Holistic Dentistry NJ

Many patients have heard the term mercury toxicity associated with fillings but still have many questions about it: what is it, am I affected by it, and what can be done to remediate it? Fillings are made of a substance called dental amalgam. This is a mixture of metals, consisting primarily of mercury. Mercury amalgam has been used as a dental filling material around the world since ancient times and in the United States for nearly 200 years.   The question of whether or not mercury amalgam fillings contribute to mercury exposure is hotly debated. Many dentists believe that amalgam fillings, in use for more than 150 years in this country, are safe and that only a small percentage of the population shows sensitivity to mercury in fillings. Many toxicologists associate great risk with the use of mercury amalgam fillings. One researcher, Andrew Cutler, has argued that millions of people are being poisoned by mercury compounds the medical profession is exposing them to...

When the element mercury accumulates to a high concentration in the body, it can lead to a variety of acute and chronic medical problems, including organ damage and compromise of major bodily systems. Dentists who focus on safe amalgam removal must receive specialized training in the practice; they also follow government guidelines for containment of mercury vapor during the procedure and disposal of mercury-containing materials afterward. The symptoms of mercury toxicity are manifold; poisoning from the element can affect every part of the body, including the neurological, central nervous, gastrointestinal, immune, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular systems, as well as major organs, such as the brain, liver, and kidneys. Multiple medical studies report that the effects of mercury toxicity can be mitigated and often reversed when proper procedures are implemented to remove the sources of mercury poisoning in the body. The most common source of mercury entering the body is f...

A root canal-treated (RCT) or root-filled tooth is one in which the dental nerve, commonly called the pulp, is intentionally removed and is filled with an inert material called gutta percha. Once an RCT is performed, the tooth must be restored with a post and a crown. These will strengthen the tooth and prevent a crack or fracture from developing after treatment. What are the pros and cons of root canals? The pro of a root canal is obvious: the painful or dead tooth is treated and extraction is avoided. But we must ask two key questions before starting a root canal. Can the tooth be restored? Can a predictable RCT be performed, or are there risks for a poor result? How is a root canal properly diagnosed? A root canal is a treatment, not a diagnosis. Good dentistry, like good medicine, starts with a proper diagnosis of the tooth. Some dentists argue that a diagnosis is academic and a waste of a patient’s time. The result is always the same, they say, a root canal. How...

Childhood, when permanent teeth began to grow, is the best time to teach youngsters good oral hygiene habits and how to make wise nutritional choices. By learning how to prevent compromising the enamel, the hard substance that covers teeth, children can minimize and perhaps prevent the dental problems that plague many adults. To this day, there is disagreement in the dental community about the precise cause of tooth decay. The most widely accepted theory is that decay is a local phenomenon, caused when mouth bacteria consume sugar and excrete acid, which begins to decay enamel.   Pediatric tooth decay is on the rise. Some research suggests that systemic causes—including radiation exposure, hormonal abnormalities, and foreign proteins in food are to blame. The systemic theory of decay suggests that other factors become relevant only after hypomineralization has begun. Tooth decay in children falls into distinct categories: Baby teeth versus adult teeth Anterior (fron...

Mercury, the only metallic element that is a liquid under standard temperature and pressure conditions, is widely utilized in many industries and processes. It has been used as a component of dental amalgam since ancient times and is found in fluorescent tubes and thermometers. The simplest ways to avoid mercury exposure in your immediate environment are to remove fluorescent tubes and thermometers, to avoid consumption of certain types of fish known to harbor high accumulations of mercury in their tissues, and to undergo a process of safe amalgam removal to replace old fillings with a substitute amalgam that eliminates the possibility of mercury toxicity. A wide variety of symptoms is attributed to toxicity resulting from mercury amalgam. This list includes but is not limited to: Headache, fatigue, loss of concentration, irritability, depression, insomnia, and dizziness Diverticulosis, stomach cramps, bloating, loss of appetite, and gastrointestinal disturbances Muscle fa...

We are constantly being exposed to various toxins from our environment, such as heavy metals, chemicals, radiation, and acids. When these toxins enter our body, they may exert adverse effects which can result in symptoms or disease. As a result of our unique identity called biological individuality. In order to understand resistance and susceptibility, we need to be familiar with the system designed to protect us and prevent disease. This system is composed of three sequential parts: Identification: The Immune System carries out this process. Neutralization: The Detoxification System performs this task Elimination: The  Elimination System colon and kidneys work to remove toxins. Since the health of the individual is crucial to his or her survival, the body uses these three systems. It also provides a back-up or fail safe plan in the event one part fails. Xenobiotics can place a great deal of stress on the entire system. Because of the complexity and toxicity of x...

When the element mercury accumulates to a high concentration in the body, it can lead to a variety of acute and chronic medical problems, including organ damage and compromise of major bodily systems. Dentists who focus on safe amalgam removal must receive specialized training in the practice; they also follow government guidelines for containment of mercury vapor during the procedure and disposal of mercury-containing materials afterward. Mercury toxicity is a health problem that results from a variety of environmental exposures. In addition to its widespread use in dental amalgam, mercury gets into our surroundings from industrial processes and broken fluorescent tubes and even from natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions. Multiple medical studies report that the effects of mercury toxicity can be mitigated and often reversed when proper procedures are implemented to remove the sources of mercury poisoning in the body. A patient coming to The Center for Systemic De...

Mercury amalgam has been used as a dental filling material around the world since ancient times and in the United States for nearly 200 years. Mercury toxicity, also called mercury poisoning, is caused by a high level of mercury in the body. The question of whether or not mercury amalgam fillings contribute to mercury exposure is hotly debated. Many dentists believe that amalgam fillings, in use for more than 150 years in this country, are safe and that only a small percentage of the population shows sensitivity to mercury in fillings. Many toxicologists associate great risk with the use of mercury amalgam fillings. One researcher, Andrew Cutler, has argued that millions of people are being poisoned by mercury compounds the medical profession is exposing them to. Among the latter, common arguments against the procedure include: All the mercury has already leaked out. Additional tooth structure will be lost by removing existing dental work. The patient will be expos...

A root canal-treated (RCT) or root-filled tooth is one in which the dental nerve, commonly called the pulp, is intentionally removed and is filled with an inert material called gutta percha. Once an RCT is performed, the tooth must be restored with a post and a crown. These will strengthen the tooth and prevent a crack or fracture from developing after treatment. A good analogy is a tree branch. Does tooth pain indicate i need a root canal? A dentist first will tap on several teeth and look for signs of an abscess or a radiograph. A tooth with constant or severe pain does not necessarily indicate the need for a root canal. These include sinus infections, myofascial pain, neurovascular disorders, neuralgias (a common cause), neuritis (a viral infection of the tooth), neuropathy, and neuromas. Even heart attacks can refer pain to the teeth of the lower jaw. How is a root canal properly diagnosed? A root canal is a treatment, not a diagnosis. Good dentistry, like good m...