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Natural Awakenings South Central Pennsylvania

Connecting Dental Health with Overall Health: Hershey Dental Associates

Jun 26, 2014 11:45AM ● By Dave Korba

Dr. Carol Layton

After 39 years practicing dentistry, Dr. Carol Layton, of Hershey Dental Associates, in Hummelstown, has seen the inside of a lot of mouths. Sadly, she reports, tooth decay is not going away. “Fluoride hasn’t done anything to eliminate tooth decay,” she says, explaining one of the reasons why she opposes using it in her holistic dental practice. Another is that she supports The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) position that an excess of fluoride can contribute to a variety of health problems, including a decrease in bone strength, the reduction of availability of calcium in the body that affects cardiac function and increased lead serum concentrations, which results in cognitive impairment and lower IQ scores in children.

Despite advancements in the field of dentistry, she attributes the continuing tooth decay problem to the average American diet, which is full of sugary and starchy foods, soda and energy drinks. She also contends that disease shows up in the mouth, stating, “There is a connection between periodontal disease and tooth decay with the breakdown in body systems and other health issues.”

For this reason, Layton has become a certified naturopathic physician in order to consult with her patients on health matters such as diet and lifestyle that up until now have been beyond the scope of what a dental license alone has allowed her to do. In addition, she is currently studying with Thomas K. Szulc, M.D., the medical director of New York-based Innovative Medicine, who formulated Bioresonance Analysis of Health (BAH), a sophisticated evaluation and diagnostic system that utilizes quantum physics for highly specific patient protocols. She will become an accredited BAH practitioner in November.

For people with gingivitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue, she recommends oil pulling, an ancient ayurvedic remedy for oral health and detoxification. It involves swishing pure oils in the mouth for 10 to 15 minutes to pull harmful bacteria, fungus and other organisms out of the mouth, teeth, gums and even throat.

A proponent of education, Layton provides handouts in her office on natural health topics. She carries homeopathic products, including Bach remedies, and uses electronic acupuncture on clients, a needleless form of acupuncture, to aid in relaxation and alleviate pain. When advisable for the patient, she practices safe mercury removal, stating, “I don’t advocate the removal of mercury fillings for everyone. Each patient is different, and some can detox heavy metals better than others, so it depends on the state of the patient’s health.”

Hershey Dental Associates is located at 273 Hershey Rd., in Hummelstown. For more information, call 717-220-1792 or visit HersheyDental.com.

Dr. Layton’s Oil Pulling Recipe

4 oz organic cold pressed sesame oil
4 oz organic virgin coconut oil
A few drops of tea tree oil
10 drops oil of oregano
5 drops of peppermint oil (for taste)

Equal parts for eight-ounce container. Mix. Heat oil in a warm water bath to dissolve and melt coconut oil before pulling.