Holistic Dentistry NJ

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; it is also released into the environment as a result of industrial processes, such as smelting, mining, and energy production. Some mercury is introduced due to naturally occurring phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions. 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 harbour 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. Mercury toxicity symptoms are many; mercury poisoning takes a heavy toll on the body, affecting the neurologica...

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. Current standards for dental education do not include instruction for safe amalgam removal. To receive training in proper removal of amalgam fillings (to protect patient and staff from mercury vapor), dentists receive training from any of several postgraduate institutions, including the Holistic Dental Association and the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. The comprehensive protocols established by The Center for Systemic Dentistry ensure a thorough process for safe amalgam removal. For more information CONTACT INFO ...

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. Hypomineralization, caused mainly by a diet inadequate in minerals, increases a child’s susceptibility to decay. 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 (front) vs. posterior (back) tooth patterns --Contra-lateral tooth patterns --Decay clustering --Post-eruption susceptibility A pediatric dental wellness program helps your child to learn the lessons of proper health maintenance and nutritional habits that prevent dental disease. You can bring your child for his or her first dental exam after all the baby teeth are in—generally, between ages three and five. Our pediatric wellness program begins with a three-part, comprehensive ...

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. This is the position of the American Dental Association (ADA); however, the organization also supports ongoing research to assure the safety of all materials used in dental work. --Many toxicologists associate great risk with the use of merc...

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. 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? The cons or risks with an RCT are less obvious. They center on the fact that a tooth is an “open” biological system which interacts with the body. In other words, anything placed into the tooth will eventually find its way into the body and may interact with a susceptible cell or organ. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS ONCE A ROOT CANAL IS INEVITABLE? It’s important to understand that all teeth problems are unique. No treatment is universal. Individual circumstances may dictate that a specific tr...

Childhood, when permanent (“adult”) 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 (contained to the area of the mouth), caused when mouth bacteria consume sugar and excrete acid, which begins to decay enamel. Some studies have demonstrated that certain foods, medical conditions, and bacteria can initiate decay; other studies assert that, although those factors may start the decay process, they do not contribute the formation of cavities. Pediatric tooth decay is on the rise. Some research suggests that systemic causes—including radiation exposure, hormonal...

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. Because of the widespread usage of mercury in dental amalgam materials, many people are susceptible to mercury toxicity and its associated health issues. Dentists and toxicologists are divided over the extent of the danger posed by mercury amalgam fillings. Even those who agree that mercury amalgam is hazardous are further divided over whether the safer protocol is to remove them or to leave them untouched. Paradoxically, improper removal of old fillings can cause greater exposure to mercury. 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 r...

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; it is also released into the environment as a result of industrial processes, such as smelting, mining, and energy production. Some mercury is introduced due to naturally occurring phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions. Mercury toxicity symptoms  are many; mercury poisoning takes a heavy toll on the body, affecting the neurological and central nervous systems, as well as the gastrointestinal, immune, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular systems. Major organs, such as the brain, liver, and kidneys, also suffer as a result 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, l...

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. Because of the widespread usage of mercury in dental amalgam materials, many people are susceptible to mercury toxicity and its associated health issues. Dentists and toxicologists are divided over the extent of the danger posed by mercury amalgam fillings. Even those who agree that mercury amalgam is hazardous are further divided over whether the safer protocol is to remove them or to leave them untouched. Paradoxically, improper removal of old fillings can cause greater exposure to mercury. 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 re...