While proper brushing, flossing, and check-ups along with avoiding cavity-causing foods can prevent many dental problems, I’m here to point out that there’s more to your children’s teeth than just teeth.

Baby’s First Teeth

From about 3-4 months old, your baby starts drooling and chewing on her hands. Teething? Everyone from Great-Aunt Tilly to the mailman is convinced that teeth are emerging, and whether they come soon or much, much later, those chompers are on their way out. Here’s a brief explanation from the American Academy of Family Physician of what to expect and do for your little one’s pearly whites.

Contemporary dental practice is all about HYGIENE, HYGIENE, HYGIENE, and yes, it’s imperative that your kids brush and floss. A hot topic is fluoride, especially in pediatric circles. Personally, I shudder at the reality of our cities making this decision for us by fluoridating our water. Not cool. Toothpaste for kids too young to not swallow should always be fluoride-free, which gets you thinking, if fluoride isn’t good for kids to swallow, why put it in our bodies at all. Most likely you’ll hear all about how fluoride prevents cavities from your dentist and out in the mainstream. Here’s 50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation. While perhaps the best treatment for decay that’s already underway, I’m not sure it’s the method of prevention that’s best for kids’ total health.

Chinese Medicinal Theory and Teeth

In the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) model, the Kidney and Spleen systems are the 2 most relevant components to good oral health.

Teeth (like bones) are an extension of the Kidney meridian/system. The Kidney system includes the kidneys; urinary, reproductive, and adrenal systems, bones and teeth. The Kidney system most closely correlates to genetics as well, referring to inherited qualities as “Pre-heaven Jing.”

Dental problems related to the Kidney system can be challenging to treat, but not impossible, especially since children are extremely receptive to healing. As an added bonus, you’ll lessening your child’s likelihood of issues down the road such as infertility, adrenal insufficiency, auto-immune conditions, low back pain, urinary incontinence and more.

With Kidney deficiency, there may be a history of dental issues in the family or your child may be experiencing problems with her teeth without clear hygiene-related cause. If she’s potty trained, are there bed-wetting issues? Has she had any broken bones? Are there issues surrounding the emotion of fear? Was mom unwell during or before pregnancy? Was your child conceived at a “late” maternal age? While acupuncture treatments can guide your child’s healing, herbal medicine and supplements will probably be the most effective treatments for Kidney deficiency.

The Spleen system, while includes the stomach, pancreas, and actual spleen organs, is largely responsible for digestive health… transforming the food into usable energy and substances in the body. The food we eat is known as “Post-heaven Jing,” as it nourishes us after birth (post-heaven) and influences our state of well-being.

Supporting Spleen/digestive health is relatively easy… Avoid refined sugar, processed flours, and anything with artificial color, flavors, preservatives, or other ingredients. Choose a variety of fresh, nourishing foods. For more comprehensive support, a complete panel can be done by a good nutritionist or any practitioner specializing in Functional Medicine. These tests can detect levels of vitamins and minerals that may be missing from your child’s diet such as Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and others. The body is most healthy in a slightly alkaline state, achieved largely by a healthy diet and low stress. When the body is acidic, saliva is acidic causing tooth decay and gingivitis occur more readily.

The Stomach Meridian (which pairs with the Spleen system) also controls digestion and rules the gums. Gingivitis or other gum disease may be related to a diagnosis of Heat in the Stomach. Usually this can easily be rectified with acupuncture, herbs, and dietary modifications.

The principles of Chinese Medicine emphasize treatment of the whole person, so if your child is experiences dental issues that seem unrelated to the issues above, talk to your health practitioner for the best holistic ways to bring health to her little mouth.