Essential Oils for Oral Health There is more to oral health than brushing and flossing.  In addition to tongue-scraping and oral probiotics, changing your oral health products could make a huge difference in the quality of your oral (and overall)  health! Some of the best oils that can be used in DIY natural kinds of…

Whether you wish to disinfect the air you breathe and the surfaces you touch, repel mosquitoes, clean some vegetables, or eliminate odor from your shoes, there is an oil that will work for you. Did you know two drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball placed in front of a mouse’s hole will keep…

Ever been told you have TMJ?  Did you know TMJ is really a misnomer?  More accurately, it’s considered TMD, which stands for TemporoMandibular joint Dysfunction.  The joint is the hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. It lets you move your jaw up…

As with anything these days, you have natural and synthetic. Synthetic versions of Vitamin E are petrochemical-derived and there are 8 different forms. Only one of these is nature-identical and yet it is still 87.5 counterfeit. To be classified as Vitamin E, 4 tocopherols and 4 tocotrienols must be present. The annatto plant is the…

Dental plaque is a mass of bacteria also called biofilm.  The mouth contains millions of bacteria, so how are we to win the battle against diseases such as decay and periodontal disease? A three prong attack is a good plan.   The first step is to physically remove as much bacteria as possible.  An electric…

Many of the artificial fragrances people bring into their homes are not good for health and well-being. Air fresheners and fragranced candles contain chemicals, estrogen disrupters, and even carcinogens! Using an aromatherapy diffuser is an excellent way to receive the benefits of essential oils. When you find the style of diffuser you want, the rest…

There is a ton of scientific evidence stating, yes indeed the mouth is connected to the rest of the body. What does this really mean?  It means the bacteria in the mouth is shared throughout the rest of the body. If you have periodontal disease, that bacteria can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. …

What are essential oils? Essential oils (EO) are highly concentrated scented oils extracted from plants. Historically, they’ve been used in medicine, cosmetics, perfumes, food, and aromatherapy. Essential oils are “essential” because they contain the “essence” of the plant, meaning the taste or odor. A wonderful benefit of using essential oils is that they have few…

Where were these things when I was an awkward middle schooler?  When I tell my kids about my time in metal braces, It’s equivalent to the ol’ “I had to walk to school uphill in the snow” story.  Many of us have been or are there now with full metal bands, brackets, wax and “when’s…

Hi, I’m Maggie Lu, the Therapy Dog at Origin Dental Wellness!  If we have already met, you know that I bring comfort to our patients and love to snuggle up to you in the dental chair.  Actually, snuggling is my favorite!  I am taking classes to be well trained in my field of service.  Did…

So, if mercury is a known neurotoxin, and it’s in the mouths of millions of people, what are the options for removing it safely?  And what is a safe material to replace it with? Thankfully, there is a safe protocol in removing silver mercury fillings in such a way that the mercury vapor exposure is reduced. …

Silver fillings—millions of people have them.  Besides the obvious fact that they are ugly, what exactly are they?   Silver fillings are otherwise known as mercury amalgam fillings.  As a matter of fact, approximately 50% of the mercury amalgam filling is actually mercury, the shiny silver liquid metal that used to be in glass thermometers.…