Tag Archive for: dental care
If you have never been to our office, whether for a routine cleaning or for oral disease treatment, you’ll find that holistic methods do not make the experience very different from a conventional office visit. For those of you who are absolutely terrified or loathe to go to the dentist, that probably doesn’t do much for you (though we do have other options that might appeal to you). But you should actually be aware that — for a routine cleaning and checkup, for example — our standard protocol calls for things that might bring you more comfort, security, and satisfaction with your visit.
If you are due for x-rays, we will do those for you quickly and as comfortably as possible. Each room has a big screen where you can instantly see the digital x-ray images taken of your teeth. We’ll discuss any potential problems if they appear. Every few visits we will also probe your teeth to measure the gaps or pockets between your teeth and gums. The smaller the gap, the better. You want your gums to be nice and snug against your teeth because that indicates there is no good place for bacteria to grow and cause infection. Deeper pockets indicate spots that are probably hard to clean, and therefore may be an infection waiting to happen. We will give you advice steering you in the direction you should take to help those gaps close up, also considering any pain or inflammation you may be experiencing.
Then the hygienist will perform the cleaning, polishing, and flossing. The better you take care of your teeth by daily brushing and flossing at home, the speedier this part will be. We always finish off the cleaning with a quick ozone irrigation. Oral irrigation is the best part. If you’ve never heard of it, it is basically “flossing” with water or whatever liquid* you put in the machine reservoir. In our office, we use ozone water. The ozone effectively kills off any remaining bacteria released during cleaning, and also brings a cool, soothing sensation that will leave you feeling refreshed.
After that, I will check for cavities or other problems; if none are found, you’ll be sent on your way with some restocked dental care supplies and a bright smile.
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com
*I’ll give you some more information on oral irrigators in the next post.
After taking into consideration that what goes into your body is going to affect the long-term health of your teeth, what do you think needs to happen so your dental work will last just as long?
Having already reviewed some damaging effects of invasive dentistry, you now know that “invading”/intervening with the natural tooth’s structure is not what you should pursue if you want your teeth to last (and maintain great condition) as long as your life. Remember: if you lived to be 100 years old, choose sustainable dentistry that will last you just as long. If you are eating well and taking care of your body in all other ways, your body and, therefore, your teeth will be strong, healthy, and functional for a long time. Sounds like a good plan for the later years, right? Save yourself as many physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with bad health as you can now. The cure for any disease is to avoid it in the first place!
What if you have already had work done on your teeth that is not sustainable? Well, if it includes mercury-saturated amalgam, it is best to get that replaced immediately. Not only will it need replacement after a handful of years — over and over again until there is no more tooth, but a stub needing a crown — but it will also infiltrate tissues throughout your entire body with poisonous mercury. No matter how well you take care of yourself, mercury constantly leeching into your body from your teeth will never allow you to progress towards complete wellness. As your body degenerates with age, mercury poisoning will speed that process up and bring on a host of symptoms that will (almost universally) lead the average doctor to the wrong diagnosis. It will be left untreated, you will be left confused and miserable, and there won’t be enough time left to detoxify.
Don’t put mercury in your mouth!
Dr. Boyajian, West Los Angeles
www.dentalwellnessarts.com