Going to the dentist is not a favourite pass-time for most individuals, young or old, however it is a necessary step for optimal health and to minimize the risk of disease, as our mouth is the gateway into the rest of our digestive system and in fact, our whole body. Poor oral hygiene sets the tone for unhealthy pathogenic bacteria to take up residence and this can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, yeast infections such as oral thrush and even oral cancer.
We know that healthy gums and teeth are paramount to a healthy digestive system, but what do we know about the practices used in the modern dental industry and how these practices may be impacting our general health?
Fluoride Treatments
Visiting the dentist every six months is highly recommended to identify any signs of decay or gum disease and to remove any hardened plaque from teeth which reduces the risk of gum disease and cavities. This process also removes the pathogenic bacteria that causes the plaque to harden, especially the aerobic bacteria that tend to thrive in oxygenated environments.
After the clean, the dentist will often recommend a concentrated fluoride treatment as a way of strengthening tooth enamel and provide protection from tooth decay. While this all sounds logical and a good idea, there are risks associated with these high doses of fluoride.
Bone health is one area that can be negatively affected by too much fluoride and has been shown to “directly interact with the bone mineral matrix physiochemically”(1). Given that most western countries are already adding fluoride to town water, and its abundance in whole foods such as seafood, black tea, grapes in all forms including drinks and dried fruit, spinach, carrots, asparagus, potatoes, avocados, almonds, peaches and lettuce, the additional load of dental treatments with a high strength fluoride may not be as healthful as once thought.
Calcium and vitamin D have a partnering role in the development of bone and dental tissue, together with other minerals such as magnesium, boron, K2 and phosphorus. However excessive fluoride increases the skeletons need for calcium by increasing the amount of unmineralized tissue (osteoid) in the bone and this can weaken the bone if there is not enough calcium and vitamin D to compensate for this demineralisation process. (2,3,4)
Fluoride, when in excess amounts, will also interfere with iodine absorption and this can impact the functioning of the thyroid, as this micronutrient plays an important role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones along with zinc, selenium, iron and several other nutrients and amino acids.
Iodine also plays a role in cognition, especially in the cognitive development in young children. Iodine is also critical for pregnant women and low levels can cause health consequences for both the mother and the developing baby, including impaired brain development, hypothyroidism and a higher risk of pregnancy complications. (5)
Composite Fillings
When tooth decay occurs, it needs to be addressed and corrected as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration of the tooth and surrounding gum. This is often addressed by removing the damaged area and closing the cavity with a compound that is made up of a plastic resin and a powdered glass filler. This material is more aesthetic as it matches the nature colour of the remaining tooth and relatively cost effective. This plastic resin however, contains Bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic that is a known endocrine disruptor. It has been linked to cancers, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and causing high levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) which can lead to allergies such as hayfever. There are even links to cardiac functioning and other oestrogen related pathways due to its similar structure to oestradiol leading to numerous hormonal disruptions and accelerated puberty in young girls. (6)
While these fillings should technically be safe once set, any damage to these resin fillings, such as a chip or crack, will cause BPA to leech out of the filling and into the body. This leeching happens slowly, and physical effects are not noticed for some time and even then, start subtly and symptoms such as weight gain and insulin resistance are rarely linked to these dental fillings.
Amalgam (Mercury) Fillings
While amalgam fillings were first used in China in the Dynasty era, they became increasingly popular in western countries the early 1800’s. These fillings were comprised of mercury and silver and used as a dental restorative and filler. The material was soft and pliable and once set, it was tough and durable, often lasting 20+ years. The composition of these fillings has not changed for more than 150 years!
While the dangers of mercury toxicity are now well known, amalgam fillings are surprisingly still used in Australia and most other western countries, albeit at a decreasing rate. (7) In more recent times, the science on the safety of dental amalgams has shown that “it is by far the main source of human total mercury body burden, proven by autopsy studies”(2011).(8) These autopsy studies showed consistently that toxic levels of mercury were found in brains or kidneys and that blood or urine levels bared no correlation to levels found in body tissue. The studies also concluded that the “half-life of mercury in the brain can last from several years to decades” (8) indicating the accumulative effect of amalgam exposure over time in body tissues can creep up to toxic levels.
