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New York, NY 10001

When we think about how we can make our teeth and bones stronger, the first Vitamin that comes to mind is Vitamin D. As we discussed in our previous post  (Vitamin D: How much do we need?) Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth. But you will see here that it is so much more effective when taken with Vitamin K-2.

Vitamin K-2, or menaquinone, is the missing link that Dr. Weston Price referred to when he did his studies of nutrition, dental health, and physical health.

In 1945, Dr. Price described “a new vitamin-like activator” that played an influential role in the utilization of minerals, protection from tooth decay, growth and development, reproduction, protection against heart disease and the function of the brain. He determined that this compound—which he called Activator X—was found in the butterfat, organs and fat of animals that consumed rapidly growing green grass (in other words, grass-fed animals), fish eggs, and also in fermented foods. It was 40 years later that Activator X was determined to be Vitamin K-2

Demineralized Chipped and Transparent Teeth

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So what are the implications of Vitamin K-2 with dental health?

The most obvious would be bone support holding your teeth in your jaw. If your teeth are loose or your gums are receding, chances are that you are deficient in Vitamin K2. Concomitantly with that, there would be osteopenia or osteoporosis. So it might make sense to get a bone density test, if you are diagnosed with periodontal bone loss.

Another implication of Vitamin K-2 deficiency would be the density of your teeth. If your teeth are thinning, looking more transparent, or have lots of dental cavities (even if you brush and floss daily), then your Vitamin K-2 may be low. At deficiency levels, your teeth will slowly demineralize, making them very susceptible to chipping and decay.

Also notable would be the structural bone growth of children. Vitamin K-2 deficiency will usually create tooth crowding due to underdevelopment of the upper and lower jaws. Vitamin K-2 is essential for bone development as well as bone growth and bone density. Vitamin K-2 promotes healthy bone mineral density by carboxylating osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to bones.

There are other health benefits associated with Vitamin K-2.

• Heart health. Activates a protein that prevents calcium deposits from forming in the walls of blood vessels. If your K-2 levels are good, it lowers your odds of aneurysm or heart attack.
• Reduce tumor growth. Has antioxidant properties that may help protect against cancer. In addition, findings suggest that K-2 may suppress genetic processes that lead to tumor growth.
• Normalize blood sugar levels. Interacts with osteocalcin which may help the body to use insulin more effectively
• Improve brain health. Mostly due to its antioxidant properties and prevention of blood clots everywhere.

It is clear that Vitamin K-2 plays a vital role in achieving excellent health.

In my many years of dental practice, I have helped countless numbers of patients with obvious Vitamin K-2 deficiency. It is easily correctable if you add the necessary beneficial foods or proper supplement.

To learn more, it would be wise to make an appointment with an informed health practitioner who can guide you appropriately.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps regulate calcium and phosphorus in the body. It plays a major role in maintaining proper bone and tooth structure. Most recently, it has been implicated as a necessary nutrient to keep our immune system strong and is an important marker (need high blood values) in recovering from Covid.

Demineralized teeth from Vitamin Deficiency

So if you have periodontal disease (gum inflammation and bone loss), rampant tooth decay, osteoporosis or immune issues, you should definitely get your Vitamin D levels evaluated. Healthy blood levels should be between 60 to 80 ng/ml. Conventional medicine says any number above 20 ng/ml is enough. It isn’t.

There are different forms of Vitamin D: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D3 is twice as effective as D2 and easier for your body to use.

Vitamin D is found in fish, eggs, and fortified milk. It's also made in our skin when exposed to sunlight. During periods of sunlight, Vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when the body needs it and no sunlight is available. Without adequate Vitamin D levels, your body will only absorb 10-15% of the calcium you eat from your diet. Health problems are sure to follow.

So how much Vitamin D do we need each day? According to this Pubmed research, doses of 800-5000 IU/day should be enough. Enough to prevent deficiency and obvious health problems. If your blood values are low (less than 30 ng/ml) you might need more. Also, bear in mind that Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and needs to be taken with a fatty meal to maximize absorption. If you are just popping your Vitamin D with a salad, you may be getting no benefit from the vitamin.

As an extra note, I want add that it is possible to overdo Vitamin D intake. Recent research has shown that high blood levels of Vitamin D (more than 100 ng/ml) may cause hypercalcemia leading to calcification of soft tissues and blood vessels. This may result in cataracts, kidney issues (nausea, high blood pressure, excessive urination and thirst), fatigue, dehydration, muscle weakness, heart arrhythmia and dizziness.

Best to speak with your licensed health provider to determine how much supplementation you should take daily. Or bring your lab blood results to to your next dental visit, and I can guide you accordingly.

When cleaning out the freezer this weekend, I noticed that I had a few bags of frozen pumpkin puree. I had just finished making a fresh batch of BONE SOUP, so it seemed like the perfect time for making the bone soup into pumpkin soup.

The way I make Pumpkin Soup is quite simple and quite delicious. Unlike most recipes for pumpkin soup, my version has no dairy, no brown sugar, and is full of nutrients.

My recipe below is very basic. You can adjust quantities of spices and maple syrup to your own taste. Sometime I add no maple syrup, as the pumpkin can have its own sweetness. You can also substitute pureed squash for the pumpkin to give the soup a whole new flavor.

