Leslie M. Alexander, Ph.D., RH(AHG), is a medical herbalist and former research scientist. A professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, she is co-owner of Restoration Herbs. Linda A. Straub-Bruce, BS Ed, RDH, is a practicing registered dental hygienist and member of the American Dental Hygienists Association. Both authors are members of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health and live in western Pennsylvania.

• Acknowledgments Foreword by M. Leslie Williams, RH(AHG), M Ed Foreword by William D. Hammerlee, DMD, FAGD Foreword by K. P. Singh Khalsa, RH(AHG), DN-C Foreword by Richard Mandelbaum, RH(AHG) Introduction Part IThe Lay of the Land1 It All Begins in the Mouth Inflammation - Measures of Inflammation - Digestive Health - The Mouth, Disease, and Illness - An Herbal Niche2 The Mouth and What’s Inside It Let’s Start with Our Teeth - Parts of a Tooth - Supporting Structures of the Mouth - Sinuses3 Everyday Care for a Healthy Mouth Health and Hygiene Basics - Brushing - Tongue Scraping - Flossing - Rinsing -Toothpaste and Tooth Powder4 Monitoring Oral Well-Being Keeping Notes - What’s Worth Recording about Our Oral Health? - Taking a Look Inside the Mouth - The Symptom Checklist5 Getting to Know Your Dental and Herbal Team A Trip to the Dentist - The Dentist - Other Dental Professionals - Venues - Financing - HerbalistsPart IIFrom infancy to old ageThe Mouth through a Lifetime6 Pregnancy, Infants, and Toddlers During Pregnancy - Newborn - Teething - Microbial Transmission from Caregiver to Infant - Thrush - Sucking Thumbs, Fingers, and Pacifiers - Baby Bottle Decay - Tooth Discoloration - Growing Up with Healthy Teeth - Toddler Snacking - The First Dental Visit7 Tooth Decay Getting Down to Basics: What Is Decay? - Contributing Factors - Symptoms of Decay - Dealing with Pain - Dental Interventions - Protecting Teeth from Decay8 Gum Diseases What Is Gum Disease? - Coming to Grips with Chronic Periodontitis - Preventing Periodontitis - Other Types of Periodontitis9 Tooth Loss, Replacement, and Orthodontics When One Tooth Goes Missing - Implants - Bridges - Removable Partial Dentures - Dentures - Prostheses for the Masses10 Habits, Conditions, and Diagnoses Affecting the Mouth How to Use the Symptom Checklist - Summaries of Commonly Occurring Conditions Seen in General Dental PracticeAcid Reflux/GERD - Amalgam Tattoo - Angular Cheilitis - Black Hairy Tongue - BRONJ/ONJ - Bruxism - Candidiasis - Canker Sores (Aphthous Stomatitis) - Caries - Cysts/Tumors - Denture Sores - Diabetes - Eating Disorders - Erosion - Fluorosis - Glossitis - Gum Disease - Gum Recession - Herpes - HIV/AIDS - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Hyperplasia - Infection - Kawasaki Disease - Leukoplakia - Lichen Planus - Meth Mouth - Mouth Breathing - Nail Biting - Nicotine Stomatitis - NUG/Vincent’s Disease (Trench Mouth) -Nutritional Deficiencies - Oral Cancer - Oral Piercings - Osteoporosis - Papilloma - Pemphigus vulgaris - Pericoronitis - Pharmaceutical-Related Oral Issues - Root Resorption - Sinusitis - Sjögren’s Syndrome - Smoking - Stress - TMJ Disorders - Torus/Tori/Exostoses - Trauma/Injury - Wisdom Teeth - Xerostomia (dry mouth)Part IIIHerbs for the Mouth11 An herba l Materia Medica for the Mouth An Introduction to the Materia Medica - The Herbal Materia Medica Arnica - Barberry - Barley - Bee balm - Calendula - Cardamom - Cayenne - Chamomile - Cinnamon - Clove - Echinacea - Fennel - Goldenseal - Hops - Kava - Lavender - Lemon balm - Marshmallow - Milky oats - Myrrh - Neem - Oak - Orange peel - Peppermint - Plantain - Prickly ash - Propolis - Red clover - Red raspberry leaf - Rose hips - Rosemary - Sage - Salt - Skullcap - Slippery elm - Stevia - Thyme - Turmeric - Willow - Wintergreen - Yarrow12 How To Prepare Herbal Remedies About Identification and Assessing Quality - Dosing - Making Herbal Remedies: Teas, Decoctions, Poultices, Tinctures, and More - Herbs by Action - Herbs by Symptom - Hands-on and How-toPart IVSustaining a Healthy Mouth13 Food and Drink Healthy Food Choices - The Truth about Sugar - Saliva, pH, Snacking, and Sugary Drinks - Hydration - Vitamins and Minerals - Nourishment during Pregnancy - Foods and Beverages that Stain - Eating Seasonally14 The Mouth as a microcosm of the Body The Oral-Systemic Connection - Taking an Oral Health History - Frequently Asked Questions15 Changing IdeasCurrent Issues Affecting Oral HealthAccess to Oral Health Care - Alcohol in Oral Health Care Products - Antibiotic Use - Bisphenol A (BPA) - Dental Amalgam (contains mercury) - Fluoride - Gluten - Green Heath Care Offices - Health and Dental Insurance - Herbal Supplements - Herbicides and Pesticides - Latex - Probiotics - Radiation (dental) - Radiation (irradiated foods) - Real Food - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - TriclosanConcluding Remarks Appendix 1 Professional Organizations Appendix 2 Suppliers of Herbs and Oral Care Products Appendix 3 Herba l Cultivars and Wildcrafting Appendix 4 Useful Conversions, or Your Pint’s Bigger than my pint Appendix 5 Oral Health Charts and Tables Glossary About the authors Index

