Dental Caries
Description
Dental caries (tooth decay) refer to the localized resorption or destruction of the calcified structure of the tooth. They are basically caused by dental plaques, composed of mucus and bacteria, which proliferate in food residue on the tooth's surface. These bacteria cause proteolysis of the organic enamel framework and acid decalcification of the enamel rods. Cavities are the most widespread and common disorder in humans, being the principle cause of tooth loss up to age 40. Mucolytic enzymes and immunoglobulins in the saliva are the natural defenses against cavities. Use of fluoride products such as fluoridated mouthwash, water, and toothpaste, and daily tooth care are the best current methods for aiding in cavity prevention.
See also:
Toothache
Causes
Primary Factors
Specific bacteria in the mouth which produce destructive chemicals, carbohydrates and tooth surface which is susceptible to the disease.
Predisposing Factors
Diet high in simple carbohydrates, especially sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, and/or starch; poor oral hygiene; and eating between meals.
Signs & Symptoms
Toothache when eating something sweet, hot or cold
Unpleasant taste in the mouth from stagnant food and bacteria packed in the cavities
Deterioration of teeth
Bad breath
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function:
Single Nutrients &
Multi Vitamin/Multi Mineral Formulas
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | |
| Bee propolis * | ||
| Calcium | 400 - 600 mg | 200 - 300 mg |
| Charcoal* | ||
| CoQ10* | ||
| Molybdenum | 100 - 300 mcg | 100 - 200 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 400 - 600 mg | 200 - 300 mg |
| Silicon | 100 - 500 mcg | 100 - 300 mcg |
| Vanadium | 100 - 300 mcg | 100 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 1,000 - 3,000 mg | 500 - 2,000 mg |
| Zinc | 20 - 40 mg | 10 - 20 mg |
* Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.
Note 1: Charcoal is used as a cleansing agent, rather than a nutritional supplement, or device, with respect to dental hygiene.
Note 2: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
A Dietary Goals Diet should be followed to build healthy teeth and gums. Vitamin D should be ingested throughout life as it has been shown to protect against the formation of new dental caries, and to slow the progression of cavities which already exist.
Foods should be eaten in their natural, unrefined state whenever possible. Fibrous foods cleanse the mouth to some extent. Soft foods stick to the tooth surface and get wedged into spaces and ridges.
Apples, which are fibrous, are therefore less cariogenic than potato chips which are not. Sticky, chewy foods should be omitted from the diet, as they are more cariogenic than the same amount of sugar in solution. Caramels are therefore more cariogenic than sugared cola drinks.
Between-meal snacks should be limited, if not totally avoided. Fresh fruits, vegetables, fruit juices and milk are preferable snack foods.
Babies should not be put to sleep with a bottle of sweet liquid, such as milk, fruit juice, sugar water, cola drink or sweetened tea (black). The liquid could pool in the mouth as the child falls asleep, creating a perfect medium for cariogenic bacteria to grow and create cavities. If it is necessary to put the child to sleep with a bottle, only water should be used.
Chronic selenium intoxication results in dental caries. Toxicity occurs at doses greater than 0.4 micrograms per day.
Homeopathic Remedy
Caries (Cavities)
| 1.* Silicea | 30C long term |
| 2.* Plantago major tinct. | 6X to 15C |
| 3. Carbo vegetabilis | 15C - 30C |
| 4. Magnesia carbonica | 15C |
| 5. Syphilinum | 10M or higher one per week for four weeks |
| 6. Plantago major tinct. | 15C |
| 7.*Calcarea phosp. tinct. | 6X to 15C (30C to 10M long term) |
| 8. Calcarea carbonica | 30C long term, topical and oral |
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Herbal Approaches
----------
Herbs
-----------
Clove oil
Horsetail
Tea tree oil
White Oak Bark
White Willow Bark (Salix alba)
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Clove oil may be applied directly to the tooth, or taken in the form of a mouthwash; it is antiseptic and analgesic. Tea tree oil is another refreshing option.
Horsetail is a rich source of silica.
White Oak Bark has astringent and other benefits for the teeth and gums. It can also be used in a mouthwash or applied directly.
White Willow Bark is anti-inflammatory and pain relieving.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Chamomile Essence, | Peppermint Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
Bad breath
Infection
Toothache
References
Alvarez JO et al., A longitudinal study of dental caries in the primary teeth of children who suffered from infant malnutrition. J Dent Res, 1993 Dec, 72:12, 1573-6.
Alvarez JO: Nutrition, tooth development, and dental caries. Am J Clin Nutr, 1995 Feb, 61:2, 410S-416S.
