The Case:
- Kari has Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism and feels very inflamed.
- She tried going gluten-free but didn’t notice much improvement.
- She knew something else was going on but couldn’t find any answers.
I met Kari inside my Thyroid Mystery Solved program and wanted to investigate what was going on. After reviewing her case, I noticed that she has had a fair amount of dental work including silver fillings, a root canal, and recent tooth extractions.
Her dentist was giving her a clean bill of health but I suspected the answers to her mystery might be in her mouth.
The Investigation
Our oral health has a lot more impact on our overall health than most of us realize. I knew that if there was one person who could shed some light on Kari’s case it would be Dr. John Augspurger. He’s the founder of Biodentist and co-founder of HUH Institute. He’s studied with some of the most renowned dentists and is a teacher as well. His approach is vastly different from traditional dentists so I was excited to talk to him about the impact of Hashimoto’s on dental health.
The Overlooked Significance of Oral Health
Many of us understand the importance of gut health in maintaining overall wellness, but what about the mouth? The mouth serves as the gateway to our digestive system, making it a vital starting point for our overall health journey. Dr. Augspurger highlighted the significance of creating optimal conditions within the mouth to support a healthy microbial environment. Just as we nurture our gut microbiome, we must also cultivate a favorable habitat for beneficial bacteria in our mouths. This balance is essential for promoting proper digestion and overall well-being.
Dr. Augspurger emphasized the importance of maintaining an ideal pH balance in the mouth, noting that slight acidity is necessary for effective digestion. However, deviations from this balance can disrupt the delicate ecosystem of our oral microbiome, paving the way for harmful bacteria to thrive. This may become apparent with bad breath, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth pain. Factors such as stagnation and oxygen deprivation further exacerbate the risk of dental issues, underscoring the need for proactive oral care strategies.
Understanding How Oral Infections and Toxicity Impact the Thyroid
Given how important oral health is to our overall health, I wanted to know more about the intricate relationship between oral health and thyroid conditions, particularly Hashimoto’s. Dr. Augspurger explained that the mouth serves as a gateway to overall wellness, with infections and toxicity playing pivotal roles in influencing thyroid health.
For example, infections can play a significant role in exacerbating autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s. Dr. Augspurger highlighted the prevalence of infections within the oral cavity, ranging from common cavities to more insidious conditions like cavitations.
Cavitations, often overlooked in traditional dentistry, represent a serious concern for individuals grappling with thyroid issues. These hollow spaces within the jawbone, typically arising after tooth extractions, disrupt the natural healing process, leading to stagnation and chronic inflammation. Despite their stealthy nature, cavitations can wreak havoc on thyroid health, underscoring the importance of proactive dental care.
Avoiding Cavitations for Optimal Well-Being
Dr. Augspurger emphasized the importance of proactive measures during tooth extractions to mitigate the risk of cavitation formation. He explains the hallmarks of biologically-based dentistry including the meticulous removal of ligaments post-extraction and the use of a patient’s own platelets that accelerated healing. He also injects ozone into the platelets to further reduce the risk of infection.
Another important factor in reducing the chances of cavitations is to ensure that the ligament is fully removed along with the tooth. When it is, Dr. Augsburger explains, the healing process is quicker and pain-free. Plus, it reduces the chance of infection (because food and bacteria can’t get in). Because this approach is often not an option with traditional dentists, you’d have to find a dentist who prioritizes overall well-being and safeguards against cavitations with a biological dentistry approach.
Identifying Cavitations: Navigating the Diagnostic Maze
One of the challenges individuals face is identifying and addressing cavitations effectively. Unlike visible cavities that prompt immediate dental intervention, cavitations often evade detection without specialized diagnostic techniques. And, there is often no evidence of an infection. Most people experiencing inflammation and thyroid issues wouldn’t think to look for cavitations.
For many of us, myself included, the journey often begins with routine tooth extractions, whether it’s your wisdom teeth or other problematic molars. However, most of us don’t think about what may have been left behind (and the impact it can have on our health) after the extraction point has healed up.
Detecting cavitations from a previous extraction requires advanced diagnostic tools, such as three-dimensional X-rays. Dr. Augspurger explains that these cutting-edge imaging techniques offer a comprehensive view of the jawbone’s integrity, revealing hidden anomalies that traditional methods might overlook. Again, a traditional dentist may not be able to detect cavitations with a standard X-ray machine.
