What Really Is Decay?
In the late 1960’s, Dr Ralph Steinman published research which demonstrated that decay in teeth is related to the health of the whole body. His work showed that a healthy body produces a flow of tissue fluid from the inside of a tooth right out through the enamel. With this healthy fluid flow there was no decay even when people did not brush their teeth.
As health of the body is compromised however, and this fluid pressure reduces, there is a corresponding increase in the amount of decay. Note that these papers are all published in the dental literature of the time.
He found that this fluid pressure, and hence the decay rate, was dependent principally on diet and stress.
Sugar and white flour were amongst the worst in negatively influencing the body. “Circulation of blood in the human tooth is affected by evoked changes in autonomic nerve activity, involving activation of both vasodilator and vasoconstrictor nerves to vessels serving the tooth.” Para-sympathetic stimulation encourages
increased fluid flow throughout the tooth. Sympathetic stimulation (as found during stress periods) dramatically reduces the fluid flow through the tooth.
“…The logical approach then to caries control is a way of life which includes a sound nutritional program and freedom from stress.
For many individuals this would represent a changed way of life.
But there is much evidence that the answer to caries lies in nothing less.”
There are many studies which discuss the flow of fluids within teeth and their clinical significance. ,
This early research is also supported in the latest Australian Dental Association special Endodontic edition from March 2007.
“The outward flow of the dentinal fluid is important in the pulp's defense against the entry of harmful substances because it affects the rate at which toxic substances from the mouth diffuse into the dentinal tubules.”
“…the tissue fluid volume in the pulp remains constant. The relatively high pulp tissue pressure results in an outward flow of fluid in the dentinal tubules, which helps to dilute toxins and wash out bacteria.”
"The only scientific way to prevent tooth decay is through diet and
nutrition. Dr. Ralph Steinman did some outstanding, landmark research at
Loma Linda University. He injected a glucose solution into mice - into
their bodies, so the glucose didn't even touch their teeth. Then he
observed the teeth for any changes. What he found was truly astonishing.
The glucose reversed the normal flow of fluid in the dentin tubules,
resulting in all of the test animals developing severe tooth decay! Dr.
Steinman demonstrated dramatically what I said a minute ago: Dental caries
reflect systemic illness." Dr George Meinig in an interview with Dr Mercola.
R.Steinman J Dent Res St. Louis, Vol 37 #5 1958
R.Steinman J Dent Res St. Louis, Vol 37 #4 1958
R.Steinman Indiana State Dental Journal Vol 39 1960
R.Steinman J Southern California State Dental Assoc. Vol 28, No11 November 1960
R.Steinman J of Southern California State Dental Association Vol 29 1961
R.Steinman J of Southern California State Dental Association Vol 30 1962
R.Steinman J of Southern California State Dental Association Vol 31 1963
R.Steinman J of Southern California State Dental Association Vol 32 1964
R.Steinman Caries and Cellular Nutrition, Dental Progress Vol.2; #3 April 1962
R.Steinman J Southern California State Dental Assoc. Vol 35 No 4 April 1967
R. Steinman J. Dent Res. Vol 47, No5, Sept 1968
R. Steinman J. Dent Res. Vol 50, No6, Part 2. Nov-Dec 1971
Aars H Gazelius B Edwall L Olgart L Effects of autonomic reflexes on tooth pulp blood flow in man. Acta Physiol Scand (1992 Dec) 146(4)
R. Steinman J. Dent Res. Vol 50, No6, Part 2. Nov-Dec 1971
R Steinman Dental Progress Vol 2 1962 Abstracts of Steinman p42 International Academy of Microendocrinology
Edwall L Gazelius B Involvement of afferent nerves in pulpal blood-flow reactions in response to clinical and experimental procedures in the cat. In: Arch Oral Biol (1991) 36(8):575-81
Aars H Gazelius B Edwall L Olgart L Effects of autonomic reflexes on tooth pulp blood flow in man. In: Acta Physiol Scand (1992 Dec) 146(4):423-9
Desiderio DM Kai M Tanzer FS Trimble J Wakelyn C Measurement of enkephalin peptides in canine brain regions, teeth, and cerebrospinal fluid with high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. In: J Chromatogr (1984 Aug 3) 297:245-60
Olgart L Gazelius B Effects of adrenaline and felypressin (octapressin) on blood flow and sensory nerve activity in the tooth. In: Acta Odontol Scand (1977 May) 35(2):69-75
interstitial fluid pressure and substance P and CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the low compliant cat dental pulp. In: Microvasc Res (1994 May) 47(3):329-43
Matthews B, Vongsavan N. Interactions between neural and hydrodynamic mechanisms in dentine and pulp. Arch Oral Biol 1994;39 Suppl:S87-S95.
S. Vongsavan N, Matthews B. Fluid flow through cat dentine in vivo. Arch Oral Biol 1992;37:175-185.
