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These self-help methods of controlling gum disease have been used successfully for nearly 30 years. The reason that the results are so dramatic is that this approach is aimed at stopping the cause of the problem. Other methods are an attempt to control the symptoms. One should be cautious, however, in one's thinking about these methods. The more severe the gum disease, the more difficult these methods become. It may be necessary to retain the help of a dentist who has been specifically trained in helping people to help themselves. Doctor-dependent treatment such as gum surgery is rapidly being replaced with self-help methods aimed at eliminat- ing the cause. These self-help methods of controlling gum disease have been tight to teeth and bone. Then a space develops between the neck used successfully for nearly 30 years. The reason that the results _ of the tooth and encircling gum tissue. This ‘abnormal’ space is are so dramatic is that this approach is aimed at stopping the cause commonly called a pocket. As the space (pocket) deepens, it then of the problem. Other methods are an attempt to control the erodes away the bone that holds the teeth in place. This is com- symptoms. monly referred to as pyorrhea. More teeth are lost due to pyorrhea One should be cautious, however, in one's thinking about these than due to decay. About 98% of all Americans have at least methods. The more severe the gum disease, the more difficult some areas of diseased gum tissue in their mouths: over half of these methods become. It may be necessary to retain the help of a _ these are also experiencing a progressive bone loss. dentist who has been specifically trained in helping people to help Fortunately, cavities and pyorrhea (gum disease and bone loss) themselves. Doctor-dependent treatment such as gum surgery is are both 100% preventable and both are reversible! rapidly being replaced with self-help methods aimed at eliminat- Most health-oriented people these days know a good diet from a ing the cause. bad one. The so-called ‘secrets of nutrition’ are really NOT secret at all to the nutrition-conscious individuals who care about them- INTRINSIC FACTOR selves and their minds and bodies. The building blocks of all body tissues are similar. A diet lacking in essential elements will As a final consideration in understanding the aetiology of gum _ suffer consequences throughout the body, not just in one organ or disease, it is well to keep in mind that no two human beings are _ tissue. The building blocks of both teeth and bone are calcium exactly alike. There is a wide variation of people's resistive ability and phosphorus, but shortages of these two ingredients will cause when it comes to fighting off gum disease. other problems as well. In a large sample of people whose general health would be con- For years dentists and gum tissue specialists have recommended sidered good, a few would have such strong resistance that their gum and bone surgery to cut away loose flabby gums and infected gums and supportive bone stays bone. Supposedly after healing, healthy even if they were very j : ee ~ the mouth can then again be kept neglectful of oral hygiene, eating clean by brushing and flossing. habits, etc. Another small group This is seldom the case, howev- would be highly prone to gum In most cases, once the gum er, and most people wind up in deterioration even if they were the same condition in a short very conscientious. A large tissue begins to heal, the bone time and are told that surgery is group in the middle would suffer follows suit growing back new necessary again, and again. The , what might be called typical gum reason for this is that the real disease, it! : ‘cause’ of the problem is not om serain mumber of peo | ERG AM, © anes! OF She Devt ae ple will suffer from what could the solution to the problem. be called ‘magnified’ gum prob- Once pockets form (98% of lems. Gum dis04SC CO? 00 CX’ Ta_a_a_a a —_€_€€—€ €£@=&Ame4icans have early, moderate erbated by many conditions, including immunosuppression, mal- _or severe pocket formation), brushing and flossing alone cannot nutrition or other general debility, endocrine abnormalities, etc. remove toxic waste products from these below-the-gum-line Therefore anyone who has been using all the right methods of spaces. The only way known to accomplish this flushing away of eliminating the cause of gum disease but still having problems, _ the disease-producing toxins is by use of an oral irrigator. should analyse the possibility of some intrinsic factor that might When the toxic waste products that are being trapped in below- be complicating the overall health picture. the-gum-line spaces are flushed out daily with warm salt water, Being treated medically for a variety of problems can also have __ the body's normal reparative processes set in and heal the diseased side-effects complicating the gum disease situation. For example, gum tissue. In most cases, once the gum tissue begins to heal, the about 500 different commercially prepared drugs have side-effects bone follows suit, growing back new bone where it's been lost and that can cause a reduction in the amount of saliva flow. Reduced tightening up loose wobbly teeth (self-help healing of pyorrhea). salivary flow can have an extremely damaging effect on the gums In mouths where bacterial toxins run high, the decay process is and supportive bone. Some of the most common drugs that pro- _also represented, so by climinating the bacterial waste products duce the dry mouth syndrome are: Actifed, Donnata, Benedryl, from the teeth and gums the decay process stops and, as well, Librax, Chlortrimeton, Ornade, Compazine, Sudafed, Dimetane, gums and bone start healing . Thorazine and Valium. The saliva can then return to its God-intended condition of heal- Many people simply do not know exactly how teeth and gums __ing fluid rather than a sewage transmission fluid. Only when this get into trouble, so if one lacks knowledge it's impossible to take ‘healing fluid’ state is achieved can cavities harden (remineralise). corrective action. When toxic waste products abound, everything gets worse, not Teeth and supportive jawbones are weakened by improper nutri- better. The human body normally produces approximately one tion, or by toxic waste products produced by bacterial colonies quart of saliva each day. When this saliva exists under such envi- collecting within the mouth. The toxic waste products raise havoc ronmental conditions to be in the ‘healing fluid’ state, then and with the calcium and phosphorus of the teeth and they cause _ only then will inflammation of the gums. Cavities appear in areas of greater con- 1) cavities heal (remineralise) centrations of the acid-like waste products, and if inflammation of 2) gums heal (rejuvenate) the gums is allowed to persist for any length of time it leads to 3) bone heal (tightening up loose teeth). infection of the gums. Loose puffy gums that tend to bleed easily When the saliva is not ‘healing fluid ability’, an interesting phe- is the next step in the deterioration process. Prolonged loosening, flabby gums, destroy the connective fibres that hold our gums NEXUS © 25 * JUNE - JULY 1994 INTRINSIC FACTOR Continued on page 73