Removing dental amalgams also comes with high risks, as the “mercury vapour is about ten times more toxic than lead on human neurons”.(8) This study went on to state that the average mercury load in the brain tissues of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease was 20 – 178ng Hg/g and in some cases, up to 698ng Hg/g was found. The pituitary gland also carried high loads of mercury, that were well above the established toxic levels. (8)
In vitro and in vivo testing showed “inorganic mercury levels of 0.02 ng Hg/g led to the total destruction of intracellular mircrotubuli (components of cells) and to the degeneration of axons (components of nerve cells)”. (8) In testing of higher concentrations of only 36ng Hg/g, a sharp increase of oxidative stress (damage to cells from free radicals) created a prerequisite for further cell damage.
Just as with the composite fillings, the damage to health occurs when these fillings are damaged, cracked or constantly rubbed or ground together, as this increases the delivery of mercury into the body, which then accumulates in cells, usually fat cells, which is one explanation why mercury is often found in the high-fat brain tissue, and often in lean-sized individuals.
Root Canal Procedures
This dental procedure is used when there is an infection or damage to the pulp inside the root of a tooth which contains nerves and blood vessels. This procedure includes the opening of the tooth to expose the root, removing the infected soft tissue, cleaning and treating the canal and then filling and sealing the canal and the tooth. (9)
The pulp of a tooth contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue and is essential for the development of the tooth, however, once it is mature, the tooth can survive without it. The blood vessels are cleaned and access to the blood from the rest of the body is cut off by filling the canals with a permanent material. A crown is then created to sit on top of what is left of the original tooth, making it look exactly like the original tooth and saving the tooth from extraction. (9)
The bacteria that reside in and around these root canals however, can be quite toxic and a recent scientific review looked at various in vitro studies that had tested the damage these bacteria can have to human cells and these included cell damage, inflammation and metastatic cell proliferation. These root canal loving microbes were found to be present in not only oral health diseases such as gingivitis, periodontal disease or oral cancers, but also were prominent in lung cancer cells, some breast cancers and liver cancer. The toxins released by these pathogens were found to create inflammation and oxidative stress (damage to cells from free radicals), anywhere in the body. (10)
Teeth that have been root canalled become more brittle and weaker over time than natural teeth and this leaves them more vulnerable to fractures, sometimes hidden below the surface of the gums. A hairline crack is all it takes for these microscopic bacteria to enter the tooth root and the soft gum tissue around it causing an infection. Toxins released by these bacteria enter the bloodstream causing inflammation and cell damage in other areas of the body.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
This condition causes a person to grind, clench or gnash their teeth involuntarily either at night while they sleep or anytime during the day. It is common in children as well as adults and often results in damage to teeth and fillings from the constant rubbing of the two surfaces. Symptoms include flattened, chipped, cracked or loose teeth, worn tooth enamel, pain and sensitivity of teeth, soreness, tightness or tiredness in the jaw and jaw muscles. (11)
There are several documented factors that play a role in the development of this condition including psychosocial factors, genetics, alcohol or caffeine, smoking and some medications. (11) However, the high prevalence of Bruxism in children suggests that there are likely to be other factors at play, with parasite infections being one of them. (12)
Parasite infections while known to be common in children, are also very common in adults. Some are commonly established by researchers and can be tested for, but there are many others that scientists do not even know about. With such a variety of pathogens from large tape worms to microscopic organisms, the effects on the body are also many and varied. Some release toxins that are neurotoxic and others can cause intense sugar cravings and skin problems such as the yeast Candida Albicans. Many cause problems with sleep (insomnia), fatigue, diarrhea, muscle aches, fatigue and even weakness and the grinding of teeth is another common symptom.
