Remembering Dr. Hal Huggins, the Grand Father of Holistic Dentistry

Known as the “Elder Statesman” of Holistic Dentistry and the “Grand Father” of anything related to toxic dental materials, Dr. Hal Huggins passed away comfortably in his own home in Colorado Springs, Colorado November 29, 2014 at the age of 77. Dr. Huggins was highly respected in the field of biological dentistry.

A Truly Passionate Holistic Dentist

He had a devout passion for researching and studying the effects of modern dentistry techniques used in the mouth including amalgam fillings, dental implants, root canals, and others. He played an instrumental role in the development of holistic dentistry as a field of study within dentistry.

He has lectured in almost every state of the U.S. and 16 foreign countries. He authored and co-authored several books, published 50 scholarly articles, and was featured on many radio and television stations.

He even established his own protocol known as Huggins Protocol, which is a safety protocol specifically designed for holistic dentists to follow in the safe removal of amalgam fillings and other holistic practices.

His latest addition was the creation of the Dental DNA laboratory to further aid in studying bacterial, viral, and fungal microbes that can be found in the dental work contained within our mouths – root canals, cavity fillings, and implants.

Dr. David Villarreal’s Mentor

Dr. David Villarreal worked closely with Dr. Huggins – changing the way he looked at and practiced dentistry. It was Dr. Huggins who ignited Dr. Villarreal’s fire on the path to holistic dentistry, which incorporates a vastly different approach to dentistry.

  

Holistic dentistry looks beyond the mouth factoring in the mind, body, and spirit to achieve a level of oral health greater than what can be offered through traditional dentistry means. Holistic dentists avoid the use of amalgam to fill cavities, as well as the use of any other toxic materials that are questionable such as fluoride.

His Legacy Remains

His work, findings, and research will not be forgotten as it has paved the way for holistic dentistry as a legitimate field of study – setting high standards that must be followed in order to achieve the highest form of oral health,  incorporating the mind, body, and spirit.

Simple Holistic Cold Sore Remedy that Works at Home!

If you browse the Internet, you’ll come up with a list of 3, 5, or 7 ways to treat and/or cure a cold sore. The fact of the matter is that most of us have probably experienced a cold sore at least once in our lifetime. Cold sores are also referred to as fever blisters, mouth herpes, or herpes labialis.

Cold sores are triggered by several different outside influences such as the common cold or flu and fever, stress, a weakened immune system, lack of sleep and trauma to the skin. Because most of these triggers are more prevalent in the winter, this is when cold sores are more common. 

Some people have the virus, but do not experience symptoms. Why is this? It depends on your immune system. Some people’s immune systems are able to completely suppress the virus’ symptoms. 

The Holistic Remedy – A Simple Solution to Cold Sores

Dr. David Villarreal shares his personal holistic cold sore remedy that can be made completely at home that has brought much needed relief to his patients – so much that he wants to share it with everyone searching for an answer. So without further ado, here it is.

A specific type of herpes virus known as Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV1) causes cold sores. Unfortunately, this virus can transfer easily through saliva, infected fluids, or contact with the infected blister so try to limit exposure to your friends and family if you do not want them to suffer.

We hope you find extraordinary relief at home using our very own holistic cold sore remedy!

Holistic Dental Advice to Live By this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost here – trust us, we already have our eating shoes on. The pies, the slow-cooked turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauces… we’re ready to indulge. Of course, let’s not forget the football and time off from work. However, as a holistic dentist I wanted to have you enter your Thanksgiving vacation with a few bits of helpful advice regarding all of the food as our office will be closed in case an emergency arises.

Meal Consumption

A very large majority of us can really pack down the food on Thanksgiving. Some of us even skip lunch to prepare for the barrage of food. We know it’s extremely tough to do, but you should seriously consider eating an appropriate portion of food instead of overloading. If you have to loosen your belt at all, then there’s a good chance you ate too much.

