Finding Health in an Unexpected Place

It seems like the search for “wellness” is a never-ending journey. For many, it is simply a desire for more energy and a better sense of well-being. For some, it’s a battle to overcome a debilitating health condition.

 

In many cases that journey starts when a patient has been failed by a “sick care” system that only treats symptoms. However, even in the world of holistic medicine, finding the root cause of a health condition can be challenging.

 

It turns out that root cause often lies in an area seldom examined by any practitioner—the oral cavity and structures of the head and neck. As a holistic dentist, I have always been acutely aware of the health impact of toxic metals (such as mercury and nickel, commonly found in dental restorations), infected root canals and gum disease.

 

Even conventional dentistry now understands the negative impact problems in the mouth can have on overall health. Go to the leading integrative medical centers in Europe and one of the first doctors you will see is a dentist. Dr. Thomas Rau, medical director of the Paracelsus Clinic, in Switzerland, notes: “Patients from the United States show up with a suitcase full of lab tests, yet no one has ever looked in their mouth.”

 

Poor breathing affects literally every cellular function, including energy production, in our body. It would seem obvious that this would be an area of high interest to anyone in the medical field. Yet, it is mostly ignored until the problem reaches critical levels.

 

Even in its mild form, improper breathing has a major impact on sleep quality. Adequate, restful sleep is absolutely critical for optimal physical and mental health. During sleep, the body undergoes essential processes such as tissue repair, muscle growth, and the release of growth hormones. Good sleep is linked to improved mood, enhanced cognitive function, and a bolstered immune system. Chronic sleep deprivation, on the other hand, has been associated with an increased risk of various health issues, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

 

So how do you know if you are getting proper restorative sleep? Nobody wants to spend a night in a sleep lab! Fortunately, technology is now available that allows us to do a highly accurate home sleep test using a simple ring.

 

You can even assess your own sleep quality. Waking up feeling unrested, getting up to use the bathroom, tooth grinding and mouth breathing are all indicators of poor sleep. Of course, if you snore (even mildly), you are definitely not getting the type of sleep you need!

 

Maybe the worst part of sleeping poorly is that it puts your autonomic nervous system into a fight-or-flight state (sympathetic). Instead of healing and regenerating, cortisol levels rise at night and create a highly inflammatory environment—not a recipe for good health!

 

If you’ve struggled with chronic health issues or simply just want to feel better, good oral health and good sleep are a great place to start.

 

 

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