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Have a Healthy & Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

A personal message from Dr. Villarreal…

As I enter the beginning of another “Holiday Season,” I think a little about the things I need to get done before the end of the year, but mostly, I think about the past eleven-months and how grateful I am.

Both personally and professionally, I feel very fortunate for the life I have. Although hard work and being passionate about what I do have something to do with my good fortune, I know that some of the opportunities I have been given in life are simply luck-of-the-draw.

After several years of practicing Biological Dentistry, I still very much enjoy the people I work with and the work I do every day. Over the years, patients have become friends and friends have become patients. Not to mention all of the amazing people in my field with whom I have worked in my journey.

I want to personally thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to help you, educate you, & make a positive impact in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving from Dr. Villarreal & Staff!

amalgam filling removal newbury park

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Which Organic Vegetables Are the Dirtiest and Cleanest?

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

dirtiest fruits and vegetables 2016People are increasingly looking for everything organic, from toothpaste and cosmetic products to foods and drinks. As scientists and the media continue to expose the health and environmental risks of pesticides used in traditional farming, consumers are getting picky about the items they include in their recipes – rightly so!

In this regard, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a list of the “Clean Fifteen” and “Dirty Dozen” every year, outlining the “cleanest” produce that is least contaminated by pesticide use, and the “dirtiest” produce that is believed to have the most exposure to pesticides, respectively.

The EWG produce ranking system is based on the results of approximately 51,000 tests for pesticides on produce gathered by the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture between 2000 and 2005.

Dirty Dozen 2016

● Potatoes
● Imported snap peas
● Cucumbers
● Sweet bell peppers
● Spinach
● Celery
● Grapes
● Strawberries
● Nectarines
● Peaches
● Apples

Clean Fifteen 2016

● Sweet potatoes
● Cauliflower
● Cantaloupe
● Grapefruit
● Eggplant
● Kiwi
● Papaya
● Mangoes
● Asparagus
● Onions
● Sweet peas
● Cabbage
● Pineapples
● Sweet corn
● Avocadoes

Should the Dirty Dozen be Avoided?

Definitely not! The list comprises fruits and vegetables that make a much healthier diet compared to processed foods. Furthermore, non-organic processed foods contain plenty of chemicals. So, the list should act as a guide for you to make organic purchases for those items.

Why Eat Organic?

Organic foods are claimed to be much healthier and safer than non-organic foods because they are not produced with chemicals, including pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.

However, many people continue to purchase non-organic foods because they’re seemingly cheaper. What they fail to observe is that these foods demand more from the earth than they can produce, plus the long-term ingestion of chemicals used in production is associated with certain health complications.

Besides these abstract factors, non-organic foods are also associated with tangible variables, like subsidization of industrial agriculture by the government or the relative comfort of the population with foreign investment in commercial agriculture.

Making the Switch to Organic

Considering that the high cost of organic foods is one of the most prohibitive factors for their consumption, it is best that you make the switch gradually. We challenge you to consider home gardening to produce your own foods in the dirty dozen list, combined with some careful meal planning and food preservation to counteract the high cost of organic food purchases.

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BPA: Possible Link to Neurodevelopmental Disorders?

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

bpa linked autismHmm… What About BPA?

Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician who is known for his popular series “The Happiest Baby” has directed his attention to BPA, otherwise known as Bisphenol A that was invented over 100 years ago in the manufacturing of plastic water bottles, baby bottles, and other plastics.

Here’s what Dr. Harvey Karp has to say about BPA:

“You’ve heard of BPA, that’s an endocrine disrupting chemical. BPA was first created to be an estrogen. Then they found they could put it into plastics. Every single one of you have BPA in your bodies just from all the exposure you have. You have phthalates, which are plastic parts, as well which are in every new car…things like that. All of those have a hormonal effect and there are dozens of others; all different classes. The weird thing is that hormones are signalers, they tell cells ‘Do this, don’t do that’ and what can happen is these hormonally active chemicals make it into the brains of young babies or even before birth and shift the brain’s development.”

Some History on BPA

Research has already made a few notable discoveries that should not be ignored. In 2009, studies showed that BPA was seeping out of baby bottles and infant formula cans and into the brains of these children. As a result, many states have banned the use of BPA in children’s products, but have found a replacement known as BPS.

However, BPS may still pose a threat because of another study that showed in utero exposure to BPS may lead to neurodevelopmental disorders later in the child’s life. Nothing has been officially confirmed on this, but it begs to question that maybe these chemicals do play a significant role in the neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism.

Turn to BPA & BPS-Free Products Just to Be Safe

We always emphasize it’s better to be safe than sorry. If any chemical must be questioned as to whether or not it is safe for our bodies, then we urge you to just stay away from it – especially if there are safer alternatives.

