Probiotics in Dentistry
D
ental antibiotics are vital in treating infections that your body cannot cope with. While there are a number of herbal and natural antibiotics, when it comes to an acute, lifethreatening dental infection, it is necessary to take conventional antibiotics. Death from tooth infections were common in the pre-antibiotic era. Even today, people die from untreated tooth infections. Dr. Alex Shvartsman Unfortunately, dental antibiotics are broad-spectrum antibiotics, 631-361-3577 which kill not only the bad, but SmithtownSmiles.com the good, symbiotic bacteria that are vital for our health. Probiotics can help to re-establish your good bacterial gut flora and reduce diarrhea and opportunistic yeast infections when taking antibiotics. Eating foods rich in natural probiotics (live cultures), such as yogurt and unpasteurized fermented vegetables, is a good eating habit. All traditional cultures consume fermented foods. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms found everywhere on Earth—in water, soil, plants and in most parts of your body. In fact, bacteria outnumber the actual cells in your body by about 10 to 1. Your skin and digestive system alone host about 2,000 different kinds of bacteria. Symbiotic gut bacteria play a critical role in nutrition and your immune system. Without them, your body would not be able to absorb vital nutrients or carry out its regular maintenance functions. It is estimated that 80 percent of your immune function resides in the wall of the intestines. It also secretes an antibody that fights infection. Your immune system is critically dependent upon good bacteria (probiotics) to keep the bowel wall healthy, to produce B vitamins, folate and vitamin K, break down your food, reduce food allergies, and fight off yeast and other opportunistic invaders of the gut. They also nourish cells on your intestine by converting unabsorbed sugars into specific types of fatty acids that your cells use for energy. In addition, the probiotic micro flora (symbiotic bacteria) produce enzymes and proteins that can kill or inhibit harmful bacteria. By crowding out the “bad” bacteria, natural gut bacteria give them no space to grab onto.
By definition, probiotics are living organisms. To make sure that the organisms in a product are still useful, look for probiotic products that are viable “through end of shelf life” rather than “at time of manufacture.” It is important to make sure that the label on probiotic foods and supplements indicate that they contain “live active culture.” Most probiotics will include the two major strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. However, the best probiotic supplements contain a wide variety of bacterial strains, since different bacteria live in different areas of the digestive and intestinal tract. When taking antibiotics, I recommend doubling the dose during and two weeks after antibiotic use. Then continuing for at least three months, as it takes time for the gut micro flora to change. I also advise supplementing with fermented foods at least on a biweekly basis. By helping maintain a natural balance in the body, antibiotics can be taken in necessary circumstances. Probiotics play a vital role in that effort.
Long Island Center for
Healthier Dentistry
Bisphenol A and Mercury-Free Fillings
Long Island’s ONLY
IAOMT Accredited Dentist
• Metal-Free CEREC Single Visit Crowns • Minimally Invasive and Tooth Conserving • Laser-Assisted Fillings and Gum Treatments • Invisalign: Metal-Free • Drill-Free Fillings: ICON Orthodontics • 98% Less Radiation • Cadmium-Free Dentures Digital X-rays • 3-D Digital Cone Beam X-rays • Biocompatibility Testing • Heavy Metal Testing • Biomimetic Dentistry • Environmentally Friendly Office and Detox • Zirconia Metal-Free Dental Implants $100 SAVINGS • Safer Computer-Guided toward exam and x-rays Implant Placement Mention Natural Awakenings
Dr. Alex Shvartsman 2600 East Main Street, Suite 109 Smithtown, NY 11787
631-361-3577
SmithtownSmiles.com natural awakenings
November 2013
9