 Let's delve into one of the most undisclosed sources of major system wide health problems: The Mouth. We will give supporting scientific proof and go over a simple process that can literally change your health forever. It's commonly understood in the holistic medical world that most of our major illnesses stem from the digestive tract, so let's take a close look at the beginning of our digestion....It all begins in the mouth. It all begins in the mouth....all the wonderful comfort foods, the joy of taste and texture. All so beautiful and natural to us. But what education on the deeply critical, system-wide need for proper oral hygiene have we been given past the “floss and brush using fluoride toothpaste” routine? The hard truth is; not much at all...and what's more, there has been a great deal of misinformation regarding the safety of compounds such as fluoride and amalgam fillings (but that will be a topic for another post). So today, right here in this article, you will be gaining golden insight known to only a few as to what plaque, bacterial buildup and periodontal disease in the mouth truly does, not only to the gums, teeth and jaw bone, but to the whole body...heart, lungs, liver and the rest of the organs, including the nervous system, muscles and other body systems. We will then explore the solution, giving some of the most simplistic yet powerful methods and resources for preventing this unknown menace from completely destroying your quality of life or even cutting your life short. Article Sections: 1) What is dental plaque? 2) Oral bacteria - what is its significance? How can it actually wind up killing us? 3) Medical research as proof. 4) Oil pulling - One of the most powerful gifts to your health. 5) Proper dental care. A step by step guide.  What is Dental Plaque? Dental plaque is the build up of tartar, a by-product of chewed food. With lack of proper probiotics, oil pulling and cleanings, this sticky “film” comprised mostly of bacteria feeding on the residue of food left behind after our meals, hardens, becoming tartar or dental plaque. Why is this such a deadly issue? Well, let me explain... Oral bacteria- What is its Significance? How can it actually wind up killing us? Dental plaque can harbor more bacteria in one mouth than there are people on the planet! What's more, we're not speaking of the “friendly” bacteria we find in the intestines. We're speaking of bone devolving, organ attacking bacteria, that can and WILL invade the rest of one's body. Beginning by attacking the gums, a condition commonly known as gingivitis, soon enamel and bone loss begins which is referred to scientifically as "periodontitis." When the enamel (the hard outer layer of the teeth) is acidified, it begins to dissolve, forming cavities, which lead eventually to insidious cyst-like caverns within the teeth. These caverns give birth to billions of new soldiers ready to attack the heart and wreak havoc on the rest of the already tired, overburdened body. As the plaque continues to remain unchallenged, the bacteria continue excreting acidic waste, further attacking the gums, causing them to become red, swollen and bleed easily. The acid waste from the bacteria eventually begins dissolving the jaw bone itself. Finally, if enough bone loss occurs, loss of the teeth themselves can result. All the while, as conditions worsen, the vascular system in the mouth becomes compromised by brushing and the huge body-wide bacterial invasion begins. Not convinced? Read the studies below.... Medical Research as Proof How do the oral bacteria get to the rest of the body? What do they do to the organs? Here are three studies giving us understanding and proof on this issue:  University at Buffalo Study 1: Let's begin with our most vital organ, the heart. Here is a an excerpt of an article regarding a controlled scientific study done by the University at Buffalo. (1) “The study involved 386 men and women between the ages of 35 and 69 who had suffered a heart attack and 840 people free of heart trouble who served as controls. Samples of dental plaque, where germs adhere, were collected from 12 sites in the gums of all participants.The samples were analyzed for the presence of the six common types of periodontal bacteria, as well as the total number of bacteria. The patients harbored more of each type of bacteria than the controls, the analysis showed. However, only two species, known as Tannerella Forsynthesis and Preventella Intermedia, had a statistically significant association with an increased risk of heart attack."
"An increase in the number of different periodontal bacteria also increased the odds of having a heart attack, results showed.”  Study 2: A study done by Harvard University clearly states: (2) “In people with periodontitis (erosion of tissue and bone that support the teeth), chewing and tooth brushing release bacteria into the bloodstream. Several species of bacteria that cause periodontitis have been found in the atherosclerotic plaque in arteries in the heart and elsewhere. This plaque can lead to heart attack."
