Since I started this website, I have spoken about many different topics which can possibly lead to the development of a thyroid condition. But poor dental hygiene? This is going a little bit overboard, right? Well, I admittedly never thought that poor dental hygiene can affect thyroid health, but after reading a section in Dr. James Wilson’s awesome book “Adrenal Fatigue”, it made me realize that even poor dental hygiene can in fact lead to a thyroid condition.
In his book, Dr. Wilson claims that “unresolved dental problems are common but often unrecognized sources of stress and adrenal fatigue”. He also mentions how mercury amalgams are “a toxin to the adrenal glands”. So while such problems might not directly impact the thyroid gland, if you’ve read some of my previous posts and articles, I frequently talk about how the underlying cause of many thyroid conditions are weak adrenal glands. I also have mentioned that if weakened adrenal glands aren’t addressed, then natural thyroid treatment methods won’t be effective.
So while I think it can be argued that poor dental hygiene and mercury amalgams are not the primary cause of most adrenal problems, it does remind us that we need to take our total health into consideration. I frequently talk about the different factors of health, including eating well, obtaining sufficient sleep, exercising regulary, doing a good job of managing stress, minimizing your exposure to environmental toxins, etc. But even if someone does a great job of taking care of their health in these areas, but neglects their dental health, then it is possible that this can lead to health issues, including thyroid disorders.
Even before I read Dr. Wilson’s book, I had read other sources which spoke about the dangers of mercury amalgams. Research done by Dr. Weston Prices shows that there are risks involving root canals and other studies show that there are risks with getting dental extractions as well. I’m not suggesting that you should never receive a root canal or tooth extraction, but once again, the goal is to make you more aware of your overall health, and show you how these issues might lead to the development of certain conditions.
If you want some proof of how dental problems can lead to certain conditions, Dr. Wilson actually gives some examples in his book. One example involved a man who had brain fog, low energy, and memory problems, but according to Dr. Wilson, “after having his cracked teeth removed, gum disease treated, and his silver fillings removed, his foggy thinking cleared, his memory improved, and his energy was back to what it had been 20 years ago”.
He also gave another example involving a woman who was in her mid 40’s and had suffered from adrenal fatigue and migraines for 20 years. But after an infection at the site of a tooth extraction she had many years earlier was addressed, both her adrenal fatigue and migraines disappeared. So these are just two examples of how resolving dental issues can improve your overall health.
By the way, if you haven’t yet read Dr. Wilson’s Book “Adrenal Fatigue”, you really should, as it provides a lot of great information that can help restore your thyroid health back to normal. Just as he talks about poor dental hygiene and mercury amalgams and how these issues can lead to adrenal problems, he also talks about many other conditions which can lead to weakened adrenal glands, which in turn can cause or contribute to a thyroid condition. So get yourself a copy and I promise you’ll learn a ton of great information.
Dr. Eric,
I forgot to tell you that I had all my silver fillings removed and get two dental check ups once a year.
Mike
Dr. Eric,
I forgot to tell you that I had all my silver fillings removed and get two dental check ups once a year.
Mike
That’s great Mike! I make sure I get my regular dental check ups as well.
I know that root canals can cause problems with your health. What are other options to root canals or tooth extractions? Unfortuneatly, I have had my fair share of cavaties as a kid. Now those teeth with big fillings either need crowns, root canals, etc. What is the best approach to dental care which will be beneficial to ones’ overall health?
Hi Denise,
I’m not completely opposed to root canals, but they definitely can cause some health issues. Since I’m not a dentist I probably should advise you or anyone else who needs one or more root canals or any other extensive work to speak with a biological dentist. You might need to drive a few hours if there’s not one in your immediate area, but in my opinion it’s worth the drive. My wife and I are actually searching for another biological dentist within a few hours drive of Charlotte NC, as the closest one to us (1 1/2 hours away) retired last year. Just keep in mind that some dentists will label themselves as “holistic” dentists, but aren’t really different from any other dentist. I actually saw a so-called “holistic” dentist a few years back and the only thing holistic about him was that his ads would include the words “holistic” in them. So you definitely need to be careful.
Hi Dr. Eric,
I can tell you from many years’ experience that mercury fillings, metals i.e. nickel, and cavitations in the mouth can cause many health issues, including CFS (which is very like Adrenal Fatigue) and thyroid problems. If your readers will check out the Tooth to Organ Chart that Dr. Rau (Switzerland) has on his site, you will be amazed!!!
FYI, there is new technology for root canals now. It is called PIPS root canal and it utilizes laser and ozonated water. I had all my root canaled teeth extracted in past years as they had failed and made me very ill. I am now going to be my dentist’s first patient for a PIPS r/c. I will keep you apprised of the success of it. It is my last resort as I have a necrotic tooth attached to a dental bridge.
