Search Results

Once the mainstay of dentistry, amalgam mercury fillings are now in sharp decline and have been discontinued in several countries. Despite its deceptive name "silver fillings," amalgam's main component is actually mercury, a neurotoxin and a heavy metal. The banning of mercury fillings has become a worldwide issue. The use of mercury-silver or amalgam dental fillings has been completely outlawed in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Twenty-five other European countries have strictly limited the use of silver mercury amalgam. This European ban officially started July 1, 2018 when mercury filling material was banned for children under the age of 15 and for pregnant or nursing women — banned everywhere in the massive European Union (EU)— 28 countries in all. With a population totaling more than half a billion people, this is good news knowing that the next generation of Europe's children are safe from toxic dental mercury. It is unfortunate that we can’t have the same future for our own American children. “In sharp contrast, the U.S. government has done nothing to protect these vulnerable populations from exposure to amalgam’s mercury,” says a petition filed by Consumers for Dental Choice (CDC), which has been vigorously campaigning for mercury-free dentistry, since its founding back in 1996. Just recently, Nepal has jumped on the bandwagon. As of March 2, 2019, they too have banned the use of mercury fillings for children, pregnant or nursing women. (Look here ) It’s marvelous to see the anti-mercury movement reaching that part of the world. Interestingly enough, the American Dental Association (ADA) still states that mercury filling material is perfectly safe for everyone. As other mercury usages decline (thermometers, vaccine preservatives, etc.), dental amalgam fillings have become the single largest use of mercury in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not allow dentists to put mercury filling debris into the regular garbage or drain into the waste water, yet the ADA says it’s perfectly fine to put mercury filling material in your mouth. The logic just doesn’t hold up. Mercury has been implicated with autoimmune diseases and chronic health problems. ( Here is a ton of research explaining this) Keeping this toxic substance out of the human body should make a lot of sense to everyone. Dental amalgam silver filling material is a combination of mercury with other metals like copper and silver. It has been used for nearly 200 years for the treatment of tooth cavities and decay. However, amid widespread health concerns on the use of amalgam fillings in dentistry, it is heartening to see that all European countries, Canada and now Nepal, have either totally banned or discouraged mercury fillings. Children and babies in utero are particularly vulnerable to mercury as their developing brains and neurological systems are especially susceptible to neuro toxic effects of mercury. America needs to speak up and push the ADA to change its stance on the use of toxic mercury in the human dentition. Our children and future generations will thank us. If you like this post, you may also like: Mercury-Free vs. Mercury-Safe

For more than one hundred years, dental gold has been considered the “gold standard” in dental restorations. Used in crowns as well as tooth fillings alongside mercury silver fillings and other metals in the mouth, it has been found that this can create an electrical current sensation in the mouth. Silver Mercury Filling next to Gold Crown Sometimes, a patient will come in with exactly this symptom- electric shock sensations in the mouth with no obvious cause. Or something even more esoteric- a buzzing feeling in their head. The concern with gold or any metallic material (titanium implants, nickel braces, mercury silver fillings, stainless steel crowns and partial dentures, etc.) in the mouth, is that they have the potential to create a galvanic reaction. Oral electro-galvanism is a term used for the association of oral or systemic symptoms of electric currents created between diverse metals between dental restorations and electrolytes (minerals) in saliva. The pain associated with galvanic shock is caused by an actual electric shock. This shock occurs when the restoration of one tooth, touches the restoration of another tooth containing a dissimilar metal. Saliva facilitates the shock by functioning as an electrical conductor. The electrical shock can be intense, especially when the 2 metals oppose each other and meet during chewing or when a fork tine should accidentally touch one of the metals. Or it can be mild, almost not noticeable as anything, except maybe for symptoms of chronic headaches, dizziness, nausea, concentration and memory issues, insomnia, psychological