• Stay away from plastic containers marked #7. These are BPA-free products that utilize BPS instead, which is cause for concern.

• Stay away from canned fruits and vegetables because the cans could be lined with BPA and BPS.

• Opt for silicone storage products that have no trace of BPA or BPS.

BioDental Healing is Metal Free, Fluoride Free, & BPA Free

amalgam filling removal newbury parkHere at BioDental Healing, we don’t believe questionable chemicals belong in our mouth or our body, which is why we steer clear of the use of metals, fluoride, and BPA in all of the products and services we provide. Learn more about our BPA free dental fillings and Dr. Villarreal’s renowned amalgam filling removal process.

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Let’s Be Clear: Organic Doesn’t Always Mean “Healthy”!

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

organic doesnt mean healthyThere are so many foods & drinks offered on the market nowadays that many of us subconsciously look for quick cues to determine what’s appropriate and what isn’t. Unfortunately, marketers have picked up on one of these quick cues: the word “organic”.

First of all, by definition what does organic even mean…

“Organic means crops grown without artificial pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, irradiation, or sewage sludge, and animals raised without hormones or antibiotics. Certified Organic methods follow specific rules established by USDA.”

Well, that doesn’t sound too bad right? Not so fast.

What Has Research Shown?

When you take a look at what research has shown when the word “organic” is applied to products, people’s perceptions of the product begin to change.

Cornell University ran a study involving food and brand labels in an effort to see what factors the word “organic” would influence. The study used 115 people recruited from a local shopping mall where participants were asked to evaluate 3 pairs of products: yogurt, cookies, & potato chips. Only one of the pairs was labeled as organic, and the others were not. The trick is that all of them were actually organic food products.

The researchers learned that when the food item was labeled with the word “organic”, participants estimated that the food item contained fewer calories, were lower in fat, were more nutritious, and would be willing to pay more for the product. WOW! Surprising? Not really. But the study reaffirms the belief that when the word “organic” is used, people immediately believe the product is healthier & as a result worth more money.

Gatorade’s New “Organic” Version

Gatorade has picked up on this trend. Gatorade owns roughly 70% of the market share in the sports drinks category & as a commanding leader in this market they have recently pledged to release an organic version of the product they offer that will only contain 7 ingredients that meet the criteria of the organic standards set forth by the FDA. Take this with a grain of salt; however, these sports drinks will still be loaded with sugar, which isn’t healthy for many of us.

Bottomline: Always Check the Label!

The next time you see the word “organic” used, be sure to check the back of the label and read it. Specifically look for nutrition facts in relation to serving size, and be sure to see what ingredients are actually listed. A general rule of thumb is the less ingredients listed, the more wholesome the product – but this shouldn’t equate to “healthy” because consuming too much of a healthy product is still unhealthy.

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Mercury Fillings Must Be Removed the RIGHT Way.

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

Recently, we’ve seen reports and others advertising the use of dental lasers as a convenient way to remove and replace harmful amalgam fillings.

As a holistic dentist who specializes in the removal of mercury, amalgam fillings & having removed over 20,000 of them we feel inclined to warn you that lasers should NOT be used in this process.

The Issue with Lasers Used During Amalgam Filling Removal

Lasers are growing part of modern dentistry, offering many convenient benefits both for dentists & their patients. They have many applications in dentistry, as well as supplement other procedures very well. We even use lasers here @ BioDental Healing for use in oral surgery procedures.

However, lasers should not be directly used to remove the amalgam from your tooth. The reason why is because lasers generate heat. This heat generation caused by lasers will actually increase the release of mercury vapors, which will inevitably occur during the removal process. That is why we employ a very safe & strict protocol to prevent you – and ourselves – from the exposure of mercury at any point during the removal process.

Moreover, lasers applied directly to a tooth could jeopardize its pulp if not performed very carefully.

amalgam filling removal
An example of what proper mercury safe protocol should look like as performed by Dr. Villarreal.

Your Dentist Should Always Follow Mercury Safe Protocol

If your dentist ever recommends that you remove your silver, amalgam fillings and replace them with something more tooth-like & safe, but then tells you how the procedure could be performed very easily using a laser then BE CAREFUL. We would advise you to question their approach further and make sure they are taking protective measures to prevent harm due to mercury exposure such as the use of a rubber dam, ionizer, air suction, full body protection, etc.

View What Mercury Safe Protocol Entails.

amalgam filling removal newbury parkDr. Villarreal practices mercury safe protocol during every amalgam filling removal that occurs t his office in Newbury Park. For more information on his world-renowned mercury removal services, please visit our website or call us @ (805) 375-2233.

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Introducing Our New “Spotlight Series”!

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

We’re introducing a new series – Spotlight Series – in which we’d like to give back to our patients by featuring the amazing holistic work they have accomplished. We have realized that many of our patients are doing great things to keep others informed!

