Blog-Gum Disease, Nutrition and Natural Healing

Pregnancy And Gum Disease

Hormonal changes during pregnancy have a direct effect on the gums and usually not in a good way. Pregnancy hormones like estrogen, progesterone and chorionic gonadotropin affect cell growth, bone metabolism, wound healing, the dental plaque and microbiome. 50% to 100% of pregnant women experience gum disease during pregnancy.

In this article I will discuss the effects of pregnancy on gum disease, the increased risk of oral infections during pregnancy, how oral infections can affect the baby, and tips for treating gum disease during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Hormones And Your Mouth

Estrogen causes cells to grow. During pregnancy, the placenta produces high levels of estrogen. These high estrogen levels can cause puffy, bleeding swollen gums. In addition, the pregnant mother can experience benign pregnancy tumors also known as Pyogenic Granulomas. If you develop gum disease, bleeding gums or benign pregnancy tumors, you should see your dentist for thorough cleanings to remove plaque and irritants. Your dentist might also suggest using antimicrobial mouthwashes.

Progesterone is another pregnancy hormone that can cause inflammation, bleeding gums and gum disease symptoms. It is advisable to see a dentist or periodontist for treating gum disease during pregnancy in order to reduce these symptoms.

Pregnancy And Changes In Oral Bacteria

Several of the bacteria that cause gum disease use pregnancy hormones to grow and multiply during pregnancy. Elevated levels of these bacteria cause gum disease, bleeding and cavities.

Pregnancy And Oral Infections

Pregnant women are more prone to infections. This is related to both hormonal changes and a weaker immune system during pregnancy.

Many women are fearful of seeking dental care while they are pregnant. They are not sure if dental treatments can harm the baby. I will talk later in this article about a safe approach to visiting the dentist and treating gum disease during pregnancy.

Many women also have a weaker immune system during pregnancy. As a combined result of a weaker immune system, more gum disease and avoiding the dentist, dental infections in pregnant women can quickly develop into dangerous deep space infections and put you and your baby at risk. It is important for pregnant women to seek care immediately when there are signs of infection such as oral pain, swelling, a bad taste in the mouth or bleeding.

Gum Disease And Negative Pregnancy Outcomes

Gum disease is an infection of the gums that increases inflammation and inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and interleukins. An upsurge in prostaglandins from gum disease or an infection could signal early contractions and premature birth and a low birthweight baby. Dozens of studies have linked gum disease to higher risks for premature low birth weight babies.

There are no studies that definitively show that gum disease treatment will avoid this complication. These studies are hard to do and we may never reach a definitive conclusion. However, given the large body of evidence that shows a link between gum disease and negative pregnancy outcomes, it is better to be safe and treat your gum disease during pregnancy with simple cleanings and laser disinfection procedures.

Can Mothers Transmit Gum Disease Bacteria to Their Babies?

After the baby is born, gum disease bacteria can be transmitted from mother to infant, making the child more at risk for developing gum disease. Again, it is highly recommended to treat your gum disease during pregnancy in order to protect your baby.

How About Cavity-Causing Bacteria? Can They Also Be Transmitted?

Yes. If a mother has cavities, the bacteria that cause those cavities can be passed on to the baby through close contact and sharing a spoon when the mother is testing the baby food. It is recommended to see your dentist to remove any active cavities in the teeth in order to protect your baby.

Is It Safe To See The Dentist During Pregnancy?

Yes, not only is it safe but it is recommended to see the dentist every 3 months during pregnancy. The dentist can provide cleaning services, screenings for infections, instructions for cleaning the teeth and removing plaque.