problems, tinnitus, epilepsy, hearing loss, eye problems, mouth pain, and other obscure indications. With the introduction of EMF (electromagnetic frequencies) from cell phones and wi-fi, the symptoms can become intensified. Also, one should bear in mind that EMF exposure has its own set of health issues already associated with it, even if your mouth is metal-free. (See our many EMF postings here ). What is the best way to treat oral electro-galvanism? The treatment is rather simple: remove all metals from the mouth and replace them with biocompatible dental materials. This will give you the start you need to move things in the right direction. Besides reducing the buzz in your head, other health challenges may abate. Although there are no definitive studies on this topic, real clinical patient results have been observed. Here is one recent anecdotal account that may be of interest. If you are having any of the symptoms that we mentioned above, it is advised that you should consult with your healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis before proceeding with any dental work. If you like this post, you may also like: Adrenal Fatigue and Mercury Fillings

Dental fluorosis is not a pretty sight. In this modern day, pearly white teeth are in, mottled teeth are not. It is particularly upsetting when our children’s teeth erupt this way and are disfigured for life, knowing that there is little that can be done to undo the damage. Dental Fluorosis According to a new study published in the Journal of Dental Research –Clinical & Transactional Research , Dental fluorosis is on the rise. This analysis of the most recently available government data (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey –NHANES- 2011 to 2012 survey) found that 65% of American children now have some degree of dental fluorosis. This is an 8-fold increase (WOW!!!) from the previous national survey in 1999-2004 that found only 3.7% of children with dental fluorosis. Not happy with these statistics, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) published its own report several weeks later. While they also calculated the same drastic increase in dental fluorosis, they suggested that it is “not biologically plausible” and there “may have been some changes in the way the examiners evaluated the levels of fluorosis over time.” It would seem that the CDC does not want to admit that the population is being over-fluoridated and is now looking for an excuse to explain the tremendous increase in our children’s damaged teeth. Too much fluoride in our water and food supply is a reality that is easily seen in teeth. Just imagine the unseen damage that it is having on the internal aspects of our bodies in both children and adults. Since it doesn’t seem that fluoride will be removed from the municipal water supply anytime soon, it is best to be proactive and filter our individual tap water supply and also take supplements to remove this toxin from our systems. Details on how to do this can be found on our many posts on Fluoride . Feel free to share your additional ideas in the comment section below on the many ways you are dealing with removing fluoride from your environment. If you like this post you may also like: Swimming Can Be Harmful to Your Teeth

Black Seed oil, also known as cumin seed oil or black caraway seed oil, is an oil extract from the seeds of the Nigella Sativa plant. Nigella sativa is a small plant with pale purple, blue, or white flowers that grows in Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East. Nigella Sativa Plant The oil comes from the tiny black seeds of the Nigella Sativa fruit and contains the powerful antioxidants of thymoquinone, phytosterol, amino acids, and omega 3-6-9 fatty acids. Black seed oil has been the subject of scientific research for its reputed benefits on cardiovascular health, immunity, cell metabolism and cytokine balance. This oil has been used a s a natural remedy for thousands of years and is said to “cure everything except death”. Traditionally it has been used successfully to treat: • Arthritis • Skin conditions (can be used to topically) • Diabetes (regulates blood sugar) • Lowers cholesterol • High blood pressure • Asthma • Obesity • Kill parasites • Boost immune system Upon further research, I found some studies where black seed oil has been successful in treating these dental issues. • Reduce Dental caries- was found to be very effective for killing off gram positive bacteria (but ineffective for gram negative bacteria) • Reduce Periodontal and gingival diseases –has an antiplaque activity (results were equivalent to, synergistic with, or even better than the regularly used antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or tetracycline). • Prevent nerve/pulpal