something with massive amounts of radiation even though he knew that I couldn’t take the iodine contrast (allergic). After the fact, I found out how bad those scans are, especially since I couldn’t have the iodine. It has made me fearful, especially of cancer, so I had more anxiety when I initially read this post. My husband is also good to remind me that God is ultimately in control of every part of our life, so thank you for your reminder too. Now if you just could tell me what to do about all the other radiation I had!
No problem! My husband has to give me this pep talk often too! Your question actually inspired me to write a post on my own blog about how health and spiritual sanctification are connected. I’m working on it write now, and hope it will be up tomorrow. It is something I have been dwelling on for a while and you inspired me to think on it further. I believe that many women like you and myself are sometimes left a little bewildered and fearful after reading posts such as this because it makes you questions every decision you have made. You are right, God is ultimately in control, and we must pray and do the best with what we are given.
As for the radiation, are you allergic to iodine or just the contrast? Kelp is a natural source of iodine, which is a necessary nutrient. Iodine is well known for helping our bodies cope with radiation exposure. You can get kelp in capsule form, powder form. I am actually upping mine because I believe I might be iodine deficient right now. I have been dealing with a lot of headaches, which I guess is a side effect of that. We just stopped using iodized salt 2 months ago and went to sea salt which would probably be the culprit.
Sorry, I meant to say that after trying homeopathic remedies I will try the mainstream remedy if the homeopathic did not help.
I too agree with Madison. (I probably shouldn’t read these articles either.) I am a dental hygienist who is about as natural, organic, and “crunchy” as you can get, but many facts in this article are deeply inaccurate and misleading. I find it a bit odd that people outside of the dental profession, who have never spent a day of their life with their hands in someone’s mouth or eyes on one x-ray can weigh-in on the subject and appear to be the expert. I too like Dr Mercola, and enjoy reading his research, but that does not mean he is an expert on dentistry, and he certainly (nor do you) know what dentists are taught in dental school. (that is evident in the statements you made in your article.) I caution you to be so “black and white” in your judgements as it does cause a lot of unnecessary fear in people. There are some things in dentistry that I am not fond of, but articles like this come across that all dentists are misinformed and uneducated about their profession! Also, you seem to be very cynical in your approach that all dentists are ordering x-rays , treatments, and cleanings for the love of money. Like Madison, did it occur to you that many dentists are very concerned about their patients and very compassionate toward them and their needs? This notion of not need needing regular dental cleaning is ridiculous. Do you realize that gingivitis and periodontal disease is present in a majority of people and if left untreated can be a risk factor for heart disease and pre-term birth…among other risk factors? Regular, routine dental visits are designed to prevent disease and prevent extensive dental treatment. All in all, I love the fact that people are educating themselves about natural approaches, and many dental offices are implementing such things. This article though, has several inaccuracies and misinformation. And Madison is right, the blue model in the article is upside down.
I think that you misunderstood the point of this article. It was not to bash dentists, but to bring a new perspective to the art of modern dentistry, to ask readers to question if what we currently “need” is because all humans really need it, or because of our modern lifestyle. I tend to believe, and research supports, that much of both modern dentistry and medicine has come about due to necessity because of our modern lifestyles (poor diet, lack of exercise, etc.). This does not mean that there are not caring and compassionate dentists out there who only want to help their patients — of course there are. We’re asking our readers to think outside the box, though. Instead of needing a regular dental cleaning to keep your teeth healthy, might making lifestyle changes improve your smile even more? We don’t expect everyone to agree or be ready to take steps away from the mainstream model, but we’re going to keep showing alternative perspectives.
I’m not a dentist, and I’m suspicious of the modern health industry where regulated by the government. I’m not a regular reader of this site, but I’m not a troll, I promise; a friend posted the link on Facebook.
I guess all I wanted to say is be careful: statistics can be skewed to say essentially whatever you want them to say. You cite a study that said 93% of breast cancer patients had root canals. Scary thing, for sure. But since root canals are so prevalent, in order to really prove correlation, we need to prove a high incidence ON BOTH SIDES. So the next question becomes, how many root canal patients have also had breast cancer?