Anonymous: Fluoride supplementation for children: interim policy recommendations. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Pediatrics, 1995 May, 95:5, 777.
Anonymous: Position of the American Dietetic Association: oral health and nutrition. J Am Diet Assoc, 1996 Feb, 96:2, 184-9.
Anonymous: Guidelines for school health programs to promote lifelong healthy eating. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 1996 Jun 14, 45:RR-9, 1-41.
Bernard-Bonnin AC et al., Cariogenic feeding habits and fluoride supplementation during infancy and early childhood. Can J Public Health, 1993 Mar-Apr, 84:2, 90-3.
Bland, Jeffrey. Nutrition and Oral Health in Children. J Ped. 8. 1984.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.
Brown LJ et al., Dental caries, restoration and tooth conditions in U.S. adults, 1988-1991. Selected findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Am Dent Assoc, 1996 Sep, 127:9, 1315-25.
Carruccini, R.S. & R.M. Beecher. Occlusal Variation Related to Soft Diet in a Nonhuman Primate. Science, 218. 1982.
Faine MP et al., Dietary and salivary factors associated with root caries. Spec Care Dentist, 1992 Jul-Aug, 12:4, 177-82.
Faine MP & Oberg D: Survey of dental nutrition knowledge of WIC nutritionists and public health dental hygienists. J Am Diet Assoc, 1995 Feb, 95:2, 190-4.
Gift HC et al., The state of the nation's oral health: mid-decade assessment of Healthy People 2000. J Public Health Dent, 1996 Spring, 56:2, 84-91.
Heinerman, John. 1982. Herbal Dynamics. Root of Life, Inc.: Publ.
Howe, P.S. 1981. Basic Nutrition in Health and Disease, 7th ed. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.
Karp WB Nutrition update for the dental health professional. J Calif Dent Assoc, 1994 Aug, 22:8, 26-9.
Kashket S et al: Accumulation of fermentable sugars and metabolic acids in food particles that become entrapped on the dentition. J Dent Res, 1996 Nov, 75:11, 1885-91.
K”nig KG & Navia JM: Nutritional role of sugars in oral health. Am J Clin Nutr, 1995 Jul, 62:1 Suppl, 275S-282S; discussion 282S-283S.
Lessard GM: Discussion: nutritional aspects of oral health--new perspectives. Am J Clin Nutr, 1995 Feb, 61:2, 446S.
Levereff, D.H. Fluorides and the Changing Prevalence of Dental Caries. Science, 217. 1982.
Lokshin MF: Preventive oral health care: a review for family physicians [see comments]. Am Fam Physician, 1994 Dec, 50:8, 1677-84, 1687.
Marques AP & Messer LB: Nutrient intake and dental caries in the primary dentition. Pediatr Dent, 1992 Sep-Oct, 14:5, 314-21.
Milosevic A et al., Dental erosion, oral hygiene, and nutrition in eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord, 1997 Mar, 21:2, 195-9.
Price, W. Nutrition & Physical Degeneration. San Diego,CA, Price Pottinger Foundation, 1975.
Robbins, S.L. & R.S. Cotran. 1979. Pathologic Basis of Disease. 2nd ed. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 1598 pp.
Rugg-Gunn AJ: Nutrition, diet and dental public health. Community Dent Health, 1993 Sep, 10 Suppl 2:, 47-56.
Shaw, J.H. & E.A. Sweeney. 1978. Nutrition in Relation to Dental Medicine Modern Nutrition and Disease. 6th ed. Goodhart, R.S. & M.E. Shils, ed. Lea and Febiger.
Siegal MD et al., Dental sealants. Who needs them? Public Health Rep, 1997 Mar-Apr, 112:2, 98-106; discussion 107.
Speirs RL & Beeley JA: Food and oral health: 1. Dental caries. Dent Update, 1992 Apr, 19:3, 100-4, 106.
Tang JM et al: Dental caries prevalence and treatment levels in Arizona preschool children. Public Health Rep, 1997 Jul-Aug, 112:4, 319-29; 330-1.
Walker AR Nutritional and dental implications of high and low intakes of sugar. Int J Food Sci Nutr, 1995 May, 46:2, 161-9.
Winn DM et al., Coronal and root caries in the dentition of adults in the United States, 1988-1991. J Dent Res, 1996 Feb, 75 Spec No:, 642-51.
| Signup Free Applied Health Journal |
||||
|
FREE Sample Issue Your email address is all we need to start you on a better path to health. We respect your privacy.
|