inflammation when applied directly to the inflamed nerve • Accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers and mucositis especially those induced from chemo and radiation therapy • Expedite bone healing at dental extraction and surgical sites (good for all wound healing) • Improve osseo-integration of dental implants into bone • 4-fold potential effect when used with certain antibiotics. This makes Black Seed oil an excellent choice for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. • Antifungal activity – to treat candida albicans systemically or topically (use a carrier oil with it) The information from the study cited above basically provides the basis for a good natural analgesic for most dental related problems. The immune-modulatory activity makes the seed oil a good alternative for oral immune diseases. Additionally, its antioxidant and its antineoplastic activities, which have been extensively studied in relation to several cancers, (including oral cancer) make it an excellent treatment for just about every disease or infection. The amazing thing about Black Seed Oil is that the plant has no toxicity or health hazards that have been reported by any researchers who have been working on related clinical trials for years. In substantial doses, it can affect blood clotting, so best to speak with your licensed health practitioner for proper dosage, before proceeding. It does have a tangy peppery flavor that can be unpleasant, so it might be best to mix in with some honey and water to get it down. One teaspoonful once or twice a day is the recommended dosage to be effective and maintain good health. Usually, I would recommend starting at a lower dosage, to deal with any adverse Herxheimer (die-off) reactions that may occur. If you like this post you may also like: Diatomaceous Earth for Detoxification

Every now and then, I have a patient who is not a perfect candidate for dental work. Usually, there is a cavity that needs to be filled but the patient can’t sit still long enough to have a filling done. These patients are either very young (under the age of 5) or considerably aged. Either way there are compliance issues and they can’t cooperate enough to have a filling completed. Standard protocol would usually require for the dental work to be done under general anesthesia (most likely in a hospital setting). As many of you may be aware, general anesthesia can have many adverse side effects , some which can be deadly. For non-cooperative or medically compromised patients, silver diamine fluoride (see our post here ) has been one option and is a minimally invasive treatment to arrest decay. However, the only negative with this product is that it contains fluoride. In the holistic community, fluoride is taboo. (see our many posts on fluoride here .) Teeth Stained from Silver Nitrate For the holistically minded, there is another option for treatment. Silver nitrate can be used instead of silver diamine fluoride to totally stop decay in deciduous (baby) teeth. It is also a good option for the elderly who are not cooperative for dental work due to mental or physical challenges. Silver nitrate will prevent further damage from the decay and ultimately buy some time until the deciduous tooth exfoliates in the young child or the patient can be more compliant. Silver nitrate has all the advantages of silver diamine fluoride but none of the neurotoxicity that is associated with fluoride. Here is a list of advantages in using silver nitrate on dental cavities: • effective to help stop cavity development after a cavity has formed. • helps kill the bacteria that break down tooth surfaces while also keeping them from spreading to other teeth. • often suggested as a more comfortable alternative to drilling cavities. This can be helpful for children or adults who have anxiety about the dentist or may not be able to fully engage in dental procedures, such as those with special healthcare needs. • helpful as a cavity treatment if you’re overly sensitive to the instruments and substances used during cavity treatments. • help keep cavities to a minimum or prevent them entirely if you feel that it’s difficult to make time for regular dental check-ups or feel uncomfortable about cavity procedures. It’s quick, requires no special equipment, and generally only needs to be done once per year. The downside of using silver nitrate (as well as silver diamine fluoride) is it will turn the tooth black, permanently. Not a problem for posterior teeth or baby teeth, but can be unsightly on front teeth. Also silver nitrate can stain more than just teeth. It can also stain soft tissues, restoration margins, fingernails, skin and clothing. So special care must be used to prevent this. For the skin, the stain will dissipate in about 2 