Biological Dentistry: How Your Oral Health Impacts Your Whole Body with Dr. Sanda Moldovan (Episode 222)

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Biological Dentistry: How Your Oral Health Impacts Your Whole Body with Dr. Sanda Moldovan (Episode 222)

Dentistry can be approached from a holistic perspective, considering not just the teeth and gums, but how they interact with the entire body. This approach to oral health can lead to better overall health outcomes and address issues that traditional dentistry might overlook.
Your oral health can affect your entire body. Dr. Sandra Moldovan joins Dr. Doni to talk about the dangers of mercury fillings, the importance of a healthy oral microbiome, and how addressing dental issues can resolve seemingly unrelated health problems.

Oral health is key to overall health. What’s happening in our mouths might have something to do with what’s going on in the rest of our body. And it goes both ways – what’s happening in the body might influence the mouth!

That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Dr. Sanda Moldovan, a biological dentist and periodontist. She specializes in helping people with their dental and oral health from a whole different perspective than you might experience with your usual dentist.

It’s fascinating to see how dentistry can be approached from a holistic perspective, considering not just the teeth and gums, but how they interact with the entire body. This approach can lead to better overall health outcomes and address issues that traditional dentistry might overlook.

Dr. Moldovan’s Dentistry Journey

Dr. Moldovan’s journey into biological dentistry began with a personal story and struggle with her own oral health. When she was young and living in Romania, she had 16 large mercury fillings placed in her mouth, some with numbing and some without. It was very traumatic for her as a child to go to the dentist. 

When she came to the United States and went to dental school, she realized those fillings didn’t look good. She had them removed, but unfortunately, they were removed unsafely. A lot of mercury gets released when mercury fillings are removed from the mouth, and she ended up swallowing and inhaling many of the mercury particles.

As a result, Dr. Moldovan ended up with chronic fatigue and headaches. She didn’t know what was causing them until she started studying nutrition and naturopathic studies. She learned that she might have mercury toxicity, tested herself, and found she was off the charts in mercury toxicity.

She started the chelation process, which was hard and debilitating. That’s when she decided there must be a better way. She committed to changing the way she practiced and to talking to people interested in optimum health. Whatever we put in our mouth affects the body, and all those toxins spill over into the bloodstream.

This personal experience was a turning point for Dr. Moldovan, motivating her to explore alternative approaches to dentistry that could prevent others from experiencing similar health issues to what she went through. 

It’s a powerful reminder of how our personal struggles can lead us to make positive changes not just for ourselves, but for others as well.

Our Oral Health Can Affect Our Whole Health

Biological dentists or periodontists, like Dr. Moldovan, create an environment in the mouth where the body can heal naturally. Once they remove the toxins, infected root canals, and stabilize the oral microbiome, healing happens. It’s amazing to see how the body can recover when given the right conditions.

When I’m interviewing a patient, I often ask them if they have any dental health issues, amalgam fillings, or root canals. Dr. Moldovan emphasizes the importance of these questions. Mercury fillings leach into the body and accumulate in fatty tissue and the brain, potentially causing problems. 

Mercury has been linked to heart issues and higher levels of candida. Root canals are also crucial to consider. Even if there’s no pain, the teeth with root canals are dead, and chronic silent jawbone infections called cavitations can develop around them.

The only way to really know if root canals are infected or infested is through a cone beam CT scan. If cavitations are present, patients might experience less energy, brain fog, heart palpitations, digestive issues, and various other symptoms from undiagnosed chronic silent oral infections. Most dentists don’t do this type of CT scan, so it’s important to find a biological dentist who can perform this thorough examination.

This approach to dentistry shows how interconnected our body systems are. What happens in our mouth doesn’t stay there – it can affect our entire body. By addressing these often-overlooked issues, biological dentistry can potentially resolve health problems that seem unrelated to oral health.

How to Address Cavitations and Root Canals

Dr. Moldovan explains that when a person finds out they have a cavitation, there are some decisions to make about what to do next. 

For cavitations in areas where wisdom teeth were removed, there are a couple of options. One is to inject the area with ozone, which kills microbes, parasites, fungi, and bacteria while helping to prime the immune system. 

If the cavitation is larger and around a root canal-treated tooth, she recommends removing that tooth as the most predictable way to clean the cavitation.

A less desirable option would be to get a root canal retreatment, but that’s not very predictable, and there’s still a lot of bacteria that could be left behind. Dr. Moldovan shared her personal experience with a root canal-treated tooth that she had removed. After the removal, her heart palpitations stopped, she had more energy, and even her digestion improved!

When it comes to implants, Dr. Moldovan is an implant specialist and has been placing them for 20 years. She started with titanium implants but is now shifting towards ceramic dental implants. For people with autoimmune issues, titanium can exacerbate problems, similar to mercury. Ceramic implants have been around for over 20 years and show healthier gum tissues than titanium implants. They also avoid the low-grade electricity that titanium implants can create, especially when near mercury fillings.

