To many people, Nutrition and Oral Health is a nebulous subject in spite of the fact that everything we eat and drink makes its first contact in the mouth. Whether eating or drinking is done for the sake of nourishing the body or just for the pleasure it can have a strong oral health impact.
It is said that the mouth mirrors the health of the whole person. Or, that diseases in other parts of the body can be of oral origin, because silent infections in teeth and jawbone may leak toxins and bacteria to the bloodstream.
This could cause arthritis, fatigue and other chronic conditions, particularly since many people have compromised immune systems due to poor eating habits, excessive sweets, environmental toxins etc.
There can be many reasons for adverse reactions in nutrition and oral health.
Excessive use of antibiotics and birth control pills is one of them. It can lead to an imbalance of the bacterial flora manifesting as candidiasis throughout the body including areas of the mouth.
One of the key features in Chinese Medicine is tongue diagnosis. By looking at the tongue the doctor can determine the dis-harmonies within the person. Each section of the tongue reflects a specific organ function, and changes in the shape, coating and color contribute to the diagnosis and the most effective treatment plan.
Herbs Correct Silent Infections, Strengthen the Immune System.
Chinese Healing Herbs with their proven history is useful in correcting chronic, often silent infections. Herbs do not have the devastating effects on bacterial flora the way antibiotics do, therefore they provide an alternative treatment for periodontal disease.
For overall and oral health nutrition these ‘superfoods’ may be added to soups, drank as a tea or taken in a pill form. Tonifying herbs such as Ginseng and Astragali help to build the immune system, an important factor for increased resistance to bacteria and viruses.
Also, taking A,B,C and D vitamins with Flax seed oil with plenty of purified water can help.
From the standpoint of the PH balance of the body, most herbs and vegetables are alkaline. This is important in nutrition and oral health, particularly with people who are prone or have diabetes with a high rate of caries and very low resistance to infection.
By using Chinese healing herbs the acid-alkaline balance of the saliva improves, there is a decrease of systemic calculus formation with less tendency to periodontal disease. Fewer visits to a dentist, although regular check-ups are necessary for all of us!
But fewer deep cleanings are required. This applies especially to mitral valve prolapse patients for instance, who need administration of antibiotics each time deep cleaning is done.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief and Oral Health.
Another Chinese modality is acupuncture which can, directly or indirectly contribute to nutrition and oral health.
Mainly used to treat or prevent illness, acupuncture may also provide local anesthesia or relaxation response. The movement of Chi is regulated by using thin needles, electricity or soft laser.
A recent addition to no-needle acupuncture is a system using one inch wide disks based on nanotechnology. They work as well as other methods and less accuracy is needed in terms of acupuncture body points.
If no other method is available, finger pressure can work as well. Here is an example from my own experience.
Nearly twenty years ago when staying in Shanghai for my post-graduate work, I was travelling from one end of the city to the other in a taxi. The driver was suffering from excruciating dental pain on one side of his face. I was sitting behind him, and he allowed me to apply finger pressure on three points (St. 2, 6 and 7). To his surprise, the pain was gone well before we arrived at our destination.
Aha! Chi flowed smoothly!
Another example. If the Chi flow on Spleen/Stomach channels, one pair of the twelve primary channels is consistently disrupted, it can result in bleeding gums and halitosis (bad breath). Acupuncture does work on these conditions along with good hygiene and herbs as a part of nutrition for oral health.
Today, most informed health professionals agree that acupuncture does work as pain relief. In 1997 the U.S National Institute of Health acknowledged that acupuncture shows promising results in treating post-operative dental pain. The treatments activate endorphin secretion, which manifests in feelings of calmness and balance therefore, pain and stress are lifted.
In case of dry mouth, saliva secretion can be activated by acupuncture treatments. They are also used to eliminate temporomandibular joint pain as well as many other pain conditions.
Knowledge and balance are key elements in any health system. Learn what good nutrition for oral health is, for it goes hand in hand with other wellness practices!
Acupuncture-without-needle, Chinese Healing Herbs and Meditation with Exercises are all part of the ancient Chinese Medicine. Each one of them can positively impact oral health and in general, contribute to your vitality and enjoyment of life.
