by Martina Mallery, DDS 

Biological and holistic dentistry seeks to heal diseases that plague the oral cavity, and emergent science confirms that any disease of the mouth has systemic ramifications. To complicate the issue further, some mainstream dental procedures and materials are toxic for the body, and can lead to degenerative disease. 

Among the toxic materials routinely used in dentistry is fluoride, a hormone disruptor, carcinogen and neurotoxin. The therapeutic effects of fluoride in tooth decay prevention are marginal at best, but toxicity of fluoride cannot be understated. A quick trip to International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine website will help you navigate scientific studies which confirm the far-reaching toxicity of fluoride.  

Another material often handled incorrectly is mercury. Dental amalgam fillings are 50% mercury which off-gasses continually. As a result, mercury also passes through the epithelial cells of oral mucosa to contaminate the brain and other nearby anatomical structures. Neurological dysfunctions that range from anxiety and depression, all the way to devastating Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, top an extensive list of serious health issues associated with chronic mercury exposure.  

In fact, no organ system is spared when mercury bioaccumulates in the liver, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and kidneys. There are also pathogens like Epstein Bar or Lyme can that thrive in the presence of heavy metal. Other metal alloys used in dentistry, such as crowns, prosthetic framework or titanium implants, also have neurotoxic effects which undermine the immune system. The root cause of many chronic autoimmune conditions can be traced to heavy metal toxicity as well.  

Some dental procedures also wreak havoc on the human body. One such example is root canal therapy which is performed when a tooth is dead or abscessed. The root canal system is cleansed and sealed, and the tooth is restored to its function. However, as it turns out, the root canal system is so complex that no matter how meticulous the dentist is, bacteria is left behind, and a chronic infection persists.  

This drives the immune system into a perpetual state of emergency as bacterial toxins are circulated around the body. Fibromyalgia, arthritis or multiple sclerosis are just a few examples of autoimmune disease connected to a presence of dead teeth. Furthermore, the presence of dead teeth has also been linked to cancer as the immune system has been completely overwhelmed with a persistent infection.  

Another problem is an incomplete tooth extraction. Unfortunately, dental schools do not teach the correct way to extract teeth. There is an important additional step, without which the bone cannot fully regenerate, and the absence of this step results in so-called NICO lesions. NICO stands for neuralgia-inducing cavitational osteonecrosis of jaw bone.  

This step is the removal of fibrous tissue called periodontal ligament. If this ligament is left in place, it acts as a barrier to bone cells and blood supply, resulting in chronic infection of that unhealed site. The immune system is again poised for a failure in its futile attempt to overcome the infection. Autoimmunity and cancer are often the unfortunate outcomes.  

In fact, cancer and autoimmune disease treatment should be initiated by performing biological dental revision first and foremost. Any practitioner who omits this critical step will waste their patients’ resources and precious time, as the root cause is not being identified nor addressed. Biological dental revision begins with removal of metal from the oral cavity. A typical biological dentist is certified by International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology to remove mercury and metal alloy safely under a strict set of guidelines.  

The next step is to remove all dead and abscessed teeth, as well as those previously treated with root-canal therapy. Stripping the extraction socket of the periodontal ligament is a must. The use of ozone gas and platelet-rich fibrinogen (PRF) that is harvested from patient’s blood is also quickly becoming a standard of care in biological dental surgery.  

Ozone gas disinfects the surgical site and stimulates the immune system and oxygen metabolism. PRF helps regenerate bone due to its high content of stem cells, growth factors and infection-fighting leukocytes. Finally, the areas of chronic NICO lesions must also be surgically revised. And likewise, ozone gas and PRF should be utilized to help the jaw bone finally regenerate. Biological dental revision protocol is multi-faceted, so this only scratches the surface. However, once this critical step is accomplished, the treating physician, such as an oncologist or alternative physician, is more equipped for the likelihood of a successful treatment.  

White Sands Dentistry is a holistic and biological dental practice, located at 520 48th Street Ct. E, Bradenton. For more information and the schedule and appointment, call 941-748-9393 or visit WhiteSandsDentristry.com.