Tolstoy famously wrote “Happy families are all alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Modern psychological science supports this wisdom in findings that extend back for decades and traverse the globe. My work has focused on trying to distill this research into 10 effective and time-efficient strategies that hectic parents can use to promote wellness, happiness and resilience in their children and themselves.

So, my wish for parents in 2012 is to practice these 10 strategies (each of which constitutes a chapter in my parenting book Working Parents, Thriving Families: 10 Strategies That Make a Difference). Here they are:

#1. Spend one hour a week with each child doing nothing but paying attention and saying what you like about your child, what he or she is doing or what he or she is saying. This special time is different from quality time (i.e., in quality time something else is usually holding my attention in addition to my child). What an apple a day is to a pediatrician, this hour a week of special time is to a child psychologist.

#2. Discover what your child excels at, help her or him to develop it and give her or him regular experiences with such, especially in public. All of us have talents that reside at the top of the bell curve, though they often go undiscovered or undeveloped. To discover and develop your child’s talents is a major gift. (By the way, these first two strategies go to the core of self-esteem formation.)

#3. Develop and support daily, weekly, seasonal and special occasion rituals. Such activities can serve as islands of stability in the torrential currents of our culture. Think of it from the perspective of your child: Kids may be shooting kids in school, planes may be crashing into buildings but we still have pizza night, or go to church on Sunday, or have a family meal or, (fill in the blank). These “we alwayses” are music to a parent’s ears.

#4. Further develop your child’s psychological muscle to do things when he or she doesn’t feel like it by developing an effective discipline plan. Try to avoid what doesn’t work (e.g, corporal punishment, harshness)–knowing that we are all capable of lapses and not being too hard on yourself for them–and to use what does work (e.g., setting specific age-appropriate expectations and linking them to outcomes desired by your child, using time-out). By the time he or she is an adult this “muscle” will likely predict his or her success across multiple vocational and interpersonal realms.

#5. Monitor well. Of course, this means establishing appropriate parent controls on the range of media devices to which your child has access. But, it also means limiting sedentary electronic pleasuring to two hours a day and, when she or he is out of your site, knowing where he or she is, who she or he is with, what they are doing and what responsible adult is in charge of monitoring.

#6. Remember that your child’s wellness depends upon your wellness and the wellness of your relationship with your significant other. Secure your oxygen mask first before securing your child’s (e.g., each chapter in the aforementioned book includes a strategy from the positive psychology literature for parents to promote their own wellness.)

#7. Promote harmony, collaboration and effective relationships with the other important adults in your child’s life. The more you do this the better your child will fair. This is the case with teachers, coaches, and, especially, exes (e.g., two things best predict adjustment to divorce: the number of changes the child experiences, with the fewer the better, and how well the parents get along).

#8. Make sure that your child’s health tripod (i.e., sleep, physical activity and diet) is strong. Make sure he or she gets recommended doses of sleep (1-3 years old: 12-14 hours, 3-5 years old: 11-13 hours, 5-12 years old: 10-11 hours, Teens: 8.5-9.25 hours), sweats and breathes hard an hour a day (or at least most days) and eats a balanced diet (e.g., low in refined/processed carbohydrates and junk food, lots of veggies, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and quality fish). So many kinds of problems can go away, or be avoided to begin with, when this tripod is strong.

#9. Empower your child to make decisions that are developmentally appropriate and teach her or him how to respond adaptively to failure (e.g., crisis = pain + opportunity). We parents hurt worse when our kid hurts. This can sometimes cause us to make too many decisions for our kids and/or to try to protect our kids from the consequences of their choices.

#10. If your child is suffering from anything more than transient mental pain, treat it as you would more than transient dental pain, and seek out the services of a qualified mental health professional (most kids have such pain by adulthood but only a small minority get effective care). And, if you do, educate yourself regarding what differentiates pedestrian from quality care (lots of guidance is provided in my book).

We parents number among the most selfless beings in the universe. I hope you give yourself credit for that as you raise your progeny this year. And, if there is anything I can do to help you in your parenting mission, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Dr. David Palmiter is a psychology professor, practicing psychologist, President-Elect of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association and Public Education Coordinator for the American Psychological Association. He also has been married for 20+ years and has three children ranging in age from 11 to 16. His blog is at www.hecticparents.com, his Twitter moniker is @HelpingParents and his primary website is at www.helpingfamilies.com.

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, fluoride IS a toxic poison. Fluoride added to water supplies is NOT pharmaceutical grade fluoride. Not even close. The negative health affects of consuming fluoride via water fluoridation, fluoride toothpastes, mouthwashes, rinses, fluoride supplements, vitamins etc etc, are well known and proven to be a fact.

