Holistic dentistry, in a nutshell, respects the fact that the mouth is an integrated part of the entire body, and that it should always be viewed and treated in this respect. It is a practice of dentistry, the most fundamental of all healthcare treatments, focusing on the two principle rules of homeopathy, "Do No Harm" and "Remove the Cause." The practice of Environmental Holistic Dentistry has its roots in Europe, dating back about 50 years. It is now practiced all around the world. Mats Hanson, PhD, from Sweden, has compiled over 3,000 scientific studies that back up the practice of environmental mercury-free biologic dentistry.

Conventional dentistry has certainly helped a great number of people enjoy good dental function. Even though patients leave the office of a traditional dentist chewing much better than before, a significant negative medical impact on the rest of their body may result from what was done in the dentist’s office. Depending on the patient's overall health, this effect could be apparent almost instantaneously, or it could take years or even decades before the full impact is realized. Many countries now either prohibit or limit the use of toxic materials in dentistry.

For centuries well informed health care practitioners have been aware of the strong connection between one’s teeth and the rest of the body. Energy meridian charts were drawn to show the energy connection between each tooth and its corresponding body part, organ, system or tissue. For example, the wisdom teeth are on the same energy meridian line that links up with one's heart.

Holistic dentists truly understand the importance of choosing biologically acceptable dental materials for each individual patient. They know that implanting toxic materials like mercury into one's teeth, from where small amounts will continuously leach out, could have a devastating negative effect on one's health. Intraoral galvanism is a phenomenon in which electrical currents are created in a person's mouth when different juxtaposed metals are constantly bathed in a warm salt solution, saliva. Every procedure performed and material used follows the main principle "Do No Harm."

Since holistic dentistry is done according to these principles it is least disturbing to one's immune system. Patients can be tested to find the least toxic and most biocompatible dental material suitable for them.

Informational Web Sites: www.cfsn.com/dental.html, www.vimy-dentistry.com, www.drnupe.com, www.mercola.com, www.cranton.com/mercury.htm, www.rheumatic.org/teeth.htm, www.naturaldentistry.org, www.magneticclay.com, www.holisticmed.com/dental/amalgam, www.mercury-free.com

"Silver fillings" are 45%-55% mercury. The American Dental Association has said repeatedly (to dental office staff, not to patients) that two of the most dangerous times in dealing with mercury fillings are when they are inserted and when they are removed.

Mercury, by and large, is the most neurotoxic, non-radioactive element on the face of this planet. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that there is no minimum safe level of mercury for human beings. In other words, mercury is so poisonous that no amount of mercury is safe (1992). OSHA classifies dental mercury amalgam fillings as a hazardous material, recommending a "no-touch" technique in handling them. (What about when it is in your mouth, touching your cheeks and your tongue, bathed by your own warm salty solution, saliva?)

Science has proved that mercury leaking from amalgam fillings is, by far, the main source of mercury exposure to humans. Science has also proven that mercury accumulates in one's body to a toxic level, traverses all biological safety barriers we have and interferes with countless life sustaining chemical reactions happening in our bodies every second. Fetuses in expecting mothers are of special concern, since mercury appears to accumulate in the fetus more rapidly that it does in the mother. This accumulation may have a devastating effect on the growing fetus. That is why no mercury amalgam removal should be done while the mother is either expecting or nursing a baby, as mercury also passes through the mammary gland.

Boyd Haley, PhD, Chairman of the Biochemistry Department at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, has stated that the average mercury filling contains about the same amount of mercury as is contained in an average thermometer. Incidentally, use of mercury in thermometers and in many other applications has been stopped due to the danger of exposure. If that amount of mercury was spilled, it would cause a public building or a school to be closed. If spilled into a 20 acre lake, the area would be required to post an advisory warning against consuming fish from that lake.

The American Dental Association and various agencies of the U. S. Government insists that mercury amalgams are safe, but neither they nor any governmental agencies have ever declared officially that mercury amalgam fillings are safe to be used inside human mouths. They claim they are safe based on 150 years of use and that there is no scientific evidence showing mercury exposure from dental fillings causes any known disease. They have announced that mercury amalgam fillings are considered toxic materials before they are inserted into one's tooth, and they are considered infectious toxic material as they are removed. According to the ADA, while the mercury amalgam fillings are in the tooth, they are ok. Furthermore, the ADA strongly discourages dentists from informing their patients about the facts of mercury filling toxicity.

