There was a time when dentistry was treated as a technical subject where the teeth were mechanical objects in need of occasional repair, somehow unconnected with the rest of the body. This opinion still remains in many doctors and dentists trained in the 1970’s and 1980’s, but those who have kept up to date with the research or are more recently trained will be well aware of the strong links that have now been proven between dental diseases and medical conditions.
The links that are now beyond question include a direct relationship between gum disease and an increased risk of heart attacks, and between dental infections in pregnant women and premature birth or low birth weight. Neck, shoulder pain and headaches, including migraines, are very commonly associated with dental problems such as clenching and grinding the teeth, loss of back teeth and severely worn teeth.
Other medical conditions that may be linked with dental diseases that are currently under investigation include chronic fatigue, trigeminal neuralgia, certain cancers, skin conditions (e.g. acne rosacea) and joint disease. Research by Dr. Rau, clinical director of the Paracelcus Institute in Switzerland, has established a link between breast cancer and the presence of root-fillings or chronic infections in upper premolar teeth in 95% of cases. This is a finding that has been fully supported by Andrew Lane’s findings on patients at Apollonia House. There are similar links in relation to chronic joint inflammation – problems in certain areas of the mouth are commonly associated with specific joints, for instance lower premolar teeth seem to relate to hip and knee problems and lower molars with shoulder pain.
Medical problems can also be caused by reactions to certain dental materials in some individuals. The recent large increase in allergies to foods that we have witnessed may also be happening in relation to dental materials. People may have allergies to a variety of metals, but some, such as mercury, are highly toxic in their own right. Mercury amalgam filling material is considered “safe” by much of the establishment, but recent official advice from the Department of Health includes avoiding its use on children and pregnant/lactating women. Judging by the scientific evidence now emerging it may not be long before this advice extends to all members of the population. Because of the doubts about amalgam and since the advent of alternative materials with comparable properties at Apollonia House we have taken the decision that the use of amalgam is currently indefensible and have to ban its use in our practice. Andrew Lane has not used amalgam at all since 1991. Many British dental schools are now removing the teaching of amalgam fillings from their courses, as has already happened in Japan and other countries.
Holistic dentistry seeks to carry out the business of dentistry in a manner that considers the health of the whole individual. Principally this should be aimed at prevention – the less work that needs to be done on anyone’s mouth the better for that person’s long-term health. This means helping children to never require any fillings or extractions and to develop good habits such as regular cleaning, regular check-ups and a healthy diet.
Holistic dentistry includes such things as providing high quality
dentistry that will last for as long as the
current materials allow (around 20 years for
many items), encouraging stopping smoking, the
use of supplements when appropriate, filling
in gaps from missing teeth to increase long-term
stability, identifying and treating habits such
as clenching and grinding teeth that could cause
wear, fractures, gum-disease, joint pain, headaches,
etc., removing infected teeth that cannot be
returned to a healthy condition, identifying
and treating areas of chronic infection locked
in bone, and a range of other services that
will prevent future health problems and reduce
the need for dental care.
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