Low magnesium status is known as hypomagnesemia. Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (e.g., stroke), migraine headaches, and osteoporosis are all associated with low magnesium status. Over half of Americans are deficient in it. Today I am going to talk about all things magnesium, including its use in dentistry.
Read MoreAlthough there are several ways our diets have diverged from our ancient ancestors, today, I want to especially touch upon the two primary ingredients in our food supply, causing untold havoc on our health and well-being.
Read MoreOccasionally, the ducts can get clogged, causing unusual pain and swelling. Crystals can form within the saliva that create a nidus for stone formation, known as sialoliths, similar to those in the urinary tract. Like kidney stones, they usually occur on one side only. They can lead to obstruction of the duct with rapid swelling and pain in the gland and, ultimately, infection. In this post, I discuss blocked salivary glands and what you can do to prevent and treat them.
Read MoreYeast infections of the mouth are somewhat common. They are usually caused by illness, corticosteroid use, and antibiotics; however, there are numerous additional causes. In today’s post, I discuss the types, causes, treatment, and prevention.
Read MoreAlthough virtually every physician agrees that regular physical activity, weight loss, adequate nutrition, and quitting smoking all result in health benefits, their business model does not allow the integration of these lifestyle modifications due to the short duration of the average visit, reliance on pharmaceuticals and lack of integrative care. Functional Medicin, on the other hand, focuses more on lifestyle changes than medication. A new study shows that this is a superior approach.
Read MoreDental insurance, although a benefit is more limited than it appears. The amount of money insurance companies are willing to pay in any given calendar year does not go very far. To that end, I am dedicating today’s post to the ins and outs of insurance, the typical indemnity-style ones, and the traditional insurance our ancestors all benefited from.
Read MoreAccording to The Vegan Society, “Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.” They state on their site that “There are many ways to embrace vegan living. Yet one thing all vegans have in common is a plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish, and insects), dairy, eggs, and honey - as well as avoiding animal-derived materials, products tested on animals and places that use animals for entertainment.” You can see from their definition that the primary goal is admirable, but not related to health and wellness. You may be surprised to hear that vegan (or any other) diets done carelessly can cause some harm.
Read MoreStatin drugs are the most commonly prescribed drugs. How effective are they? What are the potential risks? You may be surprised at the answers, and even more surprised at the tricks the pharmaceutical industry uses to inflate their perceived effectiveness.
Read MoreThe CDC reports that 40 percent of children between the ages of 3 and 6 use potentially dangerous amounts of toothpaste. Fluoride-containing toothpastes have a warning on their label stating “Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately”. There are definite risks for toxicity from the fluoride in toothpaste. However, topical fluoride can help prevent tooth decay. The decision to use it is the focus of today’s post.
Read MoreTraditionally, humans have always eaten fats and oils that were predominantly saturated and animal-based. New industrial seed oils have replaced the traditional fats like butter, tallow, and lard. These oils contain large amounts of omega-6 oils which are problematic for our health. We utilize fats for a variety of uses including building blocks for cell membranes, and energy storage. This high omega-6 substitution has had a dramatic effect on our health which I will discuss in today’s post.
Read MoreLasers have been used in medicine and dentistry for a few decades with surprisingly good application in some areas and poor in others. The advantages of using lasers over scalpels include greater precision, a relatively bloodless surgical and post-surgical course, sterilization of the surgical area, minimal swelling and scarring, coagulation, vaporization, cutting, minimal or no suturing, and less or no post-surgical pain. Today I will discuss the advantages of using lasers in dentistry, along with some of the dieadvantages.
Read MoreI had the pleasure of speaking with the creator and owner of Primal Life Organics Trina Felber this week live on FaceBook. We spoke about a number of topics near and dear to my heart such as how the introduction of “dense acellular carbohydrates” into our diets has been disastrous not only for our teeth, but for the rest of our bodies as well. We also spoke about the dangers of fluoridated water to our health. I also stressed how important it is to have a dentist trained in how to safely remove mercury containing fillings using the non-toxic SMART technique. I hope it is helpful and enjoyable!
Read MoreI spoke about how processed carbs ruin our teeth and health, and I get into the specific mechanisms of tooth decay and gum disease. I hope you enjoy the video and more importantly I hope it can help you better understand how processed carbs work in insidious ways to harm our health.
Read MoreThousands of studies have shown that xylitol can help prevent tooth decay and many dental professionals recommend it. While it can definitely help, there are some negatives. Today, I will discuss the pros and cons so you can decide if it is right for you.
Read MoreThree unusual problems I commonly see together are a scalloped tongue, A white line on the inner cheek and ear pain. Today I will address how they may be related to one larger problem.
Read MoreCracked teeth are so common as to be practically ubiquitous. A tooth crack is not a disease but is instead a risk factor for further problems. Fractures tend to grow and change over time; therefore it is very important for dentists to screen for cracks and catch them early. The prognosis of cracked tooth that is not treated will progressively deteriorate and may evolve into a split tooth or result in severe periodontal defects. Eventually the tooth may be lost. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are essential in saving these teeth. This post discusses the ways to approach diagnosing and treating a cracked tooth.
Read MoreRed light therapy is becoming more and more popular lately. The benefits are so numerous as to seem too good to be true. In today’s post I will discuss the science behind the claims.
Read MoreA recent study shows a strong connection between gum disease and Alzheimer’s Disease. The germ that causes gum disease has been found in the brains of Alzheimer Disease sufferers. Substances known as gingipains are secreted by the bacteria are responsible for much of the damage. The good news is that gum disease is easily treatable. The same study shows that there may be a new drug on the horizon to inactivate gingipains.
Read MoreToday I want to talk about the connection between gum disease and heart disease. I am going to talk about one specific recent study, and I am going to get more scientific than usual, so forgive me, but the information is too good to ignore.
Read MoreOil pulling is an ancient ayurvedic therapy for maintaining oral hygiene. It involves swishing approximately 1 tablespoon of oil typically edible oils including coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes and then spitting it out The popularity of oil pulling has seen a recent surge in popularity. The practice has been verified as a legitimate therapy and also as a wive’s tale. Which one is true? This post will cut to the truth of the matter.
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