Of course we don't mean the kind of 'mouthy' that instigates a threat from your mother to 'wash your mouth out with soap'. Instead, we are focusing on all kinds of things with your mouth, that maybe you didn't know were a 'thing'. We hope to provide you with many resources and lots of food for thought - all related to your mouth. It is now pretty well accepted that heart disease often goes hand-in-hand with oral and dental problems. Some of the most current research indicates that what is going wrong in your mouth doesn't just contribute to heart disease, but can actually CAUSE heart disease. It is only a matter of time before other illnesses can be directly linked to the health of your mouth. So, we think that addressing what's going on in your mouth is pretty important! There is just so much to say about the health of your mouth, but here we focus on just 10 things for you to be aware of. #1 - When to Brush You may be inclined to brush right after meals. However, this may be damaging to your teeth. When your mouth is more acidic (after eating, drinking a soda, etc.) the enamel on your teeth is more fragile and likely to be brushed away. Either wait 15 or 20 minutes after eating and drinking or balance the pH of your mouth by rinsing with salt water before brushing. Dissolve 2 tsp. of Himalayan or sea salt into 2 cups of purified water. #2 - Flossing The thought of flossing may not bring a smile to your face, but it is an important part of your dental routine for removing plaque and preventing tartar. However, be careful of the type of floss you use. Many contain chemicals that you don't want in your mouth. Also, Kimberley recently learned that using a 'glide' type of floss may even create more tartar issues because of how it can slide over plaque. Continually sliding over plaque instead of removing it can pack it against the tooth and build up some really tough tartar. We suggest using a Waterpik as a great alternative to flossing. Adding something like Bio-Botanicals Dentalcidin LS or Country Doctor Tooth & Gum to the water can supercharge your results. #3 - Avoid Fluoride This is pretty tough to do when it is added to many commercial toothpastes and even municipal water supplies. We highly recommend alternate water sources if your tap water contains fluoride. In addition, there are many great toothpastes without fluoride. We really like Risewell Mineral Toothpaste and Dr. Jen Toothpaste. Want to know more about the negative affects of fluoride? Check out www.fluoridealert.org. #4 - Mouth Wash Mouth wash is another product that requires caution. Studies are showing a correlation between mouth wash use and cardiovascular issues. This has to do with the type of mouth wash you are using. You definitely want to avoid products that have added chemicals or toxins. A mouthwash with high alcohol content and 'antibiotic' properties is good at killing off bacteria. However, you need to maintain good bacteria in your mouth for a number of reasons. Significantly, specific species of the good bacteria contribute to nitric oxide (NO) production in your body. Nitric oxide decreases significantly with age so you want to produce as much as you can. NO has many positive effects throughout the body, including cardiovascular health. A good mouth wash alternative are the MicroBiome Labs Enzymatic Mouth Freshener tablets. #5 - Mercury/Silver Amalgams It is hard to believe that many people still receive silver amalgam fillings, but they are widely accepted in dentistry. These contain mercury which is poisonous to the body, especially the brain and nervous system. Every time you chew on one of these fillings, a small amount of mercury is released. If you still have silver fillings, make a plan to have them replaced. Replacement must also be carefully planned. Look for a dentist who specializes in safe removal, using a supplemental binder such as chlorella and extra glutathione support. Check out www.iaomt.org. #6 - Root Canals Root canals can be another ticking time-bomb in your mouth. They frequently harbor infection that can slowly drain your health over time. Some studies are showing a correlation between women with breast cancer and root canals. If you have a very strong immune system, eat well and have no symptoms, you may be able to successfully retain a root canal for many years. If you are having any chronic health issues, you may want to consider having the tooth removed. #7 - Cavitations Just what are cavitations? These are holes in the jaw bone rather than in a tooth. These often happen where teeth have been removed, such as wisdom teeth. The problem with cavitations is they can harbor infections. They are most easily identified using something called a cone beam CT scan. As with root canals, if you are having any chronic issues, you should be evaluated for cavitations. #8 - Tongue and Lip Ties These anatomical mouth issues hopefully are identified very early in life. They can contribute to issues with nursing and eating. If they aren't identified and corrected, they can cause a lifetime of oral issues. Be sure to ask your dental professional if you have either tongue or lip ties. #9 - Upper Airway Issues
Upper airway issues refer to how well you are able to breath with your mouth closed. We should not be "mouth-breathers". “Mouth breathing, in particular, has more negative effects on our health than overeating, both physiologically and orthopedically.” Dr. Bahar Esmaili, DDS https://www.airwayarchitect.com/ If upper airway issues persist, you will likely develop poor oral health, a narrowing palate, sinus issues and sleep apnea. There is a lot that can be done to correct upper airway issues before you get to the point of requiring a CPAP machine at night. One of the simplest things you can do is tape your mouth shut. We discussed this in a newsletter last year that you can check out here. If you want to work on strengthening your upper airway, check out the products from REMplenish. Their myofunctional straws and nozzles combine upper airway exercises with the natural action of drinking. If you are interested in working on this further, there is a local clinic in Northern Colorado called Vivos that works with Dr. Esmaili in correcting upper airway issues. #10 - Tooth Organ Chart Last, but not least, it is very important to understand how your teeth (or spaces where you had teeth) relate to other areas in your body. The Tooth Organ Chart is very helpful when it comes to figuring out associations between dental issues and the rest of the body. If a tooth is infected or inflamed, or contains metals that interfere with electrical flow in the body, it can affect the associated organ or system negatively and lead to poor health or chronic illness. Thermography and cone beam CT scans are two ways to see if there are hidden infections around your teeth and gums. Here is a great short article from The Thermogram Center in Colorado that explains a lot more and provides further resources. If you would like a good at-home reference, one of our study groups recently read "Healthy Mouth, Healthy You!" by Michelle Jorgensen. This is a very easy to read and instructional book that covers many of the above topics. We highly recommend adding it to your library. As with all other systems of the body, great dental and oral health depend most on good nutrition to keep your smile healthy and happy! ***Bonus Info: Cold Laser and Dentistry*** Did you know that dentists have been pioneers of using cold laser in their work? You may have even experienced a dental procedure that uses laser - it is becoming very common. Issues with teeth and gums is one of the main reasons we help our clients acquire their own laser for home use. It is so helpful when dealing with infections or bone loss. If you don't already have your own laser, be sure to contact us to learn more or you can always purchase your own here. If you aren't able to purchase your own laser just yet and are dealing with sore teeth or other difficult dental work, you are welcome to rent a laser to use in our lobby. Sometimes we are able to rent lasers for longer at-home use too.
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March 2024
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