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As a biological dentist, many of my patients ask me my thoughts regarding root canal treatment and any potential dangers associated with root canals.  In this blog, I am going to explain when root canal treatment is needed as well as what is involved in root canal therapy.

When Are Root Canals Recommended? When a tooth has acute pain, swelling in the jaw, pus present, lesions found at the root tip on an x-ray, trauma, or too deep of a cavity.

What is a Root Canal? A root canal is generally the last treatment available to save a tooth that is infected or has experienced severe trauma.  Typically, patients are referred to a root canal specialist (Endodontist) for further evaluation of the tooth in question.  If treatment is necessary, the Endodontist will perform the root canal.

What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?

During root canal treatment, the nerve and pulp of the tooth and clean it out using special files and antiseptic solutions to flush the root canal clean.  A material called gutta percha is used to fill in the root canal that was cleansed.  Once the root canal is complete, a crown is typically needed to cover the exposed tooth.

Here at my Biological Cosmetic dental office, we typically refer patients in need of a potential root canal to one of our root canal specialists.  This ensures that the tooth has further testing to determine if a root canal is needed.  However, when individuals are health compromised or have a more holistic view on dentistry, we work in conjunction with their alternative health practitioner to determine alternative treatment options.

Stay tuned for my next blog which will discuss the potential problems that can arise with root canal therapy.

If you are interested in learning more about a more holistic approach to dentistry, please visit my Biological Dental office which is located just off of the 91-freeway in Riverside, California.  Contact us at (951)686-3666.

As October is breast cancer awareness month, I thought I would spend some time explaining the importance of oral health and its relation to cancer therapies.  Cancer therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy both can affect the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissue in many ways.  However, if a woman is having surgery to remove a tumor in her breast, for example, then the oral tissues will not be harmed.

Why does chemotherapy affect the oral tissue? Simply, chemotherapy destroys the white blood cells in the body which protect against infection.  Thus, there is a higher risk of infection with dental or gum treatment during and following chemotherapy regimes.  It is best to have clearance from the oncologist prior to having any invasive dental treatment.  However, routine teeth cleanings are recommended and encouraged before, during, and after treatment.

Oral Health Complications with Cancer Treatment:

Mucositis: inflammation of the tissues in the mouth.  This can be extremely painful and feels as a sunburn might on the skin.  This painful inflammation can lead to difficulty swallowing, alter taste, decrease appetite, affect sleep and speech.

Xerostomia: (Dry mouth) Can be a side effect of cancer therapies.

Tooth Decay:  an increase of tooth decay can occur if excess acid is produced with nausea/vomiting.  Also, dry mouth can lead to tooth decay.

Bone problems in Jaw

What Dental Treatment is Needed Before Cancer Treatment?

*Any Recommended dental treatment

*Maintain teeth cleaning and increase to 3 month intervals

What Dental Therapies are Needed Before/During/After Cancer Treatment?

*Use dental products that contain Xylitol to decrease acidity and stimulate healthy saliva flow

*Use excellent dental hygiene at home; proper toothbrushing and flossing

If you are looking for a dentist to assist you in your dental needs please call my Biological Cosmetic dental office at (951)686-3666.  We are conveniently located just off of the 91 freeway in Riverside, Ca.

With over 2,000 dental materials on the market, it is becoming more important than ever to test the compatibility of each material to our system.  With autoimmune disorders and chronic health conditions on the rise, it is important to not add additional sensitivities via dental materials as to exacerbate the condition.  However, many healthy, health conscious individuals are turning toward dental biocompatibility testing to prevent any future allergies or other sensitivities as a way to keep their system balanced.

The benefit of biocompatibility is shown in those patients who have a health condition that decreases their immune system.  Most illnesses/diseases significantly decrease the immune system leaving it vulnerable to further reductions in the immune response.

What does the biocompatibility test evaluate:

The test results reveal what dental materials are least reactive to your system along with any chemical sensitivities.  Here at my Riverside Biological Cosmetic dental office, I test the materials that I use in all of my dental procedures along side of other known materials to provide thorough material testing.

What is involved in dental material testing? *at my Biological Dental office we provide the test for you to take

• Schedule appointment with lab to have blood drawn
• Ship blood sample to material testing lab
• Time for material testing lab to evaluate your blood
• Time for lab to send results to dental office
• Time for dentist to read results and determine treatment plan

If you are interested in dental material testing, please call my Biological Cosmetic dental office to schedule and appointment.  (951)686-3666.