Many books are available on this subject, and many web sites address this topic, so patients can read and learn about the science discrediting the use of mercury in dentistry. Only an educated patient can make an educated decision about their own health. Should you or your children have toxic mercury fillings implanted in your or their teeth? This is a decision only you can make. You have the right to freedom of choice and informed consent.

Informational Links: www.altcorp.com (Science site), www.amalgam.org , www.bioprobe.com, www.toxicteeth.org.

There is a specific protocol to follow in order to remove existing mercury fillings safely and comfortably. If the attending dentist is not familiar with the protocol, he or she may endanger the patient, staff and him or herself by exposing everybody to a dangerous level of mercury while removing the mercury amalgam fillings.

Rootcanal teeth are a great concern to a holistic dentist because of their apparent high failure rate. Scientific studies performed by Boyd Haley, PhD, have proven that rootcanal teeth remain infectious and toxic as long as they remain in the jaw. A special computerized colorimeter may be used clinically to see bacteria and protein contents present around a rootcanal tooth when that treatment appears to be failing.

A holistic dentist works closely with other health care practitioners. It is not unusual for a holistic dentist to work as a team member with medical doctors, chiropractors, naturopathic doctors, colon hydrotherapists, acupuncturists, neuropsychologists and massage therapists. Sometimes their patients will see several different health care specialists to complete the treatment cycle. The patients to be treated will be carefully monitored before, during and after the Total Dental Rehabilitation (TDR).

The holistic dentist knows that it is very possible that continuous exposure to heavy metals like mercury, lead, arsenic and chronic intraoral infections will interfere with the effectiveness of medical therapies for a patient's health.

Informational Links: www.mgoldmandds.com/rct.htm

There are two different ways in which people are exposed to fluoride. The first is a high concentration topical application done in the dental office or by using fluoridated oral hygiene products like fluoridated tooth pastes. The second is the systemic way, where exposure to fluoride is by drinking fluoridated drinking water, by chewing and swallowing fluoride tablets in school, by a continuous leaching of fluoride from dental restorative materials, by consuming foods and fluids made with fluoridated water or all of the above.

Fluoride used for caries reduction comes from the aluminum (aluminum fluoride) and steel (ferrous fluoride) industries. Fluoride can be found in large piles behind those industrial plants. It is their waste product.

Fluoride is very toxic. For that reason it is used widely in pesticides as an effective component in pest control (rats, mice). Science has shown that fluoride is more toxic than lead. Just like lead, fluoride accumulates in and is linked to damage of brain/mind development in children, producing abnormal behavior and reducing IQ. The FDA has required the following toothpaste fluoride warning since 1997: "Keep out of the reach of children under 6 years of age. In case of accidental overdose, seek professional assistance or contact a poison control center immediately."

The ADA says the following (7/2000):

"Importantly, this means that fluoride incorporated during tooth mineral development at normal levels of 20 to 100 ppm (even in areas with fluoridated drinking water or with the use of fluoride supplements) does not measurably alter the solubility of the mineral. Even when the outer level enamel has flouride levels, such as 1,000 ppm, it does not measurably withstand acid-induced dissolution any better than enamel with lower levels of fluoride,writes Featherstone."

Fluoride is not an FDA approved drug. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends no prescription fluoride before the age of 6 months. Between 6 months and 3 years, when all other sources (baby foods, water, vegetables, fruits etc.) are considered deficient, only 0.25 mg/day is recommended. That is just one cup of water per day. The AAP also says that human breast milk contains almost no fluorides or less than 0.05 ppm, leading to their scientific conclusion that breast fed infants are smarter and healthier than bottle fed fluoridated infants. Water fluoridation delivers a drug to infants at a level which is malpractice if prescribed by a physician (or by a dentist?).

