Root canals are safe and effective, and by eliminating bacteria from the infected roots of teeth, prevent infection from spreading into the jaw and beyond.
Over the course of my thirty-five-plus years of practicing dentistry, I have been asked many questions concerning the safety of various dental agents and materials, most notably silver fillings and fluoride. Undoubtedly, the internet has provided the masses with a plethora of sound information at their fingertips. Conversely, accompanied by its social media counterpart, it has become the primary gateway to the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories. Dentistry, being an evidence-based profession, is not immune to the dissemination of pseudoscientific claims promoting alternative treatments “not taught in dental school.” Typically advocated by so-called “Holistic” and “Biological” dentists, these therapies fly in the face of conventional dentistry.
Perhaps the most egregious claim made by some of these practitioners is regarding root canal treatments. While representing only a minority, these dentists argue against the use of conventional endodontic therapy, opting instead for extraction and replacement by implants. Others advocate extracting asymptomatic root canal-treated teeth. Not only is this approach scientifically unfounded, but it also violates a dentist’s Hippocratic oath to “do no harm.”
The Maligned Root Canal, So Misunderstood
So what exactly is a root canal, a term that strikes fear in the heart of so many? Some people think it involves removing the roots of teeth, but most have no clue. Many have heard horror stories from friends about how painful they are, but like many other myths attributed to dentistry, this is generally false.
Essentially the teeth that are visible in our mouths are just the tip of the iceberg, for lurking far beneath the gum line anchoring them into jaw bone are the roots. Typically, front teeth have a single root, while the ones further back have two or three. Filling the hollow inner chamber of teeth and traveling down through the roots via canal systems is the spongy pulp, comprising a tooth’s blood and nerve supply. It allows us to sense temperature, or let us know when a dentist's freezing hasn't taken effect!
When a pulp gets inflamed, often due to a deep cavity or trauma, a tooth can become sensitive and if irreversibly harmed, extremely painful. Left untreated the pulp can die, becoming necrotic with bacteria potentially exiting the end of roots into the jaw causing a dental abscess. A root canal treatment removes the diseased pulp from the tooth, disinfects, and then seals the hollowed-out canal spaces most typically with a biocompatible thermoplastic material called gutta-percha. When performed by a skilled practitioner, root canals have a success rate of 95%, are generally painless, and when feasible much preferable to extraction.
The Price is Not Right
Recently, when not discussing the pandemic, some patients have asked me about the safety of root canal treatment. Typically they may have read something on the internet or heard through a friend that root canals are dangerous.
Where does this misinformation originate? Back in the 1920s, dentist Dr. Weston Price conducted some poorly designed studies based in large part on the previously developed “focal infection theory” asserting that asymptomatic root canal treated teeth leak bacteria and their toxins into the body, causing a variety of chronic systemic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.
Despite well-designed studies conducted in the 1930s discrediting his findings, Price’s theory gained popularity over the following decades resulting in the needless extractions of countless healthy teeth in order to treat or prevent various systemic illnesses.
Only in the early 1950, ’s did the paradigm shift back to the endodontic treatment of restorable teeth with non-vital pulps. Upon reviewing Price’s work from the 1920s, a 1951 article in the Journal of the American Dental Association contradicted his research noting it “lacked many aspects of modern scientific research, including the absence of proper control groups and induction of excessive doses of bacteria.”
Further contributing to the dissemination of misinformation concerning root canal therapy was a 2019 documentary “Root Cause” carried by Netflix. In it, the Australian filmmaker, seeking to find the cause of his own chronic health problems, alleged that serious illnesses are caused by asymptomatic infections inside root canals whose bacteria can travel throughout the body via “meridian lines.”
Shortly following its release, upon concerns raised by various dental associations that its content could “harm the viewing public by spreading misinformation about safe medical treatments like root canals”, Netflix removed the content from its platform.
My Tooth Sense
Each year worldwide millions of root canals are performed, saving people the unnecessary trauma of losing their teeth.
I find it truly perplexing and disturbing that some members of my profession continue clinging to the long-ago debunked theory advocating extraction of restorable teeth rather than saving them with endodontic therapy.
Root canals are safe and effective, and by eliminating bacteria from the infected roots of teeth, prevent infection from spreading into the jaw and beyond.
Furthermore, I find advising patients to extract asymptomatic endodontically treated teeth only to replace them with costly implant-supported crowns, unconscionable.
