My Full Interview with Dr. Usama "Uzi" Kamal

Sherry: What is holistic dentistry?

Dr. Kamal:
Holistic, biological dentistry is the natural, conservative approach to dentistry. It is the philosophy that is concerned with dental materials, dental procedures and treatment options that follows biomimetics and safe practices.

Holistic dentists will treat the whole forest, not just the trees; they are just as much concerned with treating the disease as they are with understanding the underlying conditions.

Considerations for holistic dentistry include safe and healthy biocompatible materials, minimizing tooth/tissue loss during procedures, invading the biological space as least often as possible and prevention of treatment until absolutely necessary.

Although it overlaps a lot with conventional practice, holistic dentistry is dissimilar enough to warrant additional research and education, especially in new technologies and improved treatment options.

Sherry: How does old mercury fillings cause health problems and what do you use instead?

Dr. Kamal:
Amalgam fillings have been around since the 1800's. They are 50% mercury, by weight; an element toxic to most living organisms. Mercury, at room temperature, is liquid. Amalgamated into a metal alloy, it becomes a solid at room temperature, which lacks stability.

Over time, the mercury in fillings will try to revert back to liquid and thus, pressures from acidity in the mouth, temperature changes and friction associated with grinding and clenching will cause elements of the amalgam to be ingested.

In the body, it attaches to fat tissue, as the body was never designed to consume heavy metals. Metal interaction (especially mercury as a conductor) has been researched to show harmful effects on neurological and neuromuscular communication between different systems in the body.

Sherry: I read that most floss is made from plastic. Since I try to avoid plastic as much as possible, what type of floss do you recommend? Can those microplastics get into your bloodstream from the floss?

Dr. Kamal:
Not all floss is made the same; some better than others. Generally, a water flosser (like a Waterpik) serves as an alternative to floss, however, I still like my patients to still floss at least once a week, even if they're using water flossers.

My go-to floss is Cocofloss since it contains a bioactive coconut oil that helps limit the plastics into the sulcular areas.

Sherry: Can you tell a lot about someone's over all health by their oral health?

Dr. Kamal:
Absolutely. The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. There are approximately 200 species of bacteria in the adult's mouth and usually about 4 of them are considered bad.

Some of these bad bacteria can infect other parts of the body, especially when there are joint replacement surgeries in the past or heart valves. The oral biome plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy gut biome.

Additionally, there are meridian lines that connect the teeth to all the organ systems and diseases on either side of the connection can influence the other side.

Another significant relationship is related to infections in the mouth. Many times, in my office, I will take care of an infection in the tooth/jaw and see significant improvements in the rest of the body. Dental infections cost a lot of energy to the body!

Other important relationships include tongue ties and airway restrictions and how they can influence tension in the body but more importantly, mental health, mood and chronic systemic issues such as alzheimers and diabetes.

Finally, inflammation is the root cause of the majority of diseases and the mouth can carry a lot of inflammation.

Sherry: Most people never think about or question the ingredients in their toothpaste. Should they? Can you give some suggestions for non toxic toothpaste?

Dr. Kamal:
The ingredients in anything that can be consumed should be considered. There is a level of toxicity in everything that we consume and although toothpaste isn't designed to be ingested, it can be.

My favorite remineralizing agents are nano-hydroxyapatite and theobromine. Some of the best toothpastes out there that are developed and researched by holistic dentists are Fygg, Dr Jen and Boka.

However, there isn't one perfect option that applies to every patient the same. When we treat our patients, we treat them individually, based on their own independent needs and challenges associated with their dental and overall health.

I like to get to know my patient before recommending a toothpaste that works for them.

Sherry: What is one habit you wish everyone would perform daily?

Dr. Kamal:
If there is ONE recommendation that I would love to climb up on top of a mountain and scream to the universe it is this:

Find an earth-based organic baking soda; saturate a glass of water with said baking soda (about a teaspoon to 8 ounces); rinse for a full minute every night before going to bed.

Make sure it is the last thing that touches your mouth before you go to sleep.

Black Bear Dental

728 5th Ave. W, Hendersonville NC 28739
Monday-Wednesday: 9AM-5PM
Thursday: 8AM-3PM
828-693-8416
front@blackbeardentalnc.com