Mercury-Safe has to do with special care while removing metal fillings when the need arises. During the mercury filling removal process (also known as amalgam fillings), there is a release of mercury gas that can be absorbed by the body through the lungs. That mercury vapor may cause toxicity symptoms, especially in people who have a specific gene type. I have chosen to take special care in removing these silver fillings using a specific protocol.

The mercury filling removal protocol that takes place in our Woodland Hills offices includes a rubber dam, high volume vent and other steps, to reduce the amount of mercury exposure to as close to zero as possible. I do this for my patients sake and also for my staff and myself. Mercury poisoning is a common problem among dentists, and is the cause of many neurological and psychological issues that dentists deal with later in their careers.

Should I Have My Amalgam (Mercury) Fillings Removed If I Plan to Get Pregnant?YES. You should have your fillings removed before becoming pregnant!
According to QuickSilver Scientific, inorganic mercury transfers through breast milk and methyl mercury transfers across the placental barrier. Therefore, only a very mild detoxification that does not mobilize mercury is recommended while breast-feeding or during pregnancy. Blood has been shown to have higher mercury levels in fetuses than the mother. Amalgam fillings should not be tampered with during pregnancy. Again, you should have your fillings removed before becoming pregnant!

Periodontal disease is caused by microbes.

In my experience people are usually told they have gum disease by their hygienist or dentist, without really having it explained in a way that can help them fight the problem on their own. The news is usually followed by a guilt trip about flossing more. But there are a few suggestions that can help people fight and prevent periodontal disease on a much deeper level (excuse the pun).

Gum recession and bleeding is caused by your OWN immune system. Because of the presence of unhealthy or “bad” bacteria, your body reacts. If we kill the bad bacteria and invite good bacteria (similar to gut bacteria that can be good or bad; the reason why people take probiotics) we can solve the problem. Best of all, the solution to preventing periodontal disease doesnít involve a lot of treatment in the dental chair. It is best solved with some easy at-home steps that we’ll suggest you take.
“Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; teach him how to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.”

I have recently decided to tell my patients about using coconut oil in their oral hygiene routine as an adjunct to regular brushing and flossing. The technique is referred to as “oil pulling”, and I do it myself.

There is something called lauric acid in coconut oil which has been shown to kill oral microorganisms (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21333271). Besides the great effect of killing microorganisms, coconut oil helps to break up the biofilm on teeth that bacteria like to attach to.

I generally ask my patients to rinse with coconut oil once a week or before they have a date because in addition to the antimicrobial effects, it also helps to freshen your breath. Note: please do not swallow coconut oil after you have rinsed with it because it will contain saturated fats as well as your mouth bacteria.