My advice to anyone told to do so is to consider finding another dentist. And that’s the tooth and nothing but the tooth!
Dr. Mark Grossman is a practicing dentist and likes to take a bite out of nonsense when it comes to dental issues.
Teeth-whitening products available over the counter could potentially be damaging teeth, new research suggests.
Bruce Willis attends the Glass European Premiere held at the Curzon Mayfair, London.
Some products available on the high street were found to reduce the hardness of enamel, according to early findings published in the British Dental Journal.
Consumers have been urged by the British Dental Association (BDA) to exercise caution and not gamble with the health of their smiles.
Five non-hydrogen peroxide whitening products from Boots and Superdrug were tested as part of the study.
Clean white teeth have long been desirable.
The researchers found three of the products had an active ingredient of sodium chlorite, which they said reduced the hardness of teeth when acid was present.
It also increased the chances of future surface abrasions.
“Not all bleaching products are the same and not all bleaching products are safe,” lead author Dr Joseph Greenwall-Cohen, from the University of Manchester Dental School, said.
“It is essential that the public realise this and undertake more caution in selecting the bleaching or whitening products they apply to their teeth.”
The BDA also warned that many over the counter products containing hydrogen peroxide, used by dentists to whiten teeth, are ineffective.
Football star Peter Crouch sports a white set.
It is illegal for the amount of hydrogen peroxide to be above 0.1%, but the BDA said it is too weak at this level to make a difference.
Professor Damien Walmsley, the BDA’s scientific adviser, said: “At best, people may be wasting their money buying over the counter and online products to whiten teeth.
“Home whitening kits are likely to take longer and be less effective than treatment from the dentist.
“While hydrogen peroxide, as used in dental practices, is the gold standard for whitening teeth, the lack of clarity over chemicals used in over the counter and online products means you could be gambling with your teeth.”
The British Dental Bleaching Association said: “We are concerned that the over the counter products included in the study may be harmful to teeth and advise the general public to see their dentist if they are considering having their teeth whitened.”
If you’re after brighter, whiter teeth, you’re in good company. "Every day, at least one patient in my office asks about whitening," says Kimberly Wright, a dentist at Advance Dental Arts Center in West Linn, Ore.
As we age, the enamel on our teeth naturally thins, which makes them more prone to pesky surface stains (regularly sipping on red wine, coffee, and tea doesn't help, either).
With so many teeth whitening products on the market, from over-the-counter whitening kits to in-office professional treatments, it can be overwhelming to know which ones are right for you. Here, dentists weigh in on everything you need to know about the best teeth whitening products—plus, smart at-home strategies to help keep your pearly whites, well, white.
Ingredients that whiten teeth
Before you start adding teeth whitening products to your shopping cart, it’s important to know which ingredients actually help you achieve a brighter smile. According to the American Dental Association, there are two main types of whiteners on the market: bleaching products (which contain peroxide) to lift both deep and surface stains, and non-bleaching products to lighten surface stains only.
Bleaching products usually contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, but carbamide peroxide (also known as urea peroxide) is the most common, says Dr. Wright. "When water contacts this white crystal, the release of hydrogen peroxide lightens the teeth," she explains.
Should you whiten your teeth?
Although most people will see some improvement in the appearance of their teeth when using a whitening product, others should proceed with caution. "Generally, bleaching is successful in at least 90% of patients," says Dr. Wright. "But it may not be an option for everyone."
If your teeth are darkened from age or food (particularly coffee and tea) and have discoloration that appears yellow, brown, or orange, you’re likely a good candidate for teeth bleaching, Dr. Wright says. On the other hand, discoloration that appears gray is typically caused by smoking, use of the antibiotic tetracycline, or fluorosis, which results from consuming too much fluoride while teeth are forming. While bleaching may help lighten these stains, the results will be less dramatic.
Before using any whitening product—even over-the-counter ones—it’s a good idea to ask your dentist if they’re safe for you to use. For example, anyone with gum disease or worn tooth enamel should avoid bleaching products altogether, since they could irritate already-sensitive teeth. People with loose or broken fillings are also at risk: "The bleach can seep deep into the tooth and adversely affect the nerve," says Dr. Wright.
How often should you whiten your teeth?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for how often a person can whiten their teeth. It largely depends on the type of whitening product you choose (more on that later). At-home products such as whitening kits can usually be used daily until you achieve your desired shade, says Dr. Wright. After that, once- or twice-monthly use will help you maintain your results.