“Brilliant, practical, and eminently empowering, Dental Herbalism is a ‘veritable owner’s manual for your mouth.’ The authors marry decades of herbal experience with decades of dental practice to create a book like no other. Dental Herbalism is sure to revolutionize the way we approach dental health.”

Leslie M. Alexander, Ph.D., RH(AHG), is a medical herbalist and former research scientist. A professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, she is co-owner of Restoration Herbs. Linda A. Straub-Bruce, BS Ed, RDH, is a practicing registered dental hygienist and member of the American Dental Hygienists Association. Both authors are members of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health and live in western Pennsylvania.

• Acknowledgments Foreword by M. Leslie Williams, RH(AHG), M Ed Foreword by William D. Hammerlee, DMD, FAGD Foreword by K. P. Singh Khalsa, RH(AHG), DN-C Foreword by Richard Mandelbaum, RH(AHG) Introduction Part IThe Lay of the Land1 It All Begins in the Mouth Inflammation - Measures of Inflammation - Digestive Health - The Mouth, Disease, and Illness - An Herbal Niche2 The Mouth and What’s Inside It Let’s Start with Our Teeth - Parts of a Tooth - Supporting Structures of the Mouth - Sinuses3 Everyday Care for a Healthy Mouth Health and Hygiene Basics - Brushing - Tongue Scraping - Flossing - Rinsing -Toothpaste and Tooth Powder4 Monitoring Oral Well-Being Keeping Notes - What’s Worth Recording about Our Oral Health? - Taking a Look Inside the Mouth - The Symptom Checklist5 Getting to Know Your Dental and Herbal Team A Trip to the Dentist - The Dentist - Other Dental Professionals - Venues - Financing - HerbalistsPart IIFrom infancy to old ageThe Mouth through a Lifetime6 Pregnancy, Infants, and Toddlers During Pregnancy - Newborn - Teething - Microbial Transmission from Caregiver to Infant - Thrush - Sucking Thumbs, Fingers, and Pacifiers - Baby Bottle Decay - Tooth Discoloration - Growing Up with Healthy Teeth - Toddler Snacking - The First Dental Visit7 Tooth Decay Getting Down to Basics: What Is Decay? - Contributing Factors - Symptoms of Decay - Dealing with Pain - Dental Interventions - Protecting Teeth from Decay8 Gum Diseases What Is Gum Disease? - Coming to Grips with Chronic Periodontitis - Preventing Periodontitis - Other Types of Periodontitis9 Tooth Loss, Replacement, and Orthodontics When One Tooth Goes Missing - Implants - Bridges - Removable Partial Dentures - Dentures - Prostheses for the Masses10 Habits, Conditions, and Diagnoses Affecting the Mouth How to Use the Symptom Checklist - Summaries of Commonly Occurring Conditions Seen in General Dental PracticeAcid Reflux/GERD - Amalgam Tattoo - Angular Cheilitis - Black Hairy Tongue - BRONJ/ONJ - Bruxism - Candidiasis - Canker Sores (Aphthous Stomatitis) - Caries - Cysts/Tumors - Denture Sores - Diabetes - Eating Disorders - Erosion - Fluorosis - Glossitis - Gum Disease - Gum Recession - Herpes - HIV/AIDS - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Hyperplasia - Infection - Kawasaki Disease - Leukoplakia - Lichen Planus - Meth Mouth - Mouth