7 Tips For Treating Gum Disease While Pregnant

1. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and floss every day. Here is a gentle toothpaste I recommend. It is fluoride-free, as there are concerns about toxicity to the baby from too much fluoride.
2. Try to minimize sugary foods that create acid in the mouth. If you enjoy an occasional snack be sure to follow it with cheese or apples to counteract the acid.
3. Drink plenty of water, at least 8 -10 cups a day. For optimal hydration drink water with electrolytes like magnesium, potassium and sodium. Coconut water is a natural electrolyte water. I recommend electrolyte powders such as LMNT and Jigsaw Health. Avoid sodas and fruit juices with corn syrup.
4. Eat lots of fruit and vegetable to get vitamins and minerals naturally.
5. Consult your doctor about optimizing your Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D helps to strengthen teeth and fight gum disease. I recommend getting your Vitamin D through natural sources like daily sun exposure, cod liver oil, and grass fed liver supplements, to name a few.
6. Chew gum with xylitol to reduce the risk of transmitting your harmful oral bacteria to your baby.
7. Have your teeth cleaned professionally at the dental office every three months. Consider laser pocket disinfection for treating your gum disease.

Conclusion

During pregnancy women are exposed to hormonal changes that cause gum disease and cavities. Most evidence points to a link between gum disease and negative pregnancy outcomes like premature low birth weight babies. Pregnant mothers should be aware that it is safe and advisable to see a dentist for routine cleanings and screenings during pregnancy.

May you have a healthy pregnancy, a healthy delivery and may your baby bring you years of joy.

Potassium rich foods are an important ingredient in my “Keep Your Teeth “ Program. Potassium is important for preventing cavities and preserving healthy bone levels around teeth . Potassium is also important for getting the best results from LANAP laser periodontal therapy to reverse gum disease and save natural teeth.

What Is Potassium?

Potassium is an electrolyte, or a mineral that has an electrical charge. The recommended daily allowance for potassium is a whopping 4700 mg per day. That is a lot of potassium. Hardly anyone gets enough potassium and most Americans are deficient in this mineral.

Blood tests do not reveal deficiencies as potassium acts inside the cells and a routine test will not be diagnostic. Just eat more potassium rich foods.

A great resource for tracking your daily intake based on serving size is the book Food Values. If you prefer digital programs, you can use a Chronometer App that tracks dozens of micronutrients. Be mindful that it takes several months of eating potassium rich foods to raise your levels to healthy levels and see clinical results.

Why Is Potassium Important For Strong Teeth And Healthy Gums?

Potassium helps maintain the mineral balance in the body and the pH in the body. In the oral cavity, when the environment becomes too acidic teeth are more prone to cavities. In addition, the germs that cause gum disease and bone loss thrive in acidic environments.

Potassium is also important for regulating calcium and bone density. When potassium levels drop, bone density is decreased. Several studies have shown that dietary potassium intake is important for bone health and to rebuild thinning bones Strong, dense bone that is resistant to bone loss is important for gum disease prevention and should be part of your “Keep Your Teeth” program.

Natural Foods For Healthy Teeth

How To Eat More Potassium Rich Foods

Avocados are loaded with potassium, each avocado providing about 600 mg of potassium.

Bok choy is a vegetable that, when boiled, provides 1500 mg of potassium for every 2 cups. If you are in the habit of drinking bone broth for building collagen you can chop up a few bok choys and add it to the broth just before serving.

While bananas are famous for being a potassium rich food, you should be aware that half of the potassium is in the peel. Unless you enjoy eating banana peel, trying to get your potassium from bananas can introduce excessive amounts of sugar. Melons like cantaloupes are a better fruit choice.

Many green, leafy vegetables contain high potassium levels. Just be sure to choose food items that are low in oxalates. Cruciferous vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage have high levels of potassium and are relatively low in oxalates. Arugula and lettuce are also high in potassium with low oxalates.

The animal meats that are high in potassium include clams, red meat, liver, cod, halibut and tuna.

There are two nuts that are relatively low in carbohydrates and have good levels of potassium. These are hazelnuts and Brazil nuts. Almonds have a lot of potassium but are high in carbohydrates and oxalates.