weeks. It will take longer for everything else, and may even remain permanently discolored. The extent of staining and the length of staining vary significantly among individuals. Silver nitrate is a safe, painless alternative to traditional cavity drilling procedures. It may stop the cavity from spreading, but will not fill the hole created by decay. It is a good interim procedure when a restoration is not possible. We may not recommend silver nitrate in every case of cavities. But it has been proven to be highly successful in stopping the development and spread of cavities. A great choice for young children and the elderly. If you like this post, you may also like: Silver Diamine Fluoride in Caries Management

As many of you may know, I love to cook. Give me any recipe, and I will find a way to make it healthier. So when a patient asked what to feed her 5 year old child who loves conventional cereal, the first thing that came to mind was Granola. Sure it’s not the healthiest food out there, but it’s a lot better than Fruit Loops and Coco Pebbles. Homemade Granola Conventional cereals made with white flour, white sugar and lots of preservatives and artificial flavors and colors, can’t be healthy for anyone. And especially if the ingredients are GMO’ed. So I told my patient Lorie that I would share a simple Granola recipe that I have used for years. You only need one bowl and some basic baking ingredients. This delicious healthy granola recipe is naturally sweetened with maple syrup (or honey). It’s made with oats, coconut oil and your favorite nuts and fruit. Always best to use organic ingredients if possible. Basic Ingredients Healthy Granola INGREDIENTS 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (instant or quick, not steel cut) · 1 ½ cup raw nuts and/or seeds (I have used walnuts, pecans, almond slivers or raw cashews or shelled pumpkin seeds) · 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt (I use Himalayan) · 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon is healthiest) · ½ cup melted coconut oil · ½ cup maple syrup or honey · 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use 2 teaspoons if you want) · Optional: coconut chips (unsweetened) or 1 tsp ground ginger or 2 TBSP of ground orange peel. Depends on what flavor you are looking for. Just use your imagination! After fully baked and cooled, mix in: · For fruity granola: ½ cup any chopped dried fruit (like figs or apricots) or just use raisins or dried cranberries ·For chocolate granola: ½ cup chocolate chips (look for brands sweetened with monk fruit instead of sugar) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Do not use wax paper as it may melt at this temperature. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend. 3. Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer. 4. Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools. 5. Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (or optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don’t want extra-clumpy granola. 6. Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature or in a sealed freezer bag in the refrigerator. Yields about 8 cups granola, enough for about 16 half-cup servings. Fully Baked Once you try fresh home baked granola, you won’t go back to the store-bought variety. This tastes so much better and is far healthier than anything you can get in the supermarket. Plus it is so easy to make. Bon appetit!

When cleaning out the freezer this weekend, I noticed that I had a few bags of frozen pumpkin puree. I had just finished making a fresh batch of BONE SOUP , so it seemed like the perfect time for making the bone soup into pumpkin soup. The way I make Pumpkin Soup is quite simple and quite delicious. Unlike most recipes for pumpkin soup, my version has no dairy, no brown sugar, and is full of nutrients. My recipe below is very basic. You can adjust quantities of spices and maple syrup to your own taste. Sometime I add no maple syrup, as the pumpkin can have its own sweetness. You can also substitute pureed squash for the pumpkin to give the soup a whole new flavor. Nourishing Pumpkin Soup – Base recipe 1 TBSP olive oil 1 medium onion chopped 1 tsp. Cinnamon 1/2 tsp. Cloves 1/4 tsp Nutmeg 1/4 tsp Ginger 2 cloves garlic chopped 1 quart of bone soup or chicken broth 4 cups of pumpkin puree (or two 15 oz cans) 1-2 TBSP Maple syrup (optional) Chopped cilantro or walnuts for garnish (optional) Directions 1. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. 2. Add the spices and sauté a bit to bring out their flavors. 3. Stir in the bone broth. 4. Blend in the puree. 5. Bring to a low simmer. 6. Keep stirring to make it a smooth creamy consistency. 7. Serve warm. Garnish with chopped cilantro or walnuts if desired. The amounts of spice listed are not exact. It really depends on your taste buds. You might want to start with half the amounts listed and add more as you do a taste test. For me, I add a lot more ginger for that additional kick in flavor. But some people do not like the taste of ginger, so you might start with just a pinch. You could also use Pumpkin Pie Spice instead of the individual spices listed. I hope this recipe warms your soul as well as your stomach. You no longer have to eat heavily sweetened and cream laden pumpkin soup anymore. This version is so much healthier. Bon Appetit! If you like this post you may also like: GRANOLA - A Healthy Alternative Cereal