I really appreciate the knowledge you are sharing with us.
Sincerely,
Jan
The best (and most frightening) book I’ve read on the subject is:
Root Canal Cover-Up by George E. Meinig. This is not “old wives tales” — it is true and of huge concern for anyone who has cavities, fillings, root canals, etc. I found out about this when my old fillings had expanded and cracked my teeth — resulting in the need for either root canals or extractions. Although this post is speaking about CFS, Thyroid, etc…the book talks about the trapped bacteria leading to serious heart problems.
Look for a biological dentist. I go to a great one in Cincinnati, OH. And, yes — I would drive a few hours to find a good one.
I had a different dentist try to tell me he was “holistic” — but he used amalgam fillings — which he swore didn’t have mercury in them… ha! That’s when I decided my healthcare providers, including dentists, had darn well better know how their treatments impact the human body.
Sincerely,
Pam
Pam, can I ask the name of your dentist in Cincinnati? How did do your search? (Was there a specific directory search or did you conduct cold calls with specific qualifying questions?
Pam,
Who do you see in Cincinnati? Biological dentist?
Also are you aware of Amy natural endocrine docs in the area?
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on thyroid health.
Regards
Corticosteroids, especially with quinolone antibiotics months or even years apart
damage teeth, jaws & connective tissues amongst other things.
Corticosteroids can & often do spike and then destabilize thyroid levels for years after they are prescribed and/ or administered. This is especially true for those who rely on thyroid replacement medications.
Dry mouth with catabolic metabolism, bone loss and other problems like GERD,
osteoporosis, acidity, vomiting, liver and kidney problems are very common with
corticosteroid use even very short-term.
Why are corticosteroids advertised as these wonder fix-all drugs when they do so much long-term damage?
Jaw bone necroses are very common long-term,
yet you never hear about these problems until they already exist and start looking for answers then find others who are facing the same problems.
The literature is grossly misleading for this class of drugs which seem to have been grandfathered
into the medical system and there is still literature used for these drugs that make it appear to cure or successfully treat just about anything.
These drugs should have more research done as especially when used with floroquinolone antibiotics even with years inbetween treatment, often damage connective tissue, bones, endocrine and other organs.
Those with a history of thyroid disease should avoid these drugs completely!
Those who have had thyroid ablation often find themselves with artificially
enhanced thyroid levels which can change rapidly from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroid states
alternating with a tendency towards hyperthyroid states for many years.
The resulting instability of thyroid levels take close monitoring and adjustments,
yet when levels are too high or low damage other tissues, tax organs and is simply dangerous.
Clearly the literature is out of date, as this has been known for over 20 years.
Some damages have been known for over 50 years, thus there is no excuse to not update the literature except laziness and profiting on creating long-term chronic illness patients often in very short periods of time.
Often even a single or a few days of therapeutic level doses can cause a lifetime of disability and need for other medications.
We used to suggest small doses of ephedra tea (the plant- NOT the drug) for corticosteroid-induced thyrotoxicosis or instability.
Sadly due to misuse and abuse this tea is no longer available.
Poison control centers and pharmacies have nothing to offer to reverse or slow down damaging effects of corticosteroids and these are used ironically in pastes used by endodontists in root canal procedures.
Do you have any suggestions for stabilizing persons who have unstable thyroid levels, especially those who are hyperthyroid and have rapidly changing thyroid levels after corticosteroid administration?
Many of these persons also need help with inflammatory and autoimmune issues,
some of the very issues some literature states corticosteroids treat!
Texts and training updates are clearly needed.
Many grandfathered drugs are useful,
yet few (if any) are the “wonder drugs” corticosteroids are made out to be.
There are a few uses for corticosteroids, when used properly,can save lives (for instance rapid lung development in early-delivery babies,such as used in toxemic mothers), however even these babies when grown up, often have hormonal imbalances by puberty, so clearly new medications need to be developed that are safer and more effective and with fewer side effects focusing on the causes of the challenges faced.
Thank you in advance for your response!
Hi Carol,
The goal of stabilizing the condition is to address the autoimmune component. This of course is assuming you have Graves’ Disease, and not a different type of hyperthyroidism. You mentioned inflammation, and this ties into the autoimmune response. As for tests, I typically start someone off with saliva testing and a hair mineral analysis. Factors such as weak adrenals, intestinal permeability, and toxins can play a big role in autoimmunity. So essentially the goal is to find out what’s triggering the autoimmune response, remove the trigger, and then address any compromised areas of the body. Doing this will help someone achieve stability, although it obviously takes time to accomplish this.