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the advanced students, with mostly minor to no ing (such as difficulty swallowing pills), pain upon opening or closing
malocclusions, had no (0 percent) serious psycho- the jaw (or a history or having the jaw locked open or closed for a period
logical problems, and the majority (74 percent) of time), tension headaches, and chronic neck (and even middle or lower
of these high-performing students demonstrated back) pain. A “noisy” jaw joint—that is, popping, clicking, cracking, or
no mental or emotional issues at all. crepitus (grating sound) is also an indicator of a possible malocclusion
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Finally, knowing that one’s hearing capac- and TMD. (It should be noted, however, that the authors of one journal
ity is closely correlated to intelligence as well as article estimated that from 60-80 percent of the population makes some
closely associated with the proper functioning kind of noise when moving their jaws. Therefore, individuals should only
of the neighboring jaw joint (TMJ), Fonder ad- count this sign as significant when the TMJ noises are especially excessive
ditionally measured the audiometric, or hearing and/or loud.)
acuity, of these two groups. The results were Further, all parents of children with cognitive, behavioral, or other
again striking: Eighty-three percent of the neuropsychiatric symptoms, including ADD (Attention Deficit Syndrome),
remedial group of schoolchildren with serious ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Syndrome), OCD (Obsessive-
psychological problems had a 15-40 percent loss Compulsive Disorder), Tourette’s, Autism and Asperger’s, Down’s Syn-
of their overall hearing acuity. Once again, in drome, should consider having a consultation with a holistic dentist who
contrast, 100 percent of the advanced students is trained in functional orthodontic therapy. This is especially warranted
with ideal occlusions had above average hearing when the child has crowded teeth, a narrow (“V- versus U-shaped”) palate,
acuity. or one or both parents have significant malocclusions.
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Finally, one of the almost “pathognomonic” signs (that is, a sign that
SOME NOTEWORTHY SYMPTOMS is so characteristic of a particular syndrome that on that basis alone a
FOR SELF-DIAGNOSIS positive diagnosis can be made) of a significantly disturbing occlusion, is
Although a definitive diagnosis of a maloc- being unable to find your bite. In fact, the typical response to this query
clusion can only be made by a specially trained during a physical exam is “which bite?” Thus, since these patients don’t
dentist or orthodontist (and a few holistic physi- have a comfortable place to rest their teeth, they search for one of several
cians), there are some significant signs and symp- bite positions, or find an adaptive but unsatisfying place to rest their teeth.
toms that can help individuals decide whether This dysfunctional bite position can also be helpful diagnostically, since
it is likely enough to warrant an appointment. a malocclusion is further confirmed when it is accompanied by various
These include difficulty breathing and related facial grimaces and other signs of disturbance and general disquiet in one’s
insomnia and sleep apnea, difficulty swallow- expression.

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOLISTIC DENTIST
When choosing a dentist it is important to note that in addition to whether or not the dentist uses mercury amalgams
versus less toxic materials, dental consumers can also differentiate between holistic and not-so-holistic dentists through their
choice of various dental restorations. That is, when a cavity needs to be filled it is essential that dentists be conservative
with their drilling and leave the tooth as intact as possible. Thus, the best holistic dentists will avoid crowns—which can
remove up to two-thirds of the tooth—until it is absolutely necessary. For example, when a cavity or hole in the tooth
needs treatment, a regular (non-toxic) filling should be placed. If that is not sufficient, then an inlay should be considered.
However, if decay is significant and the cavity is too big, then a larger onlay is often required. Finally, if these restorations
are not enough, then a crown should be placed—but only as a last resort. Therefore, always consider getting a second
opinion if your dentist doesn’t offer fillings, inlays or onlays, but immediately recommends a crown, which is both more
costly and more damaging to your tooth.
It should also be noted that a further differentiation between conventional and holistic dentists can be made through
how readily they prescribe root canals. In fact, it is imperative that patients try to get a second opinion (from a holistically
oriented dentist or doctor) if they are told they need a root canal. In too many cases, inflamed teeth are irreparably dam-
aged from a root canal procedure, when they could have been easily ameliorated through holistic treatment (homeopathy,
herbs, clearing toxic dental metals in or around the tooth, etc.). Particularly egregious is the practice of prophylactically
performing a root canal procedure before placing a crown, based on the flawed reasoning of preventing future infection
in the tooth. In actuality this simply destroys a vital tooth and virtually ensures some level of chronic bacterial outflow
from this iatrogenically induced (dentist-induced) “dental focal infection.”

FALL 2009 Wise Traditions 23