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps regulate calcium and phosphorus in the body. It plays a major role in maintaining proper bone and tooth structure. Most recently, it has been implicated as a necessary nutrient to keep our immune system strong and is an important marker (need high blood values) in recovering from Covid. Demineralized teeth from Vitamin Deficiency So if you have periodontal disease (gum inflammation and bone loss), rampant tooth decay, osteoporosis or immune issues, you should definitely get your Vitamin D levels evaluated. Healthy blood levels should be between 60 to 80 ng/ml. Conventional medicine says any number above 20 ng/ml is enough. It isn’t. There are different forms of Vitamin D: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D3 is twice as effective as D2 and easier for your body to use. Vitamin D is found in fish, eggs, and fortified milk. It's also made in our skin when exposed to sunlight. During periods of sunlight, Vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when the body needs it and no sunlight is available. Without adequate Vitamin D levels, your body will only absorb 10-15% of the calcium you eat from your diet. Health problems are sure to follow. So how much Vitamin D do we need each day? According to this Pubmed research , doses of 800-5000 IU/day should be enough. Enough to prevent deficiency and obvious health problems. If your blood values are low (less than 30 ng/ml) you might need more. Also, bear in mind that Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and needs to be taken with a fatty meal to maximize absorption. If you are just popping your Vitamin D with a salad, you may be getting no benefit from the vitamin. As an extra note, I want add that it is possible to overdo Vitamin D intake. Recent research has shown that high blood levels of Vitamin D (more than 100 ng/ml) may cause hypercalcemia leading to calcification of soft tissues and blood vessels. This may result in cataracts, kidney issues (nausea, high blood pressure, excessive urination and thirst), fatigue, dehydration, muscle weakness, heart arrhythmia and dizziness. Best to speak with your licensed health provider to determine how much supplementation you should take daily. Or bring your lab blood results to to your next dental visit, and I can guide you accordingly.

Looking for a simple way to lose excess weight and gain more energy? Then Intermittent Fasting may be the answer for you. Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting. It is not a question of which foods to eat, but rather when you should eat them. There are several different intermittent fasting methods, all of which split the day into eating periods and fasting periods. This diagram explains more. There are lots of health benefits to Intermittent Fasting, so it is definitely worth a try. If you find it difficult to go the distance, it might be helpful to have an electrolyte drink or herbal tea to hold you over. Most people already “fast” 8 hours every day, while they sleep. So if you can just hold off a few more hours, it can make a world of difference in your health. The easiest method is to skip breakfast, eat your first meal at noon or later and then your last meal by 8 pm. In this way, you’re technically fasting for 16 hours every day, and restricting your eating to an 8-hour eating window. This is the most popular form of Intermittent Fasting, known as the 16/8 method. Despite what you may think, Intermittent Fasting is actually fairly easy to do. Many people report feeling better and having more energy during a fast. Hunger is usually not that big of an issue, although it can be a problem in the beginning, while your body is getting used to not eating for extended periods of time. Here are some health benefits that occur when you fast: Human Growth Hormone (HGH): The levels of HGH skyrocket, increasing as much as 5-fold. This has benefits for fat loss and muscle gain. A game changer in losing unwanted pounds and improving overall stamina. Insulin: Insulin sensitivity improves, and levels of insulin drop dramatically. Lower insulin levels make