| Dental
Caries (Cavities, Toothache)
The
following is an edited version
of an article by BarShalom R, Soileau
J. (eds.) Natural Health
Hotline.
Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical
Arts, 1991-1999
Home Care
Dental caries, commonly known
as cavities, are the decay
and disintegration of the
teeth. Periodontal disease
is infection in the gums and
bones around the teeth. Symptoms
include loose teeth, discolored
teeth or gums, mouth pain,
frequent toothaches, and swollen
gums. Tooth problems often
increase as a person grows
older.
Most tooth problems are caused,
at least to some extent, by
bacteria that live and feed
on sugar and carbohydrates
on the teeth. As the bacteria
multiply, they secrete compounds
that break down the hard calcium
of the teeth. Other contributors
to tooth problems are infections,
poorly fitting dentures, the
use of birth control pills,
poorly done fillings, improper
tooth and gum care, a compromised
immune system, and poor nutrition.
Prevention is the best and
most successful way an individual
can deal with tooth problems.
Brush the teeth thoroughly
after meals and floss daily.
Maintain regular dental visits.
DR. WINICK’S COMMENT: In most cases, to treat deep periodontal pockets,
I prefer the use of a water
irrigating device instead
of flossing.
If symptoms persist or increase,
consult a dentist or periodontist.
A healthcare practitioner
trained in nutrition should
be consulted as well.
DR. WINICK’S COMMENT: I would prefer you seeing a dentist trained
in non-surgical
periodontal care.
THE PROPER DIET FOR HEALTHY
TEETH WILL INCLUDE:
1. An overall healthy diet
– Use fresh foods as close
to the natural state as possible,
avoiding prepackaged and processed
foods. Eat daily servings
of leafy green vegetables,
whole grains (such as brown
rice and rolled oats), fresh
fruit, and proteins with a
minimum of animal fat.
Drink at least 8 cups of fluids
daily. For more information
refer to the article on healthy
diet.
2. Eat plenty of dietary fiber,
as it helps in clearing away
plaque. Eat at least one of
the following foods daily:
1 bowl of salad, 1 cup cooked
leafy green vegetables, 1
to 2 raw carrots or 1 apple.
3. Avoid sugar – Sugar increases
the accumulation of plaque.
As much as possible, avoid
candy, cake, cookies, and
soda pop. Other sources of
sugar such as fruit juices,
honey, and dried fruit should
be limited, as well as white
bread and white rice.
4. Eating a half a pound or
more per day of grapes, cherries,
blueberries and other dark
berries can help in the repair
and upkeep of the gums and
surrounding bone tissue. But
be sure to brush your teeth
thoroughly after eating them.
DR. WINICK’S COMMENT: Eating a half a pound or more per day of fruit
to increase your anti-oxidants
is a great idea. But, it is not always easy to get that much
fruit into your diet.
An excellent way to
increase your anti-oxidants
would be to take the ™ supplement product from . (The company gives a 100% money back guarantee
if it does not work.)
THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS
CAN BE USED:
1. Vitamin C – 1,000 milligrams
2 to 4 times a day. Decrease
the dosage if diarrhea occurs.
People suffering from kidney
stones should not take more
that 2,000 milligrams of vitamin
C per day in divided doses.
2. Vitamin E – 200 to 400
Units per day.
3. Beta-carotene – 100,000
Units per day. Caution:
Pregnant women (or women who
may become pregnant) should
not take more than 15,000
Units of Beta-carotene a day.
4. Zinc picolinate – 15 milligrams
per day.
5. Folic acid – 2 milligrams
per day. Also, use Folic acid
in a 0.5 percent solution
to rinse your mouth 2 times
a day.
6. Bioflavonoids – 500 milligrams,
3 times per day.
DR.
WINICK’S COMMENT: Or look into the ™ supplement product from .
HERBS USED FOR TOOTH PROBLEMS:
1. Mix equal parts of powered
Cinnamon, Bayberry Bark, Peppermint
Leaf, Oak Bark, and Myrrh.
Apply to gum surfaces once
a day with a tooth brush.
2. Make a cup of Comfrey Root
tea by adding 1 cup of boiling
water to 1 teaspoon of the
root. Steep for 20 minutes.
To ease pain and swelling,
RINSE out your mouth with
the tea 4 times per day. NOTE:
Do NOT swallow the comfrey
tea as research indicates
that drinking comfrey tea
can be harmful, especially
over an extended period of
time.
DR.WINICK’S COMMENT: For safe, pure herbal powders and rinses already
made go to
3. To relieve a toothache, apply Clove oil
to the affected area.
DR.
WINICK’S COMMENT: But see your dentist as soon as possible.
AS ADDITIONAL MEASURES:
1. Eliminate or cut down on
smoking. Tobacco smoking is
associated with the onset
of severe tooth problems.
DR.
WINICK’S COMMENT: Other extremely
effective herbal dental products
can be found
by going to
Footnotes
BarShalom
R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural
Health Hotline.
Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical
Arts, 1991-1999.
Copyright ©1991-2003, Integrative Medical Arts Group, Inc. – IBISmedical.com
All rights reserved worldwide.
P.O. Box 671
Beaverton,
OR
97075
USA
• 503.641.6060 • NHH@IBISmedical.com
Please read the
concerning the intent and
limitations of the information
provided here.
Do
not rely solely on the information
in this article.
|
The
information presented
in The Natural Health Hotline™ is for informational and
educational purposes only.
It is based on scientific
studies (human, animal,
or in vitro), clinical experience, case reports, and/or traditional
usage with sources cited
as cited in each topic.
The results reported may
not necessarily occur
in all individuals and
different individuals
with the same medical
conditions with the same
symptoms will often require
differing treatments.
For many of the conditions
discussed, treatment with
conventional medical therapies,
including prescription
drugs or over-the-counter
medications, is also available.
Effective health care
is an active, individualized
and evolving process best
pursued with trusted professionals
collaborating for your
benefit. Consult your
physician, an appropriately
trained health care practitioner,
and/or pharmacist for
any health concern or
medical problem before
using any herbal products
or nutritional supplements
or before making any changes
in prescribed medications
and/or before attempting
to independently treat
a medical condition using
supplements, herbs, remedies,
or other forms of self-care. |
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