Quick tip: Spread it all out. It helps to grab a little of everything offered and only grab what you know you can eat. It’s very easy to fall into the “my eyes are larger than my stomach trap”. It also helps to eat breakfast + lunch so you are not starving for dinner.

Watch for Bones

It’s obvious information, but reminders never hurt. That turkey you’re consuming was probably slow roasting for several hours to give it the flavor you expect. After the turkey is prepared and cooked, it has to be cut. The person cutting the meat may accidentally slice into the bone during the cut, or loose bones may be lingering around. Just be sure chew your food carefully and make sure you are aware of any bones.  

Get a Workout In

Most of us probably are not going in to work the day after Thanksgiving. Utilize this time off productively. Whether you overate or not, you should try your best to sneak in a workout. Start your New Year’s Resolution early, plus you’ll feel great about yourself. Take a family member or friend with you – this gives you more time to spend with them.

Above all, enjoy the time you have with your friends and family. Happy Thanksgiving from the team here at Centers for Healing!

Images provided by the Thanksgiving Gallery.

Facing the Facts: Mercury Fillings Are Dangerous

You may or may not know, but our practice believes in dentistry that reveals the facts upfront. This is why we always inform our patients of the potential dangers of mercury in the mouth. Mercury is contained in amalgam fillings that many patients are currently sporting most likely due because they were not properly informed of beforehand. They were probably notified that amalgam fillings (also called silver fillings) were the cheapest option, triggering a purchase. We don’t offer these types of dental fillings to our patients, but we do remove amalgam fillings. Here’s why.

Amalgam Fillings Pose Dangers

For starters, amalgam fillings are typically made up of around 50% mercury. This is a considerable amount.

The harm comes from the fact that mercury vapors are being released at a very slow, but constant rate inside of your mouth. Mercury vapor is what patients should be aware of. All the way back in 1991, the World Health Organization released a statement which said that any level of mercury vapor is considered harmful. There is no safe level of mercury vapor.

Mercury Vapor…  So What?

Our body can absorb vapors. When the mercury vapors are released, our lungs subsequently inhale them. Our nose also inhales a small portion of the mercury vapors. Over time, these vapors begin to take a toll on our body in a number of different ways. The list is too long to post here, but a brief summary of the harm can be found from various sources.

Scientifically Proven Facts

Stay Educated

Some may claim we’re using “scare tactics” to get our point across, but as a holistic dentist in Newbury Park, it is my duty to inform patients that mercury is indeed dangerous. It’s not something made up, but rather is a topic that has been extensively studied on – with peer reviewed scientific facts that all point to the same conclusion: mercury is dangerous.

The FDA may tell you otherwise, stating that mercury vapor levels are too low to be considered dangerous – ignorant of the facts that have been found both domestically and abroad.

Educate Yourself. Stay Informed. Be Smart.

FDA's Position on Amalgam

Dr. Oz Chimes In

The Dental Dangers of Candy and Sugar - Halloween 2014

Halloween is almost here! There are plenty of fun times to be had in the future – dressing up, consuming candies and chocolates, laughing with friends, and trick-or-treating. Children love it… and parents do too!

A simple question for you: What do consumers spend the most on during Halloween?

A. Candy

B. Costumes

C. Decorations

Everything in Moderation!

Believe it or not, costumes are what consumers spend the most on during Halloween (and it’s probably because they cost more than candy does). Don’t be mistaken, however, because candy is a close second. Analysts have predicted that $2.8 billion dollars will be spent on costumes this year, and $2.2 billion dollars will be spent on candy.*

I’m not sure what you’re thinking but $2.2 billion dollars worth of candy is A LOT of candy. There’s really only one thing to do with candy and that’s consume it. As a holistic dentist it is my personal duty to remind you of the dental dangers of candy consumption this Halloween.

Sugar is the Scariest Costume

It comes dressed in a shiny, white costume – you can’t miss it. As tempting as candy is, we often fall into the sugar trap during Halloween in which our consumption of sugary foods begins to spike. Can you relate? Sugar can cause damage on our teeth if it's not properly addressed.

