Demystifying Dental Health

Dental health is a very important aspect of overall health because the mouth is the very beginning of our digestive system. What is going on in our mouth seeds what happens in the gut. Harmful bacteria can interfere with gut health in a number of ways. The connections between individual teeth and organs in the body is also recognized in Chinese medicine and is in the process of being established in mainstream science. The link between cardiovascular disease and poor dental health is well recognized as is the link between bacteria in particular teeth and breast cancer via the links with the lymphatic system. Working out which toothpaste to use, how to avoid toxic dental procedures and how to not destroy the microbiome in the mouth can be tricky. Use these resources below to make things clearer.

Organ-tooth relationships - Click for a larger version of this image

What to look for in a toothpaste

There are 2 things to consider. What you want in the toothpaste to support dental health and natural remineralization, and what you want left out of it in order to avoid harmful ingredients that may disrupt signals in the body and increase your toxic load.

Safe and beneficial brands of toothpaste

Moo Goo Moothpaste - available in my clinic, some pharmacies, health food stores and online

Oh GiGi minty brush + hydroxyapetite - available from Vitaly

What to consider with mouth washes

Antiseptic mouthwashes such as Listerine contain potent antimicrobial ingredients designed to kill bacteria in the mouth. The problem is that they don't selectively target harmful bacteria; they can also reduce beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy oral microbiome. This can disrupt the natural balance of oral microorganisms, potentially affecting the production of beneficial compounds such as nitric oxide, which plays an important role in blood vessel function and healthy circulation. Regular use of strong antiseptic mouthwashes may therefore have effects beyond simply freshening breath. A healthy mouth needs a balanced microbial community, not a sterile one.

Safe and beneficial brands of mouthwash

Moo Goo Moothwash - available in some pharmacies, health food stores and online

Henry Blooms probiotic extra minty mouthwash - available in some health food stores and on Vitaly

LOVEBYT Hydroxyapatite Botanical Mouthwash - available online

Education

Functional dentist - Learn more about every aspect of dentistry and health from Dr Michelle Jorgenson. She has a youtube channel with many educational videos.

Podcasts: IAOMT - Word of Mouth, Institute for functional medicine

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