Just a few days ago I happened to notice the cover story of a dental magazine by the ADA called “ADA News”, mentioning how a town in Florida had recently voted 3-2 to keep their municipal water supply fluoridated. See it here. What do the two people who voted against continuing adding fluoride to the town’s water supply know about fluoride that the other three do not know or choose to ignore? What about all the people that live in that town? Do the citizens not have a right to choose if they want toxic chemicals forcibly added to their water supply against their consent, and perhaps even without their informed knowledge?

And guess what? The various health “authorities” (The American Dental Association and others) heavily promoting fluoride use on dental patients and the general public know full well that more and more scientists, doctors, dentists, dental hygienists and the general public (YOU) are wising up and realizing they have been lying to you for many years about fluoride and water fluoridation, and are increasing the pressure on dentists and dental staff to increase the promotion of fluoride use and fluoridated water. See the proof here. The Almighty Dollar is at stake.

The TRUST that uninformed and misinformed doctors, dental professionals and consumers have placed in these “authorities” to truly be looking out for the good and well-being of the public is unraveling rapidly, and the once blindly trusted authorities don’t like it one bit. More and more people are becoming aware of the fact that health authorities and government officials have known for a very long time just how toxic and health damaging fluoride truly is. Watch this brief 5 minute film showing how the facts about fluoride’s harmful effects on health have been known and proven for a very long time.

Fluoride and water fluoridation promoters are fighting hard against their opponents, those who are against water fluoridation and fluoride in dental products, etc. However, those in opposition to fluoride are fighting just as hard, if not harder, to inform the public (YOU) to read and research for yourselves WHY fluoride is toxic and why fluoride is harmful and where fluoride REALLY comes from.

Below is another article about the harmful effects of fluoride, written and submitted by Dr. Tom McGuire, who has kindly submitted previous guest articles on the damaging effects of “silver” mercury amalgam fillings.

Introducing Dr. Tom McGuire….

Fluoride is a Poison – How Does Fluoride Affect Health?

Fluoride is a poison and there are those who make a good argument that it is not needed by the body, in any quantity for any reason. The fact that it is found in the body doesn’t mean the body needs it. Mercury is found in the body and everyone knows the body doesn’t need it. Even the fact that it has shown to reduce tooth decay doesn’t mean it isn’t a hazardous substance.

The amount of fluoride that is said to reduce tooth decay is only slightly less, in parts per million, than the amount that causes dental fluorosis, which I speak of later in this article. There is no doubt that it exhibits unwanted side effects in extremely small amounts and sodium fluoride is actually still used as a rat poison.

Since 1997 the FDA requires that all fluoridated toothpaste carry a warning that reads:

Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek PROFESSIONAL HELP or contact a POISON CONTROL center immediately.

In fact, if a small child swallowed the contents of a regular sized tube of fluoridated toothpaste it would most likely be fatal. Parents are also encouraged to use only a pea sized drop of toothpaste for children under six and to make sure it is not swallowed after brushing and rinsing. Of course this isn’t an easy task as toothpaste manufacturers make toothpaste very appealing to children, especially in how it tastes, and children have a built in tendency to swallow everything that tastes good.

Fluoride’s Link to other Diseases

In addition, fluoride has been linked to bone cancer and a debilitating bone disease called skeletal fluorosis, with symptoms ranging from chronic joint pain to hip fractures and bone cancer. Excessive amounts of fluoride can accelerate joint and ligament aging and negatively affect bone growth. What is interesting about this is that early symptoms of fluoride poisoning mimics arthritis, which along with the incidence of hip fractures and bone cancer, has dramatically increased in today’s population. When you realize that exposure to fluoride has dramatically increased from when it was first introduced in the mid-1940’s, those increases are logical. Fluoride has also been shown to negatively affect the health of the:

• Thyroid gland;
• Kidneys;
• Brain and nervous system; and
• Immune system.

Why Add Fluoride to Drinking Water?

The previous section was only a brief description of the side effects of fluoride and as you can see, it isn’t very user friendly. This begs the question that if even small amounts of fluoride are so hazardous to one’s health, why would anyone want to put such a poisonous substance into a public water system?

I believe there are two answers to that question. The first was a well-intended effort to use fluoride as a type of vaccine that prevents tooth decay. I’m sure it sounded like a very noble idea to dentists and local governments at the time it was introduced, but its value and safety has not withstood the test of time—or science.

