The first signs of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and even cancer can be found by looking inside your mouth, and according to the “father of biological dentistry,” Dr. Gerry Curatola, oral therapy helps heal the body.
Curatolathe author of “The Mouth Body Connection,” developed a groundbreaking, holistic approach to oral health after more than 20 years of oral microbiome and dental toxicity research and 40 years of clinical practice, and has appeared as a dentist alongside Katie Couric, Martha Stewart and numerous news programs. In honor of Oral Health Month, she shares tips for changing your approach to oral care to promote overall health.
According to the World Health Organization’s Global State of Oral Health Report, only two-thirds (65.5%) of adults over the age of 18 had regular dental visits and cleanings in 2023.
Curatola says most oral problems are caused by an imbalance in the oral microbiome, not “bad bacteria.” Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to treating an illness, biological medicine takes a holistic, five-tiered approach, targeting biological, biochemical, energetic, psycho-emotional, and spiritual factors to achieve balance.
According to Curatola, regular toothpaste and mouthwash are like soap for your teeth, killing both good and bad bacteria. Revitin Toothpaste, introduced by Curatola after the founding of Revitin Life Sciences in 2015, is the first prebiotic dental formulation designed to promote microbial homeostasis, a healthy balance of bacteria and microbes that your body needs. A healthier oral microbiome can lead to fresher breath, stronger teeth and potentially reduced inflammation.
Temporary crowns should be avoided, according to Curatola. More than just cosmetics, porcelain dental crowns are long-lasting implants made of biocompatible materials designed to prioritize the long-term health and well-being of your teeth and surrounding oral structures. Curatola recommends alternatives to root canals, such as laser and ozone tooth disinfection. If the tooth cannot remain vital or alive, a ceramic implant is recommended.
Curtatola also warns of the dangers of root canals and offers safer alternatives to patients.
“Many people are unaware that a commonly performed root canal is the only medical procedure where dead material is left inside the body,” Curatola said. “A tooth is a living, breathing organ in a sense. It has a circulatory, nervous, lymphatic and skeletal system. Root canals can be a regular source of chronic inflammation and toxicity that, over time, has been shown to deregulate the immune system. This can lead to autoimmune disease, thyroid disease and disorders, intestinal problems, heavy metal toxicity and even cognitive impairment.”
As its founder Rejuvenation Healtha global health and wellness business Rejuvenation Dentistrya comprehensive multi-specialty dental practice based in New York City and East Hampton, Curatola has improved the health and longevity of more than 10,000 patients, including Billy Joel.
Curatola recommends alternatives to root canals, such as laser and ozone tooth disinfection. If the tooth cannot remain vital or alive, a ceramic implant is recommended.
“Many traditional root canals are also avoidable and not the ‘go to’ procedure when someone has a toothache. Instead of a traditional root canal, an alternative for my patients involves ozone treatments—as ozone is highly antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal,” Curatola said. “A laser root canal treatment can precisely target and remove the infected problem, reducing inflammation, pain and the overall time required for the procedure. We use an Erbium laser which can also disinfect and stimulate regeneration. And we incorporate the use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), smart blood concentrate, and mineral bone graft to create a scaffold, a bone graft that can help heal this damage so that there is a solid foundation for an implant tooth replacement.“
TMX contributed to this story.