If you would like to know more about oxalate toxicity, I recommend the book Toxic SuperFoods by Sally Norton.

Potassium Rich Beverages

In addition to eating potassium rich foods, I suggest getting into the habit of drinking fluids that are not just plain water but, rather, fluids that contain electrolytes like salt and potassium and magnesium. If you drink filtered water or reverse osmosis water you can add trace mineral drops for electrolytes.

Organic coconut water without added sugar is an excellent electrolyte that delivers about 400 mg of potassium per serving and helps you stay hydrated.

You can also add electrolyte powder to your drinking water. Look for powders with no added sugar. A few of the brands I personally use are LMNT, Dr. Berg’s Keto Electrolyte Powder, Jigsaw Health (they even have a pickle ball electrolyte mix!).

I also make my own electrolyte drink by mixing Pellegrino mineral water (always in a glass jar, never plastic) with fresh organic lemon and all natural salt like Selina Celtic Sea Salt and Redmond’s Real Salt.

Who Shouldn’t Supplement Potassium?

If you have end stage kidney disease or impaired kidney function consult with your physician. Otherwise, most people need to eat a lot more potassium rich foods.

Keep Your Teeth

I wrote a book called “Keep Your Teeth”, available on Amazon, to help people all over the world understand why they are losing teeth (it may not be what you think) and offer practical tips to avoid tooth loss. Buy your copy today!

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a chronic infection and inflammation of the mouth that is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Gum disease symptoms include bleeding, puffy gums in the early stages and bad breath and loose teeth in the more advanced stages. Besides tooth loss, gum disease is a causative agent for other inflammatory chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to causing infections in the gums and jawbone, periodontal bacteria can spread from the mouth to other parts of the body via lymphatics, blood circulation and the nervous system. P. Gingivalis, the keystone pathogen of gum disease, secrete gingipains which are highly neurotoxic in the brain. Several studies have shown that blocking the toxic effects of gingipains can restore the health of damaged brain cells.

What is Propolis?

Propolis is a natural and non-toxic substance derived from bees that is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal. The wondrous honey bees make propolis by collecting sap-like resins from flowers and trees. These resins are used by plants for protection against bacteria, fungi and insects. The honey bees return to the hive and mix the collected resin with saliva and beeswax to make propolis. Also called bee glue, propolis protects the hive from infection and even cover sharp areas in the hive that can injure the delicate wings of the honey bees, This gift from nature contains flavonoids that are anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial that are worth exploring for human conditions.

There is a potential for allergies as propolis is a plant product.

How Can Propolis Help Gum Disease Symptoms?

More and more patients are seeking natural approaches to treating their gum disease and avoiding tooth loss. These natural products are sought to either reverse gum disease symptoms in the early stages called gingivitis, or to increase the effectiveness of treatments such as LANAP laser periodontal therapy.

Since the resin that is used to make propolis has anti microbial properties, propolis is an attractive natural approach for fighting gum disease. Studies have shown that propolis has strong antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis.

But Does It Actually Work?

A review of the literature supports the use of propolis for fighting gum disease symptoms. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials were very supportive of the use of propolis in reducing gum disease symptoms.

With regards to Alzheimer’s disease and periodontal disease, Propolis has also been shown to reduce the neurotoxicity P. gingivalis in the brain. This may be an attractive natural approach to reduce neuroinflammation in the brain in patients with chronic periodontitis.

How Can Propolis Be Used For Oral Health Benefits?

Propolis products available for oral use include propolis mouthwash, propolis glue and propolis throat spray.

Propolis mouthwash has been shown in several studies to reduce gum disease symptoms like bleeding. This can be very helpful in the early stages of gum disease called gingivitis. For more advanced cases where the bacteria and inflammation have caused loss of supporting jawbone, it is unlikely that propolis mouthwash alone can reverse gum disease. LANAP laser periodontal therapy is FDA-approved to reverse gum disease even in advanced stages. Propolis mouthwash can be used in conjunction with LANAP to prolong the benefits of laser therapy and reduce disease recurrence.