The second reason is more sinister because it involves finding a use for the large amounts of fluoride that is produced as a by-product of phosphate fertilizer production and aluminum production. I can just hear the marketing department of aluminum manufacturers trying to figure out a way to get rid of this highly poisonous substance and make some money in the process. Promoting it as an anti-decay product by putting it into municipal water systems was just the kind of profitable solution they were looking for. This group has always been a proponent of water fluoridation.

Fluoride and Tooth Decay

I wouldn’t be so critical of water fluoridation if fluoride wasn’t a poison and if it actually prevented tooth decay. But it is a poison and it doesn’t prevent tooth decay. It may reduce it in some people but it doesn’t prevent it. In addition, once the enamel crowns of the teeth has formed, usually by the age of 15, fluoridated water ceases to have a value in preventing tooth decay. Thus, any amount of fluoride you ingest is unnecessary and depending on how much water you take in, potentially a health hazard.

I also wouldn’t be so critical of fluoride use if everyone had a choice and it wasn’t forced upon people via their water supply. This takes on even more significance when you realize it serves no purpose after the age of 15, yet you are still forced to drink it—unless you choose to install a filter or buy purified water.

The only area where I feel fluoride has a value in preventing decay while eliminating its exposure to the body is dentally applied topical fluoride treatments. But with the advent of dental sealants to help reduce decay you now have another choice.

Fluoride: What it’s Supposed to Do and What it Actually Does

The difference in the amount of fluoride in the water that could reduce decay and the amount that could cause fluorosis (a disease of the teeth where excessive fluoride causes staining, brittle enamel, and enamel pitting called mottling) is extraordinarily small. For example, if:

• The amount of fluoride in the water exceeds 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million (The lower amount is used in hotter climates where people tend to drink more water and the higher in cooler climates where less water is consumed.);

• You drink lots of water (which many people do, especially active people);

• You drink higher quantities of water during the short period of time that the enamel of your permanent teeth is forming; from about the age of 2 to 15; and

• You receive fluoride from any other source, such as vegetables and sea food; then

You could develop fluorosis.

What Fluoride Doesn’t Do for You

You will have a decent chance of reducing tooth decay if you had ideal amounts of fluoride during the time the tooth’s enamel was forming. That’s the good news. (Keep in mind that the most vulnerable area of the tooth to decay is the grooves of the back teeth; et this is the area that fluoride provides the least protection to.)

But if:

• Fluoride in the water exceeds 1.2 parts per million;

• You drink more water than is considered average, such as what you’d drink on a hot day, or what an athlete would drink;

• Consume fruits and vegetables grown in areas where the natural water content of fluoride is high or the water is fluoridate; and

• You received extra fluoride from mouth washes, toothpaste, vitamins, or other sources; then

You will most likely experience fluorosis and other side affects of fluoride poisoning.

Fluorides Will Not Prevent Gum Disease

The truth is that fluoride doesn’t do anything to prevent gum disease and gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss; not decay as most people believe. Even if you received exactly the right amount of fluoride, over the right period of time, and you experienced reduced tooth decay; you would still have to properly brush your gums to prevent gum disease.

So it doesn’t matter whether or not the water is fluoridated, you have to brush and floss your teeth in the same way, and just as often, to prevent gum disease as to prevent decay. Of course while you are taking care of your gums you would also be prevent tooth decaying, even if your water wasn’t fluoridated. The difference being that you can still effectively prevent all forms of dental disease if you have a sound oral hygienie program, but without risking the side effects of fluoride poisoning.

Even a Little Fluoride is Too Much Fluoride

It should be noted that people today are exposed to greater quantities of fluoride than they were 25 years ago. Twenty-five years ago, the major source of fluoride exposure was fluoridated water. Today, it is also found in mouthwash, toothpaste, rinses, tablets, and even vitamins. There is evidence that shows fluorosis has shown up in areas where the water isn’t fluoridated. I’ve no doubt that this is because they are receiving excessive amounts of fluoride from other sources mentioned above.

Thus the potential for fluoride poisoning has dramatically increased. The real problem we are facing is that no one knows how much fluoride each individual is getting. One person may drink 8 glasses of fluoridated water a day, brush with fluoridated toothpaste, and use fluoridated mouthwash. Another could drink 2 glasses of water and not use any other fluoridated dental products. As you can see, the variations are wide-ranging. Also keep in mind that if your water is fluoridated you will receive fluoride from the water used to make soups, tea, coffee, ice, and any other use of water in food preparation.