The shift towards ceramic implants is an excellent example of how biological dentistry evolves with new research and technology. It’s not about sticking to traditional methods, but about finding the best solutions for patients’ overall health.

Preventing Dental Issues and Optimizing Oral Health

To prevent dental issues and optimize oral health, Dr. Moldovan emphasizes the importance of controlling the microbiome layer or biofilm in the mouth. This biofilm lines the gums, cheeks, tongue, and back of the throat. A common misconception is that only cleaning around the teeth is sufficient, but it’s crucial to treat the whole mouth.

In her practice, they support patients to do a full mouth disinfection to reset the microbiome. People can maintain this at home through three easy steps: brushing, water flossing (which is more effective than string flossing), and using a chewable probiotic. The probiotic helps reduce bleeding in the gums, builds less plaque, and improves tongue appearance.

For children and young adults, or even adults who haven’t had fillings or root canals yet, prevention is key. Teaching children these concepts of using tools to help prevent issues from developing can help them avoid things like gingivitis and cavitations. 

This preventative approach is crucial. By focusing on maintaining a healthy oral microbiome, it’s possible to avoid many dental issues before they start. It’s a shift from reactive to proactive dental care, which aligns well with the overall philosophy of holistic health.

Addressing Metal Toxicity

As a naturopathic doctor with training in environmental and mercury toxicity, I help many patients with mercury toxicity. The first question I ask is whether they have metal in their mouth. To accurately test for metal toxicity, we need to do a urine test with a chelator like DMSA, but it won’t be accurate if there’s still metal in the mouth.

The process involves first meeting with a biological dentist like Dr. Moldovan to have the metal safely removed without creating toxicity. There are ways now to remove amalgam fillings so that you don’t get exposed, and we can support you with supplements to ensure you are not exposed to metals in the process. 

Once the metals are out of your mouth, we can appropriately do a urine test for metals using DMSA as a chelator to find out if those metals are in your tissue. Then, I can help you safely get them out of your body without you feeling worse.

Bot Dr. Moldovan and I prefer oral chelation over IV chelation, as it’s something a person can do safely at home, provides accurate results, and is lower cost. It does require preparing a patient beforehand, ensuring they have certain nutrients on board for at least two weeks before doing oral DMSA. This approach allows for matching the chelation to the patient and going slower if needed to maintain nutrient levels and help them through the process without feeling worse.

The issue of metal toxicity is a perfect example of how biological dentistry and naturopathic medicine can work together. By combining our expertise, we can address complex health issues that might be overlooked in more traditional medical settings.

HPV and Oral Health

HPV virus is an important topic, especially for women who test positive for HPV on a Pap smear. Many people ask if this means they might have HPV in their oral area as well. 

In the United States, most dentists are not testing the oral area for HPV. However, it’s crucial to consider because HPV orally is linked with 70% of mouth and throat-related cancers.

If someone has been diagnosed with HPV vaginally, it’s important to test orally as well. It’s a simple test involving a swish with saline and spitting in a test tube. Knowing if someone has HPV in the throat or mouth allows dentists to regularly check for lesions and perform cancer screenings. It also allows for implementing strategies to increase antioxidant levels and improve nutrition to prevent cancer.

My approach (Dr. Doni speaking) to HPV is to treat the whole body. We want to look at nutrient deficiencies, potential toxicities that might make you susceptible to the HPV virus, and other factors. 

I’ve worked with patients with HPV and abnormal cells who found out they had a cavitation, and once they had that tooth removed and the cavitation dealt with, the HPV went away vaginally, and the abnormal cells disappeared. This shows how interconnected these issues are and highlights the importance of oral care even when dealing with seemingly unrelated health concerns.

The connection between HPV and oral health is not widely known, but it’s a crucial area of concern. By addressing oral HPV, we may be able to prevent serious health issues down the line. This is another area where the holistic approach of biological dentistry can make a significant difference.

Overcoming Dental Fear

Many people are afraid of going to the dentist, and it’s important to address this fear. Dr. Moldovan shared an example of a patient who was so afraid he couldn’t even sit in the dental chair initially. After treatment, he can now come for cleanings without being totally knocked out.

There are several solutions to help patients overcome dental fear. One is using brain tap technology, which helps get the mind into a more relaxed alpha state. Dr. Moldovan’s practice in Beverly Hills has a vibroacoustic electromagnetic infrared bed that creates a sense of relaxation. They also use Lavela, which is purified lavender oil, to help take the edge off and calm patients before appointments. CBD oil is another good option.

For those with severe fear, they work with mobile anesthesiologists who can put patients to sleep for the entire length of their procedure. Dr. Moldovan has been working with anesthesiologists for 20 years and emphasizes that there’s no reason to feel embarrassed about dental fear. Dentists are there to help patients through this process and reestablish optimum health.

Addressing dental fear is crucial because it can prevent people from getting the care they need. By offering these various solutions, biological dentists like Dr. Moldovan are making dental care more accessible to everyone, including those with severe anxiety or phobias.