Breathing - Nail Biting - Nicotine Stomatitis - NUG/Vincent’s Disease (Trench Mouth) -Nutritional Deficiencies - Oral Cancer - Oral Piercings - Osteoporosis - Papilloma - Pemphigus vulgaris - Pericoronitis - Pharmaceutical-Related Oral Issues - Root Resorption - Sinusitis - Sjögren’s Syndrome - Smoking - Stress - TMJ Disorders - Torus/Tori/Exostoses - Trauma/Injury - Wisdom Teeth - Xerostomia (dry mouth)Part IIIHerbs for the Mouth11 An herba l Materia Medica for the Mouth An Introduction to the Materia Medica - The Herbal Materia Medica Arnica - Barberry - Barley - Bee balm - Calendula - Cardamom - Cayenne - Chamomile - Cinnamon - Clove - Echinacea - Fennel - Goldenseal - Hops - Kava - Lavender - Lemon balm - Marshmallow - Milky oats - Myrrh - Neem - Oak - Orange peel - Peppermint - Plantain - Prickly ash - Propolis - Red clover - Red raspberry leaf - Rose hips - Rosemary - Sage - Salt - Skullcap - Slippery elm - Stevia - Thyme - Turmeric - Willow - Wintergreen - Yarrow12 How To Prepare Herbal Remedies About Identification and Assessing Quality - Dosing - Making Herbal Remedies: Teas, Decoctions, Poultices, Tinctures, and More - Herbs by Action - Herbs by Symptom - Hands-on and How-toPart IVSustaining a Healthy Mouth13 Food and Drink Healthy Food Choices - The Truth about Sugar - Saliva, pH, Snacking, and Sugary Drinks - Hydration - Vitamins and Minerals - Nourishment during Pregnancy - Foods and Beverages that Stain - Eating Seasonally14 The Mouth as a microcosm of the Body The Oral-Systemic Connection - Taking an Oral Health History - Frequently Asked Questions15 Changing IdeasCurrent Issues Affecting Oral HealthAccess to Oral Health Care - Alcohol in Oral Health Care Products - Antibiotic Use - Bisphenol A (BPA) - Dental Amalgam (contains mercury) - Fluoride - Gluten - Green Heath Care Offices - Health and Dental Insurance - Herbal Supplements - Herbicides and Pesticides - Latex - Probiotics - Radiation (dental) - Radiation (irradiated foods) - Real Food - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - TriclosanConcluding Remarks Appendix 1 Professional Organizations Appendix 2 Suppliers of Herbs and Oral Care Products Appendix 3 Herba l Cultivars and Wildcrafting Appendix 4 Useful Conversions, or Your Pint’s Bigger than my pint Appendix 5 Oral Health Charts and Tables Glossary About the authors Index

“Brilliant, practical, and eminently empowering, Dental Herbalism is a ‘veritable owner’s manual for your mouth.’ The authors marry decades of herbal experience with decades of dental practice to create a book like no other. Dental Herbalism is sure to revolutionize the way we approach dental health.”

Leslie M. Alexander, Ph.D., RH(AHG), is a medical herbalist and former research scientist. A professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, she is co-owner of Restoration Herbs. Linda A. Straub-Bruce, BS Ed, RDH, is a practicing registered dental hygienist and member of the American Dental Hygienists Association. Both authors are members of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health and live in western Pennsylvania.