stored body fat more accessible to be utilized. A1c may enter a more perfect range (lower than 5.7%) Cellular repair: When fasting, your cells initiate cellular repair processes. This includes autophagy, where cells digest and remove old and dysfunctional proteins that build up inside cells. Improve heart function by reducing inflammation. See this recent study Reduce pain caused by inflammation. Gene expression: There are changes in the function of genes related to longevity and protection against disease. Improve brain function. See this link . Oral Health Benefits · Lowers the number of microbes in your mouth · Balances the saliva pH · Reduces inflammation of periodontal disease. · Reduces the risk of decay It is important to keep hydrated during Intermittent Fasting, as dehydration can occur while eating and drinking less frequently. Personally, I make sure to keep up my electrolyte intake throughout the fasting time. This is as simple as drinking water with a quality mineral salt added or adding a flavored electrolyte powder to your water. When you come for your next appointment, we can discuss specifics on the best way to do this. There are tons of anecdotal stories on Goggle search or Pub Med where chronic disease has disappeared with fasting. So if this is a concern of yours, Intermittent Fasting may help you on your road to healing. If you like this post you may also like: Durian. The King of Fruits

When we think about how we can make our teeth and bones stronger, the first Vitamin that comes to mind is Vitamin D. As we discussed in our previous post (Vitamin D: How much do we need?) Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth. But you will see here that it is so much more effective when taken with Vitamin K-2. Vitamin K-2, or menaquinone, is the missing link that Dr. Weston Price referred to when he did his studies of nutrition, dental health, and physical health. In 1945, Dr. Price described “a new vitamin-like activator” that played an influential role in the utilization of minerals, protection from tooth decay, growth and development, reproduction, protection against heart disease and the function of the brain. He determined that this compound—which he called Activator X—was found in the butterfat, organs and fat of animals that consumed rapidly growing green grass (in other words, grass-fed animals), fish eggs, and also in fermented foods. It was 40 years later that Activator X was determined to be Vitamin K-2 Demineralized Chipped and Transparent Teeth So what are the implications of Vitamin K-2 with dental health? The most obvious would be bone support holding your teeth in your jaw. If your teeth are loose or your gums are receding, chances are that you are deficient in Vitamin K2. Concomitantly with that, there would be osteopenia or osteoporosis. So it might make sense to get a bone density test, if you are diagnosed with periodontal bone loss. Another implication of Vitamin K-2 deficiency would be the density of your teeth. If your teeth are thinning, looking more transparent, or have lots of dental cavities (even if you brush and floss daily), then your Vitamin K-2 may be low. At deficiency levels, your teeth will slowly demineralize, making them very susceptible to chipping and decay. Also notable would be the structural bone growth of children. Vitamin K-2 deficiency will usually create tooth crowding due to underdevelopment of the upper and lower jaws. Vitamin K-2 is essential for bone development as well as bone growth and bone density. Vitamin K-2 promotes healthy bone mineral density by carboxylating osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to bones. There are other health benefits associated with Vitamin K-2. Heart health . Activates a protein that prevents calcium deposits from forming in the walls of blood vessels. If your K-2 levels are good, it lowers your odds of aneurysm or heart attack. Reduce tumor growth . Has antioxidant properties that may help protect against cancer. In addition, findings suggest that K-2 may suppress genetic processes that lead to tumor growth. Normalize blood sugar levels . Interacts with osteocalcin which may help the body to use insulin more effectively Improve brain health. Mostly due to its antioxidant properties and prevention of blood clots everywhere. It is clear that Vitamin K-2 plays a vital role in achieving excellent health. In my many years of dental practice, I have helped countless numbers of patients with obvious Vitamin K-2 deficiency. It is easily correctable if you add the necessary beneficial foods or proper supplement. To learn more, it would be wise to make an appointment with an informed health practitioner who can guide you appropriately. If you like this post you may also like: Vitamin D: How much do we need?

