A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO TOOTH DECAY
If you have an infected or decayed tooth, you may be considering a highly popular dental procedure called root canal therapy. According to the School of Dental Medicine, more than 15 million root canals are performed every year. However, according to studies by Weston Price, root canal treatments represent a toxic response to tooth infections.
At Julian Center for Toxic-Free Dentistry, we believe in a toxic-free approach to dental care that ensures the total body wellness of our patients.
WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?
A root canal is a dental procedure where a dentist removes the living part of your inner tooth, cleans out the inside of the tooth, and seals it. Root canals are normally recommended to remedy an infection or trauma. If your tooth has an untreated crack or cavity, bacteria can seep into the inner layers below the enamel. This leads to an infection when the bacteria reaches the nerve at the tooth’s root.
A tooth infection may be painful or totally asymptomatic. An X-ray may be necessary to confirm the infection or reveal an abscess around the root of the tooth.
PROBLEMS WITH TRADITIONAL ROOT CANAL THERAPY
The process of root canal therapy involves removing the entire contents of the main canals of the tooth including the nerve, blood vessels, and lymph. The tooth is treated with a disinfectant and then sealed, usually with a filler material called gutta-percha. Because the tooth is now brittle and weak, it’s usually recommended to place a crown over the remaining tooth to provide some structural integrity.
This may sound like a good idea in order to keep the tooth. But the potential health consequences may outweigh the advantages of preserving your tooth with root canal therapy
- A dead tooth can never be completely sterilized due to the numerous accessory canals that can’t be reached by dental interventions or fully cleaned with sterilization solutions.
- The bacteria that causes the infection is still left in your inner tooth, free to spread and mutate.
- Every time you bite down, leftover bacteria gets forced into your bloodstream. This can cause a host of problems including increasing your risk for diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
- Since there is no blood supply to the tooth, the white blood cells of your immune system are unable to provide any immune protection. The environment is acidic and lacking in oxygen which further promotes chronic infection.
- Most of the time, you will not have any symptoms at the root canal site. Therefore, you or your healthcare practitioner may not even consider that this could be the cause of other problems.
TOXIC-FREE TREATMENTSY
At Julian Center for Toxic-Free Dentistry, we use holistic and non-toxic dental treatments to address a variety of issues and prevent future health problems.
Dr. Sambataro may recommend the following treatments to address a severe tooth infection.
- Laser therapy — Our practice is led by innovation and through the advancements of laser technology, we can offer treatment for tooth infections that is non-invasive, safe, and effective. ions.
- Ozone therapy — With this treatment, we introduce ozone into your system to disinfect the area safely and effectively. It destroys the decay-causing bacteria while remaining harmless to you. This treatment promotes blood flow and stimulates your immune defenses which can speed up your healing response. Because ozone is gaseous, it can reach the small micro canals that a traditional root canal would be unable to access.
- Tooth extraction — If an infection is severe and resistant to other treatments, Dr. Sambataro may recommend tooth extraction in order to protect you from further exposure to harmful bacteria.
SIGNS OF TOOTH INFECTION
You may have a severe tooth infection if you notice the following:
- Tooth Sensitivities — Any sensitivity when biting, chewing, or consuming hot or cold foods and drinks.
- Pain— Any tooth pain or pain that extends to your jaw or neck can indicate an infection.
- Swelling — Any swelling in your face, gums, or lymph nodes.
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule a visit with Dr. Sambataro so we can get your oral health back on track.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the dangers of root canals?
Dr. Sambataro performed root canals for 20 years before realizing there is no way to completely sterilize a dead tooth and avoid the potential for chronic infections and systemic health issues.
Dr. Weston Price, a dentist and researcher for the American Dental Association, first investigated this problem with root canals. He found that not only can teeth harbor dangerous bacteria after treatment, they may also risk exposure to serious chemical toxins.
Dr. George Meinig further supported this research in his book “Root Canal Cover-up”. Dr. Meinig was one of the founding members of the Endodontic Society (root canal specialists). Dr. Meinig had performed thousands of root canals before discovering the research concerning toxic root canals.
How can I prevent tooth decay?
The best way to prevent tooth decay is with a consistent at-home oral hygiene routine combined with regular dental appointments with Dr. Sambataro.
- Avoid fluoride-containing products. We don’t recommend using fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. We don’t use fluoride in our Prophy Paste and we do not offer fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a very toxic ingredient with questionable benefits and many potential risks. As a substitute, we recommend a few different products including MI paste, Tooth Builder, or Revitin.
- Brush twice a day. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush in order to avoid damaging your gums.
- Floss once a day. This can be done at any time of the day, but it’s recommended to floss before bed so that debris is not left sitting in your mouth overnight.
- Rinse after meals. This can prevent food from staying in your mouth for extended periods. We recommend a fluoride-free mouthwash.
NO ROOT CANALS AT JULIAN CENTER FOR TOXIC-FREE DENTISTRY
If you’re concerned about your overall wellness when it comes to your oral health, you can rest easy with Dr. Sambataro. Our dedicated team will ensure a toxic-free approach to your care. Call our Ellicott City office at (410) 964-2865 to learn more about our holistic approach to tooth infections.