"Oral bacteria could also harm blood vessels or cause blood clots by releasing toxins that resemble proteins found in artery walls or the bloodstream. The immune system's response to these toxins could harm vessel walls or make blood clot more easily. It is also possible that inflammation in the mouth revs up inflammation throughout the body, including in the arteries, where it can lead to heart attack and stroke.”  University of Zurich Study 3: In other studies done at the Institute of Medical Microbiology of the University of Zurich (3), a specific bacterium called Streptococcus tigurinus was discovered. Found commonly in oral cavities, this bacterium has been linked to patients suffering from endocarditis, meningitis and spondylodiscitis (inflammation of the spine and connective tissue around the spinal cord and brain). This is a huge factor in understanding yet another possibility regarding aggravated chronic back and general muscular pain. The connective tissue around the spine and brain called "the dura," is key in proper regulation of body tissues and pain. If the dura becomes inflamed or stuck, the resulting neural feedback from the dura could cause muscle spasm and organ problems, leading to further body pain and the general degradation of wellness. On the path to recovery from chronic mysterious back and systemic muscular pain, Craniosacral Therapy is one of the most effective additions to proper diet, hydration and dental hygiene. Craniosacral work focuses on releasing trapped, inflamed sections of the dura and hence, relieving the systemic symptoms.  The release process of the connective tissue around the central nervous system called the dura is being approached here by freeing the movement of the cranial bones to allow maximum mobility of the dural tissue. This is an extremely relaxing and gentle process which can achieve quick results within only a few sessions. Mainstream dentists are beginning to recognize and promote education on the matter of system wide disease process stemming from the mouth. According to a renown dental group in Washington DC... "Current research reveals that simmering, painless inflammation in the body is the single most powerful trigger of heart attacks, even worse than high cholesterol. Bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream when the gums are inflamed. This bacteria can get mixed up with blood-clotting cells called platelets. These clumps of cells and bacteria can lodge inside the walls of the blood vessels, causing heart-stopping clots to form. These clots are what lead to heart disease. Keeping your gums healthy can reduce your risk of a heart attack." (4) From their site, the diagram below clearly maps out the systems affected by oral bacteria and the associated conditions. This powerful tool is a red alert to us all, finally linking the conditions within the mouth to many deadly diseases in the body...diseases often misdiagnosed or even passed off by many doctors as being of unknown origin.  A diagram by "The Dental Group" The extraordinary information in the research above is the proof of yet another silent villain that has been discovered in the ever expanding search for the “why” behind our systemic illness, pain and inflammation. Most educated people identify stress, inflammatory foods and bio-toxic compounds in GMO foods produced by companies like Monsanto, as the primary causes of our inflammation. Even though this may be quite true, with this new research behind us, we must own up to the possibility that next time you smile in the mirror, you may be looking one of the primary causes of your back pain or illness right in the mouth. Oil Pulling- One of the Most Powerful Gifts to Your Health. Below is an excerpt from Dr. Mercola's article on Oil Pulling: "The second technique I've been using for the past year is called "oil pulling" with coconut oil, which has reduced my plaque by another 50 percent, allowing me to go two months between visits to the hygienist, instead of one. Oil pulling is a practice dating back thousands of years, having originated with Ayurvedic medicine. When oil pulling is combined with the antimicrobial power of coconut oil, you have one very powerful health tool." "Sesame oil is traditionally recommended, but it has relatively high concentration of omega-6 oils. Therefore, I believe coconut oil is far superior, and, in my mind, it tastes better. But from a mechanical and biophysical perspective, it is likely that both work." "Oil pulling is simple. Basically, it involves rinsing your mouth with coconut oil, much like you would with a mouthwash. The oil is "worked" around your mouth by pushing, pulling, and drawing it through your teeth for a period of 15 minutes. If you are obsessive like me and want even better results you can go for 30-45 minutes. This process allows the oil to "pull out" bacteria, viruses, fungi and other debris. The best time is in the morning before eating breakfast, but it can be done at any time, the important point is to just do it. I seek to do it twice a day if my schedule allows. The used oil is discarded and your mouth rinsed with water. You should not swallow the oil because it's loaded with bacteria, toxins, pus, and mucous." "When done correctly, oil pulling has a significant cleansing, detoxifying and healing affect, not only for your mouth and sinuses but for the rest of your body as well." "Candida and Streptococcus are common residents in your mouth, and it's these germs and their toxic waste products that cause plaque accumulation and tooth decay, in addition to secondary infections and chronic inflammation throughout your body. Oil pulling can help lessen the overall toxic burden on your immune system by preventing the spread of these organisms from your mouth to the rest of your body, by way of your bloodstream." "The potential benefits of oil pulling extend well beyond your mouth. Oil pullers have reported rapid relief from systemic health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. According to Bruce Fife, naturopathic physician and expert in the healing effects of coconut3, the cleansing effect of oil pulling can be understood with the following analogy:" "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." ~ Dr. Mercola Click here to watch a video about oil pulling by Dr. Mercola Proper Dental Care, A Step-By-Step Guide. Here is a simple easy to follow method regarding oral hygiene recognized by many holistic experts as top of the line care: 1) Oil pull with one tbs of organic cold pressed coconut oil and two drops of oregano oil 15min before brushing, drinking water or eating 2) Use aluminum free baking soda as a rinse afterward to make the mouth alkaline. Bacteria can't live in an alkaline environment. 3) Floss using a reach flosser (flossing extension tool that allows one to reach all the way to the back of the molars.)  With any floss, you should be careful to avoid injuring your gums. Follow these instructions: - Carefully insert the floss between two teeth, using a back and forth motion. Gently bring the floss to the gum-line, but don’t force it under the gums. - Curve the floss around the edge of your tooth in the shape of the letter “C” and slide it up and down the side of each tooth. - Repeat this process between all your teeth, and remember to floss the back sides of your back teeth. 4) Use a tongue scraper to remove the large mass of possible bacteria on the surface of your tongue. 5) Use toothpaste from a natural fluoride-free source like Auromere (www.auromere.com) It is recommended to spend 2 minutes brushing your teeth twice a day. Here are some tips on how to brush properly:
6) Eat fermented vegetables, like organic sauerkraut, and take probiotics to further reduce the amount of bad bacteria by adding good bacteria. ~TIP ~ Gentle brushing is important, as brushing too aggressively can miss-align the cranial bones, causing havoc throughout the cranium and body. A session of craniosacral therapy can be a powerful method of realigning jammed and misaligned cranial bones thrown out of place by years of improper brushing and other traumas.  Freeing the dural tissue is gentle, relaxing and can be approached all along the Central Nervous System. Once the dura is moving freely, the ability to open up the bones of the cranium is vastly improved. Congratulations! If you've read this far it shows you have a true and empowered interest in living a life of real health and radiance.
You have the research and studies. You have the secret of oil pulling...and the dental care plan. These are critical factors in the true realization around this critical health issue. And, as has always been clear, the heart of all beauty in the world comes from realization. It changes all things for the better...and all that is necessary is action. What a profound difference in health can be had with such a small amount of work! Enjoy the path my friends and family. |