Parasites are commonly found in untreated water, raw or undercooked meats and fish, raw or unwashed fruits and vegetables, aquatic plants such as watercress and unpasteurized milk and juices. The eggs of many parasites can remain viable in soils and can be in the faeces of household pets and can be transmitted by bug bites including mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. (13)
Stool testing is often used to identify the pathogen, but results are not always accurate, especially if the infection is with an unknown parasite or if eggs are not being shed at the time of testing, and the sample size is often so small that larger parasites are not detected.
Conclusion
Western diets are often high in sugar, white flour and highly processed foods with poorer nutritional outcomes. The importance of nutrition in the health of teeth and bones is poorly understood by the lay-person and this often follows with poor oral hygiene and a reluctance to regularly visit a dentist for routine check-ups, cleans and investigations. In the 50+ age group, the use of dental amalgams was popular and root canal treatments are also more commonly seen in this age group. The health effects of these procedures could be a significant contributor to the poorer health outcomes of these older generations with higher incidences of declining cognitive health and cancer. Raising community awareness in the importance of dental hygiene and diet, to reduce the reliance of dental procedures that can cause health problems down the track, may be one pathway to reducing the risk of health complications in the younger generations. Other options such as reducing the need for root canals and using ceramic fillings over amalgam, and BPA free composite fillings may be other ways to provide safer treatments for patients who need these procedures.
Reference List
(1) E.T. Everett, Fluoride’s Effects on the Formation of Teeth and Bones, and the Influence of Genetics. Journal of Dental Research. 2010, Vol 90, Issue 5. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0022034510384626
(2) Robert A. Kyle, M.D., Jenifer Jowsey, D. Phil., Patrick J. Kelly, M.D., and Donald R. Taves, M.D., Multiple-Myeloma Bone Disease — The Comparative Effect of Sodium Fluoride and Calcium Carbonate or Placebo, The New England Journal of Medicine, 1975, Vol 293 No26.https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM197512252932602
(3) B L Riggs, S F Hodgson, W M O’Fallon, E Y Chao, H W Wahner, J M Muhs, S L Cedel, L J Melto. Effect of fluoride treatment on the fracture rate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, The New England Journal of Medicine, 1990, p802. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2407957/
(4) J Sanders. Fluoride Exposure Increases Metabolic Requirement for Calcium & Vitamin, Fluoride Action Network.org, 2012. https://fluoridealert.org/studies/osteoid04/
(5) Mother to Baby Fact Sheets, Iodine, National Library of Medicine, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582771/
(6) Shirin A Hafezi a, Wael M Abdel-Rahman, The Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA) Exerts a Wide Range of Effects in Carcinogenesis and Response to Therapy, Current Molecular Pharmacology, 2019, 12, 230-238. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6864600/
(7) Health Direct, Dental Fillings, 2023. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-fillings
(8) Joachim Mutter, Is dental amalgam safe for humans? The opinion of the scientific committee of the European Commission, Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, 2011, 6:2.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3025977/
(9) Health direct, Root canal treatment, 2023. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/root-canal-treatment
(10) Lukasz Suprewicz, Grażyna Tokajuk, Mateusz Cieśluk, Piotr Deptula, Teresa Sierpińska, Przemysław Wolak, Tomasz Wollny, Joanna Tokajuk, Stanisław Głuszek, Ewelina Piktel, Robert Bucki, Bacteria Residing at Root Canals Can Induce Cell Proliferation and Alter the Mechanical Properties of Gingival and Cancer Cells, International Journal Molecular Sciences. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33114460/
(11) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Bruxism, 2025. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/bruxism
(12) Maryam Haje Norouzali Tehrani, Nader Pestechian, Hoseinali Yousefi, Hajar Sekhavati, Hajar Attarzadeh, The Correlation between Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Bruxism among 3-6 Year-Old Children in Isfahan, Dental Research Journal, 2010. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3177368/
(13) Cleveland Clinic, Parasites, 2023.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24911-parasites