Joint Hypermobility and Dental Health

Patients with joint hypermobility, such as those with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, often experience TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues and dental problems. They may be more susceptible to dental trauma because having their mouth open for long periods can trigger pain in the jaw.

The TMJ is a special joint that moves in many different directions, and with hypermobility, it’s easy to overstretch this joint. When undergoing dental procedures, it’s important not to over-open the jaw, especially for those with hypermobility who might be able to open very wide but could experience popping and clicking as a result.

Dr. Moldovan recommends informing your dentist that you have hypermobility and asking for breaks during procedures to stretch the jaw. Light therapy can be hugely helpful in relaxing the jaw and preventing ligament problems in the TMJ. Additionally, collagen peptides can help with joint rebuilding.

This consideration of joint hypermobility in dental care is another example of how biological dentistry takes a whole-body approach. By understanding how conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can affect dental procedures and overall oral health, biological dentists can provide more tailored and effective care.

Sleep Apnea and Oral Health

Sleep apnea is another important issue related to dental health. People with sleep apnea often experience clenching and grinding of teeth because the brain perceives a lack of oxygen as a threat, leading to these responses. This can result in jaw soreness upon waking.

It’s important to be tested for sleep apnea, and there are now easy ways to do sleep tests at home. Dr. Moldovan’s practice uses a company called Sleep America, which provides a sensor for the index finger that can determine if someone has sleep apnea in just two nights.

There are different ways to address sleep apnea, but Dr. Moldovan’s favorite approach is to open up the airway. A special procedure called NightLase uses a laser to open the airway without downtime or numbing. This procedure changes the collagen structure and melts some of the fat in the back of the throat to open up the airway, helping people sleep better and decrease snoring.

Another important aspect to check is for frenum attachments. These are pieces of skin that, if too tight, can cause clenching. Releasing these frenums with a laser can help release jaw tension and improve breathing. All of these approaches are part of what biological dentists and holistic periodontists do to address a wide range of issues related to oral and overall health.

The connection between sleep apnea and dental health is not always obvious, but it’s significant. By addressing sleep apnea through dental interventions, biological dentists can improve not just oral health, but sleep quality and overall well-being.

Optimal Oral Health: Next Steps

Dr. Moldovan’s approach to dentistry is truly comprehensive and holistic. Her practice in Beverly Hills includes not just herself but two other biological dentists, a prosthodontist who does advanced jaw reconstructions, and even a chiropractor.

The connection between oral health and overall health is clear, and working with a biological dentist can make a significant difference in addressing a wide range of health issues. Remember, what happens in your mouth doesn’t stay in your mouth – it affects your entire body, and taking care of your oral health is a crucial part of your overall wellness journey. 

Biological dentistry offers a comprehensive approach that considers not just your teeth and gums, but how they interact with the rest of your body. By addressing issues like metal toxicity, cavitations, and the oral microbiome, biological dentists can help resolve health problems that might seem unrelated to oral health. They can work alongside other healthcare practitioners like me to provide a truly holistic care.

I’m so grateful to Dr. Moldovan for her work and our connection. If you would like to learn more about how she can help you check out her website. You can also find her on Instagram @drsanda and Facebook @Ask Dr. Sanda. She also has a podcast called The Holistic Dentistry Show and a YouTube channel. Her practice’s website, Beverly Hills Dental Health, provides more information about their services. For those interested in oral health products, her company Orasana offers various resources for oral and overall health. 

Optimal Health – Beyond Dentistry

Whether you’re dealing with chronic fatigue, autoimmune issues, HPV, sleep apnea, or simply want to optimize your overall health, considering a holistic and natural approach is really a game-changer.

I am living proof that it is possible to heal holistically and naturally. It’s possible to heal from migraines, not to feel pain while having hypermobility, clear HPV and reverse abnormal cells, and eliminate the effects of stress, trauma, anxiety and depression. It’s possible to reset our stress hormones and help our body and mind to recover. I help patients with to do this in my practice every day – by phone and zoom, anywhere in the world. You can set up a one-on-one appointment here.

To learn more about my approach to healing from all of this using my Stress Recovery Protocol which involves optimizing cortisol and adrenaline levels to heal the adrenals, as well as neurotransmitters, using nutrients, herbs and C.A.R.E.™ – my proprietary program to support clean eating, adequate sleep, stress recovery and exercise – I encourage you to read all about it in my latest book Master Your Stress Reset Your Health.

If you would like to learn how to do a detox to improve your overall health and wellness I definitely encourage you to check out my new 14-Day Detox Program. This program includes two protein shakes per day with 18 grams of protein, and two meals per day with a meal plan that I created based on making sure you get at least 20 grams of protein in each meal. I also teach you how to eat mindfully and how to detox gently but effectively without feeling worse. This can all be done without pushing yourself too hard and stressing you out, and while carrying on with your daily activities and routine. 

Thank you so much, Dr. Moldovan for sharing your brilliance and your work. I can see so many people are going to be able to benefit just from this conversation. And thank you all for listening in to How Humans Heal. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. I look forward to connecting with all of you very soon.

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