How to Treat a Cavitation and Reverse Negative Side Effects
Once cavitations are identified, the next step is crafting a personalized treatment plan rooted in the principles of biological dentistry. This may mean that a dentist needs to open up the site of the original extraction to access the cavitation. They may be surprised to find what Dr. Augspurger calls an ‘oil slick’, I’ve heard described as green stuff. This is how hard the immune system is working to try to deal with the left-behind ligament or connective tissue debris. The only solution is to scrape it all out and then heal it properly using platelets infused with ozone to fill the hole.
This approach prioritizes holistic wellness over symptom management, empowering patients to reclaim their oral health with confidence. As patients, we have to advocate for our own well-being and that includes demanding a thorough investigation into the role our hidden oral health issues may impact our overall wellness.
Are Root Canals a Hidden Health Risk?
Root canals are often hailed as a saving grace for troubled teeth but Dr. Augspurger says that they pose a potential health risk in the long run. He explains that a root canal is the removal of the nerve and blood supply from within a tooth, making it a dead tooth. This alleviates the pain being caused by the tooth but it poses a new problem because the body isn’t set up to support dead body parts. He explains that when other parts of the body lose blood flow, they become gangrene. The immune system responds to a dead tooth in much the same way – by creating hydrogen sulfide gas which can trigger a cascade of inflammatory responses.
So, what do you do with a painful tooth and a dentist who is suggesting a root canal? Or, what do you do if you’ve already had the root canal? Dr. Augspurger advocates for informed decision-making, emphasizing the importance of seeking out practitioners versed in holistic dentistry. Removing the compromised teeth and exploring biocompatible alternatives may be the best option.
It’s important to note that the presence of hydrogen sulfide can create a big issue in terms of the gut microbiome too. This gas feeds the wrong types of microbes.
Are Dental Crowns Safer for Overall Health?
For those who have been told that extensive decay inevitably leads to a root canal they may be wondering what other options they have if they don’t want a root canal. A common alternative is a dental crown.
But Dr. Augspurger challenged this conventional thinking, pointing out that even when decay seems overwhelming, rushing to crown the tooth isn’t always the best approach. Why? Because true healing involves more than just fixing the immediate issue; it requires creating the right conditions for the tooth to heal itself, which he believes it can do. He uses a different method for filling the tooth, even when rotting is extensive.
But, in order for the tooth to heal, he says the patient needs to focus on overall health. Factors like sleep quality and diet profoundly impact the body’s ability to heal, extending far beyond the realm of dentistry. Dr. Augspurger’s approach underscores the importance of adopting a holistic lifestyle that supports the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
Mystery Solved – Solving Kari’s Health Mystery
As for Kari, we identified and tackled various triggers contributing to her health challenges, including gut microbes, viral load, and detox pathway support. Concurrently, Kari sought the expertise of a biological dentist recommended by our team.
Initially, Kari was taken aback when her biological dentist revealed issues her regular dentist had overlooked. They addressed her root canal and replaced silver fillings using a biologically sound approach. Additionally, they tackled a cavitation which was the result of a previous tooth extraction.
Happy Ending
While this wasn’t an overnight transformation, within six months, Kari experienced remarkable improvements. Her pain and inflammation significantly diminished, and she felt lighter, less bloated, and more like herself again. It was as though a weight had been lifted, allowing her to embrace life fully once more.
Kari’s journey underscores the profound impact of holistic dental care on overall well-being. It would never have occurred to her that the root of the problem was an old root canal.
Eliminating Health Mysteries
For Kari, we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could this be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?
Links:
Resources mentioned
Thanks to my guest Dr. John Augspurger. You can connect with him through his website: https://huhinstitute.com/
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Related Podcast Episodes:
126 The Misleading Case of Bad Breath, Sensitive Teeth, and Digestive Issues 71 The Dangers of Ignoring your Mouth’s Microbiome w/ Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, DDS 70 The Case of Mercury Fillings w/ Dr. Kourosh Maddahi 29 The Case of Tooth Pain Causing Fatigue with Naturopath Dr. Christine Shaffner
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