Dental herbalism : natural therapies for the mouth

389 Pages·2014·3.51 MB·English

by  Alexander

DENTAL HERBALISM
“The authors have provided an excellent overview of oral conditions and
relevant discussion of anatomy through this well-thought-out text. They
also further provide non-pharmaceutical methods to prevent oral disease
that complement traditional, well-accepted approaches for maintaining oral
health. I commend both authors and would encourage the layperson and
clinicians alike to read this text.”
MICHAEL T. KOLODYCHAK, MPH, DMD, ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON
“The accessible and detailed information in Dental Herbalism is required
reading. Whether you want to do it yourself or simply be more
knowledgeable about how to support what your dentist is doing, you’ll find
it here. A great book.”
SUSUN WEED, AUTHOR OF THE WISE WOMAN HERBAL SERIES
“Dental Herbalism takes holistic herbalism to a new level, applying it to the
realm of oral hygiene. This book will make an invaluable contribution to
integrative herbal medicine and a resource for all types of health
practitioners.”
MARY BOVE, ND, AUTHOR OF AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NATURAL HEALING FOR
INFANTS AND CHILDREN
“Dental Herbalism empowers personal responsibility for dental health. It is
rich with lifestyle and hygiene tips and reliable herbal references. For health
professionals it offers a clinical depth that will serve as a resource for
clinical herbalists and dental professionals alike.”
MIMI PRUNELLA HERNANDEZ, MS, RH(AHG),EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
AMERICAN HERBALISTS GUILD
“An essential guide to natural oral health, Dental Herbalism is full of useful
advice—herbal and otherwise. I had never truly understood how important
a healthy mouth and teeth were for health and well-being.”
ANDREW CHEVALLIER, FNIMH, MCPP, HERBAL PRACTITIONER AND AUTHOR OF
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBAL MEDICINE
“I fully endorse Dental Herbalism: Natural Therapies for the Mouth.”
REZA NASSIRI, DSC, FACCP, PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY AND
ASSOCIATE DEAN OF GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, MICHIGAN STATE
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
“Dental Herbalism is an easy-to-read guide on oral health and herbal
medicinals and is a must read for both patients and dental professionals.”
MICHELLE HURLBUTT, RDH, MSDH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF DENTAL
HYGIENE, LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
“This is an extremely informative, reader-friendly resource of natural
remedies for the dental professional and their patients.”
LISA E. STILLMAN, RDH, BS, FOUNDER OF DENTAL VOICE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
“Written in a comprehensive style that allows for effortless integration into
today’s practice of dentistry. Kudos to the authors for a job well done!”
BETSY REYNOLDS, RDH, MS, ORAL BIOLOGY EDUCATOR
“Dental Herbalism carves a unique place in the terrain of medical
herbalism. It is thorough, drawing upon the expertise of senior practitioners
alongside contemporary research. It is my go-to reference for dental care.”
WILLIAM MORRIS, PHD, DAOM, LAC, COAUTHOR OF LI SHI-ZHEN PULSE STUDIES
“Dental Herbalism presents us with valuable insight into a topic that has
previously been allotted only a page or two in most herbals. It offers a truly
holistic perspective of dental wellness that’s sure to enrich both herbalists
and dental professionals alike.”
JIM MCDONALD, HERBALIST AND TEACHER
“The in-depth knowledge and the practical approach to herbal oral care
contained between the covers of this book will change the way you look at
and deal with your mouth and teeth.”
VATSALA SPERLING, PHD, PDHOM, RSHOM(NA), CCH
“A rich and dynamic handbook to support everyday dental care for the
layperson, it also offers intricate answers to complex questions for
practitioners.”
EMILY RUFF, HERBALIST AND DIRECTOR OF FLORIDA SCHOOL OF HOLISTIC
LIVING
In honor of my mum, Carol Alexander, who continues to teach me about
nourishing traditions . . . and in memory of my father, Jay Alexander, with whom
I shared my first walk in a wood.
LESLIE
To Mason, the ray of sunshine that warms my heart. Thank you for being my
infinite light.
LINDA (MOM)
As the authors of Dental Herbalism: Natural Therapies for the Mouth, we take full
responsibility for the educational information we provide our readers. We are not physicians.
None of the information presented here is intended to replace professional medical care or
provide diagnoses. We implore our readers to utilize, integrate, and assimilate the
information provided herein in ways that support their own health and well-being.
If you read no further than this claim and take away nothing else from our work, then let it