However, when thinking about frequency, it’s important to consider the active ingredient of the product you’re using and how strong it is. For example, professional treatments typically contain higher percentages of whitening agents. "The higher the percentage of the active ingredient, the faster it will work, but the potential for more tooth and gum tissue sensitivity also increases," says Edward Wilson, DDS, a dentist in the New York City area.
When you choose to whiten your teeth can make a difference too. According to Dr. Wright, the best time to whiten is just after you’ve visited your dentist for a cleaning.
"Surface stains have been removed by your hygienist, so the bleach products are working directly on the tooth and not on built-up stains," she explains.
Over-the-counter whitening kits: What to know
Over-the-counter home kits are one of the most popular ways to whiten your teeth, and for good reason: They’re available everywhere, relatively easy to use, and can give you visible results without having to shell out for an in-office treatment.
"These kits are great," says Lauren Levi, clinical instructor of dentistry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "They adapt to your teeth, aiding in efficiency."
Most of these kits contain peroxide strips that can be worn daily for about a month. You can expect to brighten your smile by about one shade, and the results usually last six to 12 months. Whitening strip kits can cost anywhere between $20 and $50.
Home whitening kit to try:
Crest 3D White No Slip Whitestrips, Professional Effects To buy: $64; walgreens.com
Crest’s easy-on, easy-off whitening strips are a go-to. This kit includes 30 strips that will give you brighter teeth within one month. One thing to note: If your teeth are somewhat crooked, you may see some white splotches after removing the strips, since they may fit closely on one side and not the other.
Home whitening kit to try:
Rembrandt Deeply White 2-Hour Whitening Kit To buy: $23; amazon.com
This Rembrandt kit contains COMFYTRAY trays that you fill with whitening gel and let sit on your teeth for 20 minutes. There’s enough gel for four uses, so you can have brighter pearly whites after just two hours of wear.
Home whitening kit to try:
Crest Whitestrips With Light To buy: $61; amazon.com
For superfast at-home whitening, you can’t beat this new product from Crest (which was a winner in Health’s 2017 beauty awards). The kit includes a handheld light to help target deep-set stains while the whitening strips work their magic. You’ll see an improvement in one hour of use, and the results last six months.
Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes: What to know
In terms of ease of use, it’s hard to beat whitening toothpaste; you’re already brushing your teeth, so you might as well whiten them at the same time, right?
Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help remove superficial stains. "Most leading toothpaste companies use the finest silica particles that will mechanically remove stains but not excessively remove enamel, which can never grow back," says Dr. Wright.
These products are best for lifting newer, fresher discoloration, but you shouldn’t expect them to make your teeth multiple shades lighter—one shade is more typical. This option is also one of the most affordable, as whitening toothpastes usually ring in at about $4 to $10 for a tube.
When shopping for whitening toothpaste, look for one that has a seal of approval from the American Dental Association (ADA) on its packaging. Also important: Make sure it still contains fluoride so you continue to protect teeth from cavities—especially if you’re using it as an everyday substitution for regular toothpaste.
Whitening toothpaste to try:
Colgate Total Advanced Fresh + Whitening Gel Toothpaste To buy: $4; walgreens.com
One tried-and-true choice is this ADA-approved advanced whitening toothpaste from Colgate, a brand Dr. Wright recommends. Used as directed, it helps fight cavities, plaque, bad breath, and gingivitis in addition to gently polishing away surface stains.
Whitening toothpaste to try:
Crest Pro-Health Extra Whitening Power Toothpaste To buy: $3; target.com
Another great choice: this classic whitening toothpaste from Crest. It checks all the boxes (fluoride, whitening agents, ADA-approved) and also helps protect against tooth sensitivity.
Whitening toothpaste to try:
Tom’s of Maine Simply White Clean Mint Toothpaste To buy: $5; target.com
If you prefer natural toothpaste, reach for this ADA-approved tube from Tom’s of Maine to help remove superficial stains. "Some natural toothpastes do not contain fluoride, however this one actually does," says Dr. Levi.
Tray-based teeth whiteners: What to know
Looking for something a bit more powerful than an over-the-counter whitening kit but aren’t ready to shell out for a full in-office bleaching procedure? You may want to consider tray-based whiteners. To buy, you’ll need to book an appointment with your dentist to be fitted for customized trays, which you’ll then fill with whitening solution and wear at home.