When we consume sugar, our body is responsible for breaking it down, which it does at a slow pace, but results in a byproduct that is basically acid. This acid sits in our teeth, slowly damaging our enamel – which is what protects our teeth. It also works with the bacteria in our mouth to slowly rot our teeth, responsible for many cavities and tooth decay.

Addressing the Sticky Situation

Chocolates are better. It’s hard to tell children to put their candy down, especially if they worked hard in earning it walking up and down many streets. If you’re going to allow your child to eat any sweets then we prefer chocolates because they are not as damaging as other candies. Remember: in Moderation!

Giving is better than receiving. Children are too excited about receiving candy and hardly ever want to give it up. However, there are great lessons to be learned here. Use an incentive to have your child give their candy away (to a friend, family member, or through a buy-back program, etc.). It will teach them what it’s all about to give, rather than receive – a feeling they might actually enjoy! We know we do.

Visit your dentist. Sugar is sticky and has a tendency to linger around in your mouth until action is taken – action being daily brushing, daily flossing, and visiting your dentist for a natural dental cleaning. Anything that you miss at home can be taken care of and cleaned up by your dentist for a new, fresh cavity-free mouth.

Be sure to have a great Halloween this year – stay safe, have fun, and try not to overdo it on the candy!  

Happy Halloween from the team at Centers for Healing!

*Source: https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/record-number-of-americans-buy-halloween-costumes

Diving Into A Holistic Lifestyle Built Around Good Nutrition and Healthy Living

A healthy, holistic lifestyle is often sought by many but hardly achieved. At Centers for Healing, it’s our devout mission to help you achieve your best physical, dental, and emotional health, which is why we feel it’s our duty to provide you with a few quick tips on how to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

First off, let’s clarify exactly what “healthy” truly is. If you bring out a dictionary and search for the word “healthy” you will come up with a standard definition that resembles something along the lines of “in good health” or “not diseased”. I don’t believe I’m diseased so therefore I’m “healthy”?

The World Health Organization wanted to curb the confusion by offering its own definition of the word “healthy”. They came up with: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Achieving Good Health

Eating Your Fruits & Vegetables

There’s a reason mama always told you to eat your fruits and vegetables: because they’re good for you! It’s more than just about fruits and vegetables… it’s about eating foods that are not processed with added salt, carbohydrates, and fat. Look for grains, vegetables, fruits, and foods that are unprocessed and unrefined, also known as “whole foods”. They may be more expensive, but consider it an investment towards GOOD HEALTH.

Avoiding Harmful Substances

This includes minimizing exposure to known harmful substances such as nicotine, alcohol, a host of many food and drink additives (i.e. sodium nitrates, BPA, food coloring), and of course amalgam fillings that contain mercury.

Exercise

Let’s be honest, most of us hate being reminded to exercise but this wouldn’t be a legitimate article on a healthy lifestyle if it didn’t include exercise or physical activity somewhere. Physical activity is a fact of any health lifestyle. We encourage exercising with friends as this always makes the activity a lot more bearable and may even be something to look forward to.

Mental Well-Being

A healthy mental well-being is important for achieving a healthy lifestyle. Your mental well-being is closely related to how happy you are and how much sleep you are receiving each night. Relax, take time off for yourself, have fun with your friends, family, or partner. The small things really do matter, as well as consistently receiving at least 6 and a half hours of sleep each night (try aiming for 7-8 hours).

Follow our holistic dentist's advice on how to live healthier and happier and you'll begin feeling much better about yourself, we promise!

Holistic Medicine

Alternative methods of healing have been around for many years. Traditional medicine can only do so much in some cases before some other method needs to be used. In these cases, holistic medicine can be useful, treating both the symptoms and the causes behind a condition.

What is Holistic Medicine?