be this: it is indeed time to reclaim the health of our mouths. How this is accomplished is up
to each one of us; here we offer but a few suggestions.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many a person, knowingly or otherwise, has helped to shape this, our first book,
and to each of you we extend our heartfelt thanks.
There have been questions, answers, discussions, rants, laughter, and help at
each and every turn along the way. We have talked about extractions and
distractions, food and drink, thoughts and feelings, and practical herbal choices.
In particular, for their many and varied contributions to our work, we would like
to thank Kim Alexander, Claudia Anders, Lois Barber, Hilary Benjamin, Mason
Paul Bruce, Debb Burtnett, Michael Connett, Renee D’Amico, Tereasa Dickson,
Annette Eccles, Memory Elvin-Lewis, Fatemeh Ezoddini-Ardakani, Jo Feterle,
Robert Glassgow, Adam Hammerlee, Sarah Hurt, Bashka Jacobs, Julie James,
Katrinka Morgan, Will Morris, Valerie Nemenz, Lori Perry, Ethan Russo, Karen
Spuck, Ariana Staruck, Bill Straub, Alan Tillitson, Randall Valentine, Michelle
Vitali, and David Winston.
For prompt assistance with library materials and library access we are grateful
to Jane Beach (director, Cooperstown Public Library), Cynthia Burton (reference
librarian, Allegheny College), Tara Kanoti (librarian, Herb Society of America),
Debbie Oaks (librarian, Franklin Public Library), Stuart Rodes (manager,
Sherman Cohn Library, Maryland University of Integrative Health), and The
American Botanical Council for their research assistance.
For giving comments on the manuscript and suggesting ways to revise and
improve our work we’d like to thank Carol Alexander, Mary Bove, Bill
Hammerlee, Sonja Hunt, Richard Mandelbaum, and Leslie Williams. Each of
you contributed to our book in too many ways to detail here.
We thank Leslie, Bill, KP, and Richard for their time, attention, and eagerness
to write forewords to Dental Herbalism, helping us forge more links between
our respective professions.
Our efforts were emboldened by the contributions of Ashley Laufer, our
illustrator, who hopes to focus her work on medical/scientific illustration
([email protected]). We are grateful for her images that help to
embellish and shape our work. Of course, thanks to everyone at Inner
Traditions/Healing Arts Press, most especially Laura Schlivek, Margaret Jones,
Janet Jesso, Jon Graham, Kelly Bowen, and Jeanie Levitan, without whose
interest and help this work would never have reached your hands.
As we discovered the enormity of our project we were buoyed by teachers,
friends, family, colleagues, and strangers who responded to our queries with a
joyful willingness to share information and ideas, to celebrate our successes, and
to laugh (with us) at our mistakes. Each of you enhanced our journey, and we are
in your debt.
Last and certainly not least, without the plants themselves there would be no
Dental Herbalism. We honor these allies and our teachers, past and present.
As with any work such as this one there will be errors. These are ours and no
one else’s. We trust that we will be able to rectify these in future endeavors; do
let us know.
CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
EPIGRAPH
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
FOREWORD by M. Leslie Williams, RH(AHG), M Ed
FOREWORD by William D. Hammerlee, DMD, FAGD
FOREWORD by K. P. Singh Khalsa, RH(AHG), DN-C
FOREWORD by Richard Mandelbaum, RH(AHG)
INTRODUCTION
REFERENCES
PART I: THE LAY OF THE LAND
CHAPTER 1: IT ALL BEGINS IN THE MOUTH
INFLAMMATION
MEASURES OF INFLAMMATION
DIGESTIVE HEALTH
THE MOUTH, DISEASE, AND ILLNESS
AN HERBAL NICHE
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 2: THE MOUTH AND WHAT’S INSIDE IT
LET’S START WITH OUR TEETH
PARTS OF A TOOTH
SUPPORTING STRUCTURES OF THE MOUTH
SINUSES
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 3: EVERYDAY CARE FOR A HEALTHY MOUTH
HEALTH AND HYGIENE BASICS
BRUSHING
TONGUE SCRAPING
FLOSSING
RINSING
TOOTHPASTE AND TOOTH POWDER
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 4: MONITORING ORAL WELL-BEING
KEEPING NOTES
WHAT’S WORTH RECORDING ABOUT OUR ORAL HEALTH?
TAKING A LOOK INSIDE THE MOUTH
THE SYMPTOM CHECKLIST
CHAPTER 5: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DENTAL AND
HERBAL TEAM
A TRIP TO THE DENTIST
THE DENTIST
OTHER DENTAL PROFESSIONALS
VENUES
FINANCING
HERBALISTS
REFERENCES
PART II: FROM INFANCY TO OLD AGE: THE MOUTH THROUGH
A LIFETIME
CHAPTER 6: PREGNANCY, INFANTS, AND TODDLERS
DURING PREGNANCY
NEWBORN
TEETHING
MICROBIAL TRANSMISSION FROM CAREGIVER TO INFANT
THRUSH
SUCKING THUMBS, FINGERS, AND PACIFIERS
BABY BOTTLE DECAY
TOOTH DISCOLORATION
GROWING UP WITH HEALTHY TEETH
TODDLER SNACKING
THE FIRST DENTAL VISIT
REFERENCES
CHAPTER 7: TOOTH DECAY
GETTING DOWN TO BASICS: WHAT IS DECAY?