It’s like saying that 100% of people who die in car accidents were in cars, therefore no one should drive cars. It may be a flawed analogy, but do you know what I mean? When we only look at one side, we can make the numbers say whatever we want them to say. We also need to look at the number of people who drive/ride in cars every year who get to where they intend to go safely and without major incident. Obviously, no one would argue that we shouldn’t seriously respect the safety issues while driving, but very few people would argue that because all of the people who die in car accidents were in cars, therefore no one should drive, you know?
Again, I’m not saying there aren’t serious repercussions of many aspects of modern health practice based in unnatural/synthetic means. Obviously, there are. But as someone who’s not invested at all in this argument, I just want to offer the simple caution, be careful that your numbers are really saying what you think they’re saying.
Steph, thank you for your respectful caution. I understand your concern as I share it myself. In particular that study I listed of the correlation of breast cancer and root canals, my husband questioned the exact same thing you just did when he read my article. I do understand both your thoughts on the matter.
I did list multiple other studies though that showed the high rate corresponding to cancer and dental work. I attempted to show multiple sources for all of my arguments in the effort of protecting myself against serious flaw. I didn’t list everything I read, multiple sources overlapping and verifying those things that I wrote above.
I thank you for your concern and hope that this alleviates to some extent. I did not write anything above that I could only find one article or one type of study to verify the issue. My research led me to believe that there is definitely enough studies showing the great possibility of error on the side of modern dentistry that concerned patients should definitely do the research for themselves before having any major dental work done.
I bet there would be an even larger incidence rate between women who drank soda and have/had breast cancer. Why aren’t you sounding the alarm?
We do. We talk about MANY lifestyle factors that increase your risk of cancer, and encourage people to eat less sugar, soda, etc.
I am a dental hygienist and just want to say wow!! Every research and article we read we have to take with a grain of salt, you have done some good research and for sure I agree that it is really important to watch our eating and to question everything! This is your body that is being altered no matter if it is for good or bad, and sometimes we have to look at an option for many different angle. I for sure look into alternative measures for my patients because if I didn’t I wouldn’t. Be helping them. Each person I see I set up treatment plan for just that person, I see many people in the same household on different schedules, one might be once a year one might be every 3 months. And if someone asks me something I don’t know ow I look it up. Home made tooth pastes do tend to be very abrasive and can cause recession and expose the roots of the teeth. So there needs to be other options as well. Baking soda and salt will cause the damage quickly, but if you do not want to use a commercial tooth paste my job is to help you find a healthy choice that you can be comfortable with, try grinding it into a fine fine powder, use a very small amount, use a toothbrush marked extra soft or sensitive and run it under warm water to soften it more. Also ask your hygienist to assessment your brushing technique to be sure you are not causing damage, also ask to have any recession charted each visit and be advised if it changes. I have clients that will not use a fluoride paste so we have opted to use only a tooth brush with water one day and theirhome made toothpaste on other days and of course to floss floss floss!
Any dentist I know will always be willing to discuss treatment options and possible complications from any procedure. Don’t be afraid to ask if they would have it done or if they would do it on their children. All dental professionals have continually update their education and you willsee more an more looking into natural options as their clients ask more about it, but the key is to just ask or they will not see a call for it in their practice.
Bottom line is prevention!! And Ask!! We are people to and some people just need that question to say oh I didn’t know you wanted to know about that!!
Happy smiling
Parallel to myth number 4.
if you *DO* need to have your wisdom teeth pulled (or any tooth). Make sure your dentist/oral surgeon is aware of practices to minimize the stress on the jaw which can induce TMJ.
Thank you for this insight, like many people nowadays I’m starting to learn about all the benefits of natural treatments over commercial ones, and I knew that fluoride wasn’t good, but all of this other stuff I didn’t know and thank you for that. I have fillings and a crown on one tooth and several more to fix, I’m wondering if it’s going to be better if the dentist replaces the dark fillings I already have, I assume that’s the mercury, with the white fillings?
