top of page

Are Dental Infections Behind Your Symptoms?- written by Shaun Moran

Shaun Moran

Gut health, the HPA axis, chemicals, and stress are all terms that frequently surface in the world of functional and integrative medicine – and for good reason. Achieving equilibrium in these areas is crucial for supporting optimal digestion, maintaining healthy hormone levels, and producing ATP at the cellular level.


However, one region of the body that often times flies under the radar is the one assisting you to read this right now – your skull. Or more specifically, your brain. Joining your brain in your skull is your jaw, oral microbiome and sinus cavities. It is these three areas specifically which will be the focus of this discussion.


You may be asking why? What could these areas have to do with chronic illness?


Aside from the sample of possible root causes of fatigue initially flagged above, chronic infections form a category of their own. For today's purpose, chronic infections in the mouth and sinuses can be responsible for straining the immune system and activating the cell danger response, culminating in a reduction in energy amongst other pervasive symptoms.


Sinus infections/colonisations:


MARCoNS


One common yet often overlooked sinus issue is Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci, also referred to as MARCoNS. This bacterial colonisation of the sinus cavity is commonly associated with Lyme disease and mold illness. These forms of staph release inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream, driving systemic inflammation. What makes MARCoNS particularly problematic is its resistance to conventional antibiotics, making it harder to treat effectively.


Unlike acute sinus infections, the symptoms of MARCoNS include severe fatigue, aches and pains, and brain fog.


A nasal swab culture can help detect the presence of MARCoNS, but a positive swab for staph does not necessarily indicate a positive MARCoNS result. For a diagnosis, the bacteria must be resistant to at least two types of antibiotics.


Treatment involves the use of biofilm-reducing substances in addition to either conventional or natural antimicrobials.


Fungal


Sinus infections can also be fungal in nature and can be diagnosed using a fungal nasal swab culture. Once more, biofilm disruptors and anti-fungal agents can assist in eliminating these types of infections.


As is the case with the gut microbiome, ensuring one's sinus microbiome is in balance and inoculated with healthy flora is one of the most important ways of guaranteeing long-term sinus wellness.






Dental infections/toxicities:


Another often-overlooked category of infections are dental infections, which can also contribute to chronic illness and fatigue.


Tooth infections


Tooth infections, if left unrecognised, can persist for years without causing acute pain, placing an added burden on the immune system.


Gum disease


A common disease widely known as gingivitis can tax the immune system and drain one's energy reserves. Signs of gingivitis can include bleeding gums when brushing or flossing teeth. While beyond the scope of this article, gingivitis has also been implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.


Silver fillings


These types of fillings consist of inorganic mercury and have been shown to slowly release mercury over time, leading to its absorption by the body. Controversy remains in some circles where debate exists over the extent of mercury exposure from silver fillings, although many of those in the integrative medicine community would recommend caution and champion their removal in a safe and responsible manner.


Root canals


A widespread procedure in conventional dentistry, root canals are designed to remove bacteria from the infected root canal, which prevents additional infection. Root canals can be helpful in preserving teeth and taking away the pain the patient had prior to the procedure. They can also provide a fertile environment for bacteria, fungi and other pathogens to thrive over time and, potentially leaking into the mouth and bloodstream, further stressing the immune system. In some cases, it may be wiser to extract the tooth and remove the source of infection which resided in the tooth, and instead replace it eventually with an implant. Consulting with a biological dentist can help you decide whether a root canal or extraction is the best course of action.


Cavitations


Another source of infection in the mouth are bone infections, otherwise known as cavitations. These can occur when a tooth, especially a wisdom tooth, is extracted but not properly cleaned. These infections can lead to chronic inflammation, toxin exposure, and other systemic health issues. Cavitations may not cause pain, making them harder to identify, although they and other infections stemming from ineffective root canals can be diagnosed through a cone beam CT scan, which can be found in certain dental offices. In simple terms, unlike traditional 2D x-rays, cone beam scans provide a 3D image that can identify hidden lesions or infections. It is unlikely that a traditional dentist's office will have access to a cone beam machine. They are expensive and the scans require specific training to interpret them. As a result, it is again crucial to consider finding a biological dentist in your area who has access to this technology if this is a path you choose to consider.


Biological dentistry places a strong emphasis on the connection between the mouth and its interactions with the whole body. It also looks at the role of nutrition and its impact on the gut and oral microbiome, reducing overall inflammation, and alternatives to invasive surgeries and toxic products such as mercury. With this in mind, it is essential to find a dentist who appreciates an integrative approach to dentistry to ensure that potential dental infections or toxicity are suitably diagnosed and importantly redressed if required.


Summing up


Disruptions in the sinuses and mouth often go unnoticed, yet they can significantly impact overall health. For those dealing with chronic fatigue or other persistent symptoms, investigating these areas could be a key step toward identifying underlying root causes and supporting recovery.



16 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Bình luận


bottom of page