Mouth and throat cancers are on the rise. And the number one cause of these types of cancers is not from smoking, and not from alcohol use. These used to be the most common causes, but times have changed. Nowadays, the number one cause of oral cancer is from the HPV virus. So what is the HPV virus? According to recent studies, 79 million Americans are presently living with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The number of people who have oral HPV has continuously increased over the past three decades. The CDC says nearly everyone will get a form of HPV at some point in their lives, and about 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected each year. It is more common in men than women. There are low-risk HPV types which have a low association with cancer, but these can lead to genital warts or oral papillomas. And there are high-risk HPV types which can cause cell changes and pre-cancers. The most common high-risk HPV types include HPV 16 and 18. These contribute to chronic, or long-lasting infections that can convert to cancer over time. So how does one acquire the HPV virus? Oral HPV occurs when the virus enters the body, usually through a cut or small tear inside of the mouth. According to the CDC, these are the most common risk factors: • Oral sex . Evidence suggests that an increase in oral sexual activity may be a risk, with men being more at risk, especially if they smoke. • Multiple partners . Having multiple sexual partners may increase your risk. According to the Cleveland Clinic, having more than 20 sexual partners over your lifetime can increase your chances of getting an oral HPV infection by up to 20 percent. • Smoking. Smoking has been shown to help promote HPV invasion. Inhaling hot smoke makes you more vulnerable to tears and cuts in the mouth, and is also a risk factor for developing oral cancers. • Drinking alcohol. Research has indicated that a high intake of alcohol increases the risk for HPV infections in men. If you smoke and drink, you’re at an even higher risk. • Open mouth kissing. Some research has said that open mouth kissing is a risk factor, as it can be transmitted from mouth to mouth, but more research is necessary to determine if this increases your risk for oral HPV. • Being male . Men have a greater risk of receiving an oral HPV diagnosis than women. • Age . It’s more common in older adults because it takes years to develop. All these factors together can create the worst scenario for developing oral cancer. And this is how the actor Michael Douglas believes he developed his Stage 4 oral cancer back in 2010. You can read about him here . In the past, it has been difficult to diagnose oral HPV, until a (cancer) lesion was actually present. But now there is a simple painless Saliva Test that can be done in your dentist’s office to see if HPV is present, and which types, if any. The prognosis is excellent if HPV is discovered early, before the cancer develops. At your next dental visit, be sure to ask for this simple diagnostic screening test. With proper health care, most oral HPV infections will go away on their own without treatment. But you would need to know its presence before taking steps to eradicate it. If you like this post, you may also like: Curing Candida Naturally

If you are looking to detoxify from your mercury fillings, it is best to look into Chlorella. Chlorella is part of the blue-green algae family that is loaded with antioxidants. It is a sea plant usually found either in fresh or salt water. It is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. Chlorella is also an excellent animal-free Omega 3 source, and it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. This superfood can support the circulatory system, promote brain health, fortify the immune system, detox heavy metals and promote kidney and liver health. We recommend it highly if you are trying to detox from your mercury fillings or just to keep your health strong. The whole chlorella plant is used to make nutritional supplements and medicine. There are several species of chlorella, with Chlorella vulgaris being one of the most commonly used in supplements. Best to buy organic, broken cell Chlorella to get the maximum absorption and health benefits. So what are the main benefits of Chlorella? • Detoxifies Heavy Metals • Detoxifies Radiation and Chemotherapy • Strengthens Your Immune System • Promotes Weight Loss • Promotes kidney, liver, brain and blood health • Lower blood pressure • Lower cholesterol • May help alleviate PMS symptoms • Raise B-12 levels (important for vegans) • Improve mental function • Boost energy levels Chlorella is also nutrient dense. It is a good source of: • Vitamin D • Vitamin B12 • Folate • Iron • Carotenoids • Antioxidants • Omega-3 fatty acids • Protein Chlorella powders can be added to smoothies, soups and even dips like guacamole or hummus. I would suggest starting out with a small dose, maybe a fourth of a teaspoon and work your way up to more. Chlorella can come as a powder, capsule, extract or tablet form. It is highly suggested to look for reputable companies that do third-party testing. Be sure to ask which brands we recommend at your next appointment. If you like this post, you may also like: A Gentle Heavy Metal Detox NAC: A Detoxification Revelation