www.Mizar5.com

A few weeks ago I read the article, 'Is Your Dentist Drilling for Dollars?' from Dr. Mercola's on line newsletter 
( http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/2/5/is-your-dentist-drilling-for-dollars.aspx ). It was old news to me, of course, and Reader's Digest did quite a comprehensive expose on the topic several years ago.

One thing that really bothered me about this article was in Dr. Mercola's commentary on dentistry, root canals, implants, (and on and on) -- specifically his statement toward the end that, "The only scientific way to prevent tooth decay is through diet and nutrition."

Huh???

Yep, he says that the ONLY way to PREVENT Cavities and other dental problems (the only scientific way, he adds) is through diet and nutrition. He apparently comes to this conclusion from studying Dr. Westin Price and refers to Dr. Price's work with natives inhabiting varied regions on the planet, but noting that where these folks were not introduced to or fed refined foods, particularly refined flours and sugars, these groups of isolated people had no dental diseases. This was the conclusion that Dr. Price came to and the conclusion Dr. Mercola apparently subscribes to.

Funny thing -- we know that the disease is directly related to oral pathogens (bacteria, etc.). In a nutshell, these pathogens feed on sugars and carbohydrates, excrete acid and damage ensues. There is plenty of science in support of this and anyone who has read Dr Robert Nara's well-documented books or material at the OraMedia site knows this. In fact, the science on the subject goes back a couple of hundred years to Dr Levi Parmley! Parmley was the one who pointed to the pathogens and was the first to suggest 'flossing.' Dr G. V. Black followed a hundred years later trying to get the profession to pay attention.

Let's get back to Westin...

Perhaps another conclusion one might reach while studying these 'isolated natives' was that, aside from the fact they were eating fresh local foods and had never eaten refined foods, perhaps (since they were isolated) they also had never come into contact with people who were infected with oral pathogens. Had Dr. Price considered that, he would not have come to, in my opinion, an erroneous conclusion. We are not born with oral pathogens, but they are quickly spread from being kissed, sharing eating utensils, etc.

Also, if Dr. Mercola's theory is correct, then I would have to say that those eating perfect diets would not have any type of tooth or gum diseases. Dr. Mercola himself is proclaimed to be an expert in the field of nutrition, so I would suggest that he and his followers would be disease-free in that respect. Problem is, I know that people adhering to a very strict and healthy dietary regimen and staying away from refined foods can or do still suffer from tooth and gum diseases (cavities, gingivitis, periodontal diseases, etc. ...) despite their eating habits being more beneficial overall.

How can this be?

No matter how healthy the diet is, foods containing ferment-able sugars (fruits, for example) and/or carbohydrates are fodder for theses types of bacteria. So if the bacteria is present, it must be controlled mechanically by brushing, flossing and irrigating. It is not likely that one will be totally rid of the harmful bacteria but getting it to levels where they are harmless and preventing them from colonizing (forming plaque) is certainly good enough to get teeth and gums to a healthier state and keeping them that way.

Isn't nutrition important?

Nutrition plays a BIG role in the battle and is one of the seven factors for good oral health. However, nutrition is not the last word in healthy, disease-free teeth and gums, as Dr. Mercola incorrectly asserts.

Nonetheless, I'll bet you a dollar he still brushes his teeth...