Eating Your Way to Health: A Holistic Dentistry Approach in Preventing Disease

Most of us know which foods are considered healthy, and which ones are considered “junk foods.” Yet, so few of us incorporate these vitamin and mineral-rich foods in our daily diets. If we knew the true reasons why these foods are so beneficial to the entire body, it may help motivate us to make changes. A holistic dentistry approach combined with having a diet rich in raw vegetables, leafs greens, plant-based protein, and sprouted grains can eventually lead to increased energy, a more balanced emotional well-being, and most importantly, a body that is free from disease.

Since the mouth is part of the body, its health is also strongly affected by the foods we choose to fuel it. For example, if you were to fuel your car with vinegar, it wouldn’t run properly, or likely, at all. The body is exactly the same. If you are not fueling your body with what it needs to function properly, you will end up in a state of disease as your body desperately tries to keep you alive with the minimal resources you have provided it. For instance, lack in vitamins, especially vitamins A, B, C, and K have astronomical effects on the mouth. Holistic dentistry recognizes this, as these vitamins have been proven to help in tissue regeneration, nutrient readiness and transportation, resulting in the mouth and body being disease-free. Lack of these vitamins can equal cold sores, canker sores, gum disease, and bad breath. Another common cause of disease is when the body is in an acidic state. Acidity in the mouth and body can originate from a sugary, processed diet, as well as from red meats, pasteurized dairy, and anything deep fried.

• With regards to nutrition, a diet rich in vegetables, both steamed and raw, as well as healthy fats have been shown to reduce acidity in the mouth.
• Another great tip is to always wait at least 30 mins before brushing your teeth after a meal. This is because the saliva becomes very acidic as it attempts to break down the food we eat. Typically after 30 mins, the acidity of the saliva reduces and it has a lower chance of creating the “acid attack” known to destroy enamel and cause cavities.
• Activating our lymphatic system, which acts as the body’s garbage disposal, through exercise, such as walking, swimming, or jumping on a trampoline, also helps to release toxins and, thus reduces acidity in our mouth and body.