In this week’s episode of The Whole Circle Podcast we talk to author, Nadine Artemis all about holistic dental care.

We have been interested in this topic for quite some time, so we are excited to delve deep into holistic dental care with Nadine.

Who is Nadine Artemis?

Nadine is the author of Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums and Renegade Beauty. She is also the creator of Living Libations, which is a line of serums, elixirs, and essential oils for those seeking the purest of botanical health and beauty products. Her products have received rave reviews in the New York Times, the National Post, and the Hollywood Reporter. Described by Alanis Morissette as “a true-sense visionary,” Artemis is an innovative aromacologist and beauty philosopher.

What is holistic dental care?

 

Generally, it’s the understanding that our teeth are inextricably bound to the rest of our body. As well as that our teeth and the health of the oral microbiome are connected to the endocrine and digestive systems and taking a holistic approach to the health of them.

Microbiomes

Our bodies are made up of multiple microbiomes and mini microbiomes, not just our gut microbiome which is the most commonly known.

They also include:

  • Skin microbiome
  • Oral microbiome
  • Nasal microbiome
  • Ear canal microbiome
  • Vaginal canal microbiome

Microbiomes are the community of microorganisms within our bodies such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.  We have about 10 times as many microbial cells as we do human cells.

Modern living is changing our microbiomes and how our mouths and bodies are functioning.

How to take care of our mouths and heal the microbiome area

 

Stop using oral care products with triclosan, sodium laurel sulphate, glycerine (which blocks the saliva’s flow to the enamel), antibiotic mouthwashes, mouthwashes linked to carcinogens.

Dental procedures also can affect our microbiome as they can breed bacteria that gets into our bloodstream and wreak havoc on our bodies, such as root canals which by their very process encourage harmful bacteria within our bodies and mouths.  The concept of a root canal is good, but the execution including ingredients used is the problem.

So, what can you do if you have had a root canal? 

Studies are now showing that even textbook perfect root canals when they have removed the tooth there was severe bacteria left in all of them in varying degrees.  You may feel ok health-wise with your root canal, but is there an autoimmune issue that you could be dealing with?  If you’re feeling like your health is in decline, then you definitely want to deal with issues in the mouth because it could be the root cause.

Consider going to a well-educated holistic dentist.  A good holistic dentist would not do root canals.  Instead, the tooth would need to be removed along with periodontal ligament which is not a standard dental procedure.  Typically, at a non-holistic dentist, they would leave the periodontal ligament in your mouth which can then cause decay in the jawbone later on.  If a front tooth needs to be removed, then you can look at getting a bridge done.  If an implant is needed, then the only option your dentist should be using is zirconium.  A metal implant is horrible for your mouth.

What about fillings then?

 

In Australia, fillings have been predominantly done using metal.  A lot of us would have metal fillings in our mouths.  If you have metal fillings the best thing to do would be to go to a holistic dentist to get them removed and replaced with a less toxic, cleaner version.

What are some great dental practices we can implement in our children?

Let’s start with wisdom teeth.  67% of wisdom teeth do not have to be removed.  If you have had your wisdom teeth removed a good holistic dentist will look at all those spots where the wisdom teeth were removed and clean out the periodontal ligament which was most likely left if to ensure they don’t go necrotic and harbour bacteria.

Work on good hygiene practices at home.  A child’s dexterity is not as good as an adult so hand over hand brush your kids’ teeth.  Make sure your kids rinse their mouths out well, even with a pinch of baking soda in the water to alkaline the mouth and saliva.  Try oil pulling with your kids as well, as this will assist to eliminate further bacteria too.

If you’re as overwhelmed as us with all this info, then grab a copy of Nadine’s books because they delve even deeper than what we have covered here, and you can refer back to them and implement the strategies in a less overwhelming way.  You can grab her books from her online store >>> here.

For a comprehensive overview of what you can do holistically to support your oral health care, check out Nadine’s article >>> here.

Fluoride … good or bad?

Generally, fluoride is added to water systems in most developed countries.  Dental treatment using fluoride can lead to a myriad of documented health issues.  So why do dentists use it and advocate for it?  In Nadine’s opinion, this is what they are taught in dental school and for the most part, students don’t challenge it, so they just go with it.

There are those coming through dental schools that do challenge these issues and you will see these with holistic dentists.

Where can you find a holistic dentist?

We must admit that we had never really heard of holistic dental care or knew that holistic dentists even existed.  But after a quick Google search, we discovered that they do exist and in our local area.  So, if you want to find your own then do what we did and type in ‘holistic dental care’ followed by your town/suburb and see what comes up, you just may be surprised like we were.

Nadine has written an article regarding what to ask a prospective dentist which is a really useful tool that you can get from >>> here.

Where can you find out more?

Nadine has a wealth of knowledge in the articles section of her website which you can find >>> here.  Nadine also has an online store which stocks a whole host of products including oral care products.  She also ships to Australia! WooHoo!  You can check them out >>> here.

Where can you find Nadine?

Website:  https://www.livinglibations.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/successfulselfdentistry/ and https://www.facebook.com/livinglibations/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/livinglibations/

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