Nordin, who employs a myofunctional therapist. Orofacial myofunctional therapy is neuromuscular reeducation of the oral facial muscles via a series of exercises that work with the muscles of the lips, tongue, cheeks and other parts of the face.
Early intervention
and role modeling “Parents can begin playing a pivotal role in how their children care for their teeth, as well as how they feel and behave in the dentist’s office, as early as age 1. I encour- age every mother to bring their child to an appointment. Tey can hold the child in their lap so they can watch me caring for mom’s teeth. Generally, by the time they are alone in my chair, they aren’t frightened,” advises Pentti Nupponen, a doctor of dental medicine and owner of the Halifax Center for Holistic & Cosmetic Dentistry, in Halifax, Pennsylvania. Chris Kammer, a doctor of dental
surgery and owner of Gums of Steel Oral Hygiene Transformation, in Middleton, Wisconsin, also suggests early intercep- tive treatments for young children. “Early treatments with removable appliances which expand the arch in the roof dome, influence bone growth and make room for incoming teeth can be performed by gen- eral dentists,” says Kammer, who notes that a proper diet may help prevent crowding of teeth, as well as malocclusion, or misalign- ment, of upper and lower teeth.
Gum and heart disease Doctors practicing functional medicine are more likely to refer patients to biologi- cal and holistic dentists. Cardiologists are particularly aware of a 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine study in which researchers looked at individuals with gum and heart disease. Individuals that received adequate care for gum disease had 10 to 40 percent lower cardiovascular care costs than those who didn’t get proper oral care. Another study revealed that gum
disease increases an individual’s risk of heart disease by approximately 20 percent. Given such evidence, the American Dental Association and American Heart Associa- tion have acknowledged the relationship between the two diseases. By neglecting important ongoing re-
search regarding new and old dental prac- tices, as well as orthodontics, mainstream media has largely leſt the public in the dark regarding problems associated with root canals, mercury amalgam fillings and some dental implants.
Root canals, tooth extractions
and gum disease Iveta Iontcheva-Barehmi, owner of Boston Dental Wellness, in Brookline, Massa- chusetts, takes a holistic and biological approach to dentistry founded on the phi- losophy that everything within the whole body is connected. “Teeth are related to organs, tissues and glands along the body’s meridians, energy channels through which the life force flows,” says the integrative periodontist, who prefers extracting teeth when necessary and using zirconium im- plants rather than performing a root canal. Iontcheva-Barehmi explains, “It’s
logical that the connection between the meridians and teeth can indicate an indi- vidual’s overall health and wellness. Tooth extractions protect patients from tooth- related disease and systemic infections that can be harmful to overall health. A failing root canal is a chronic abscess around the root of the tooth. It has a direct connection with the bloodstream and disseminates infection through the whole body. Tis is the reason why holistic dentists recommend extractions.” She believes the best research on this was done by Weston Price, a Canadian dentist and pioneering nutritionist.
Treating gum disease To treat gum disease, Amparo David, DMD, owner of Dentistry by Dr. David
and the founder of the TMJ & Sleep Terapy Center of New England, in Bolton, Massachusetts, refers patients to the periodontist she keeps on staff. “I can tell that a patient has internal inflamma- tion by looking at the gums and tongue. Gum disease has been linked to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and premature births or low-birth weight babies,” says David, whose preven- tive and healing suggestions for healthy gums includes chewable oral probiotics, daily coconut oil pulling, consisting of swishing a tablespoon of oil in the mouth for 15 to 20 minutes to reduce harmful bacteria there and on the teeth. She also recommends flossing with an electric toothbrush and a Waterpik. “I suggest adding one or two drops of tea tree oil and iodine to the water in the pick,” notes David, who urges patients to eat less sugar and carbohydrates and more vegetables, proteins and fruits. “We treat gums with ozone aſter a
deep cleaning because it kills bacteria on contact. Patients maintain healthier gums using ozonated oils twice a day and by us- ing a good toothpaste with no glycerine or fluoride,” says David, who notes that tem- poromandibular mandibular joint (TMJ) problems are tied to sleep disorders. “Many adolescents have TMJ problems, and some- times experience this aſter extraction or retraction orthodontics.” Despite the slow trickle of related
information to the public and the lack of acknowledgement by the majority of dental professionals, these new philosophies and biological dental protocols are definitely improving overall health and wellness. According to the IAOMT, a dentist that chooses to put biocompatibility testing first can look forward to practicing effective dentistry while knowing that patients are being provided with the safest experience for their overall health.
Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.
August 2020 17
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