Do you know that 80% of chronic degenerative diseases originate in the mouth?

Monday, January 07, 2013 by: Katherine Leonard, MS, NC
Tags: chronic disease, origins, oral health

(NaturalNews) Tooth health plays an important role in overall health. Conditions such as gum disease, TMJ, cavities, bad breath, digestive distress, and even heart disease and diabetes indicate that there are biochemical imbalances in the mouth and throughout the body. Low stomach acid, imbalanced bacterial populations, and poor diet and lifestyle likely contribute to an unhealthy mouth and consequently an unhealthy body. Unfortunately, brushing your teeth, using mouthwash, and getting regular teeth cleanings from a conventional dentist are not preventative practices that successfully reduce your risk of mouth disease. But why not?

Conventional dentists treat the mouth as a single entity, rather than considering it as a portal to the whole body. For this reason, many common dental procedures often harm the patient in the long term. For example, mercury amalgams constantly release mercury particles and burden the body with excess toxic metal. And root canals leave decaying bone and tissue in the mouth on which pathogenic bacteria thrive.

Conventional toothpaste and mouthwash contain toxic ingredients such as fluoride, artificial colors, alcohol, and preservatives. They even say on the label, "Do not swallow." Unfortunately, the mouth has a great ability to absorb these toxins into the bloodstream, even if they are not swallowed. To "clean" teeth with a chemical paste that is too toxic to swallow does not make sense when considering the mouth as the portal into the body that contains a live ecosystem of beneficial bacteria that protect the body from harm.

Natural Daily Dental Care

Instead of purchasing expensive, professional products, why not use non-toxic ingredients you can find at home? For example, start your morning with a traditional Ayurvedic practice of an "oil pull" where you swish 2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil in the mouth. This practice cleanses and detoxifies the gum tissues, removing any toxins from the previous day or night. Next brush your teeth with baking soda, which naturally exfoliates the teeth, alkalizes the mouth to prevent pathogenic bacteria from overgrowing, and lifts stains off the enamel. Instead of brushing side to side, brush up from the gums to the tip of the tooth. A warm, sea salt rinse will also refresh the mouth and create an environment that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria while dissuading disease-causing microbes.

If you have mercury/silver amalgams or root canals, visit a knowledgeable and experienced biological or holistic dentist to safely remove and clean the teeth. Take high doses of buffered vitamin C powder before and after your dental check ups to minimize damage from the toxins that are stirred up and released during the procedure.

Eating organic whole foods and little to no processed foods will nourish your teeth, gums, and the microorganisms that live in and protect your mouth. Using non-toxic oral care products will actively reduce your risk of dental disease while also supporting your overall health as well.

Sources for this article include
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23278146
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116045657.htm
www.livinglibations.com
www.hugginsappliedhealing.com

About the author:
Katherine Leonard is a Holistic Nutritionist and naturopathic medical student with a passion for supporting people regain their health by reducing exposure to environmental toxins and transitioning to a nourishing and health-promoting lifestyle. Katherine has particular interest in helping women prepare their bodies for pregnancy. She has a master's degree in Holistic Nutrition and is currently enrolled in a 4-year doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University.

Katherine believes that optimal health is achieved through organic whole foods, a toxin-free environment, stress management, and physical activity. Her passion is to design personalized programs to help others live nourishing lifestyles.

For more information and to sign up for a complimentary 15-minute consultation,
visit www.holistic-nourishment.com.
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