The Dental Connection Between Mold Illness and Unresolved Symptoms
Last week, we discussed the fact that although the mold and mycotoxins have been addressed in one’s surroundings, some patients fail to improve to the extent that would be expected. When this occurs, digging more deeply and reviewing a thorough history is paramount helping the patient recover. Thus, I have found, especially when treating chronic illness and disease conditions, that including the patient’s dental record and dental issues with their history will help to illuminate underlying reasons for unresolved symptoms.
Teeth and Overall Health
More than a pretty smile, the teeth and gums are areas where health may be augmented or greatly decreased, depending on many factors. Periodontal, or gum disease, and infections have long been associated with heart problems although this rarely makes it into health news headlines in current times. Infections in the oral tissues can be profoundly serious, though, as they are disseminated throughout the body and may lodge in lymphatic tissues. More dramatic are dental infections that could migrate to and begin around an abnormal heart valve. In fact, some patients with heart murmurs are given preventive antibiotics prior to any dental procedures in which gum bleeding and possible infection could occur. Then, there is the more obvious scenario of an abscessed tooth, which is, not only terribly painful, but also a potential cause for a systemic infection requiring quick action on the part of a dentist.
Lesser considered dental issues, however, are teeth which have become sub-clinically infected or compromised and have had root canals or areas where teeth may have been extracted. Root canals have long been a hot subject in environmental and integrative medicine. There are some who feel that root canals should never be done; I think that a careful and considered approach for each patient with proper after care and observation is the best way. Just like in medicine, I don’t believe there is a “one-size-fits-all” approach to dental care, although a few daily routines are salubrious for all.
Root Canals
What is the deal with root canals? Usually done to remove the dead nerve from dental infection from trauma, a broken or cracked tooth, or a deep cavity that may have a failed or leaking filling, the purpose is to remove the dead tissue and save the tooth. Drilling is done through the tooth down into the root(s) to extract the nerve. The area is then sanitized, and a packing material is introduced to fill the canal where the nerve(s) previously resided. In the best-case scenario and especially in those with robust immune systems, this works fine. However, there are those cases in which the area can never be completely sterilized, and various levels of infection remain around the root tip of the tooth. Then, with the action of chewing, this infection is pulsed through the lymphatics. For some patients, this may be completely without dental symptoms—no pain, no swelling, nothing to indicate that there is a problem with the tooth. At times, on sinus x-ray, particularly when the root of an upper tooth intrudes into the sinus, an abscess may be seen. Other times, such a lingering infection is only found on CT scan when further evaluation is done.
Dental Cavitations
An even more controversial dental situation has to do with what are called “cavitations”. These are not cavities in the teeth but are closed over and seemingly healed areas from which a tooth was extracted. There are findings to suggest that some patients develop infections in these areas which can cause myriad symptoms, again, not only dental-related complaints. A thorough dental history should be included indicating which teeth have been extracted, such as wisdom teeth or other pre-orthodontic extractions.
For more research-based, in-depth information about the correlation between dental infections and heart problems, Dr. Thomas E. Levy, a board-certified cardiologist (and an attorney) has written several books. The Toxic Tooth is one of his books that offers a good overview of all that I have mentioned above.
When Dental Infection and Mold Illness Collide
A case I had that was quite interesting involving a dental infection preventing full recovery from mold-triggered illness is as follows:
Pam M was a 60-year-old woman who had been exposed to mold and mycotoxins in both her house in Florida after a major hurricane as well as in her townhome in Georgia. She did extensive and thorough remediation, treated all mold and hormone-induced health problems that ensued, and did much better….for a while. Then, Pam began experiencing extreme fatigue again. The fatigue got so bad; she was almost unable to walk. Reevaluating her home and surroundings showed pristine indoor air quality and no remaining mold problems. But Pam got worse and worse. A repeat of her sinus x-ray, by Dr. Dennis, showed a suspicious cloud. His thorough oral examination that followed found the problem: a root canal on a molar tooth 1 year prior had become horribly infected. Ultimately, the tooth had to be extracted. After the infected tooth was safely removed, Pam’s recovery final began to get back on course again.
Proper Evaluation BEFORE Action
I do not advocate that every root-canaled tooth be removed; however, I do think that they MUST be evaluated by a very knowledgeable oral surgeon in patients who fail to improve from mold and mycotoxins—especially when the environment and other health issues have been addressed. Special types of x-rays and scans can be done, or a bioenergetic exam through an experienced practitioner of this art can be done if access to a qualified oral surgeon is cost prohibitive or inaccessible. These are also preferred methods of detecting cavitations and helping to direct treatment there, if needed.
Periodontal Disease and Chronic Illness
Finally, a word about periodontal disease. Even with the best of home dental hygiene programs, some patients seem to just be more prone to periodontal issues. Partly genetic and impacted by certain medications, the gums can be a source of chronic infection that is another rock in the total body load/immune system bucket. Daily flossing and/or Waterpik usage can decrease the bacteria in the gum line that then causes plaque, a biofilm, that further protects the bacteria and damages the teeth. One may have perfect teeth and yet loose them due to advanced periodontal disease.