"The appliance is custom-made for your mouth and is lightweight so that it can be worn comfortably while you are awake or sleeping," says Dr. Wright. "It’s thin, so you should even be able to talk and work while wearing it."
The trays are worn for longer periods of time than over-the-counter strips, usually about four hours daily for a few weeks.
The whitening solution typically contains bleaching agents and can lighten teeth by a few shades. These trays cost about $250 depending on your dentist’s office.
Professional in-office whitening treatments: What to know
For most patients, the most effective—albeit pricey—way to whiten teeth is to invest in a professional in-office treatment with your dentist. These services usually involve a hydrogen peroxide solution that’s applied to your teeth along with a light or laser to catalyze the whitening process.
"These products have higher concentrations of peroxide than over-the-counter products, and thus work faster than at-home bleaching systems," explains Dr. Levi.
The downside: Professional teeth whitening can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000, and you may also have some tooth sensitivity from the stronger formula.
Whitening mouthwash and chewing gum
While it doesn’t hurt to use a brand of mouthwash or chewing gum that claims to help brighten teeth, the experts we spoke to agreed that you probably won’t see any real results from these types of products.
"Discoloration of your teeth is mainly surface stains and changes from aging," explains Dr. Wright. “It takes contact time from these [whitening] agents to remove the discoloration, so the quicker the application of product, the less effective it is.”
In other words, swishing mouthwash or chewing on gum for a few minutes isn’t long enough for whitening ingredients to make any noticeable changes to your teeth.
There is one upside from chewing gum, though: “It increases saliva flow, and this could prevent stains from forming,” says Dr. Wright.
Can the foods you eat make a difference?
You already know that red wine and black coffee can reverse the effects of your newly brightened teeth. But other lesser-known foods can also affect your smile, including chocolate, blackberries, diet soda, white wine (it’s acidic, which can erode tooth enamel), dried fruit, and super-starchy foods like mashed potatoes and potato chips (they can get trapped in the teeth).
Chewing gum, sipping on water, or brushing your teeth right after eating can help minimize the stain potential of these foods.
Got sensitivity?
If you have sensitive teeth, it can be physically uncomfortable to use a whitening product, especially a strong one. Regardless of what method you choose, the higher the percentage of whitening ingredient a product contains, the greater the risk that it will cause you to experience tooth and gum sensitivity, especially with bleaching agents like peroxide.
When using over-the-counter products, spacing out the frequency of use may help you control the amount of sensitivity you experience. "Take a day or two off from whitening—it won’t hinder the results," says Dr. Wright. "Faster doesn’t mean a brighter smile."
Dr. Wilson also recommends asking your dentist about products that contain the ingredient potassium nitrite, "a good additive to control sensitivity."
After water, tea is the world’s most popular beverage. For centuries drinking tea has been recommended for its calming effect and to cure many ailments. Research evidence has shown that regular tea drinking can tame inflammation in the body, help to improve blood pressure, improve dental health and support healthy bones.
By Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, RD, CDN, Food & Nutrition Columnist - HealthNewsDigest.com Mar 26, 2017 - 7:39:11 AM
(HealthNewsDigest.com) - After water, tea is the world’s most popular beverage. For centuries drinking tea has been recommended for its calming effect and to cure many ailments. Research evidence has shown that regular tea drinking can tame inflammation in the body, help to improve blood pressure, improve dental health and support healthy bones. Because of the powerful collection of antioxidants in tea there has been much speculation and some research to show that regular tea drinking may protect the brain from decline.
A recent study done at the National University of Singapore followed the tea drinking habits of close to 1,000 older Chinese. The researchers concluded that regular tea drinking could reduce a person’s risk for dementia by close to 50% in later life. For those who carry the genetic risk for Alzheimer’s the risk could be reduce by as much as 86%. Women received a stronger benefit from regular tea drinking than men. Though this study was done on Chinese elderly there is no reason to believe that the results would not hold for other populations as well.
The protective role of tea on cognitive decline is due to the bioactive compounds found in tea leaves – catechins, theaflavins, thearubigins and L-theanine. All these compounds exhibit strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can protect the brain against vascular damage and degeneration leading to memory impairment. The study showed that any type of tea was protective – green, black, oolong or white.
All types of tea come from the same plant. They differ in how they are processed after harvesting. The leaves of black and oolong teas are left to ferment, while green and white are just dried. Fermentation changes the chemical composition of the tea leaves, so that each tea has a different amount of the various flavonoid compounds. Green tea has more catechins while black tea has more theaflavins and thearubigins. All these compounds have similar chemical actions in the body so that the health benefits between the different types of tea overlap quite a bit. That is probably the reason the researchers found that it did not matter what type of tea a person drank as long as they drank it regularly.