As discussed in my previous blog, BPA exposure to humans is at an all time high.  Our constant exposure to bisphenol A is creating an unnecessary toxicity in the human population.  The most unfortunate aspect of BPA exposure is that food manufacturers continue to use this plastic compound to package our foods and drinks, most of which we are unaware as it is not on the label in most cases.  For this reason, I am going to list the types of foods/drinks etc. that we come into contact with that are said to be containing BPA.

• Infant Formula: especially metal containers lined with plastic and liquid formula
• Canned Food/Soups: BPA leeches from the plastic liner and goes into the food.
• Plastic Containers: Examples of a few: yogurt, milk, butter, microwave dinners, microwave bags containing food.  There are too many to list; reducing your pantry of plastic lined food is ideal for decreased exposure.
• Canned Beverages: BPA plastic liners contain less measured leeching than canned food
• Plastic Baby Bottles/Nipples/Pacifiers: Contain Polycarbonate plastics which release low levels of BPA. It is best to be safe and avoid the extremely hot temperatures in the dishwasher and wash by hand for decreasing the chemical breakdown.
• Plastic Wraps/Disposable Bags/Reusable Plastic Food Containers: Are questionable however off of the SC Johnson website they deny use of BPA.  http://www.saranbrands.com/faq.asp#1
• Aged Plastic Containers: More than likely contain BPA, it is best to remove them from your household.

Additionally, here is a link listing common canned children’s foods to avoid: http://www.breastcancerfund.org/big-picture-solutions/make-our-products-safe/cans-not-cancer/bpa-in-kids-canned-food.html

When it comes to reading the bottom of plastic containers here are the numbers to look for:

#2 #4 #5 are seemingly safe at this time with #2 being the safest compound

#7 AVOID

Realistically, it is virtually impossible not to come in contact with some form of plastic or BPA.  The good news is that many manufactures are making BPA-free products now, however I urge you to proceed with caution.  Plastics are unstable in form and are easily broken down with temperature changes.

In closing, as a Holistic Cosmetic Dentist, I have researched and found BPA-free white filling material as an option in my dental office.  Our office strives to be up-to-date with the latest in research and dental technology to safeguard the total health and well being of all of our patients.  If you are interested in learning more about Holistic Dentistry and/or feel that our office would be a right fit for you, please call or email to set up a consultation (951)686-3666.

Bisphenol A better known as BPA is commonly used to make clear polycarbonate plastic and resin.  It was created in the late 1800’s by chemists to form plastic and by the early 1900’s was found to be unsafe in large quantities.  Unfortunately, chemists only tested and created minimal compounds to create plastic of which BPA being on the safer side.  Even though studies in the1930’s revealed mutations in estrogen and reproductive tissues in mice and rats, it was deemed safe for human use.  Interestingly, BPA is also used as a pesticide and fungicide.  It is said that the United States no longer uses BPA in its pesticides.

According to online source Wikipedia; more than 8 billion pounds of BPA are produced on a yearly basis around the world.

Why is BPA dangerous?

When plastic is formed many chemicals are used and form to make plastic and resin materials.  Overtime, the bonding of the chemicals breakdown as it is not stable, thus BPA is released into whatever it comes into contact with.  BPA can be absorbed through the skin, food, and water.  Running plastic through the dishwasher or through hot water can break the unstable bond creating a constant release of BPA that we consume on a daily basis.

Just how does BPA affect our system?

BPA is a known estrogenic material that causes genetic and hormonal mutations in fetuses, infants, children, men, and women.  On a systemic level Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor, simply it mimics our body’s estrogen hormone.  Long term and continuous exposure to BPA are still being researched.  Currently, there is concern regarding fetal development and health of reproductive tissues by the National Institute of Health and National Toxicology Program.  BPA is said to be in at least 95% of American urine sampled which means that as we continue to use products containing BPA, we are overloading our systems with this chemical creating a toxic effect.

Here is a list of potential health problems associated with BPA in animal studies:

Breast Cancer

Insulin Resistance

Exposure in utero can lead to precancerous prostrate lesions

Hyperactivity and behavior problems

Adult Obesity

Decreased Immune Function

Brain chemistry changes

Increased addiction to amphetamine drugs

Please stay tuned as I dig deeper into my upcoming blogs on BPA, where I will show you just how much BPA we are consuming on a daily basis unintentionally.  My dental team is focused on health and well-being, if you are concerned that your fillings contain BPA please visit my office for consultation.  My Riverside Biological Cosmetic dental office offers BPA-free alternatives for dental materials along with dental material testing to ensure that your body’s own chemistry is in alignment with dental materials used. (951)686-3666.