• Acknowledgments Foreword by M. Leslie Williams, RH(AHG), M Ed Foreword by William D. Hammerlee, DMD, FAGD Foreword by K. P. Singh Khalsa, RH(AHG), DN-C Foreword by Richard Mandelbaum, RH(AHG) Introduction Part IThe Lay of the Land1 It All Begins in the Mouth Inflammation - Measures of Inflammation - Digestive Health - The Mouth, Disease, and Illness - An Herbal Niche2 The Mouth and What’s Inside It Let’s Start with Our Teeth - Parts of a Tooth - Supporting Structures of the Mouth - Sinuses3 Everyday Care for a Healthy Mouth Health and Hygiene Basics - Brushing - Tongue Scraping - Flossing - Rinsing -Toothpaste and Tooth Powder4 Monitoring Oral Well-Being Keeping Notes - What’s Worth Recording about Our Oral Health? - Taking a Look Inside the Mouth - The Symptom Checklist5 Getting to Know Your Dental and Herbal Team A Trip to the Dentist - The Dentist - Other Dental Professionals - Venues - Financing - HerbalistsPart IIFrom infancy to old ageThe Mouth through a Lifetime6 Pregnancy, Infants, and Toddlers During Pregnancy - Newborn - Teething - Microbial Transmission from Caregiver to Infant - Thrush - Sucking Thumbs, Fingers, and Pacifiers - Baby Bottle Decay - Tooth Discoloration - Growing Up with Healthy Teeth - Toddler Snacking - The First Dental Visit7 Tooth Decay Getting Down to Basics: What Is Decay? - Contributing Factors - Symptoms of Decay - Dealing with Pain - Dental Interventions - Protecting Teeth from Decay8 Gum Diseases What Is Gum Disease? - Coming to Grips with Chronic Periodontitis - Preventing Periodontitis - Other Types of Periodontitis9 Tooth Loss, Replacement, and Orthodontics When One Tooth Goes Missing - Implants - Bridges - Removable Partial Dentures - Dentures - Prostheses for the Masses10 Habits, Conditions, and Diagnoses Affecting the Mouth How to Use the Symptom Checklist - Summaries of Commonly Occurring Conditions Seen in General Dental PracticeAcid Reflux/GERD - Amalgam Tattoo - Angular Cheilitis - Black Hairy Tongue - BRONJ/ONJ - Bruxism - Candidiasis - Canker Sores (Aphthous Stomatitis) - Caries - Cysts/Tumors - Denture Sores - Diabetes - Eating Disorders - Erosion - Fluorosis - Glossitis - Gum Disease - Gum Recession - Herpes - HIV/AIDS - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Hyperplasia - Infection - Kawasaki Disease - Leukoplakia - Lichen Planus - Meth Mouth - Mouth Breathing - Nail Biting - Nicotine Stomatitis - NUG/Vincent’s Disease (Trench Mouth) -Nutritional Deficiencies - Oral Cancer - Oral Piercings - Osteoporosis - Papilloma - Pemphigus vulgaris - Pericoronitis - Pharmaceutical-Related Oral Issues - Root Resorption - Sinusitis - Sjögren’s Syndrome - Smoking - Stress - TMJ Disorders - Torus/Tori/Exostoses - Trauma/Injury - Wisdom Teeth - Xerostomia (dry mouth)Part IIIHerbs for the Mouth11 An herba l Materia Medica for the Mouth An Introduction to the Materia Medica - The Herbal Materia Medica Arnica - Barberry - Barley - Bee balm - Calendula - Cardamom - Cayenne - Chamomile - Cinnamon - Clove - Echinacea - Fennel - Goldenseal - Hops - Kava - Lavender - Lemon balm - Marshmallow - Milky oats - Myrrh - Neem - Oak - Orange peel - Peppermint - Plantain - Prickly ash - Propolis - Red clover - Red raspberry leaf - Rose hips - Rosemary - Sage - Salt - Skullcap - Slippery elm - Stevia - Thyme - Turmeric - Willow - Wintergreen - Yarrow12 How To Prepare Herbal Remedies About Identification and Assessing Quality - Dosing - Making Herbal Remedies: Teas, Decoctions, Poultices, Tinctures, and More - Herbs by Action - Herbs by Symptom - Hands-on and How-toPart IVSustaining a Healthy Mouth13 Food and Drink Healthy Food Choices - The Truth about Sugar - Saliva, pH, Snacking, and Sugary Drinks - Hydration - Vitamins and Minerals - Nourishment during Pregnancy - Foods and Beverages that Stain - Eating Seasonally14 The Mouth as a microcosm of the Body The Oral-Systemic Connection - Taking an Oral Health History - Frequently Asked Questions15 Changing IdeasCurrent Issues Affecting Oral HealthAccess to Oral Health Care - Alcohol in Oral Health Care Products - Antibiotic Use - Bisphenol A (BPA) - Dental Amalgam (contains mercury) - Fluoride - Gluten - Green Heath Care Offices - Health and Dental Insurance - Herbal Supplements - Herbicides and Pesticides - Latex - Probiotics - Radiation (dental) - Radiation (irradiated foods) - Real Food - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) - TriclosanConcluding Remarks Appendix 1 Professional Organizations Appendix 2 Suppliers of Herbs and Oral Care Products Appendix 3 Herba l Cultivars and Wildcrafting Appendix 4 Useful Conversions, or Your Pint’s Bigger than my pint Appendix 5 Oral Health Charts and Tables Glossary About the authors Index

“Brilliant, practical, and eminently empowering, Dental Herbalism is a ‘veritable owner’s manual for your mouth.’ The authors marry decades of herbal experience with decades of dental practice to create a book like no other. Dental Herbalism is sure to revolutionize the way we approach dental health.”