The solution to most health issues is pretty simple: detoxification and supplementation. In essence, it’s all about taking out the bad stuff and adding in the good. What we put in our mouths will either cure us or, in the end kill us. Your overall nutrition will have an impact on your oral health. Having a well-balanced diet will improve the condition and health of your gums, teeth and oral cavity.
On a daily basis we are challenged by toxins, bacterial imbalance, impurities and chemicals that can harm our body. The solution to pollution is dilution. Drinking lots of good quality water will improve your overall health by diluting and excreting these toxins and impurities. Some adjuncts that can help in our detoxification are chlorella, bentonite clay and activated charcoal. Use caution with activated charcoal because as it takes out toxins it can also deprive us of some necessary minerals and nutrients.
Oral supplements that can have a positive powerful impact on our overall health, and oral health are calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2, collagen and vitamin C. These supplements are highly researched and have proven to support our joints, connective tissue and bone. In the mouth, this translates into healthy gums, bone support around our teeth and resistance to gum disease and tooth loss. Supplements like elderberry, mushroom extract, oregano oil, coconut oil, echinacea, zinc, magnesium are well known for supporting our immune system and can boost our ability to fight oral infections such as tooth decay, candidiasis and periodontitis.
Let’s not forget the obvious: good old-fashioned oral hygiene! By brushing diligently in a circular motion right at the gum line twice a day, we can effectively decrease toxins in the mouth and control bacterial. Flossing at least once a day will not only clean the areas where teeth are touching together but it will also stimulate blood flow and keep gums strong and healthy. In a recent study, people who floss daily showed low levels of c-reactive protein, a known marker for inflammation.
Oral probiotics are a great way to restore and maintain proper balanced biome in the mouth. The result is a decreased risk of gum disease, tooth decay and oral infections. It can also help with fresh breath and whiter teeth. Chewing gum that contains xylitol stimulates saliva, which has tremendous healing capacity and protects the whole mouth.
But what happens when the damage has been done? In cases where we need to treat periodontal disease, we can address the bone loss with a few different technological advances.
The key to any periodontal therapy is a professional, thorough cleaning and giving the body a chance to heal, and re-evaluating. Oftentimes a laser can help stimulate bone growth and gum tissue regeneration. In more advanced cases guided bone regeneration is required. With the use of Platelet Rich Fibrin and bone mineral we can create the scaffolding necessary to regrow bone where we have lost it. By drawing a couple of small tubes of your own blood and spinning it in a centrifuge machine we can harvest this gelatinous material that has all the substances for healing concentrated in it. Think of it as our “fast forward” button to beautiful, natural healing. The best part: it’s the most natural way to regenerate tissue because it is derived from the same patient. I wish you all continued health and radiant smiles.
Jimmy Kilimitzoglou, DDS, FACD, FPFA, DABOI, MAGD, FAAID, FICOI ESI Healthy Dentistry 42 Terry Road, Smithtown, NY 11787 Tel (631) 979 7991 / Fax (631) 979 7992 dental@esihealthydentistry.com www.esihealthydentistry.com
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