Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy...

that employs natural oils such as sesame, sunflower, olive or coconut, to clean and detoxify the teeth and gums. It is anti-microbial so swishing before brushing extracts bacteria and virus-laden organisms from the mouth, gums, and throat. It can prevent tooth decay, whiten teeth, improve bad breath and even help detox the body.

What is Oil Pulling?

The basic concept behind the practice is that the oil is swished around the mouth for a short period each day. The process helps draw out bacteria and infection in the mouth, but research suggests it goes much further than that. The practice works as a natural cleansing process. As the oil is sloshed around the mouth, a certain level of friction is created. This friction creates a cleaning effect that removes unwanted particles as well as germs. The concept of “like dissolves like” also applies in this situation, as the oil used is capable of cutting through plaque and removing toxins as the compounds are so similar.

Does It Have Benefits Beyond my Mouth?

Many people view oil pulling as solely an oral health treatment, but when practiced regularly, the process benefits the rest of the body as well. In addition to improving oral health, oil pulling can also:

-Relieve migraines
-Correct hormone imbalances
-Reduce inflammation
-Treat digestive issues
-Reduce eczema
-Support normal kidney function
-Improve vision
-Reduce allergies
-Detoxify the body of heavy metals

How to Oil Pull

Add it to your morning routine 3-4 times a week upon waking, before eating or drinking anything. Here’s how:

1. Place 1 Tbl of Coconut Oil in your mouth. Once the oil has liquified, gently swish for about 10-20 minutes. When you first start oil pulling, you will probably only last for about 5-10 minutes. That’s fine! The longer you do it, the more used to it you get.

2. Spit out oil and rinse. Do not swallow the oil and Do Not spit into the sink as oil clogs plumbing. It’s best to spit it in the garbage or a bag. For an extra clean mouth, try rinsing with salt water.

3. Brush your teeth as normal.

YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD LATELY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A HEALTHY PH LEVEL—hence health food store shelves flooding with alkaline waters, alkalosis foods and other products that help neutralize the body. You may not have heard how the importance of pH balance starts in the mouth.

If you’ve wondered why one kid who has poor oral hygiene never gets cavities, while your kid who brushes twice a day and sees the dentist
biannually is plagued with cavity after cavity, the culprit is likely pH. A healthy pH for saliva is in the 5.6-7.9 range. If the pH falls to 5.5 or below, there is a high risk of tooth decay and cavities, because bacteria thrive in an acidic environment.

What’s more is that acidic saliva can be detrimental not only to oral health, but overall health. A bacterial imbalance in the mouth can result in type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney and lung complications, obesity and more. Many people simply don’t know what they are doing wrong and become frustrated that they can’t get theirs or their kids’ oral health in check, and fear the long-term implications.

Typically, a dentist will treat a cavity directly, but not the bacterial imbalance in the mouth. This is a reactive and short-sighted solution that allows the cycle of decay to continue. The CariFree assessment and elevated pH products directly address the decay-causing acids that are a feeding bed for bad bacteria.

“The CariFree assessment is a salivary test that gives an idea of a patient’s oral environment by looking at many different aspects of their biochemistry and DNA,” says Linda Golden, DDS. “We are then able to use the results to design a comprehensive oral protocol that can combat pH-related and other dental issues in a holistic way.” CariFree assessment and pH products are mostly geared toward children, but they can also prove beneficial for patients with dry mouth, acid reflux, depression, and other conditions.

Non-abrasive and safe to use every day, CariFree elevated pH products are highly effective and scientifically proven to prevent cavities through remineralization. Dr. Golden describes that patients may use the products that fit their lifestyle, but some patients may prefer to opt for a more pure and natural approach. Being a holistic practitioner, she has extensive knowledge and expertise to design a customized program.

“Dentists should be giving not only oral health guidelines, but nutritional and lifestyle as well,” Dr. Golden shares. Some alternatives to the products presented by CariFree that she suggests to her patients include alkaline water, coconut oil pulling, xylitol, lemon water, ozone and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).  She also advises a healthy diet of alkaline foods, like fruits, legumes and vegetables; and reducing caffeine drinks, alcohol, sugar, meat and processed foods, which are all highly acidic.

Benefits of EATING an alkaline diet

• Deeper more restful sleep
• Reduction of candida overgrowth
• Increased mental acuity or alertness
• Enhanced memory and cognition
• Easier weight loss
• Increased energy
• Better bone health
• Reduced muscle wasting
• Proper cell functioning
• Healthy tissues
• Mitigation of chronic diseases
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Lowers Risk for Hypertension and Stroke
• Lowers Chronic Pain and Inflammation
• Boosts Vitamin Absorption and Prevents Magnesium Deficiency
• Helps Improve Immune Function and Cancer Protection
• Can Help You Maintain a Healthy Weight

Acid-forming foods include most:

• Grains
• Beans
• Meats
• Dairy Products
• Fish
• Fast Food
• Processed Foods
• Coffee
• Sugar

Alkaline-forming foods include most:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Herbs
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Herbal Teas
• Quinoa
• Certain Spring Waters