Among the many infections that can reside in gum tissue, one to keep in mind is Helicobacter pylori, the same bacteria that can cause gastric ulcers. This is a spirochete bacterium and can bore down into the soft tissue, wreaking havoc on the immune system. A blood test for antibodies to this bacterium may be helpful in evaluating gum disease. Gum tissue is highly dependent on coenzyme Q-10 for ongoing health. Any drug, such as a statin drug for cholesterol which can lower body levels of coenzyme Q-10 should be noted and mitigated by taking extra as a nutritional supplement. If periodontal disease is already present, I recommend taking CO Q-10 orally or in a chewable form, but also rubbed topically on the gums.
Some brands that are particularly good are Citrus Q10 by Douglas Laboratories, or CO Q10 Chewmelt by DaVinci Labs. A liposomal liquid form is made by Empirical Labs. There are also several capsule and tablet forms by multiple companies, and as long as they are third-party certified, then that is fine. High-dose Vitamin C is also highly recommended in the treatment of dental infections. Chewable, powder, capsule, or liquid, they are all helpful and the dose can vary quite a bit. Starting with a minimum of 1000 mg twice daily is a good place to begin. (All of the abovementioned supplements can be found on wellevate.me/susantanner.) Additionally, supporting the immune system helps to prevent and fight any infection. The Micro Balance products Sinus Defense and CellTropin are some of the foundations of this process.
I realize dental cavitations and root canal infections are a big subject and a controversial one among doctors and dentists alike. The take-away, however, is that if you are a patient who is not getting better from mold-related illness, do NOT forget to think about your mouth, your gums, and your teeth. The smoking gun may be right there.
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Im curious what the connection between the mold and dental infection is. Are you saying it’s possible or likely that the mold caused or somehow exacerbated the dental infection? And/or that mold or mycotoxins hung on in those problematic teeth and caused later problems even after remediation and detox?
I have all three of these problems- mycotoxin presence in my system, a previous tooth infection with an abscess into my sinus cavity and a long history of chronic sinusitis. We know the infected tooth exacerbated the sinus infection but what I don’t know is the role mold could have played and may still be playing.
Can mold cause tooth infections or even inhabit dead infected teeth? What if that tooth has had a successful root canal?
Dental issues often compound sinus problems when the root of the infected tooth protrudes up into the sinus cavity. I don’t think that mold, in general, infects teeth primarily, but if fungal sinusitis is present, then the immunity is suppressed in the mucosa, and therefore anything going on in the tooth can be that much worse. Root canals can many times make a situation worse, as during the procedure it is impossible to keep the root sterile and many fall prey to infections after the fact.
RE: article. I find that a hidden area where infections hides is usually in the salivary glands. Many people have reduced salivary fluid, which affects the breakdown of food and allows for overgrowth of microorganisms (thrush/foul breath). Gums and tooth health is compromised with reduced saliva. From there, the infection of the salivary glands colonizes into tooth sockets or root canals, which leads to tooth removal. Many mold-exposed people complain they have “bad teeth.” Getting them removed does not help. The real culprit is still not addressed, which is the salivary glands. Inflammation of the glands reduces fluid, causes stones and create blockages. Removal of glands, which is the normal procedure, is not necessary with endoscopy procedure that Dr. Ryan Osborne of Los Angeles offers. The teeth are not the issue, addressing further up the chain is my suggestion.
My son has been having an issue where it is difficult to swallow & has been unable to eat solid foods for several months now. He has been to Dr.s they had said Gerd,or acid reflux but he has followed their suggestions no change. I had thought it might be mold related because of the numbness in extremities& other symptoms. We had found mold in his room. He also showed low oxygen in his blood & is scheduled for a sleep study. He has lost tons of weight just living on milkshakes. I was curious if mold could cause the throat issues. I am quite worried & the Dr.s have no clue.
You could do mycotoxin testing on his room and a urine mycotoxin test. The urine tests are available through Great Plains and Real Time Labs. Those would be good comparative diagnostics. If he has high mycotoxins in his room and high levels in his body, the chances are very good that his issues are mold-related and that he needs to be treated for mild toxicity.
Re: article about dental connection and mold illness. I have been suffering with mold illness for many years and have done my best to remediate, but I still am very weak, especially on damp days. I have at least one tooth with major gum inflammation and also have 2 different metals in my mouth. I am 82 years old and not in good health, so I am hesitating to have several teeth pulled. I’m sure my health would improve if action were taken, but not sure how to get strong enough to have the work done. Thanks for the article. Liz
Dear Liz,
Dental issues, both the infection and the opposing metals, can cause problems for sure. It is hard to know, however, if this is what is impeding your inablity to recover from the mold illness. If you can look at IAOMT website, there is a listing of dental members and you may find one in your area to assess your dental situation and hopefully propose treatment that is not overly invasive.
My best to you,
Susan Tanner