Migraine Treatment Highland Park MI
A Really Good Reason to Floss
If you need one more reason to take good care of your teeth and gums, here it is. Periodontal disease is linked to breast cancer. In a recent study, researchers found that women were 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer if they were missing teeth or had gum disease. While we need more research to support this finding, it does reinforce earlier studies linking gum disease to other health problems. Tooth DecayWhen we eat foods with sugars or starches, our body creates a sticky film of bacteria on our teeth called plaque. Plaque causes gum disease and inflammation, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated. This inflammation can affect other areas of our health, including increasing our risk for developing breast cancer. Tooth decay is primarily a phenomenon of developed countries, where residents eat diets high in sugars and processed foods. Studies of primitive populations where people eat a diet based on whole foods find they have little or no tooth decay. These societies are also free of the many degenerative diseases that plague developed nations. Thomas Rau, MD, director the Paracelsus Klinik (an alternative cancer treatment center in Switzerland) reviewed the records of 150 of his breast cancer patients. He found that 99 percent had one or more root canals in the same acupuncture meridians as their original cancer tumor, further evidence of the link between the two diseases. Many holistic dental practitioners believe that root canals are actually the root cause of many cancers. According to the Independent Cancer Research Foundation, root canals are safe havens for microbes, keeping them far from the reaches of our immune system and from antibiotics. They believe microbes can seep out of our teeth and wreak havoc on our health. Preventing Tooth DecayLike so many of our modern day health problems, the key to controlling tooth decay is diet and nutrition. Limit sugar and processed foods. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice and flossing once each day to remove plaque-forming food remnants from your mouth. Have your teeth professional cleaned once or twice a year. Be aware of changes that may signal periodontal disease: inflamed gums; gums that are red, swollen, or bleed easily; an unpleasant taste in your mouth; bad breath; loose teeth; or mouth infections. Sources: |
Can You Find Migraine Relief at the Dentist's Office?
Could eliminating your migraines be as easy as visiting your dentist? One dentist/physical therapist team in Scotland says, "yes," according to recent research and their unique drug-free approach. Recent research indicates that 75 percent of migraine sufferers experience significant pain relief without medication when stress is relieved in their face, jaw and neck. Cosmetic dentist, Dr. Biju Krishnan has teamed up with physiotherapist (AKA physical therapist) Kristen Lord in Scotland and designed a medication-free treatment program they claim reduces migraine severity by 75 percent and works on 75 percent of their migraine patients. Their treatment plan focuses on taking stress off of the "headache nerve" (the trigeminal nerve that supplies information to and from the jaw, teeth, face, scalp and head). Physical therapy treatments release that nerve from the temporo-mandibular joint (the jaw joint) in front of the ear. Then, a customized dental splint is made to prevent tooth grinding and jaw clenching during sleep. The result is serious pain relief and migraine prevention. American dentists agree that many headaches and migraines are caused by temporo-mandibular joint misalignment and trigeminal nerve irritation brought on by stress, anxiety, tooth grinding, jaw clenching, poor posture and other conditions. Since headaches and toothaches all transmit through the same nerve, pain in one nerve branch (say, the dental branch) could trigger tension in other areas (say, the scalp, temples or jaw). Since the head, face and jaw anatomy are so closely linked, it makes sense that reflexive behaviors caused by pain or tension, like muscle tension or jaw clenching, could transfer pain to other head structures. How can you find out if dental issues are causing your migraines? Start with a visit to your dentist. Describe how often and where you feel migraine pain and any other symptoms or patterns you associate with them. Your dentist may order x-rays to look closely at how your jawbones align and evaluate the condition of your teeth. She'll determine whether you grind your teeth and if any other dental conditions may be causing irritation to the trigeminal nerve. She may prescribe nighttime tooth guards to prevent jaw clenching and tooth grinding. Dental therapy for migraines is relatively new territory for many dentists and doctors to explore, so you may have to take the reins and help them guide you to the right treatments and therapists.
|