Holistic medicine is a form of healing that focuses on the health of the mind, body and spirit. Holistic medicine differs from traditional medicine since it focuses on healing the contributing factors that might influence a sickness or symptom. There are many different types of holistic medicine, from yoga to acupuncture. Each different type of holistic medicine can be used to treat specific symptoms and causes of medical conditions.

Uses for Holistic Medicine

Holistic medicine can be used to treat a number of symptoms and contributing factors. For example, some forms of holistic medicine can help relax the body and mind. This can then ease stress, which contributes to medical conditions such as high blood pressure and depression. Other forms of healing can help address pain manifested by certain medical conditions. Massage therapy can be used to relieve tension and pain in muscles while acupuncture can be used to redirect the body’s energy flow. Holistic medicine can be used independently as a treatment plan or collectively with traditional medicine.

Click below to embed this infographic into your website:

<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpLuuO4smwo/Uysd1WMLCNI/AAAAAAAAAc8/VWsFu0gQy8g/s1600/holistic-medicine-lrg.jpg.jpg" alt="Holistic Medicine" title="Holistic Medicine" /><br /><a href="http://centersforhealing.blogspot.com/2014/03/holistic-medicine.html" title="Alternative Medicine Solutions" >Alternative Medicines for Health Problems</a>

Snap Kitchen: Fresh, Cold Pressed Juices | News - Home

A great local, healthy restaurant! @snapkitchen #nurturethespirit of every individual we touch.
http://www.click2houston.com/news/snap-kitchen-fresh-cold-pressed-juices/-/1735978/23771042/-/serhxsz/-/index.html

ROOT CANALS 101 VIDEO -- Dr. Blanche D. Grube

Dr. Blanche D. #Grube discusses how a ROOT CANAL is actually performed and why a person should never have one placed in a tooth. #educatethepublic
http://www.centersforhealing.net/new-patient-video-series-centers-for-healing.html

Huggins Applied Healing

Blanche D. #Grube believes #PatientEducation is KEY for you to achieve your best physical, dental and emotional health as safely as possible
https://www.facebook.com/HugginsAppliedHealing

The Huggins Protocol - Why Mercury Amalgam Fillings Are Harmful And Should Be Removed

Mercury is a toxic substance that is known for its health effects on people of all ages. Exposure to this substance can have many adverse effects, some of which still aren’t understood. Although mercury is known for being toxic, this substance is still located in foods and different products. It’s important to be aware of what mercury is and how to avoid it so that it doesn’t affect your body.

One side effect of mercury exposure includes problems associated with the nervous system. Exposure to this toxic substance can lead to brain damage or nerve damage. This damage can become apparent in both physical and emotional disorders. Memory, thinking and even fine motor skills can become damaged due to mercury exposure.

Since mercury is so toxic, it’s important to avoid this substance when possible. Mercury is located in such household items as thermometers and fluorescent lamps. If these items were to break, the mercury could evaporate, contaminating the air you breathe and the objects you touch. Mercury can also be located in fish and shellfish that have been contaminated. Consumption of this, even in low quantities, can negatively impact people of all ages, but most specifically pregnant women.

Unfortunately, even if you avoid buying products containing mercury or you avoid eating fish and shellfish, you might still be exposed to mercury on a daily basis. What many people don’t know is that metal dental fillings contain large quantities of mercury. Dental amalgam, the material used for these metal fillings, contains different metals, half of which are mercury. This substance can slowly poison you as long as it is located in your mouth. The only way to avoid this is to have amalgam fillings safely removed and substituted with a safe dental material.

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<img src=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcX4AWV69jw/Us7uR_lzRpI/AAAAAAAAAWk/IIyUB8zaboY/s1600/the-huggins-protocol.lrg.jpg /> <br><a href=http://centersforhealing.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-huggins-protocol-why-mercury.html title="The Huggins Protocol: Safe Amalgam Removal" width="550"> How Mercury Amalgam Fillings Are Potentially Harmful and Safe Removal Techniques.</a>