bRUSH. FLOSS. RINSE. It's the best way to care for your teeth, which means a whiter smile, sweeter breath, and less time spent in the dentist's chair. And there's one more reason to take control of your oral care: Your life could depend on it.

Numerous studies indicate that what happens in your mouth doesn't stay in your mouth. For example, scientists have found significant links between gum disease and cardiovascular disease. "Dental care must be concerned with the whole patient, because the mouth can cause problems in other parts of the body and disease or syndromes from other parts of the body can reveal themselves in the mouth," says Harold E. Ravins, D.D.S., founder of the Center for Holistic Dentistry for Adults and Children in Los Angeles.

Bacteria can travel from the mouth to the organs, increasing the risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, vision impairment, chronic pain, and preterm births. "And most patients with prostate problems have gum disease," says Ravins. In addition, the condition of the tongue can signify a number of conditions, from vitamin deficiency to digestive problems to immune dysfunction.

mercury in retrograde

THE EMERGENCE of holistic dentistry has focused new attention on the debate over mercury-based amalgam fillings--which you may not even realize you have. R turns out your "silver" fillings are actually made of approximately 50 percent mercury, plus silver, tin, copper, and a trace of zinc.

Dental amalgam is the major source of mercury in humans, and "mercury is the most neurotoxic compound that people are routinely exposed to," says Boyd E. Haley, Ph.D., chairman of the department of chemistry at the University of Kentucky. "The estimated 5 to 10 micrograms of mercury vapor that a medium-size 1-gram amalgam filling releases per day is large enough to be a toxic exposure."

Classic symptoms of mercury poisoning include tremor, anxiety, forgetfulness, insomnia, anorexia, fatigue, and cognitive and motor dysfunction. The possible impact of mercury vapor on the progression of degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease is also a concern. In his own research, Haley has demonstrated that mercury toxicity produces changes to brain structure similar to that observed in Alzheimer's patients. It also accumulates in the kidneys and other organs, where it may cause permanent damage.

So should you have your amalgam fillings out? Not necessarily. Despite this potential for problems, many dentists still favor amalgam fillings when a strong, durable filling is required (for instance, in back teeth), siding with the American Dental Association. "The ADA's position is that dental amalgams are very safe," states Sally Cram, D.D.S., consumer adviser and spokeswoman for the association. "That said, if you are someone who says, 'I just don't want this in my mouth,' what the ADA is in favor of is communication between the patient and dentist so they can discuss other options, such as tooth-colored resin fillings or a gold crown."

You may have to initiate this conversation. As Cram explains, "What we are opposed to is dentists advocating to patients removal of their dental amalgam to perhaps cure diseases such as multiple sclerosis or conditions such as autism, or because they tell them amalgam fillings are dangerous. That is inappropriate and unethical."

Of note is that the ADA doesn't mind the removal of amalgam for cosmetic reasons. If your current dentist sees no problem with mercury in your mouth, you can always ask to have the amalgam removed simply to improve your smile.

reducing your exposure

REMOVING AMALGAM fillings takes special expertise as especially high amounts of mercury vapor are released in the process. Safety guidelines have been established by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. For example, your dentist should provide you with an alternative source of air during the procedure to keep you from inhaling mercury vapor. In addition, women who are pregnant or nursing should not have amalgam removed since mercury in the blood crosses the placenta and can be transferred to infants via breast milk. (You can read more about safe mercury removal at holisticmed.com/dental/amalgam/iaomt.txt.)

Whether or not you opt for removal, you can still take action to protect your body from the effects of mercury. James E. Hardy, D.M.D., author of Mercury Free, has devised a four-week detox program using high doses of vitamin C, which has an affinity for mercury and binds with it, as well as vitamins A, B complex, and E. He adds extra zinc, manganese, magnesium, and chromium, since vitamin C binds to these minerals, too.

Hardy also suggests boosting your intake of sulfur, which can play an important role in detoxification; this natural substance is plentiful in eggs, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic, and the herbs cilantro and milk thistle. He often recommends the supplement MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), along with chlorella (green algae), charcoal, and the homeopathic remedy Dentox (at evitamins.com and other health sites).