Nourishing Pumpkin Soup –Base recipe

1 TBSP olive oil

1 medium onion chopped

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Cloves

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Ginger

2 cloves garlic chopped

1 quart of bone soup or chicken broth

4 cups of pumpkin puree (or two 15 oz cans)

1-2 TBSP Maple syrup (optional)

Chopped cilantro or walnuts for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.

2. Add the spices and sauté a bit to bring out their flavors.

3. Stir in the bone broth.

4. Blend in the puree.

5. Bring to a low simmer.

6. Keep stirring to make it a smooth creamy consistency.

7. Serve warm. Garnish with chopped cilantro or walnuts if desired.

The amounts of spice listed are not exact. It really depends on your taste buds. You might want to start with half the amounts listed and add more as you do a taste test. For me, I add a lot more ginger for that additional kick in flavor. But some people do not like the taste of ginger, so you might start with just a pinch. You could also use Pumpkin Pie Spice instead of the individual spices listed.

I hope this recipe warms your soul as well as your stomach. You  no longer have to eat heavily sweetened and cream laden pumpkin soup anymore. This version is so much healthier.

Bon Appetit!

As many of you may know, I love to cook. Give me any recipe, and I will find a way to make it healthier. So when a patient asked what to feed her 5 year old child who loves conventional cereal, the first thing that came to mind was Granola. Sure it’s not the healthiest food out there, but it’s a lot better than Fruit Loops and Coco Pebbles.

Homemade Granola

Conventional cereals made with white flour, white sugar and lots of preservatives and artificial flavors and colors, can’t be healthy for anyone. And especially if the ingredients are GMO’ed.

So I told my patient Lorie that I would share a simple Granola recipe that I have used for years. You only need one bowl and some basic baking ingredients.

This delicious healthy granola recipe is naturally sweetened with maple syrup (or honey). It’s made with oats, coconut oil and your favorite nuts and fruit. Always best to use organic ingredients if possible.

 Basic Ingredients

Healthy Granola

INGREDIENTS

   4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (instant or quick, not steel cut)

 · 1 ½ cup raw nuts and/or seeds (I have used walnuts, pecans, almond slivers or raw cashews or shelled pumpkin seeds)

 · 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (I use Himalayan)

 · 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon is healthiest)

 · ½ cup melted coconut oil

 · ½ cup maple syrup or honey

 · 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use 2 teaspoons if you want)

 · Optional: coconut chips (unsweetened) or 1 tsp ground ginger or 2 TBSP of ground orange peel. Depends on what flavor you are looking for.         Just use your imagination!

After fully baked and cooled, mix in:

· For fruity granola: ½ cup any chopped dried fruit (like figs or apricots) or just use raisins or dried cranberries

 ·For chocolate granola: ½ cup chocolate chips (look for brands sweetened with monk fruit instead of sugar)

INSTRUCTIONS

 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Do not use wax paper as it may melt at this temperature.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.

3. Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.

4. Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.

5. Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (or optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola.

6. Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature or in a sealed freezer bag in the refrigerator.

Yields about 8 cups granola, enough for about 16 half-cup servings.

Fully Baked

Once you try fresh home baked granola, you won’t go back to the store-bought variety. This tastes so much better and is far healthier than anything you can get in the supermarket. Plus it is so easy to make. Bon appetit!

Hi all!

The time is right and we are back. Our blog has been silent for over two years and now is the time to speak.

There are certain things concerning dentistry that I have observed during this time that deserve mentioning:

1. Postings about mercury and fluoride are no longer being censored on social networks.

2. Postings about “the shot” or politics are constantly being removed or censored.

3. Everyone is concerned about long-term effects of the C jab or the actual illness.

4. People are losing their jobs/income/dental insurance and not coming in for routine dental care.

5. Dental health has deteriorated. Either due to prolonged mask wearing, poor dental home care (people are emotionally depressed due to world events and less focused on cleaning their teeth).

This list is concerning since your dental health is a reflection of your entire body health. If the teeth and gums go downhill, it is just a matter of time before your systemic health will follow.

For those who have not yet returned to our office since 2020, let me assure you that we are alive and well. Our staff is smaller but we know exactly what we are doing and still get the job done. Personalized care is still our highest priority.

The only thing that has changed is You. Many of you have had to deal with the shot, the illness, or the aftereffects of having either. Some have had to figure out how to keep their job with the endless jab demands required. Others have had to deal with the loss of friends and family from this entire situation.

So whether you got the shot or not, we hold no judgment. Your entire health is important to us. As a Naturopath, acupuncturist, nutritionist as well as a dentist, I can help you keep your teeth and health as long as possible.

The time for “waiting until the world gets better” is over. Your dental and body health need attention now. Call for an appointment (212 947-0073) and we will be happy to help you as best we can.

Dear Dental Family,

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable.

The great news is that we have been a biological dental office for many years, so many of these safety protocols that the American Dental Association has recommended, we already have had in place for years.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agency’s’ recommendations.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

· Our office will communicate with you before your appointment to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.

