WELLNESS MEASURING TOOLS

The following is a short description of some of the measuring devices and tools that our dental team uses to support our in-office clients and our online clients. Dental treatment requires a trusting relationship with your local dentist because you are going to delegate responsiblility for the actual treatment to the dentist or hygienist. Wellness, on the other hand, is a personal responsibility. Each person must become responsible for their own wellness success while your dental team offers information, support and encouragement. DentalHealth.ca is our way of offering this service to many people without them ever physically coming to our office. We invite you to become one of our online clients.

With this introduction, here are some of the tools we use.

1.)Dental Currents- Our online health education program is our way of keeping both our in-office and our online clients abreast of the changing times in health and wellness. One chapter of this 4 chapter e-book is delivered to you every week. We also provide you with a link that allows you to immediately read the whole book or you may print it. A FREE subscription to Dental Currents is your way of becoming one of our online clients.
We welcome you to subscribe now.

2.)Phase contrast microscope- For our in-office client's, we are able to take a sample of plaque or bacteria from your mouth and view it under the micrscope to see whether it has friendly bugs or' not so friendly' ones. We can then assess your risk level for periodontal or gum disease because the 'not so friendly' bacteria are a greater source of oxidation and stress for your gums. This creates a greater need for inflammation and potential breakdown. We help you with better oral hygiene and/or may prescribe some medication to eliminate the bad bacteria.
One of the best tools for improving oral hygiene is still a soft toothbrush. By USING IT DRY, that means no toothpaste or water, you do not have to be in the bathroom to clean your teeth and massaage your gums. Do it while watching TV or while driving, it doesn't matter. Focus on the task and not the time. Clean and massage both the cheek and tongue sides of both upper and lower teeth with a wiggle or massage motion. Press firmly on your gums for this activity so that is why a soft brush is important. When you are finished cleaning and exercising all areas of your gums, feel along the edge with your tongue to make sure it feels clean. If it feels slippery or slimy, go back and clean and massage till it feels squeeky clean. Next, brush your tongue to reduce the chances of bad breath. At last, you are finally ready to apply toothpaste and polish your teeth. Flossing to clean in between your teeth can be done at the beginning our end of this process. Gums love being exercised and being clean (don't we all). Find a way to make it a habit and you will succeed.

3.)Antioxidant scanner- The phase microscope measures the power or oxidation potential of the bacteria. Dry brushing reduces the oxidation potential and the need for inflammation. The antioxidant scanner measures the power of your immune system's defense. In health, oxidation forces like plaque and smoking are balanced by your body's antioxidant defenses. In disease situations, oxidation overwhelms the antioxidant defense and you get inflammation and periodontal disease. You get antioxidants from fruits and vegeatables or from high quality nutritional supplements. By scanning the palm of your hand, we can determine if you are well supported with antioxidants or whether you are deficient. If you are low or even average, we recommend comprehensive, balanced and potent multivitamin/mineral/antioxidant supplementation.
We recommend nutritional supplements to everyone seeking optimal wellness. It is especially critical for those who get a lower scan score. Unfortunately, these are usually the people who are most resistant to the suggestion, choosing instead to simply be a victim and wait for problems to occur.
Like brushing and flossing, making a habit of supplementing your nutrition will be the key to your long term success. Think it out once, then make it automatic. We offer you two suggestions near the bottom of our products page, but really the choice and responsibility is yours.
For our online clients who can't come for an antioxidant scan, may we suggest a home test which will measure your free radical activity. Dental plaque, smoking and other oxidation forces create free radicals which the antioxidants neutralize. By measuring free radicals, you can tell whether your need more antioxidants. The test does not measure your body's reserves like the scan does, but it is a conveneint home test to measure immediate needs.The Free radical test kit is available by mail through Osumex at the bottom of our products page.

4.)Body compostion monitor -Excess weight is a huge oxidation factor and primary indicator of pending diabetes. Periodontal disease and diabetes are directly related so no dental wellness program is complete without some consideration of body weight.
The body compostion monitor looks like a bathroom scale but is much more. By standing on it with bare feet, it will tell you the percent body fat you have and how many calories you need to consume just to maintain body functions without going into starvation mode and burning up muscle. Ideal weight is critical to enhancing your wellness, but we encourage you to focus not on the quantity of your weigh loss, but the quality of your weight loss.
These items are becoming widely available in fitness stores. They used to cost thousands of dollars, but are now down into the $100 range. Click on the link if you need an online source suggestion from our products page.

5.)Blood pressure monitor - High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease. Periodontal disease and cardiovaascular disease are both inflammatory diseases, so whatever we do to help you with your gums also helps your heart. Simple to use blood pressure monitors are availble in most drug stores.

6.)Blood glucose monitor - Diabetes and periodontal disease are directly related. It is estimated that one out of six people may have undiagnosed diabetes. How can we effectively help someone with their periodontal situation if we don't screen them for diabetes? Many diabetics monitor their bloood glucose levels everyday with a device similar to the one we use. It is certainly not a diagnostic device, but it is a good scannig tool for blood sugar levels. Managing blood sugar levels through diet is important to any wellness program. We offer suggestions in the Simple Secrets to Better Health.

7.)Mercury hygiene - Many people ask about having their amalgam (silver/mercury) fillings removed. Lowering your mercury or heavy metal toxicity is good, but amalgam fillings may not be your only source of mercury. Remember, the goal is to reduce mercury, so you have a responsiblity after your amalgams have been removed to detoxify your body. Read about it on our mercury hygiene page.