Propolis throat spray can be used for scratchy throats and to fight viral upper respiratory tract infections in the early stages.

Propolis glue can provide relief from mouth ulcers like canker sores and oral herpes outbreaks.

Be sure to research the brand of product you purchase. Some products may contain synthetic chemicals in the colonies or the bee farm may have large pesticide use.

Propolis offers hope as a natural remedy for gum disease symptoms, especially in the early stages of gingivitis where the gums are bleeding but the jawbone is still intact.

If you or a loved one are suffering from gum disease or you have been told you need to have teeth pulled call Dr. Sharona Dayan today to see if LANAP laser periodontal therapy can benefit you along with natural remedies for gum disease.

If you have noticed that you have bleeding gums you have a Vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin C deficiency was identified as scurvy in the 1700’s when sailors who did not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables developed bleeding gums, gum disease and blotchy skin.

In this report published by Harvard Medical School, more than 10,000 patients who were diagnosed with bleeding gums had low Vitamin C levels.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient. It is important for making collagen, fighting infection and removing toxins from the body. Vitamin C is stored in the adrenal glands which are the stress glands. When the brain perceives a threat such as infection or a stressful situation or danger, the adrenal glands get a phone call from the brain to start releasing Vitamin C. When the body is under chronic stress, the adrenal glands can become depleted, resulting in a Vitamin C deficiency. Even if you don’t get full blown scurvy, you can still be experiencing a functional Vitamin C deficiency. This can present as gum disease or bleeding gums.

Surprising Facts About Vitamin C Deficiency

You might be wondering how on earth it is possible to have a Vitamin C deficiency with the abundant fruits and vegetables in our supermarkets.

First, consider that Vitamin C is sensitive to light and heat. if you are drinking pasteurized juice, it won’s have much Vitamin C. If you cook your vegetables the heat will inactivate the Vitamin C. If you cut your fruit and wait a few days to eat it, the Vitamin C becomes inactivated. You need to cut the fruit and enjoy immediately and drink freshly squeezed juice and raw vegetables.

You may have noticed bottled juices that contain Ascorbic Acid. This is not Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is one part of the Vitamin C complex. It is made synthetically by using corn starch from corns exposed to pesticides and contains mycotoxins. The corn starch is mixed with sulphuric acid to make ascorbic acid that is a preservative. This is not the natural Vitamin C that your body needs and relying on ascorbic acid may not help you avoid a Vitamin C deficiency.

If you are insulin-resistant or you have a lot of sugar in your system you will not absorb Vitamin C and could develop a Vitamin C deficiency even if you are eating fresh fruits and vegetables. This is because sugar and Vitamin C are very similar and use the same channels to get inside the cells. So the more sugar you have in your bloodstream, the less Vitamin C will be absorbed. Since insulin resistance is becoming more and more common, this is one of the reasons we are seeing more Vitamin C deficiency.

How To Choose The Right Vitamin C Supplement

On days when we are feeling calm and balanced, we can probably get our Vitamin C from eating a handful of cherries or other fruits. But when our bodies are experiencing stress, such a flu or chronic infections like gum disease or emotional stress, we need more Vitamin C and it may be necessary to supplement. Look for Natural Vitamin C, also called C-Complex or Whole C that is made from fruit. When my patients are recovering from surgery, I recommend taking a natural Vitamin C supplement three times a day for two weeks to speed up the recovery and also to detoxify the body.

The Best Treatment For Bleeding Gums

If you are experiencing bleeding gums or you have been told you need to have teeth pulled because of gum disease, there is hope. I recommend LANAP laser treatment for gum disease, the only periodontal procedure that is FDA-approved to reverse gum disease. You can read more about LANAP on my website.