The benefits of drinking tea can extend to other health issues as well. In a very large study done in France, those who drank tea dailyreduced their risk for heart disease by 24% compared against those who regularly drank coffee. The anti-inflammatory effects come into play to protect tea drinkers who have less stiffness in their arteries and lower blood pressure than those who do not drink tea.
Did you know that except for fluoridated water, brewed tea is the next best food source of the mineral fluoride? And, a couple of cups of black tea each day can help to suppress the bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities and the buildup of plaque.
Freshly brewed hot tea contains the highest amount of flavonoid compounds, followed by decaf tea and ice tea. Ready-to-use teas have very few antioxidant flavonoid compounds. Simply squeezing a lemon wedge into your next cup of tea increases the levels of catechins. But drink tea the British way, with added milk, and casein, the main protein in milk, inhibits some of the beneficial effects of catechins. All dried teas, if stored away from light, heat and moisture will last a long time, up to 2 years. Keep loose tea or teabags in an airtight container away from the sun, stove and sink.
Tea is readily available, inexpensive and has no side effects when used in moderation. Having a few cups of tea a day offers a simple preventive measure to support your health and protect your brain as you age.
Your dental health is an important component of your physical health. It’s a frequently underappreciated aspect that can have a profound systemic influence. In fact, thousands of studies have linked oral disease to systemic disease.
Story at-a-glance
Poor oral health increases your risk for many different health problems and diseases, including bad breath, dementia, pneumonia, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease and head and neck cancers
Your diet is the most significant determinant of your oral and dental health, but how you clean your teeth can also make a big difference. Flossing is an important strategy, yet one-third of American adults never floss
When done correctly, oil pulling has a significant cleansing, detoxifying and healing effect that can help improve both your oral and general health
June 22, 2016
By Dr. Mercola
Your dental health is an important component of your physical health. It’s a frequently underappreciated aspect that can have a profound systemic influence. In fact, thousands of studies have linked oral disease to systemic disease.
Your mouth is like a window to your health; the soft tissues and your teeth reflect what’s going on in the rest of your body. Inflammation is well-known as a “ravaging” and disease-causing force, and gum disease and other oral diseases produce chronic low-grade inflammation.
When the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease enter into your circulatory system, it causes your liver to release C-reactive proteins, which have inflammatory effects on your entire circulatory system.
Health Risks Associated With Poor Oral Health
People who fail to brush their teeth twice a day may be putting themselves at risk of heart disease,1,2 and advanced gum disease can raise your risk of a fatal heart attack up to 10 times.
There’s also a 700 percent higher incidence of type 2 diabetes among those with gum disease, courtesy of the inflammatory effects of unbalanced microflora in your mouth. Other health effects associated with poor oral health include an increased risk of:3
Bad breath (halitosis)
Dementia: failing to brush twice a day increases your risk of dementia by as much as 65 percent, compared to brushing three times a day
Pneumonia: good oral hygiene has been shown to lower your risk of pneumonia by about 40 percent. Other research has shown that people with periodontitis have a 300 percent greater chance of contracting pneumonia
Erectile dysfunction (ED): ED is more than twice as common among those with periodontitis than those without ED
Kidney disease and more
Overall, your diet is the most significant determinant of your oral and dental health, but how you clean your teeth can also make a big difference. Flossing, for example, is an important strategy, yet one-third of American adults never floss. If you’re one of them, I’d encourage you to reconsider.
The Importance of Flossing
Flossing is perhaps even more important than brushing because it removes bacteria that are the precursors of plaque, which if left to fester will turn into tartar that cannot be removed by regular brushing or flossing.
Tartar is what eventually causes the damage that leads to decay and tooth loss. Most people are aware that flossing is a recommended practice for optimal oral health, yet nearly one-third of Americans never floss.
Remarkably, 1 in 5 Americans also does not brush their teeth twice a day.4 According to a recent investigation:5
32.4 percent of U.S. adults over the age of 30 never floss
37.3 percent floss, but not daily
30.3 percent floss on a daily basis
More women than men never floss
Low-income participants are less likely to floss than those in higher income brackets
Flossing Guidelines
Use a piece of floss that is about 15 to 18 inches long, wrapping each end around your index fingers. Slide the floss between your teeth and wrap it around the side of the tooth in the shape of a “C.”
