Message from the President — Chester Yozwick, N.D., P.M.D. Ph.D.
How to Have a Healthy Mouth

Periodontal disease causes 70% of all adult tooth loss. Only 30% of tooth loss is due to decay. Nearly 90% of people over 30 years of age have some form of periodontal disease. Approximately 30 million Americans have lost all of their natural teeth! Often periodontal surgery must be redone in five to ten years, and there is no evidence to show that there is any difference in tooth longevity whether or not surgery is done.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is inflammation or degeneration of the tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth, the bone the teeth are set in, the supporting ligaments and the tissue that connects these structures. The most common and often initial form of periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis which can be acute (short-lived episodes), chronic (ongoing) or recurrent. Untreated gingivitis proceeds further with increasing inflammation and involvement of more tissues, such as the membranes around the bases of the teeth and possible erosion of the underlying bone. This is then called periodontitis and is the major cause of bone and tooth loss in adults.

What are the symptoms?

People who may be suffering with this disease will experience red and inflamed gum tissue that bleeds easily when exposed to very minimal injury, such as with flossing or brushing the teeth, or eating hard foods such as a raw apple.

Why does it occur?

The occurrence of gum disease ranks high in individuals with poor oral hygiene. Poor habits of oral brushing and flossing translates into a characteristic buildup of bacterial plaque or sticky deposits made up of mucous and microorganisms that grow and adhere to carbohydrate residues left on the teeth due to insufficient cleaning habits. These residues are increased during pregnancy and puberty which may be secondary to hormonal factors or due to increased physiologic needs for folic acid and B-vitamins during these periods.

My personal experience

I have been struggling with periodontal disease since 1974. I have lost some teeth over the years and have had cosmetic dental work, in addition to periodontal surgery. Approximately seven years after the surgery, my dentist recommended periodontal surgery again. Being a practicing orthomolecular nutritionist, I knew what my nutritional support system should consist of. I was taking daily: 500 mcg of folic acid orally, 1-3 grams of Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, 25,000 i.u. of Vitamin A, 1,500 mg of calcium, Vitamin B-complex, beta-carotene, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, and co-enzyme Q-10. Still, I was developing ulcerated pockets in my back teeth. So, surgery was again recommended.

After a very agonizing experience with the periodontitis, I decided not to attempt the surgery. I knew there had to be an alternative somewhere out there to save my teeth and put an end to the discomfort.

An amazing revelation

One day as I was sitting in my office meditating, a magazine came in the mail. As I was perusing it, I saw an ad with a picture of a happy tooth. The ad read: “AVOID GUM SURGERY!” I called the toll-free number for information and the news was very promising. The product I inquired about is called the Vitapick by Albright. It is an applicator designed to deliver natural antiseptics that kill bacteria at the base of deep gum pockets. So, instead of gum surgery which removes these pockets without any guarantees, the Vitapick heals the pockets. It kills the bacteria that inhibits the pockets and that eventually destroys the bone that holds the teeth. It is better to have a health pocket (one that has been healed) than to have it removed and have the root of the tooth exposed and vulnerable to cavities and decay.

A home oral health care system that works

I have been using Vitapick now for approximately four years and my last dental check up revealed my gums and teeth to be in a stable condition, free of periodontal infection.

I have developed a seven-step home oral health care system for the prevention and self-treatment of periodontal disease. The system is as follows:

1. First, I rinse thoroughly with plain warm water. This helps remove alot of the food from the mouth.
2. Then I use a proxy brush (cylindrical, not tapered, by Butler). This is used to clean any spaces in between the teeth.
3. The third step is to floss in between the teeth and underneath any bridge work. I use a fine unwaxed dental floss and a floss threader to clean underneath bridge work.
4. Now comes the fourth step, when the Vitapick is to be used to clean any pockets around the tooth. You should ask your dentist to give you a chart to show where any existing pockets are located. I use the Vitapick every other day. However, all of the other six steps are done every day. I use colloidal silver in the Vitapick to kill bacteria. Colloidal silver can be purchased in a health food store.
5. Then on the fifth step I use a plastic instrument known as the monoject, which your dentist would be able to provide for you. If not, use a waterpick. Either of these instruments is used to rinse in between the teeth with a solution of 50% salt water and 50% hydrogen peroxide.
6. Now it is time to brush with toothpaste. I use Tomıs Natural Toothpaste that can be purchased from any health food store. When brushing, it is important to be sure to brush behind the back teeth. This is an area where much plaque accumulates.
7. On the seventh and final step, I rinse with a mouthwash like Listerine and that completes the program.

It is best to carry out the aforementioned steps after you have finished eating for the day. I mean after the last morsel of food is consumed. In addition, you should always floss and brush after every meal.

One final note: information on the Vitapick can be obtained by calling Albrite Inc. at 800-533-1821. At this writing, the instrument is less than $30.00.

There will be no tooth under my pillow tonight!