· A Sneezeguard has been installed at the Reception desk area for your protection.

· Your temperature will be taken while in the Reception room. If it is higher than 99.2 degrees F, you will not be seen and will be asked to reschedule your appointment.

· A Pulse Oximeter reading will be taken while in the Reception Room. If your blood oxygen levels are low, you will not be seen and will be advised to see your physician for follow-up. A low blood oxygen level is a symptom of asymptomatic COVID infection.

· We have hand sanitizer at the reception area. Please use when you enter the office.

· You may see that our Reception room will no longer offer reading material since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect. Please enjoy the ambiance of the waterfall and relaxing music.

· Once you are in the treatment room, we give you an ozone mouth rinse to reduce the microbes in your mouth.

· We use ozone water in our dental units. Not only does that give us zero colonies of bacteria and viruses in our units, but it also keeps ALL of our waterlines sterile.

· During any treatment we use a dentairvac.com aerosol control system that sucks up all of the aerosols that your mouth or the dental equipment may put out.

· We have a surgically clean air sanitizing unit centrally located in the office with individual air purifier units in each treatment room. You may notice that our air feels and smells exceptionally clean.

· Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

· We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.

· We have also updated our personal protection gear, so we may look a little unusual when you see us.

We have done a great deal to create a safe environment for our patients and team members. It will feel a bit...different. But it's all for YOUR benefit as a patient. You don't have to feel anxious that you will catch some disease from our office.

Many other dental offices are scared to go back to work because they still don't have the PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) they need.

But OUR office has had the right PPE for years because we are a biological dental office. We have already been doing it for a long time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 212 947-0073, email us at [email protected].com or contact us through our website TheBrandWellnessCenter.com

As per the New York State mandate, we expect to reopen on Monday, May 18. Please call the office to set up your appointments, as time slots may be limited

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming you back and seeing your beautiful smiles again!

Sincerely,

Dr. Brand and Team

While our country is in the middle of an unprecedented healthcare challenge, we here at The Brand Wellness Center wanted to reach out to you in hopes that you, your family, and loved ones are all well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than ever, we want to reaffirm our commitment to provide you with information and support to help you maintain and even improve your well-being.

For almost 40 years, our focus has always been on your overall health as it relates to your oral health. We wanted to share with you what we are doing to keep our immune system strong to resist all infections inclusive of the Coronavirus.

1. Strengthen the immune system

• Vitamin D (2000 -5000 IU), C (2-10 grams in divided doses) and A (5000 mg) daily

• 50 mg Zinc

  Quercitin

• Colloidal silver liquid (sublingual for 60 sec and then swallow)

• Mushroom extracts

• Melatonin (1 -5 mg) take 2 hours before bedtime (counteracts the cytokine storm)

2. Detox daily

• Body brushing (improve lymph flow)

• Daily green juice

• Sweat (sauna, exercise, etc.)

• Salt baths (Epsom salt will work)

• Oil pulling (sesame is best for fever/infections)

3. Avoid all processed food, especially those with sugar added. A teaspoon of sugar will lower your immune system for 5 hours.

4. If you have an active infection (Coronavirus or not), we highly recommend that you see your primary care physician for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Aside from that, I would continue with the basic protocol listed above and add in the user of a nebulizer with hydrogen peroxide. This paper explains the technique and why it is helpful.

Even though our office is closed, we are still picking up messages and responding to calls and emails. If you are in need of a referral for dental or medical, please contact the office and we will advise as necessary.

We look forward to seeing each of you soon.

Stay healthy. Stay safe.

Dr. Brand and Team

I just got the nicest compliment. I was returning from the airport recently, taking the Express bus back to the city, and got carded when requesting the senior citizens discount. The guy just couldn’t believe that I was over that certain age.

And just last week, I was at a dental meeting, and a classmate (from 40 years ago) of mine, approached me to see if it were really me. He said that he walked by a few times to be sure, because I looked too young to be me now.

As the years go by and the wrinkles creep in, the skin sags and the posture weakens. It takes focus and dedication to stay healthy. Looking younger than your years, is just a side effect of that dedication. I have always tried to have a healthy lifestyle, and it has been challenging. There are so many toxins to deal with on a daily basis. Toxic people, toxic food supply, toxic air (I live and work in the city), toxic electrical (EMF and Wi-Fi) and most of all working in toxic dentistry (high mercury).

I do a lot to detox daily and apparently it has paid off. You can look through my many blogs to get the gist, or you can purchase my book My Secrets to Regaining Health to get a better understanding of this philosophy.

Conventionally, surgery, Botox and dermal fillers are the most common choices to eradicate wrinkles and sagging. And these procedures are becoming more common in many dental offices. For those with sensitivities, side effects can be chancy and sometimes deadly. So if you are looking for natural ways to age gracefully, these choices are not on the list. There are other options.

Facial Acupuncture

Which brings me to Facial Acupuncture for Facial Rejuvenation. A simple non –toxic way to create a “facelift” without the surgery. As far as I know, we are the only dental office offering this, and honestly, I believe we have it handled really well. Since we take into account your many other health concerns that can be addressed with an integrative approach.