My approach to treating gum diseases is to combine advanced technologies with natural remedies and ancient wisdom. If you feel this approach is right for you, feel free to schedule a consultation in my Beverly Hills office. Call 310-205-0900 or email us at [email protected]. I look forward to helping you fight gum disease and keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.

You might have heard of marshmallow, the candy we toast around a campfire. But have you heard of the beautiful marshmallow herb that is a natural remedy for dry mouth?

The marshmallow herb, whose scientific name is Althaea officinalis, is an ancient botanical whose name means To Heal. It has been used in ancient Egyptian, Arab, Greek and Roman cultures for over 2000 years.

A Natural Remedy For Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is also called xerostomia, usually means that there is too little saliva in the mouth. Dry mouth is a common side effect of most prescription medications. A dry mouth can wreak havoc on the mouth, causing cavities, gum disease and oral infections.

The root of the marshmallow plant is a demulcent and has a soothing effect on the tissues it comes into contact with. It helps to moisturize a dry mouth. It is also commonly used for upper respiratory tract infections as well as a cough remedy.

To relieve your dry mouth, click on this link for a terrific recipe for a DIY Marshmallow Herbal Lozenge brought to you by gingertonicbotanicals.com.

You can also make an infusion to treat upper respiratory tract infections and soothe the digestive tract. The medicinal effects are reduced by heat so remember to make the infusion with room temperature water over a 6-8 hour period.

A dry mouth can be very uncomfortable and can lead to unwanted oral infections. If you are experiencing a dry mouth I hope that this natural remedy will help soothe your irritated tissue.

More About Dr. Dayan

Dr. Dayan offers nutritional and herbal remedies for oral health as part of a comprehensive approach to treating gum disease. She is the author of Keep Your Teeth, A Practical Guide For Everyone, available on Amazon. If you or a loved one are experiencing bleeding, puffy gums or you have been told you may be losing your teeth, consider a consultation in her Beverly Hills office, call 310-205-0900.

The powerful sun Vitamin D benefits are crucial for our health and well being. Vitamin D is necessary for every part of our body and every daily function, from sleep to digestion, the health of our teeth and gums to our ability to heal. I would rate oxygen as the most important nutrient for our bodies and Vitamin D a close second.

It is important to remember that “Vitamin” D is actually a hormone, not a Vitamin. It is not something we get from our food unless you are a nocturnal animal like a bat or rat. Animals with feathers make Vitamin D in their fur from the sun and when they prune themselves they ingest Vitamin D but the original source was the sun.

Since Vitamin D it is a powerful hormone the blood levels need to be monitored carefully. There is no “dose” in a supplement that is right for everyone. What is important is how much you have circulating in your bloodstream.

The Evolutionary Advantage Of Vitamin D

The sun hormone Vitamin D helps all animals metabolically adapt to changing seasons. Thousands of years ago we had farming communities, a pastoral lifestyle and lived in huts. In the summer months of Northern and Southern latitudes the sunshine nourished our ancestors who spent most of the day outside. The days were long and food was abundant during summer. Vitamin D increased our metabolism so we had the energy to farm and gather food. Our ancestors built up Vitamin D levels up until the beginning of winter and it was enough to last the entire year. Then when the cold weather came in and the days became short and our food sources dried up, Vitamin D benefits helped our ancestors and other animals hibernate. Vitamin D reduced our metabolism, helped store food as fat to survive the winter. The seasonal adaptations guaranteed our survival. And during the winter when we and the other animals hibernated we slept 18 hours a day. An important Vitamin D benefit is good, reparative sleep.

That Was Then, What Are The Vitamin D Benefits In Modern Times?

Our lifestyles are different from our pastoral ancestors. We have moved into houses with air conditioning and doing more office work and wearing sunscreen. Our children don’t go outside to play or swim as much. We have become a Vitamin D deficient society. Is it a coincidence that we are also seeing a pandemic of sleep apnea and sleep disturbances in the last 40 years since we moved indoors and started using sunscreen?