When fluoride is in drinking water (1 part per million), it is in everything. Here are a few of the many popular food items loaded with fluoride. For example CocaCola 1 ppm, Gerbers Graduates Berry punch 3 ppm, Gerbers White Grape Juice 6.8 ppm, New Fruit Loops 2.1 ppm, Wheaties 10 ppm, (Remember fluoride is in a pesticide.), lettuce 40 ppm, cabbage 45 ppm, potatoes 22 ppm, Sun-Maid raisins 55 ppm, tomatoes 30 ppm, Hunt’s Tomato Paste 45 ppm, brussel sprouts 180 ppm. Many pet foods and many domestic wines contain fluoride as well.

Fluoride is an accumulative toxin in the human body. One half of the molecules of fluoride to which one has been exposed will be deposited in one's bony skeleton, where it will remain for the rest of that person's life. The other half may affect some of the other organs, like the brain and kidney. Fluoridation increases the risk of hip fractures. Fluoride is not FDA approved for osteoporosis. Fluoride has the potential of causing different cancers. (Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1992 Dec 16, 84(24): 1903-9) Cohn, PD Association of Drinking Water Fluoridation and the Incidence of Osteosarcoma Among Young Males (Enviromental Health Services New Jersey Nov 8, 1992.

Informational Web Sites: www.nofluoride.com/lead.htm

"Dentistry Without Mercury" by Sam Ziff and Michael F. Ziff, DDS, ISBN 0-941011-04-6

"Your Toxic Teeth" by Dr. Murray J. Vimy, DMD, ISBN: 0-9685926-0-0

"It’s All in Your Head" by Dr. Hal A. Huggins, DDS, ISBN: 0-89529-550-4

"Mercury & Other Metals in Humans" by Hal A. Huggins, DDS M.S. ISBN: 0-943685-08-7

"Uninformed Consent" by Dr. Hal A. Huggins, DDS, M.S., and Thomas E. Levy, MD, J. D. ISBN: 1-57174-117-8

"Solving the MS Mystery" by Hal A. Huggins, DDS

"Chronic Mercury Toxicity" by H. L. Queen, ISBN: 0-9620479-1-0

"Whole Body Dentistry" by Mark A. Breiner, DDS, ISBN: 0-9678443-0-4

"Tooth Truth" by Dr. Frank J. Jerome, DDS, ISBN:1-890035-13-0

"Beyond Amalgam" by Susan Stockton, ISBN: 0-9628770-2-6

"Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body" by Victor Zeines, DDS, M.S., FAGD, ISBN:1-57566-589-1

"Solving The Puzzle Of Mystery Syndromes, Are Your Amalgam Fillings The Missing Piece?" by Mary Davis, www.hottprinting.com

"The Key to Ultimate Health" by Ellen Hodgson Brown, J.D. and Dr. Richard T. Hansen, DMD, FACAD, ISBN: 1-879854-25-2

"Dental Mercury Detox" by Sam Ziff, Michael Ziff, DDS amd Mats Hanson, Ph.D,

Revised & expanded 2001 Edition, ISBN:0-941011-05-4

"The thinking Person’s Guide to PERFECT HEALTH" by Ron Kennedy, MD, ISBN:

0-932654-13-4

"Mercury Free" by Dr. James E. Hardy, DMD, P.C., ISBN: 0-9649801-0-2,

www.mercury-free.com

"Root Canal Cover-Up" by Dr. G.E. Meining, ISBN: 0-945196-19-9

"Survivor's Guide To Reversing Cancer" by Dr. Gerald H. Smith, ISBN: 0-9617838-2-6

"Nutrition and Physical Degeneration": by Weston A. Price, DDS, ISBN:0-87983-816-7

"The Makers Diet" by Jordan S. Rubin, N.M.D., Ph.D., ISBN: 0-88419-948-7

"The Milk Book" by William Campbell Douglas II, MD, ISBM: 9962-636-54-X

"Seeds of Deception" by Jeffrey M. Smith, ISBN: 0-9729665-8-7

Disclaimer: The American Dental Association (www.ada.org) believes that their own scientific studies show that mercury fillings are safe and cost effective and have never directly been connected to any chronic disease, that rootcanal treatments can save teeth and have a high success ratio, that hidden osteomyelitis infections have not been proven to exist, and that use of fluoride topically or systemically is safe and effective and has been proven to result in a lessening of cavities.