This would be a basic list that we can review to enhance the outcomes from facial acupuncture

• Exercise, including Face exercise

• Increase antioxidants

• Face massage

• Exfoliation

• Using healthy skin creams with no toxic chemicals

• Detoxification

• Drinking appropriate amounts of water

• Get enough sleep so that the body can actually heal

Facial acupuncture has been around for centuries. It will open the meridians to your face and other parts of your head, creating a clarity of mind that will never be possible with conventional methods. Surgery, Botox and fillers will create blockages in the meridians, and may ultimately create future health problems. 

Actually according to this article in Psychology Today based on a recent PubMed study, Botox will change your brain activity, and not in a good way.

Ongoing research, however, has revealed an unintentional and rather alarming consequence: Botox injections in the forehead and face rearrange the brain’s sensory map of the hands. What's concerning is that clients typically come back for regular injections, because the limited paralysis the toxin induces lasts only two to three months. The ongoing question is whether repeated treatments over a period of years result in permanent changes to one’s brain.

As an integrative health practitioner, I always look for the healthiest and simplest ways to heal and stay well. If we can physiologically stay young while chronologically aging, so be it. Facial Acupuncture is one part of the solution.

For further information please check out our webpages on Acupuncture and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Every now and then, I have a patient who is not a perfect candidate for dental work. Usually, there is a cavity that needs to be filled but the patient can’t sit still long enough to have a filling done. These patients are either very young (under the age of 5) or considerably aged. Either way there are compliance issues and they can’t cooperate enough to have a filling completed.

Standard protocol would usually require for the dental work to be done under general anesthesia (most likely in a hospital setting). As many of you may be aware, general anesthesia can have many adverse side effects, some which can be deadly.

For non-cooperative or medically compromised patients, silver diamine fluoride (see our post here) has been one option and is a minimally invasive treatment to arrest decay. However, the only negative with this product is that it contains fluoride. In the holistic community, fluoride is taboo. (see our many posts on fluoride here.)

Teeth Stained from Silver Nitrate

For the holistically minded, there is another option for treatment. Silver nitrate can be used instead of silver diamine fluoride to totally stop decay in deciduous (baby) teeth. It is also a good option for the elderly who are not cooperative for dental work due to mental or physical challenges. Silver nitrate will prevent further damage from the decay and ultimately buy some time until the deciduous tooth exfoliates in the young child or the patient can be more compliant.

Silver nitrate has all the advantages of silver diamine fluoride but none of the neurotoxicity that is associated with fluoride. Here is a list of advantages in using silver nitrate on dental cavities:

• effective to help stop cavity development after a cavity has formed.

• helps kill the bacteria that break down tooth surfaces while also keeping them from spreading to other teeth.

• often suggested as a more comfortable alternative to drilling cavities. This can be helpful for children or adults who have anxiety about the dentist or may not be able to fully engage in dental procedures, such as those with special healthcare needs.

• helpful as a cavity treatment if you’re overly sensitive to the instruments and substances used during cavity treatments.

• help keep cavities to a minimum or prevent them entirely if you feel that it’s difficult to make time for regular dental check-ups or feel uncomfortable about cavity procedures. It’s quick, requires no special equipment, and generally only needs to be done once per year.

The downside of using silver nitrate (as well as silver diamine fluoride) is it will turn the tooth black, permanently. Not a problem for posterior teeth or baby teeth, but can be unsightly on front teeth. Also silver nitrate can stain more than just teeth. It can also stain soft tissues, restoration margins, fingernails, skin and clothing. So special care must be used to prevent this. For the skin, the stain will dissipate in about 2 weeks. It will take longer for everything else, and may even remain permanently discolored. The extent of staining and the length of staining vary significantly among individuals.

Silver nitrate is a safe, painless alternative to traditional cavity drilling procedures. It may stop the cavity from spreading, but will not fill the hole created by decay. It is a good interim procedure when a restoration is not possible.

We may not recommend silver nitrate in every case of cavities. But it has been proven to be highly successful in stopping the development and spread of cavities. A great choice for young children and the elderly.

If you like this post, you may also like:  Silver Diamine Fluoride in Caries Management

In case you haven’t noticed, it is getting more and more difficult to find natural health information through the usual search engines. In June 2019, Google began a new algorithm to change ranking results in their search engine. Many “holistic” and “natural” websites have been excluded from the page one listings thereby making it more difficult to find the health information and/or practitioner that you are seeking.

Some of the most popular sites, such as Dr Mercola, Dr. Axe and even IAOMT, cannot be found on page one when searching for information on holistic medicine or dentistry. In some cases, they cannot be found at all, unless you specifically look up their website. Even with that, some pages of these wbsites have been blocked to keep specific information out of the public knowledge. This seems to be particularly happening with ant-vaccine sites. Mike Adams at Natural News wrote an interesting commentary on this here.

In addition, QuackWatch seems to consistently come up on page 1 of Google search, which further undermines alternative/holistic health issues.

It seems that the only way to get around this is to use a different search engine. There are many to choose from, but I am personally using DuckDuckGo with good comprehensive results.

Feel free to share any information in the Comment section below that may be useful for those looking for answers.

