LAYOGA.COM 23systemic inflammation, as well as a precur-
sor to the development of some degenerative
diseases aggravated by inflammation. This
can include various types of cardiovascular
disease.
Another example is found in studies dem-
onstrating that older adults with gingivitis
experience impaired memory function and
reductions in cognition. This alone may be
motivation for flossing—or for making sure
you don’t procrastinate on that cleaning.
People with chronic conditions such as
diabetes may need to pay extra attention to
oral care, since there are correlations between
diabetes and increased risk of gum problems.
Then there’s the confidence we feel when
we can smile widely, laugh with abandon,
share a kiss, blow a kiss, or even simply
exhale fully.
The Family Who Goes to the Dentist
Together, Stays Together
Our dental health can impact the people
around us, so holistic dentist Dr Chester
Yokoyama suggests that oral care is a family
affair. He says, “If one partner has bacteria
from the plaque and/or tartar buildup in their
mouth, they can pass it on through kissing
or sharing drinks. Visit your dentist if you
are planning on having a significant other or
partner. If you’re in a relationship, make sure
that your partner also goes to the dentist.”
You could think about dental appointments
like a spa day (maybe schedule a post-cleaning
massage) or even as the pre-date date. As your
family grows you may want to be even more
vigilant. Dr Yokoyama says, “Periodontitis
bacteria can even be passed to your baby, so
visit your dentist before you are thinking of
getting pregnant.”
Choosing a Holistic Dentist
When finding just the right dental chair, the
first piece of advice offered by holistic dentist
Dr Pearl Zadeh is, “Does the dentist listen?”
She says, “It is important that your dentist
listens to your requests, concerns, and fears.
Many times, dentists treat patients with a
one-size-fits-all format. Also, is your dentist
open-minded? Is it possible for you to ask
questions? What does your dentist use for
cleaning? Is your dentist aware of some of the
carcinogens in the materials found in many
dental offices (such as BPA or triclosan)?
What kinds of fillings do they use?
Dr Yokoyama suggests the following four
questions when evaluating dental practices:
- Does the dentist put metals in the
mouth? Some people are very sensitive to
metals and they might not even be aware of
their sensitivity. And if the practice removes
amalgam fillings, what protocols are being
used? - Does the office use ultra-pure or purified
water when working on the patient? - What kind of X-rays are used? Digital
X-rays can reduce the amount of radiation
up to 75% when compared to the older
film X-ray machines. - Does the office use lasers for any
procedures?
Home Care Suggestions from Holistic
Dentists
We all want to know what we can do to make
the biggest difference in our smile. According to
Dr Pearl Zadeh, consistency is key for our self-
care oral habits. Maintaining that great feeling
after a cleaning is a daily practice. Dr Zadeh
reminds people to consistently brush, floss, and
be aware of the influence of nutrition.
This daily maintenance is not an either/
or proposition when it comes to flossing
versus brushing. Dr Zadeh says, “When I
discuss home care routines like brushing
and flossing, I am consistently met with the
question, ‘If I need to only do one, which one
should I do, floss or brush?’ People are then
surprised when I explain that brushing and
flossing serve to clean two totally different
areas. What flossing really does is to clean the
surfaces in between the teeth. These are the
surfaces that the toothbrush bristles
don’t access.”
The essential message: Floss AND brush
each morning and evening.Mouth Rinses and Mouthwashes
You may feel that a bottle of colorful liquid
will solve all your oral hygiene issues. But like
anything that you use on or in your body,
read the ingredients.Buyer Beware
Holistic dentist Dr Pearl Zadeh instructs
her patients to avoid oral care products that
contain alcohol. The natural moisture in the
mouth has a protective effect and alcohol
dries the mucus membranes. In addition, stud-
ies suggest a correlation between extended
use of such mouth rinses and increased risk
of oral cancer. Another ingredient that DrZadeh suggests avoiding in both rinses and
toothpastes is the antimicrobial triclosan.
Triclosan is shown to have negative effects on
gut microflora; in addition, it is an endocrine
disruptor that might also interfere with im-
mune system function.What to Use to Rinse
Dr Zadeh prefers rinses with essential oils
for reducing gum inflammation. Holistic
dentist Dr Chester Yokoyama recommends
mouthwash that has natural ingredients
like cinnamon bark and echinacea. Both are
antibacterial and reduce tissue inflammation
and irritation. His favorite mouthwash is the
Tooth and Gum Tonic from the Dental Herb
Company.How about Oil Pulling?
The tradition of Ayurveda loves oil pulling—
and so do holistic dentists. Dr Zadeh recom-
mends it for decreasing gingival inflamma-
tion and whitening the teeth. Dr Yokoyama
suggests oil pulling with coconut oil to his
patients.Oil Pulling Instructions
Dr Yokoyama gives the following instructions
for oil pulling: Take one teaspoon of coconut
oil and swish it around in your mouth for as
many as 20 minutes. The oil goes between the
gums and helps to clean the mouth, as well as
pulls out toxins or waste products from the
tissues. Just remember to spit out the coconut
oil after you rinse, since it will be full of the
stuff you want out of your body.A Happy Smile is a Healthy Smile
Even though you may be tempted to leave the
floss in the medicine cabinet or skip a regular
cleaning, taking the time to recline in the den-
tist’s chair and maintaining your oral health
at home is good for your physical, mental,
and familial health.For More Information
Dr Pearl Zadeh
Woodland Hills Holistic and Cosmetic Dentistry
6325 Topanga Canyon Blvd Suite 311
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
818-672-1071, pearlzadehdds.comDr Chester Yokoyama
Dental Healing
1127 Wilshire Bvd, Suite 908
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213-484-2625, dentalhealing.com“It is important that your dentist listens to your requests, concerns, and fears.
Many times, dentists treat patients with a one-size-fits-all format.”