Scrub the area by moving the floss up and down, and back and forth. Make sure you scrub both sides of the adjacent teeth before moving on to the next set.
If you have wider spaces between your teeth, use Super Floss, which is thicker.6 If dexterity is an issue, use soft plaque removers. Similar to toothpicks, they allow you to clean between your teeth with one hand. A double-pronged floss holder is another option.
While flossing, you can get telltale signs of potential health problems. For example, bleeding gums is a warning sign that you have bacteria in your mouth causing damage, which can easily spread through your blood stream and cause chronic inflammation elsewhere in your body.
The answer is to gently floss and brush more often, until your gums no longer bleed from brushing or flossing. If bleeding persists longer than a week, see a dentist.
Keep in mind that a Waterpik cannot replace flossing. These types of irrigation tools can also be hard on your gums. The truth is, if you brush and floss, you have no need for a Waterpik. That said, it can be beneficial if you have braces.
Tooth Brushing Guidelines
Research suggests the ideal brushing time is two minutes, and the ideal pressure is 150 grams (gm), which is about the weight of an orange.7 Brushing your teeth too hard and longer than necessary can cause more harm than good.
Researchers found that brushing longer than two minutes, and/or using pressure greater than 150 gm does not remove any additional plaque, so there's a “Goldilocks’ zone” when brushing, and there’s no reason to keep going past that point.
When it comes to toothpaste, I recommend using non-fluoridated versions. There are a growing number of such toothpastes on the market these days, as more people are becoming aware of fluoride’s downsides and dangers.
Other toxic toothpaste ingredients to avoid include triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), propylene glycol and diethanolamine (DEA).
Alternatively, you could make your own toothpaste8 using ingredients such as coconut oil, baking soda (which acts as an abrasive and helps with whitening), and a pinch of Himalayan salt. High-quality peppermint essential oil can be added for flavor and cavity prevention.
The Case for Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice. When combined with the antimicrobial power of coconut oil, I believe it can be a powerful tool to improve your oral health. The high lauric content of coconut oil makes it a strong inhibitor of a wide range of pathogenic organisms, from viruses to bacteria to protozoa.
However, it also helps promote oral microbiome homeostasis, which is really important, as you don’t want to kill all microbes.
Oil pulling is thought to improve oral and physical health by reducing your toxic load. By swishing and “pulling” the oil between your teeth, it helps draw out pathogens that might otherwise migrate into other areas of your body. When done correctly, oil pulling has a significant cleansing, detoxifying and healing effect.
Naturopathic physician and coconut oil expert Dr. Bruce Fife has compared the benefits of oil pulling to changing the oil in your car:9
"It acts much like the oil you put in your car engine. The oil picks up dirt and grime. When you drain the oil, it pulls out the dirt and grime with it, leaving the engine relatively clean.
Consequently, the engine runs smoother and lasts longer. Likewise, when we expel harmful substances from our bodies our health is improved and we run smoother and last longer."
Sesame oil is traditionally recommended, but it has a relatively high concentration of omega-6 oils and the large amounts of unsaturated fats make it particularly sensitive to oxidation and going rancid.
I strongly believe coconut oil is a far superior option. I also think it tastes better. Coconut oil has a lipophilic effect, helping to eliminate unhealthy biofilm from your teeth. As noted by Authority Nutrition,10 it’s particularly effective at killing Streptococcus mutans, an oral bacterium responsible for a majority of tooth decay.
Coconut oil also contains a number of valuable nutrients that help promote oral health. That said, from a mechanical and biophysical perspective, either oil is likely to work.
So how do you do it? It’s quite simple, actually. You simply rinse your mouth with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, much like you would using a mouthwash. Work the oil around your mouth by pushing, pulling, and drawing it through your teeth for about 15 minutes. This process allows the oil to dislodge and neutralize pathogens and other debris.
When done, spit out the oil (do NOT swallow it) and rinse your mouth with water. I typically spit mine out on the soil outside of my house, being careful to avoid any plants. If you want, you could dissolve a pinch of Himalayan salt in the water and rinse with that. Himalayan salt contains more than 85 different microminerals, so this is another all-natural strategy that can help promote strong, healthy teeth and gums.