According to research published recently in the peer-reviewed Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology (JOMT), the safety thresholds for mercury exposure can be exceeded during dental procedures involving drilling on silver mercury amalgam fillings, specifically if special precautions are not in place.

The study further indicates that standard methods accepted by the American Dental Association appear to be inadequate because these methods do not account for the overlooked source of mercury vapor released from particles of the filling that are generated by the dentist’s drill.

The good news is that the research data also emphasizes that specific safety measures (SMART protocol) can mitigate these mercury levels and provide more rigorous protection for patients and dental personnel.

In addition to acknowledging the toxic health risks for dental patients exposed to the vapor from removing these mercury-containing fillings, scientific research has also recognized the additional toxicity hazards for dentists and dental professionals, who routinely do teeth cleaning and polishing (prophy) at routine recall dental visits.

After analysis of the previously published research about mercury releases during amalgam removal, crucial new data is quantified in the latest study on this topic, which is entitled "Mercury vapor volatilization from particulate generated from dental amalgam removal with a high-speed dental drill – a significant source of exposure."

For those of you who are thinking of replacing your mercury fillings for health or cosmetic reasons, it is important to be aware of the potential toxicity exposure involved with this procedure, and to be sure to work with a dentist who applies all the necessary protective measures so that your exposure to mercury vapor is minimal. Finding a SMART Certified dentist from the IAOMT is a good place to start.

The IAOMT has developed a Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) based on scientific literature about amalgam filling removal. SMART is a series of special precautions dentists can apply to protect patients, themselves, other dental professionals, and the environment by immensely reducing the levels of mercury that can be released during the amalgam filling removal process.

Our office is SMART Certified and also fully accredited (AIAOMT) for following the highest standard of safety protocol.

Black Seed oil, also known as cumin seed oil or black caraway seed oil, is an oil extract from the seeds of the Nigella Sativa plant. Nigella sativa is a small plant with pale purple, blue, or white flowers that grows in Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East.

Nigella Sativa Plant

The oil comes from the tiny black seeds of the Nigella Sativa fruit and contains the powerful antioxidants of thymoquinone, phytosterol, amino acids, and omega 3-6-9 fatty acids. Black seed oil has been the subject of scientific research for its reputed benefits on cardiovascular health, immunity, cell metabolism and cytokine balance. This oil has been used a s a natural remedy for thousands of years and is said to “cure everything except death”.

Traditionally it has been used successfully to treat:

• • Arthritis
• • Skin conditions (can be used to topically)
• • Diabetes (regulates blood sugar)
• • Lowers cholesterol
• • High blood pressure
• • Asthma
• • Obesity
• • Kill parasites
• • Boost immune system

Upon further research, I found some studies where black seed oil has been successful in treating these dental issues.

• • Reduce Dental caries- was found to be very effective for killing off gram positive bacteria (but ineffective for gram negative bacteria)
• • Reduce Periodontal and gingival diseases –has an antiplaque activity (results were equivalent to, synergistic with, or even better than the regularly used antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or tetracycline).
• • Prevent nerve/pulpal inflammation when applied directly to the inflamed nerve
• • Accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers and mucositis especially those induced from chemo and radiation therapy
• • Expedite bone healing at dental extraction and surgical sites (good for all wound healing)
• • Improve osseo-integration of dental implants into bone
• • 4-fold potential effect when used with certain antibiotics. This makes Black Seed oil an excellent choice for treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
• • Antifungal activity – to treat candida albicans systemically or topically (use a carrier oil with it)

The information from the study cited above basically provides the basis for a good natural analgesic for most dental related problems. The immune-modulatory activity makes the seed oil a good alternative for oral immune diseases. Additionally, its antioxidant and its antineoplastic activities, which have been extensively studied in relation to several cancers, (including oral cancer) make it an excellent treatment for just about every disease or infection.

The amazing thing about Black Seed Oil is that the plant has no toxicity or health hazards that have been reported by any researchers who have been working on related clinical trials for years. In substantial doses, it can affect blood clotting, so best to speak with your licensed health practitioner for proper dosage, before proceeding.

It does have a tangy peppery flavor that can be unpleasant, so it might be best to mix in with some honey and water to get it down. One teaspoonful once or twice a day is the recommended dosage to be effective and maintain good health. Usually, I would recommend starting at a lower dosage, to deal with any adverse Herxheimer (die-off) reactions that may occur.

Dental fluorosis is not a pretty sight. In this modern day, pearly white teeth are in, mottled teeth are not. It is particularly upsetting when our children’s teeth erupt this way and are disfigured for life, knowing that there is little that can be done to undo the damage.

 Dental Fluorosis

According to a new study published in the Journal of Dental Research –Clinical & Transactional Research, Dental fluorosis is on the rise. This analysis of the most recently available government data (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey –NHANES- 2011 to 2012 survey) found that 65% of American children now have some degree of dental fluorosis. This is an 8-fold increase (WOW!!!) from the previous national survey in 1999-2004 that found only 3.7% of children with dental fluorosis.

Not happy with these statistics, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) published its own report several weeks later. While they also calculated the same drastic increase in dental fluorosis, they suggested that it is “not biologically plausible” and there “may have been some changes in the way the examiners evaluated the levels of fluorosis over time.”

