By David Hawkins
What goes on in the mouth has a lot to do with general health of
the body. Research shows that many degenerative diseases like heart
disease may have connections to oral health.
Cavities, infections, toxic or allergy producing filling materials,
root canals, and misalignments of the teeth or jaw can have far reaching
effects throughout the body. At the 1999 Conference on Cardiovascular
Disease, researchers from the National Institute of Health stated
that bleeding gums and deep pockets between gum tissue and bone increased
the risk of cardiovascular and coronary hearth disease and strokes.
Some common causes include: unerupted teeth, impacted and unimpacted
wisdom teeth, and amalgam filled cavities, root canals, cysts, and
bone inflammations.
Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits help reduce gum disease;
and may help prevent heart disease.
The two forms of periodontal gum disease affect nearly half the U.S.
adult population. Simple gum inflammation with the presence of bacteria
is called gingivitis. When it’s more severe, it’s called
peridontitis. Both can lead to bone loss and subsequent loss of teeth.
Nutrition plays a major role with oral health: Minerals are important.
Some necessary ones include calcium, magnesium, zinc, silica, boron
and iron. Vitamins also play an important role, including Vitamin
C, D, K, A, B2, B3, B6, B12 and folic acid.
Deficiencies can lead to bone loss, inflamed gum tissues, mouth sores,
loss of taste, dry mouth, bad breath, sore tongue and thrush (yeast
infections). Supplementing specific nutrients when there is dental
disease has been shown to have benefits.
Preventing and minimizing the detrimental effects of bacterial overgrowth
is essential for good oral health. The first step is to remove bacteria
mechanically, particularly after meals and at bedtime. Cleaning the
tongue with a tongue scraper helps. Using specific herbal products
with antibacterial compounds as mouthwashes, rinses and toothpastes
is a good start. Herbals that show promise include:
Bloodroot –used for over 100 years in dental care. Recently
it’s been shown to prevent bacteria from sticking to newly formed
plaque thus reduces inflammation. Toxic in large doses, it is usually
added in small amounts to prepared products, not taken alone.
Calendula – An anti-inflammatory used to soothe swollen gums
Goldenseal –A potent deterrent to gum disease, contains the
antibacterial compound berberine. It may reduce pain and swollen gums.
A mouthwash made from the root in tea form is very effective and may
be used as a wash after wisdom teeth extraction to prevent dry sockets.
Myrrh – dates back to biblical times. Found in gargles, toothpastes
and rinses, it‘s known to kill staph and strep germs.
Tea tree oil – Is strongly antiseptic and may kill bacteria
resistant to other antimicrobials. Research shows eight components
effective against bacteria. A chewing stick permeated with tea tree
and mint is helpful for breath freshening and reducing bacteria.
Another important nutrient involved in oral nutrition is a substance
is CO Q10.
According to Dr. Edward Wilkinson, periodontal specialist and researcher
investigating gum disease, Co Q10 deficiencies are found in diseased
gums. In research of patients taking oral CO Q10 in 60 mg dosage,
reports showed improvement after three weeks that took into account
factors including gingival pocket depth, swelling, bleeding, redness,
pain, exudates and looseness of teeth. It can’t be advertised
as a medical treatment for gum disease due to lack of FDA approval
for such use, but according to Dr. Karl Folker, the CO Q10 researcher,
it’s safe and non-toxic.
David Hawkins is owner of Mother Earth Foods and has been a practicing
herbalist for over 25 years. He is the president of the West Virginia
Herb Association and is available as a lecturer and for private consultations
at Integrative Holistic Health Services. You can send comments and
questions to David Hawkins, 1638 19th St., Parkersburg, WV. 26101
or visit the web page at www.motherearthworks.com
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