Poor Oral Health Is a Risk Factor for Oropharyngeal Cancers
Poor oral hygiene has also been linked to an increased risk for head and neck cancers. As noted in a recent analysis of 13 studies that were part of the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) Consortium, lack of tooth brushing and low frequency of dental visits consistently raised the risk of head and neck cancers.11,12
Poor oral health is also an independent risk factor for oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which could contribute to oral cancers such as cancers of the throat, tonsils, and base of tongue, if left untreated for long periods of time.
In one 2013 study,13,14 participants with poor oral health had a 56 percent higher rate of HPV infection than those with healthy mouths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 60 percent of oropharyngeal cancers are related to HPV,15 but according to this study it could be as high as 80 percent.
The researchers speculate that good oral hygiene could help prevent HPV infection, thereby lowering your risk for oropharyngeal and other cancers associated with untreated HPV infection.
The Importance of Nourishing Your Oral Microbiome
Part of oral health is attending to your oral microbiome — the colonies of beneficial microbes residing in your mouth. Achieving oral health is really about promoting balance among the beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in your mouth.
And contrary to popular belief, antimicrobial agents and alcohol mouthwashes designed to “kill bad bacteria” actually do far more harm than good in this regard, as they can be indiscriminate killers. The key is to nourish the beneficial bacteria, so they can naturally keep the potentially harmful ones in check.
Your oral microbiome, while connected to your gut microbiome, is quite unique. By promoting oral microbiome homeostasis, you can improve your digestion and salivary immune system, the latter of which helps protect you against disease, such as the common cold and flu. Your oral microbiome even plays a role in making vitamins.
Interestingly, probiotics do not work in the mouth, so it’s not as simple as adding more beneficial microbes into your oral cavity. Instead, as an initial step, you need to cease killing too many microbes in your mouth. Scientists are now starting to recognize that many of the same bacteria that perform beneficial functions can have pathogenic expression when disturbed. So avoiding disrupting the microflora in your mouth is typically more helpful than trying to kill everything off.
Even natural antimicrobial herbs can disrupt your oral microbiome. This includes tea tree oil, tulsi oil and oregano oil. The problem stems from the fact that beneficial bacteria end up having less of a chance of developing a healthy and balanced microbiome when you disturb them too much.
Promoting Oral Health Through Nutrition and Homeopathy
So what are your alternatives? While probiotics do not have a direct effect on your oral microbiome, addressing your gut flora can make a big difference. Fermented vegetables and other traditionally fermented foods are an ideal source, but if you don’t eat fermented foods, then a high-quality probiotic is certainly recommended.
I used to be severely challenged with plaque, but once I started eating fermented vegetables on a daily basis, and doing oil pulling with coconut oil, the plaque buildup was dramatically reduced. Your diet can also make or break your teeth, as it were, by influencing inflammation. Avoiding the following dietary culprits can go a long way toward reducing or preventing inflammation in your mouth and body:
Refined sugar/processed fructose and processed grains
Oxidized cholesterol (cholesterol that has gone rancid, such as that from overcooked, scrambled eggs)
Damaged omega-6 fats found in processed vegetable oils
Certain nutrients are very important for optimal gum health. Vitamin C is one. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is another. CoQ10 is a critical cofactor in the Krebs cycle, which is how energy is created in your cells. Bleeding gums, for example, can be a sign of CoQ10 deficiency. There are also a number of homeopathic tissue salts that can be beneficial for oral health, including:
Silica
Calcarea fluorica (calc. fluor.) or calcium fluoride
Calcium phosphate
Calcium carbonate
4 Strategies That Can Improve Your Oral Health
Research revealing the connection between the microorganisms in your mouth and cancer (as well as many other health problems) makes it clear that oral hygiene is a necessary prerequisite if you want to be healthy. Major problems can result from the overgrowth of opportunistic oral pathogens, including oropharyngeal cancers. In addition to avoiding fluoride and mercury fillings, my top four recommendations for optimizing your oral health are as follows:
Eat a wholesome diet of real food: fresh fruits and vegetables, grass-pastured meats, poultry, eggs and dairy; nuts and seeds. Minimize consumption of sugar and processed food
When it comes to oral hygiene and preventing cavities, please remember, drinking fluoridated water and brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste is not the answer because fluoride is more toxic than lead. Rather it's about your diet, and about proper dental care: brushing and flossing.
By avoiding sugars and processed foods, you prevent the proliferation of the bacteria that cause decay in the first place. Following up with proper brushing and flossing, and getting regular cleanings will ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy naturally.