The World Health Organization has declared United States to be a sleep deprived nation with fewer than 30% of the population getting less than the recommended 8 hours of sleep. Even young, healthy, fit women are having trouble going into reparative, deep, slow wave and REM sleep. Even if you sleep for 8 or 10 hours but you don’t get into deep sleep during that time, you don’t get repaired physically or mentally. We still need to keep our Vitamin D levels up even though we are no longer hibernating.

Vitamin D Benefits For Teeth And Gums

Vitamin D benefits include strong teeth and bones that are resistant to decay and gum disease. Low Vitamin D has been linked to tooth decay in children and gum disease in adults. In addition, Vitamin D is necessary for absorption of Calcium in the intestine. Calcium is necessary for strong teeth and bone that are resistant to decay and gum disease.

Healthy Vitamin D Levels Also Keep Our Vitamin B Levels Robust

When we are Vitamin D deficient, we are likely to be Vitamin B deficient as well. There are 8 different Vitamin B’s and they all do different things, including helping us go into deep sleep. These 8 Vitamin B’s are:

• Thiamine (Vitamin B-1)
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2)
• Niacin (Vitamin B-3)
• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B-5)
• Vitamin B-6
• Biotin (Vitamin B-7)
• Folate (Vitamin B-9)
• Vitamin B-12

These 8 Vitamin B’s are made by 4 ancient species of gut bacteria and rely on Vitamin D to remain in a healthy balance. Dysbiosis is when the bacteria in our gut and mouth are not in a healthy balance and make us sick. If the microbiome in our gut gets dysbiotic from a lack of Vitamin D, this gut dysbiosis affects our sleep, ability to digest food properly and can cause dysbiosis of the mouth as well, creating an environment for gum disease. Vitamin D benefits, therefore, include a healthy mouth, good digestion and good sleep.

So What Should You Do To Get Vitamin D Benefits?

You should never start supplementing with Vitamin D pills unless you are under the guidance of a knowledgeable medical professional. Remember that Vitamin D is a powerful hormone and too much Vitamin D can also make you sick. In addition, since Vitamin D affects Vitamin B levels, both chemicals should be closely monitored with blood tests.

For now, as we are going into summer months, try to get natural Vitamin D by being outside between 11 am and 2 pm, when UVB rays are at their peak. UVB is what makes Vitamin D in the skin. Try to expose as much of your skin as possible and be strategic about sunscreen. Avoid sunglasses for at least 20 minutes so that your eyes and retina know you are in the sun and they send a message to the brain to create serotonin, the chemical that makes us feel good. Happiness is another Vitamin D benefit.

If we can impact our children and get them to play outside in the sun and swim in the pool and get a good night’s sleep, you can give a framework that is not about blood draws and pills. Your child should be calm, happy, ready for school in September from getting enough sleep and not jumping all over the furniture and screaming.

Stay Out In The Sun, Are You Crazy, What About Skin Cancer?

Of course, liberal sun exposure is not good for everyone. Mother nature thought of that too! We have a built in safety protective chemical called melanin. Sun exposure signals the skin to make melanin to make us darker, block production of Vitamin D and protect us. Because too much Vitamin D is not good we have this natural protective mechanism to slow the production of Vitamin D.

The people who cannot make melanin cannot tan and are therefore at risk for severe sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer. People with this skin type in a sunny environment must use sunscreen or clothing to protect the skin. It is not the sun exposure that causes skin cancer, it is the damage of sunburn that leads to skin cancer. “Don’t burn your skin” is still good advice.

Listen to your body, embrace the sun and remember that deep restorative sleep, nose breathing, good nutrition and a calm internal demeanor are the foundations for good health.

I am available for a Video Visit if you have questions related to your oral health, gum disease or sleep. Click here to book your appointment. You can also call the office at (310) 205-0900 or email us by using the contact form below. I look forward to meeting you.