6 replies to this topic

[william7]

I was wondering if fasting effectively kills the bacteria and removes the toxins that cause gum disease? I'm lead to believe it can after reading the following:

What is Deep Cleaning (Deep Scaling & Root Planing)?

If plaque and tartar is left on the teeth, as we mentioned before, it provides the right conditions for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria irritate the gums, which means that they bleed more easily. You may notice this if you are brushing your teeth, or eating, and sometimes your gums may bleed a bit. This is the early stage of gum disease called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth by scaling and polishing them.

http://www.dentalfea...p_cleaning.html

root planing is a specific treatment that removes the roughened cementum and surface dentin that is impregnated with calculus, microorganisms and their toxins.

http://en.wikipedia....nd_root_planing

Unfortunately, most of the fasting research has been focused on understanding how the body maintains energy levels and determining whether it was effective in treating various diseases. However, some tantalizing research suggests the mechanisms by which fasting helps to promote health. Obviously, it is very effective in removing toxins from the fat (and other) stores, because fat-soluble toxins are rapidly released during fasting. However, probably its most useful effects for detoxification are immune system enhancement, removal of immune complexes from the blood, and removal of food allergens from the intestines.

Changes in the immune system during fasting include: increased macrophage activity, increased cell-mediated immunity (T lymphocytes and lymphokines), decreased complement factors, decreased antigen-antibody complexes, increased immunoglobulin levels, increased neutrophil bactericidal activity, depressed lymphocyte blastogenesis, heightened monocyte killing and bactericidal function, and enhanced natural killer cell activity.** The net effect appears to be an increase in the toxin scavenging activity of the white cells combined with elimination of immune complexes, which can cause widespread inflammatory damage to the body.

http://www.imminst.o...&...st&p=145612

Would like to know what anybody thinks about this.

[JonesGuy]

I wouldn't think so: the insides of our mouths have rapidly growing skins, and so they slough off skin cells continuously. This skin can be a food source too, which is why it's a good idea to brush your teeth in the morning, even if you've brushed at night. The bacteria have grown up overnight using your dead cells as food.

[william7]

This skin can be a food source too, which is why it's a good idea to brush your teeth in the morning, even if you've brushed at night.

Thanks for the tip! I didn't know this.

[william7]

It looks like fasting and alternate day CR can have observable health benefits for people suffering from periodontal disease as this Pub Med published study, at http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/16529878, says.

[eternaltraveler]

I believe fasting would tend to decrease the ph of saliva as fasting in general is an acidic state. The body compensates by excreting more acid and altering respiration. A lower ph would inhibit microbial growth.

Don't quote me on the above. I don't know specifically if salivary PH is altered, but it makes sense that it would be along with many other secretions (sweat and urine certainly acidify with fasting). So consider just a bit of idle speculation. I'm sure the data is there if anyone wishes to find it.

[Matt]

I know that fasting increases http://en.wikipedia....i/Interleukin_4 which would help reduce growth or kill harmful bacteria.

[william7]

It looks like gum disease is a more serious problem than I thought. This Yahoo news video, at http://cosmos.bcst.y...p...23&src=news, says 80 percent of adults have some form of gum disease and gum disease worsens other diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, prenatal complications, etc. May be better diet, CR and periodic fasting as well as brushing and flossing at earlier ages could have a greater preventive impact.