Your article had some GREAT points but like the dentist above (I think it was “Madison”) posted, there are some INCREDIBLE dentists out there. My family currently sees a wonderful, Christian dentist who is VERY honest and very considerate of his patients. He went out and spend lots of $ on new x-ray machines that emit less radiation. He doesn’t push fluoride, he doesn’t even DO metal fillings. I know he’s a rare one, but they are out there. You just have to learn to be very particular.
I do have to say I disagree with not having regular check-ups. My kids go every six months to have their teeth cleaned and our dentist checks on them, but doesn’t necessarily DO except ask if everything is feeling okay in those visits. X-rays are not every visit, but every few visits maximum. My daughter had a cavity that was caught VERY early because one of these check-ups and the pain and restoration was extremely minimal. Again, I have an incredible dentist who is willing to show me what he sees and why. Of my four children in 3.5 yrs, this is the ONLY filling they have ever had. As for me, I have gingivitis (and an assortment of other auto-immune issues) and I go regularly because it is necessary.
I also totally understand that your point about wisdom teeth isn’t to just pull everyone’s and that is a good point. Another GREAT point would be to have a real oral surgeon do the surgery. I had terribly infected (4 times over) wisdom teeth that caused INCREDIBLE PAIN for me. I had a maxillofacial surgeon remove them. He was HIGHLY skilled and that’s key. I wouldn’t just let anyone pull my children’s wisdom teeth, even when necessary!
I am a dental hygienist and although I don’t agree with your article I respect that you have taken time to do some research. I agree with another post that we could all find articles out there to show evidence on either side of the spectrum. However, it saddens me to read this article when I have spent so much of my life going to school, practicing dental hygienist and trying to give my patients the best care I can give! I am not going to touch base on some of the more controversial issues, but I have to disagree with myth #6…. I truly feel it is important to get your teeth cleaned and examined regularly. Some people may not need to come in every 6 months (I do have patients on longer recall schedules), but ALL of my family members and people I LOVE come see me every six months (one every 3 months) Per my request! All of my training and education along with what just feels right in my heart tell me to plead with your readers to at least come in for regular cleanings and oral cancer screenings(which are done during the examination)! Even if you don’t do any fluoride or x-rays or even, gulp…fillings….. just keep a healthy mouth so that bad bacteria doesn’t accumulate and lead to any other health issues with your body. I wish more people would brush and floss more regularly… Sadly, it’s just not that common (at least not in my neck of the woods).
A couple observations: “I think about it the same way that I do other things that I wish I maybe had not done in my own life or in the lives of my children.” I really need to take this statement to heart as sometimes I do feel angry , mainly at myself, that I didn’t “wake up” earlier than I did. My kids are grown now, but if I were having children today, I would not vaccinate them at all. I am convinced that vaccinations caused constant ear infections that my children suffered from and the asthma and eczema that one of my kids had. I have been ridiculed by dentists (more than one) for refusing fluoride treatment. If you dare to question their “superior” knowledge they do tend to get angry, at least the ones I have dealt with. I am now driving 5 hours each way to visit a dentist that I know is good. I will be making my 6th trip there this calendar year in a couple weeks. I have had all my amalgams removed, and am in the process of having my children’s removed. I have spent a small fortune. The two dentists in this office have patients that come from all over the country and I am told one family comes from Europe. One more thing: Thanks Lindsay for writing this article. We need to all be diligent about informing people of truth. If you can get your hands on a copy of the book, “Am I Dead? Or Do I Just Feel Like it?” by Fred Hughes (amazon), you should read it. Lots of info on the link between cancer and teeth, very enlightening.
Thank you so much for the time you have taken to write this article! I am having a meeting today with my Dentist to either keep him of fire him and go to a holistic dentist. We have been with this one for 14 years but in the past 2 years there have been many issues and he is not respecting our wishes. You article gave us just what we needed to take charge of our health and equip us with with just the right topics to converse about and see is he can be the dentist for our family or not. Simple as that! Thanks again!