It would seem that the CDC does not want to admit that the population is being over-fluoridated and is now looking for an excuse to explain the tremendous increase in our children’s damaged teeth.

Too much fluoride in our water and food supply is a reality that is easily seen in teeth. Just imagine the unseen damage that it is having on the internal aspects of our bodies in both children and adults.

Since it doesn’t seem that fluoride will be removed from the municipal water supply anytime soon, it is best to be proactive and filter our individual tap water supply and also take supplements to remove this toxin from our systems. Details on how to do this can be found on our many posts on Fluoride.

Feel free to share your additional ideas in the comment section below on the many ways you are dealing with removing fluoride from your environment.

I’ve tried numerous detoxes over the years. Many have been incredibly effective. Others not so much. Most have had some uncomfortable side effects.

Presently, I am using a detox product that is working well for me and I believe it will fare well with even the most sensitive person.

I am now into my third month of Advanced TRS, and I must say that I truly feel that this is one of the simplest most effective heavy metal detoxes that I have ever tried.

TRS is short for “Toxin Removal System”. It is a product manufactured in the USA by a company called Coseva and works to remove heavy metals and other positively charged poisons from the cells of the body

There are only two ingredients in TRS - man made nano-zeolites and purified water.

Nano-zeolites are tiny sized zeolite that are able to work at the cellular level. It goes deeper than other detox systems that simply pull out whatever is floating around. Advanced TRS actually passes through the blood-brain barrier, possibly making it more effective than most other heavy metal detox systems.

The creator of the product is Dr. Tracy Holdford. He holds 5 PhDs in various disciplines and used to work at NASA and is extremely knowledgeable about environmental pollution and detoxification. He has been working with zeolites since the 1970s and was very excited to chance upon a method that allow nano-zeolites to be encased into water molecules.

HOW DOES THE PRODUCT WORK?

Zeolites have a high negative charge and a strong affinity for toxins as most toxins are usually positively charged. This nano-zeolite acts like thousands of tiny toxin magnets going into your body. These toxin magnets attract heavy metals, pesticides and any other toxin that has a positive charge. They are so tiny (0.9 nanometers) that they cross the blood brain barrier easily and detox the body at a cellular level. Once the toxins get stuck onto the magnets, they are captured within the water molecules in the zeolites' cage-like structure. Our website explains more on this technology.

The beauty of this detox mechanism is that it does not cause redistribution and damage to the body. These little toxin magnets are then transported out of the body via the kidneys and intestine. The magnets are so tiny that the kidneys don’t have to filter them; that’s how gentle this method of detoxing is. This is also the reason why support supplements are not usually required while using TRS. Personally, I have been drinking lots of extra water and taking additional liver support to keep the system moving. Side effects have been minimal.

Here is our website that explains more about this product. And here is our previous blog that explains more about zeolite.

As most of you already know, toxins are everywhere. A daily detox is critical to maintaining good health. Advanced TRS may be the solution that we are looking for.

For more than one hundred years, dental gold has been considered the “gold standard” in dental restorations. Used in crowns as well as tooth fillings alongside mercury silver fillings and other metals in the mouth, it has been found that this can create an electrical current sensation in the mouth.

Silver Mercury Filling next to Gold Crown

Sometimes, a patient will come in with exactly this symptom- electric shock sensations in the mouth with no obvious cause. Or something even more esoteric- a buzzing feeling in their head.

The concern with gold or any metallic material (titanium implants, nickel braces, mercury silver fillings, stainless steel crowns and partial dentures, etc.) in the mouth, is that they have the potential to create a galvanic reaction. Oral electro-galvanism is a term used for the association of oral or systemic symptoms of electric currents created between diverse metals between dental restorations and electrolytes (minerals) in saliva.

The pain associated with galvanic shock is caused by an actual electric shock. This shock occurs when the restoration of one tooth, touches the restoration of another tooth containing a dissimilar metal. Saliva facilitates the shock by functioning as an electrical conductor.

The electrical shock can be intense, especially when the 2 metals oppose each other and meet during chewing or when a fork tine should accidentally touch one of the metals. Or it can be mild, almost not noticeable as anything, except maybe for symptoms of chronic headaches, dizziness, nausea, concentration and memory issues, insomnia, psychological problems, tinnitus, epilepsy, hearing loss, eye problems, mouth pain, and other obscure indications.

With the introduction of EMF (electromagnetic frequencies) from cell phones and wi-fi, the symptoms can become intensified. Also, one should bear in mind that EMF exposure has its own set of health issues already associated with it, even if your mouth is metal-free. (See our many EMF postings here).

What is the best way to treat oral electro-galvanism?

The treatment is rather simple: remove all metals from the mouth and replace them with biocompatible dental materials. This will give you the start you need to move things in the right direction. Besides reducing the buzz in your head, other health challenges may abate.

Although there are no definitive studies on this topic, real clinical patient results have been observed. Here is one recent anecdotal account that may be of interest.

If you are having any of the symptoms that we mentioned above, it is advised that you should consult with your healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis before proceeding with any dental work.

