Dental amalgam made headlines in early March when the Dr. Oz Show performed a demonstration that very clearly illustrated the toxic nature of the outdated silver fillings. Broadcasted on national television, the demonstration showed that silver fillings could leak odorless, extremely toxic mercury vapor when brushed by a normal toothbrush. The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and holistic dentistry professionals are celebrating a new victory in the fight against toxic fillings, however. This year, more than 140 nations have signed into effect an international mercury treaty that lays the groundwork for an eventual “phasing out” of this dangerous material.
Category
Holistic Dentistry
Mercury Treaty May Mean the End of Toxic Dental Amalgam
Fluoride Free Victory: Israel Lifts Mandatory Water Fluoridation
The fluoride free movement continues to see unprecedented momentum in 2013 as Israel announces the phase-out of public water fluoridation requirements. First put into action in 2002, Israel’s fluoridation mandate formerly required all municipalities to treat public water with fluoride. That mandate will be lifted within a year, however, empowering Israeli municipalities to reduce exposure to the potentially toxic mineral by going fluoride free.
How to Avoid Insecticides in Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are more than just delicious. These colorful foods are packed with the vitamins, minerals, and water our bodies need to make us look, feel, and function at our best. Health professionals have traditionally recommended eating about 2-4 servings of fruit and 7-13 servings of vegetables each day, however, that recommendation has nearly doubled in recent years. As Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity make it more difficult for an estimated 1 in 133 Americans to eat certain wheat-based foods, a growing number of individuals are compensating by eating more fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, the use of insecticides and other genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can pose a serious threat to long term health.
Minerals and Trace Minerals: Your Key to Naturally Strong Teeth and Gums
Most patients are shocked to learn that up to 5% of their body weight is composed of minerals like calcium, phosphorous, and potassium (i). Along with vitamins and other nutrients, minerals are essential in helping us look and feel our absolute best. When we don’t get a healthy amount of minerals each day, it becomes increasingly difficult for our bodies to perform basic functions. Over time, mineral deficiency may lead to a variety of very serious health conditions including anemia, osteoporosis, thyroid dysfunction, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Wichita Paper Misleads Residents, Says Harvard Fluoride Study is ‘Not Applicable’
Is adding fluoride to public drinking water a good thing? For many, the answer seems obvious: Yes. Television commercials, oral hygiene products, and even traditional dentists actively endorse fluoride as a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay. Many are surprised to learn, however, that there is no clinical evidence to support such a claim. The tide is beginning to turn, and communities across America are putting an end to water fluoridation programs that are not only a danger to residents, but also an unnecessary cost to the municipality.
Are Mercury Fillings Safe?
Groups like the American Medical Association and the FDA that advocate the use of mercury fillings, also known as silver fillings or amalgam, acknowledge that mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can cause neurological problems, but they still insist that it is safe to use as a tooth filling for cavities. These fillings release mercury vapor each time a person chews on them, causing the body to inhale and absorb this toxic vapor. Eighty percent of this vapor accumulates in the body’s tissues because the body is unable to effectively excrete it.
How to Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods are those that are prepared with the intention of being easy to consume. They are more convenient, longer lasting, and sometimes better tasting than 100% natural foods. However, a team of Dutch scientists recently produced a study indicating that processed foods may double your risk of developing colon cancer. At Harvard Medical School, another team demonstrated that processed foods that are rich in high-fructose corn syrup might also cause cancer, as well as obesity and type II diabetes. As the study of processed food and well-being continues, health professionals worldwide are beginning to warn consumers to pay close attention to the ingredients in the foods they eat.
Can Chelation Therapy Fight Cardiovascular Disease?
Since the 1950s, chelation therapy has been a leading doctor-recommended treatment option for individuals suffering with heavy metal poisoning. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved use of chelation therapy for more than 40 years, deeming it a “safe” and “effective” treatment for lead poisoning in particular (i). The American Cancer Society has likewise promoted chelation therapy, naming it “one of several effective treatments” for heavy metal poisoning in general (ii).
Heavy metal detoxification—whether by way of chelation therapy or other methods—is an essential part of maintaining holistic health and wellness. The human body cannot break down and flush heavy metals on its own, which may lead to potentially toxic and life threatening accumulation.
Japanese Researchers Invent ‘Tooth Patch’ to Prevent Tooth Decay
In Japan, scientists have created a new tool that many believe will help prevent tooth decay in the future. They call it the “tooth patch,” an ultra-flexible biocompatible film that scientists have designed to fit snugly over the surface of teeth. The film is made entirely of hydroxyapatite, the natural mineral from which tooth enamel is made. The developers of the tooth patch hope that it’s enamel-like composition will make it an effective shield to prevent tooth decay, as well as a restorative material that can be used to repair teeth with pre-existing cavities or dental caries.
Wichita, Portland, and Santa Fe Aim to End Water Fluoridation by 2013
Over the past year, the anti-fluoride movement has gained substantial momentum as communities from across the United States have begun to vote against public water fluoridation. Just recently, 3 communities in Indiana have voted to end the fluoridation of their water supplies. Those communities are Walkerton, North Liberty, and Lakeville, home to a combined 5,000 or more individuals who are now safe from fluoride exposure. Other communities in which the anti-fluoride movement is strong include Wichita, Portland, and Santa Fe.
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