Best Alkaline Foods:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables promote alkalinity the most. Some of the top picks include mushrooms, citrus, dates, raisins, spinach, grapefruit, tomatoes, avocado, summer black radish, alfalfa grass, barley grass, cucumber, kale, jicama, wheat grass, broccoli, oregano, garlic, ginger, green beans, endive, cabbage, celery, red beet, watermelon, figs and ripe bananas.
• All raw foods: Ideally try to consume a good portion of your produce raw. Uncooked fruits and vegetables are said to be biogenic or “life-giving.” Cooking foods depletes alkalizing minerals. Increase your intake of raw foods, and try juicing or lightly steaming fruits and vegetables.
• Plant proteins: Almonds, navy beans, lima beans and most other beans are good choices.
• Alkaline water: Alkaline water has a pH of 9 to 11. Distilled water is just fine to drink. Water filtered with a reverse osmosis filter is slightly acidic, but it’s still a far better option than tap water or purified bottled water. Adding pH drops, lemon or lime, or baking soda to your water can also boosts its alkalinity.
• Green drinks: Drinks made from green vegetables and grasses in powder form are loaded with alkaline-forming foods and chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is structurally similar to our own blood and helps alkalize the blood.
• Other foods to eat on an alkaline diet include sprouts, wheatgrass, kamut, fermented soy like natto or tempeh, and seeds.

If you are waking up with jaw pain, tension headaches, or facial pain, you may be suffering from a condition known as bruxism. This means you could be grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep. Some people aren’t even aware they are grinding or clenching their teeth at night, until a visit to us reveals significant tooth enamel loss. Fortunately, there is a non-invasive and effective solution for teeth grinding, and the tooth enamel damage it can cause, in custom-fabricated nightguards.

Causes of teeth grinding

Tension, stress, and anxiety experienced during the daytime can carry over to an individual’s sleep, and lead the person to grind his or her teeth together or clench the teeth unknowingly. Sleep apnea is another condition that can result in bruxism. Regardless of the cause, however, frequent clenching and teeth grinding wears down the chewing surfaces of the teeth, reduces tooth enamel, and can result in a cracked or chipped tooth, crown, or filling.

Nightguards for teeth grinding

Custom nightguards are fabricated to fit like a glove and protect your teeth from the adverse effects of bruxism. Nightguards are created through a non-invasive process that simply takes an impression of the bottom and top rows of teeth. The result is a nightguard that is flexible, comfortable, and personalized to your mouth.

Benefits of nightguards

Nightguards are helpful to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of dental damage incurred as a result of teeth grinding. They can reduce the discomfort associated with a sore jaw, headaches, tooth sensitivity, ear pain, and facial pain that many patients experience as a result of clenching or grinding of their teeth. In severe cases of bruxism, patients can develop loss of hearing, jawbone misalignment, and TMJ. Therefore, customized nightguards can help prevent the progression of teeth grinding into these more serious conditions.

At-home tips to reduce or prevent teeth grinding

Although it’s important to wear your nightguard faithfully if you grind your teeth at night, you can follow a few self-care tips to help to prevent your teeth grinding from worsening.

• Reduce tension and stress. Whether you take a warm bath before bed, listen to soothing music, or exercise, practice stress-relieving activities to wash away the tensions of the day.

• Avoid alcohol. In some patients, alcohol increases teeth grinding tendencies.

• Avoid caffeine. In some individuals, caffeine increases the likelihood of teeth grinding.

• Focus on relaxing jaw muscles. Make a conscious effort to keep your jaw relaxed. A warm washcloth against your cheek, sticking your tongue between your teeth, and avoiding chewing pencils, pens, and gum are all ways to train the muscles of your jaw to stay relaxed.

If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth at night, visit Dr. Linda Golden and our team at Golden Dental Wellness Center for an evaluation at our convenient Manhasset office.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is best known as a sexually transmitted infection. In the United States, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, with 79 million Americans currently infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to increasing risk for cervical cancer, HPV is a contributing factor in some cases of oral cancer. Each year an estimated 1,700 women and 6,700 men develop oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the tongue and throat.

Connection between HPV and oral cancer

There are more than 40 strains of HPV that live in the skin and mucosal areas. Some of these affect the genitalia, while others are found in the mouth and throat. Of the strains of oral HPV, only one, called HPV16, increases the risk of oral cancer, the Oral Cancer Foundation reports. A retrospective study conducted found that oral cancer developed an average of 15 years after exposure to HPV, making it a relatively slow-growing form of cancer.

In general, 80% of Americans will have an HPV infection at some point in their lifetimes, while 99% develop no ill effects. Getting oral HPV is associated with multiple sexual partners and engaging in oral sex; however, even some individuals who have been with only one partner may contract the infection. Although overall risk of oral cancer from HPV infection is low, it is essential to be proactive about oral health.

How to prevent HPV-related oral cancer

Scientists continue to study how HPV infections lead to oral cancer, so little is known about the progression of the disease. However, one recent study found that poor oral health, including gum disease and poor oral hygiene, is associated with oral cancer risk. Thus, being vigilant about brushing and flossing your teeth regularly may reduce HPV-related oral cancer. Getting the HPV vaccine also protects against the oral form of the virus.

Another key way to reduce mortality from oral cancer is to have regularly scheduled appointments with at Golden Dental Wellness Center. Having Dr. Linda Golden examine your mouth at least two times a year increases the likelihood that a sign of oral cancer, such as a sore or patch, will be detected. If you’re concerned about HPV-related oral cancer, please give us a call at our Manhasset office for advice about oral hygiene and disease prevention.