Once the mainstay of dentistry, amalgam mercury fillings are now in sharp decline and have been discontinued in several countries. Despite its deceptive name "silver fillings," amalgam's main component is actually mercury, a neurotoxin and a heavy metal.

The banning of mercury fillings has become a worldwide issue. The use of mercury-silver or amalgam dental fillings has been completely outlawed in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Twenty-five other European countries have strictly limited the use of silver mercury amalgam.

This European ban officially started July 1, 2018 when mercury filling material was banned for children under the age of 15 and for pregnant or nursing women — banned everywhere in the massive European Union (EU)— 28 countries in all. With a population totaling more than half a billion people, this is good news knowing that the next generation of Europe's children are safe from toxic dental mercury.

It is unfortunate that we can’t have the same future for our own American children.

“In sharp contrast, the U.S. government has done nothing to protect these vulnerable populations from exposure to amalgam’s mercury,” says a petition filed by Consumers for Dental Choice (CDC), which has been vigorously campaigning for mercury-free dentistry, since its founding back in 1996.

Just recently, Nepal has jumped on the bandwagon. As of March 2, 2019, they too have banned the use of mercury fillings for children, pregnant or nursing women. (Look here) It’s marvelous to see the anti-mercury movement reaching that part of the world. 

Interestingly enough, the American Dental Association (ADA) still states that mercury filling material is perfectly safe for everyone.

As other mercury usages decline (thermometers, vaccine preservatives, etc.), dental amalgam fillings have become the single largest use of mercury in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not allow dentists to put mercury filling debris into the regular garbage or drain into the waste water, yet the ADA says it’s perfectly fine to put mercury filling material in your mouth. The logic just doesn’t hold up. Mercury has been implicated with autoimmune diseases and chronic health problems. (Here is a ton of research explaining this)

Keeping this toxic substance out of the human body should make a lot of sense to everyone.

Dental amalgam silver filling material is a combination of mercury with other metals like copper and silver. It has been used for nearly 200 years for the treatment of tooth cavities and decay. However, amid widespread health concerns on the use of amalgam fillings in dentistry, it is heartening to see that all European countries, Canada and now Nepal, have either totally banned or discouraged mercury fillings. Children and babies in utero are particularly vulnerable to mercury as their developing brains and neurological systems are especially susceptible to neuro toxic effects of mercury.

America needs to speak up and push the ADA to change its stance on the use of toxic mercury in the human dentition. Our children and future generations will thank us.

Have you ever noticed that your teeth look thinner than they used to? Maybe even a bit darker? Some wear is inevitable as we age, but excessive wearing away of the tooth surface can have many causes.

According to one recent study, general dental erosion was found in 28% of 15 year olds and 34% of 17 year olds. Basically that means that erosion prevalence is rising as we chronologically age. Additionally, severe dental erosion was found in nearly 20% of adolescents (age 15 to 17). That’s almost 1 out of every 5 teenagers.

Statistics like this are alarming, since erosion of teeth will only lead to bigger dental problems in the future – usually tooth sensitivity, nerve exposure and even breakage of the teeth involved.

This bio-corrosion of teeth is a multifactorial issue that needs to be addressed at an early age, before damage is done, as the damage is usually irreversible.

Tooth erosion can look different depending on the cause. Here are a few different scenarios.

Fronts of teeth are eroded

Teeth edges are eroded

These are the many causes of tooth erosion:

• Clenching or grinding of teeth

• Acidic foods and drinks (carbonated beverages, some bottled flavored waters, ACV or lemon water)

• Medications

• GERD –gastro-esophageal reflux disease

• Eating disorders (vomiting after eating- anorexia or bulimia)

• Overbrushing with electric toothbrushes or hard bristle toothbrushes

• Abrasive toothpastes

• Acidic saliva pH (usually due to diet or toxicity in system)

• Mineral deficiencies

• Vitamin deficiencies

• Swimming in chlorinated pools (See our blog Swimming Can Be Harmful to Your Teeth 

All of the above are correctable, with simple lifestyle modifications. Be sure to ask at your next dental appointment on how we can best address these necessary changes in habit, diet or nutrient supplementation. By being proactive now, you will prevent bigger dental problems in the future.

Dental floss seems fairly innocuous. But like with any modern-day personal care products, consumers need to be aware of added chemicals that may go into its production.

A new study suggests certain types of consumer behaviors, including flossing with Oral-B Glide dental floss can contribute to elevated levels in the body of toxic PFAS chemicals.

PFA (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is a highly fluorinated chemical usually added to a wide variety of consumer products to make them non-stick, waterproof, and stain-resistant. PFAs are found in carpets, upholstery, waterproof apparel, floor waxes, non-stick cookware, grease-proof food packaging, and now have been found in dental floss.

Glide dental floss is a staple in most dental offices and in many homes for personal use. It is a great floss as it slides easily between the tightest teeth and is impossible to shred.

According to the recent study, women who flossed with Oral-B Glide tended to have higher levels of a type of PFAS called PFHxS in their body compared to those who didn’t. The study, led by Silent Spring Institute in collaboration with the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, CA, appears online January 8 in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology (JESEE), and is part of a special issue dedicated to PFAS.

