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Understanding Biological Dentistry
I never thought I’d be talking about gut health, inflammation, and dental care in the same conversation — but after my interview with Dr. Toni Engram, a biological dentist based in Dallas, it’s crystal clear: your mouth is not separate from your body. Biological dentistry doesn’t just fill cavities and clean teeth — it addresses the whole person. That means looking at how things like toxins, diet, hormones, and inflammation all contribute to your dental health and overall wellbeing.
Unlike traditional dentistry that focuses on “drilling and filling,” biological dentistry seeks to understand the root cause of dental issues. What’s causing the gum disease? Why do cavities keep coming back? Could your dental materials be harming you? This approach was eye-opening, especially as we connected it to bone health — something I focus on every day.
The Toxic Truth About Mercury Fillings
Did you know that silver-colored “amalgam” fillings are 50% mercury? That’s a known neurotoxin. And while conventional wisdom says it’s bound safely within the filling, new research suggests otherwise. According to Dr. Engram, these fillings can release mercury vapor for decades, especially when chewing or drinking hot beverages.
If you’re considering removal, it’s critical to do it safely. Dr. Engram follows the SMART protocol (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) established by the IAOMT. This includes using special suction, air filters, protective barriers, and detox support like activated charcoal. If you’ve ever had a filling removed without these precautions, you may have been unknowingly exposed to harmful levels of mercury.
Inflammation: The Common Thread Between Gums and Bones
One of the most powerful moments in our conversation was when Dr. Engram described gum disease as a dysbiosis — an imbalance in the mouth’s microbiome, similar to what happens in the gut with autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s (which she’s personally battled and healed from through holistic changes). That dysbiosis? It’s inflammatory, and inflammation is also at the root of osteoporosis.
Gum disease and osteoporosis often go hand in hand. In fact, certain osteoporosis medications, particularly bisphosphonates, have been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw — a condition where jawbone tissue dies. While rare, it’s serious, and yet another reason to treat the mouth and body as one system.
How to Support Oral and Bone Health Holistically
What can you do to care for your teeth and your bones in a more integrative, functional way?
Here are Dr. Engram’s top recommendations:
- Ditch the fluoride. It’s not an essential nutrient, and may carry more risk than benefit.
- Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes. They wipe out the oral microbiome, including good bacteria.
- Eat nutrient-dense foods. Especially those rich in healthy fats, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D3, K2), magnesium, and yes — calcium from whole food sources.
- Be mindful of gut health. Your mouth is the beginning of your digestive tract, and gut dysbiosis often starts with poor oral health.
- Explore oil pulling. While research is limited, many patients see improvements in gum health. Try swishing organic coconut oil for 10–15 minutes before brushing.
- Get regular cleanings, but ask questions. Be curious about what your dentist is using, recommending, and doing — especially if you have fillings or bone-related conditions.
Final Thoughts
This conversation reminded me how our teeth are not isolated pieces of bone — they’re living tissue connected to everything else in our body. From your gut to your jaw, from hormones to heavy metals, it all matters. If you’re experiencing bone loss or inflammation, don’t overlook what’s happening in your mouth.
Want stronger bones and better health from the inside out? Start with your mouth. Then work your way inward.
Podcast Subscribe Links - Reversing Osteoporosis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Oxalates, also known as oxalic acid, are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, vegetables, and fruits. They are part of a plant’s defense mechanism against predators and can be found in high concentrations in foods like spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, tea, and certain beans.
Regarding bone health, oxalates can bind to minerals such as calcium in the gut, forming calcium oxalate. This compound is not easily absorbed by the body, meaning the calcium that could have been utilized for bone strengthening is instead excreted. This process can potentially lead to lower calcium availability for bone health, which can be particularly concerning for individuals at risk of osteoporosis or other bone-related issues.
However, for most women, dietary oxalates do not pose a significant threat to bone health, especially if their diet is balanced with enough calcium and they do not have a history of kidney stones.
Your gut is crucial for stronger bones for several reasons:
- Nutrient Absorption: The gut is where most nutrient absorption occurs. For bones to be healthy and strong, they need a variety of nutrients, particularly calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D. A healthy gut efficiently absorbs these essential nutrients from your diet and facilitates their transportation to the bones.
- Gut Microbiome and Bone Health: Research has shown that the gut microbiome (the community of bacteria living in your intestines) can influence bone density. Certain gut bacteria help in producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have been shown to promote bone health. SCFAs can enhance the absorption of minerals necessary for bone strength and play a role in reducing inflammation, which can negatively affect bone health.
- Hormone Regulation: The gut helps regulate hormones that are involved in bone metabolism, including insulin, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones like estrogen. For example, estrogen is vital for bone density, and gut health can influence estrogen levels through the enterohepatic circulation, where estrogens are processed in the liver and intestines.
- Reducing Inflammation: Chronic inflammation, which can stem from poor gut health, is linked to many conditions that compromise bone strength, such as osteoporosis. A healthy gut helps to reduce systemic inflammation, protecting bones from inflammatory damage.
- Immune System Modulation: The majority of the immune system is located in the gut. An imbalance in the immune system can lead to autoimmune conditions, some of which affect the bones. Maintaining gut health helps to ensure the immune system works correctly, protecting against autoimmune reactions that could impact bone health.
In essence, maintaining a healthy gut contributes significantly to stronger bones by ensuring the effective absorption of vital nutrients, regulating hormones, reducing inflammation, and supporting a healthy immune system. Therefore, a diet rich in bone-healthy nutrients, prebiotics, and probiotics, along with lifestyle factors that promote gut health, is key to maintaining strong bones.