This Month: Featuring Steven & Lisa Plog

Specifically, we’d like to feature an amazing couple this month – lovely patients @ BioDental Healing – who have shared their recent work with us. It was an excellent read that I would highly recommend you spend 2 minutes of your time to view their post below!

biodental healing spotlight series

View Their “Plog” Post Here

Browse Their Farmer’s Market!

Steven & Lisa Plog run a small, private Farmer’s Market known as “Our Little Market” in Pasadena, CA. We encourage you to see what goods they offer!

Learn how you can join their private Farmer’s Market!

You Can Steal the Spotlight, Too!

I’d like to personally invite you to share your blogs, websites, etc., that are holistic in nature – just as Steve & Lisa have! We would be delighted to have an opportunity to share your work with our community that is committed to practicing a holistic lifestyle.

How To Be Featured in Our Spotlight Series

To be featured in our new Spotlight Series, all you have to do is email us with your work. All we ask is for the work to be holistic in nature. That’s it!

Please email any submissions to: info@biodentalhealing.com.

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Dr. Villarreal’s Back to School Dental Guide

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

dr villarreal back to school dental guideSchool has either begun or will begin soon enough for your child. When school begins, we always want our children to look their best. That includes their teeth as well! (or at least it should). That’s why, as dentists, we’d like to remind you of a few things that perhaps may have slipped your mind during the summertime.

1. Re-enforce Excellent Oral Hygiene Habits

One of the main reasons children inevitably love summertime is because of the long hiatus, or vacation, they receive from school. No more having to worry about homework or studying/preparing for tests, etc. As a result, children have the potential to become lazy & this may include their oral hygiene.

We’d like to remind you to re-enforce good oral hygiene at home in order to help prevent your child from procedures such as a dental filling to cover up decay that could have been avoided had your child stuck to their brushing & flossing routine. Before even starting, it’s most likely time to replace their brush and re-stock their floss. Perhaps look into a water flosser or natural toothpaste options for a fresher, healthier clean.

Pro tip: brushing & flossing with them at a specified time every morning & night may help you & your child build a healthy, oral hygiene routine. It also allows you the opportunity to examine their form and adjust where necessary.

2. Consider Limiting Sugar Intake

Children can’t help it – they love candy. Many adults cannot help it, either. During summertime, the sweets and sugar consumption often spike. Ice cream and other cold treats to combat the hot sun are popular choices during the summer.

Unfortunately, the bacteria responsible for decay on teeth love sugar just as much as we do. Once school has resumed, we encourage you to place limitations on sugar consumption for the overall & oral health of your child (and for yourself, too!).

Pro tip: We recommend packing healthy lunches for your children. Lunches supplied by schools may be packed with unhealthy ingredients and additives that you are unaware of.

3. When’s The Last Time They Visited a Dentist?

Scheduling an appointment just before school starts is an ideal time to make sure any issues are addressed before the start of school and so that your children receive a fresh, natural dental cleaning to help combat the damage accumulated in the 2-3 months your children had off for summer.

If your child has not seen the dentist in roughly 6 months & school has just begun or will be starting, then we strongly encourage you to have them seen by a dentist as soon as possible to make sure nothing serious occurred over the summer.

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Video Showcases How Mercury Damages Neurons Under a Microscope

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

By now – you’re probably familiar with our strict notion on METAL DOES NOT BELONG IN THE MOUTH. Specifically we are referring to the mercury content commonly found in amalgam fillings (also known as silver fillings).

Ask yourself this: Would you ever consume metal?

As a whole substance, we’re guessing a very large majority of people would say no. However, most people have silver fillings in their mouth, which contain a fairly high level of mercury content, which seep into your bloodstream from the vapors fillings give off. Mercury is a known neurotoxin that serves no real purpose in the mouth.

What Does Science Show?

In regards to this matter, scientists from the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics have actually revealed neuron damage as a direct result of dental fillings found in the mouth. These results were found under a microscope with people who were suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. You may watch the video below.

Mercury Causes Neuron Degeneration*


Another Study on Damaging Effects of Mercury

There are many studies performed on the dangers of mercury, whether in dental filling form or from other forms and the result is always the same: there will be some sort of damage caused.

A Study Performed on Songbirds

We want to further direct your attention towards an older study performed by researchers from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. The researchers here studied the effects of industrial manufacturing residue on a type of bird that typically lived in forests. Their results were indicative of what you’d expect: the songbirds in the study suffered reproductive issues, brain abnormalities, and immune suppression from the exposure to mercury and other toxic chemicals as a direct result from the textile mills byproducts.