PFASs are among the most ubiquitous manmade chemicals in the world. Approximately 98 percent of Americans have PFASs in their bodies. While their strong chemical bonds make them very effective at repelling water and oil even at high temperatures (great for non-stick pans and stain repellant), these same characteristics also make PFASs extremely persistent, meaning they don’t break down easily in the human body.

Scientists are concerned about widespread exposure to PFAS in the population because the chemicals have been linked with health effects including kidney, breast and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, low birth weight, decreased fertility, and effects on the immune system.

So for those of us who rely on Glide floss to clean the space between our tight teeth, the best solution is to used thin waxed floss with the additional use of a irrigator (preferably magnetic) to remove as much plaque as possible. Other options would be to use unwaxed silk thread (popular in the 1800’s), thin nylon string, or to follow the advice of Dr. Hulda Clark and use a two-or-four pound monofilament of fishing line.

Recently, I have seen other newer types of floss on the market made from coconut fiber and other plants, which seem to work well.

There are many alternative options available. Choose wisely.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States. Concomitantly, many studies show that there is an increase in the risk of death from all cancers for anyone who smokes.

Aside from these obvious statistics, cigarette smoking can cause significant changes in your oral health. The most frequent side effect from smoking is stained yellow-brown teeth. Lesser known effects are bad breath, dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss and increased incidence of oral cancer.

Looking for a substitute, one may immediately go to e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco. Instead they contain nicotine in a chemical solution that is heated and vaporized so that you can inhale it.

The good news is that it won’t stain your teeth yellow-brown, but that may be the only advantage.

Studies show that e-cigarettes are just as harmful as conventional cigarettes and perhaps even more detrimental. This is because they contain solvents and flavorings that are highly carcinogenic.

Even though these e-cigarettes contain no nicotine, the substitute chemical flavorings added, exacerbate the damage that was previously caused by nicotine. Menthol flavored vapor is considered the most toxic.

While some e-cigarette manufacturers advertise that these e-cigarettes can help you quit regular cigarettes, this has not been proven.

Replacing one toxic habit with another toxic habit is not a solution. The best way to avoid smoking is to never start. Electronic cigarettes are not the solution if you want to quit smoking. There are other choices. It is paramount to speak to your health care professional for further advice.

The holiday season can be stressful for many, but focusing on gratitude will make a tremendous difference in mitigating this stress. Additionally, it may also change your entire outlook on life.

Here are some simple suggestions on how to have a more positive attitude:

• • Smile. Children, on average, smile 400 times a day. Adults only smile on average of 20 times per day. ‘Fake it until you make it” comes to mind. Consciously put that smile on, until it becomes innate.
• • Eat healthy. Avoiding junk food (sugar, processed foods and alcohol) will keep your mind clear.
• • Exercise. Good to keep the energy flowing.
• • Keep your dental health in check. Regular visits to the dentist, will keep your teeth and gums healthy and pain free. Nothing worse than a toothache to ruin your mindset.
• • Focus on what you have, not on what you don’t have. The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.
• • Donate. Many studies have shown that donating activates pleasure centers in the brain.

Here is an excerpt from our book Enlightened Indigo Child that may give you a good idea on how to consciously focus on gratitude:

Trick #4: Feel Gratitude

Just like love, gratitude is a high frequency. Having gratitude for the positive memories, lessons learned, and experiences you have, is one step closer to forgiveness.

Say or think the sentence: I am grateful for____________.

Just fill in the blank. Do this exercise as often as you can for as long as you can; for at least ten minutes or longer. It almost becomes a form of meditation and can create an inner peace like no medication could ever possibly achieve.

I often use this as a walking meditation. “What beautiful trees. Thank you for being here and cleaning our air and making the street lovelier. … What a beautiful building. So tall and majestic. Wow. And look at the pretty architecture. … The clouds. They’re so puffy and white. Thank you for providing rain for the plants to grow and giving us water to drink….. And look at that beautiful big pile of garbage on the street. Somebody just cleaned out their home to make room for new stuff……And those dirty pots and dishes left in the sink. So grateful to have such healthy food to eat on these lovely dishes.”

You get the point. Find the joy of everything. It’s there if you change your paradigm viewpoint.

While the old adage says to count sheep if you can’t sleep, I say to count blessings. Not only will you fall asleep quicker, you will be in a very restful high frequency state of tranquility. Your dreams will be better and you will wake up more refreshed than ever. The added bonus is that you will see your life attracting more positive experiences. It’s a paradigm shift of focusing on what you have and not on what you want. The Universal Law of Attraction will always bring more of whatever you think about.

If you worry incessantly on how your parents are mean, guess what? They will be. But if you show gratitude for all the nice things they have done (given you food, clothing, toys, life, etc.) then you will find that they will continue to do more of it.

And for the parents, if you worry and continue to point out how inadequate your child is relative to other kids his age, then you will never see the blessings of their situation. Not everyone can be a doctor, lawyer or rocket scientist, so focus on their strengths and show gratitude for your child’s gifts.

Gratefulness is a mindset, and a gift in and of itself. My hope is that you experience deep gratitude this holiday season, and appreciate the gifts that are freely yours each day.

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