This is such a well written post. Thank you!
I had an old injury to one of my front teeth from childhood that rarely bothered me…right up until I went to a dentist in my late 20s that aggressively “tested” that tooth with cold/heat/shocks to see if it was still alive during a routine cleaning. Um, yep…it was!! And, thanks to him, my tooth began bothering me to the point where I went in for a consultation re: a root canal. Thank goodness I saw a different dentist and she suggested a wait and see approach, since a root canal is so invasive. I went home feeling sick to my stomach that I was going to end up losing the tooth, and a front tooth at that!
Several years later, I still have my tooth, and while I have to be careful (no more biting into apples), it beats the alternative! Hear, hear to looking at your options and trusting your body. Don’t blindly follow ANY rules/guidelines/etc if it doesn’t feel right to you.
In my experience, dentists and doctors are some of the worst at using fear tactics to get you to stay in line. Great post!
where are your sources listed? I can’t find the Harvard study you mentioned on how fluoridation greatly affects the brain.
I just Google ‘Harvard Study + Fluoride’ a slew of links popped up. Here is the first one, an article on the study: http://digitaljournal.com/article/329487
I have two root canal/crowns next to each other. There is a gap between them that is constantly irritated and bleeding. On top of this, I have at least 3 more crowns. What do you do if your mouth is already so messed up? If I had all of these teeth pulled, I wouldn’t have many teeth left. It’s so frustrating. I haven’t had anything done because I’ve been pregnant the last couple of years w/ my two babies and don’t want to expose them to toxins if I had these things dealt with. Thanks.
Great post Lindsey!
I have been looking around at natural fillings myself, I believe nowadays (in Europe at least) mostly composite is used without metal oxides. But it still contains BPA, a hormone disruptor, wich leaks especially at placement or removal. I haven’t found any totally safe options yet…
I find it interesting that I had a period in my early 20′s when I did not get rountine dental care for almost 3 years and drank mostly bottled water (no fluoride). When I started having tooth pain, I found a dentist and had 5 cavities. I ditched the bottled water, went back to the tap and get checkups every 6 months now. No cavities or dental problems since then. Coincidence? I think not. I LOVE my dentist, she gives all the options and I choose the plan. I get xrays every 12-18 months and an apron/thyroid shield is always offered (I get waaay more xray exposure at work in the ICU with my patients, but that’s a whole other story). Only 1 of my kids has had a dental xray, she is 9 and has had only 1 xray ever, Routine xrays are not done on the kids before age 8 unless there is a potential problem. I pass on the fluoride treatments, but have had some sealants done for my oldest. I would rather my kids have that over cavity fillings.
My mother in law’s tongue cancer was detected it the very early stages by her dental hygenist. Thanks to the good catch, it was easily surgically removed, no chemo or radiation was needed and she has been cancer free for over 3 years.
My husband had been told for years to have his wisdom teeth removed, he waited until he had problems, went to an oral surgeon, the surgery was VERY invasive and recovery was long and miserable. Two of his teeth had to be chiseled into tiny bits and the jaw bone was in jeopardy of being damaged. He could not eat anything hard or put excess pressure on his jaw for 6 months. The oral surgeon told him if he had done it 10 years earlier as the dentist recommended, it would have been ” a breeze”. I had my wisdom teeth out when in college as part of my orthodontist’s plan, and was eating a sandwich the next day. An oral surgeon did mine too.
I would be wary of not getting any professional dental care at all, but agree that dentists should be more holistic and respectful of patient requests. And IMO, fluoride in moderation is OK. There are plenty of studies that go both ways and studies that contradict each other, so in my mind it’s all about as clear as mud. I just know that my family drinks fluoridated tap water, uses fluoride toothpaste, we’re all just fine and perfectly healthy, so I’m gonna stick with it.
Bottom line is prevention!! And Ask!! We are people to and some people just need that question to say oh I didn’t know you wanted to know about that!!