The Takeaway

Urban life is not much different as manufacturing is rampant in many parts of our country. It’s not just mercury to worry about, but all toxic chemicals that are produced as a result. The infamous “smog cloud” that hangs over Los Angeles is just one example of this. But that’s the air we breathe and there is a high chance that it will affect our body in some way at some point in our life.

*Video sourced from YouTube.

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Nutrition Talk: Omega 6 & Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

omega fatty acids imbalanceLet’s face it, maintaining a healthy, BALANCED diet is very hard to accomplish. Even though we have access to the right foods & products, many of us opt for unhealthier options. And a large reason for this is because of cost & cost alone. Unfortunately in our society, it costs a lot more to consume healthy foods than it does to consume unhealthy foods. We understand this. But we also want to educate you on what foods you should be consuming for optimal health.

The Importance of Omega Fatty Acids

What do you think of when you hear the word “Omega 3” or “Omega 6”? Think about that for a second… did you think of fish in any way? Most people do. And that’s because fish are a great source of Omega 3. But what about Omega 6?

The Growing Issue

It’s not just Omega 3 that you should be concerned with, but Omega 6 as well. The real issue is are you overdoing it on Omega 6?

See: Why you also need Cholesterol.

Our diets now have changed quite dramatically with the introduction of processed foods. In many processed meats, cheeses, and even fried foods you will find Omega 6. As a result of this, many of us actually consume TOO MUCH OMEGA 6 and NOT ENOUGH OMEGA 3. This is important.

Did you know that one handful of almonds is enough to meet your Omega 6 daily needs for the entire day? That’s right, just one handful and you’ve hit the daily limit.

Also, popular cooking oils such as sunflower oil, canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, & cottonseed oil all possess a high amount of Omega 6. Olive oil is fine.

Here’s the thing, if you eat out a lot or eat from boxes or packages, then you’re more than likely going way over your Omega 6 limit.

Keep it a 2:1 Ratio

The ideal balance states that you should consume a ratio of 2:1. To help you understand this, for every 2 handfuls of Omega 6, you should have 1 handful of Omega 3. Meeting our Omega 6 is not hard to establish, but we often lack enough Omega 3 to make Omega 6 effective in our bodies, so we encourage you to consume more of these:

• Flaxseed oil
• Fatty fish (i.e. Salmon)
• Chia seeds
• Basil
• Oregano
• Cloves
• Walnuts

Many people prefer to take fish oil supplements as a convenient method of reaching their Omega 3 intake for the day.

What’s the Purpose of Consuming This Ratio?

You’re probably wondering by now, why should I even care? Well, to put it simply – in layman terms – a diet rich in Omega 6 but low in Omega 3 can cause inflammation, but reversing the ratio can reduce inflammation. Too much Omega 6 and not enough Omega 3 to create a perfect balance could result in a lot of popular ailments that we see all of the time: obesity, heart disease, IBS, asthma, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and many other problems.

holistic dentist ventura countyDr. David Villarreal offers nutrition counseling in Newbury Park for those looking to make lifestyle changes centered around their diet. Not only will his advice help you lose weight, but will also kickstart your health by increasing your stamina, energy, focus, and self-esteem.

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Your Immune System is Important – Treat it With Care!

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Dr Villarreal

immune system importanceHolistic dentistry is gradually becoming a preference for many patients, as most of us continue to seek out more natural-based methods for all aspects of our life – including dentistry. Why is this? Well, it comes down to a simple realization that we all want to FEEL GOOD.

The Important Role Our Immune System Plays

Your immune system is what keeps your body healthy & strong, and it’s often taken for granted. Here’s what you really need to know in a nutshell: keep your immune system happy & you will feel happy. However, this task is not always the easiest. And unfortunately it’s not as easy as loading our body up with Vitamin C and calling it a day.

Many factors govern the condition of our immune system:

• Environmental conditions (namely, the air we breathe in on a daily basis)
• Exercise (or lack thereof)
• Diet (i.e. the foods & drinks we consume on a daily basis)
• Lifestyle choices (i.e. alcohol, smoking, etc.)
• Genetics (this one, unfortunately, is beyond our control)

How Can I Better My Immune System?

There are many ways to boost or improve the immune system. Firstly, analyze the condition of your mouth because in holistic dentistry, the mouth is considered an important factor.

Simply put: a healthy mouth will affect your overall health, and vice versa.

Do you have metal fillings? If so, then you are likely putting your immune system at risk as you are exposing your entire system to microscopic fragments of toxic mercury vapor on a daily basis.

Do you suffer from plaque buildup? If yes, then you likely are suffering from inflammation, which puts stress on your immune system in order to fight off. This leads to periodontal disease, heart disease, diabetes, and the list goes on.

Our point is that the mouth has a lasting impact on the status of our entire body so it’s the first place that should be addressed.

Dr. Villarreal has removed over 20,000 amalgam fillings in Newbury Park, CA. View his column that was featured in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

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