Another indirect source of fluoride is fruits and vegetables grown with fluoridated water. There is no way of knowing how much fluoride you may be getting from this source. In addition, hundreds of thousands of pounds of fluoride enter the ecology from water runoff containing fluoride. Each year it adds more and more fluoride to the ecosystem, poisoning live stock, lakes and waterways.

Is Fluoride a Health Hazard?

The answer to that question is is a big YES! Fluoride toxicity is definitely something to be aware of, especially in communities where the water is fluoridated or high levels of it are found naturally in the water. My suggestion is that if you’ve eliminated gum disease and mercury as contributor to any existing health problem, and your physician cannot seem to find the find the cause, you should check to see if your water contains fluoride and suggest he or she consider it as a potential cause.

There is no doubt that fluoride is a poison in very small amounts and for some it can be a serious health hazard and although it does relate to teeth, it’s not really an oral health issue. I see it as a public health issue, as the majority of fluoride you will be exposed to is delivered to the individual via the municipal water systems. Regardless of how it is delivered, fluoride is a poison, and increasing evidence suggests it can create, or contribute, to health problems.

What you have read here will serve to introduce you to the subject of fluoride and if you feel you would like to learn more about this subject, Tooth Fitness: Your Guide to Healthy Teeth covers fluoride in greater detail. It details the pros and cons of fluoride use and addresses all of the controversial aspects of this still controversial subject.

[Dr. Tom resides in Sebastopol, CA and is the author of the best-selling books, Healthy Teeth—Healthy Body: How to Improve Your Oral and Overall Health, The Poison in Your Teeth: Mercury Amalgam Fillings . . . Hazardous to Your Health, and Mercury Detoxification: The Natural Way to Remove Mercury from Your Body. He is a leading authority on mercury amalgam silver fillings, chronic mercury poisoning, mercury detoxification, and holistic dental wellness. Dr. Tom specializes in patient education and is available for phone consultations about topics within his area of expertise. He has the largest and most visited website of its kind, with over 350 pages of information. His website, www.dentalwellness4u.com has the largest database of mercury-free and mercury-safe dentists available on the Internet. You can contact his office at 1-800-335-7755.]

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Multiple Intelligences. No, I’m not talking about life-forms outside of Earth; I’m talking about the numerous ways that we, humans, learn new things by our different learning styles. I’ve only had 2 days of classes, and my Critical Thinking class feels more like a really fun Psychology class than anything else. I love psychology so, when it’s brought up in class, I get really excited.

We’re in our second week of school (out of 8 weeks) and we just read a chapter in the book that talks about Multiple Intelligences. There are 8 forms of dominant intelligences, 3 learning styles, and 8 personality styles – all which makes up the theory of Multiple Intelligences.

In 1983, Howard Gardner introduced the Multiple Intelligence Theory “as a model of intelligence that differentiates intelligence into various specific (primarily sensory) modalities, rather than seeing it as dominated by a single general ability.” (Wikipedia)

Here are the 8 Dominant Intelligences and what they each mean:

Visual/spatial- Picture smart- Thinks in pictures; Knows where things are in the house; loves to create images with pictures.

Verbal/Linguistic- Word smart- Communicates well through language; likes to write; good at spelling; great storyteller and loves to read.

Musical/Rhythm- Music smart- Loves to sing, hum and whistle; responds to music immediately; performs music

Logical/Mathematical- Number smart- Can easily conceptualize and reason; uses logic; good problem solving skills; loves math and science.

Body/Kinesthetic- Body smart- Learns through body sensations; moves around a lot; enjoys working with hands; some athletic ability

Interpersonal- People smart- Loves to communicate with people; great leadership skills; lots of friends; does extracurricular activities

Intrapersonal- Self smart- Deep awareness of own feelings; very reflective; requires time to be alone; no group activities

Naturalistic- Environment smart- Interest in environment and nature; recognizes plants, animals, rocks and cloud formations; may like camping, hiking and fishing.

There are various tests available to see what your Dominant Intelligence is, and how the others rank as well. My weakest happens to be verbal and then it’s Naturalistic; the others seem to be quite well-developed as I scored quite close in the rest of them despite having my strongest being Body/Kinesthetic.

The part that I found completely and truly fascinating was when it came to the 3 Learning Styles. Although the descriptions sound kind of like the 8 Dominant Intelligences, there is a difference.

So here are the 3 learning styles:

Visual Learning Style- Thinks in pictures; enjoys visual instructions and demonstrations; would rather read a text than listen to a lecture; avid note-taker; needs visual reference; likes charts and graphs.

Auditory Learning Style- Prefers verbal instructions; would rather listen than read; often tapes lectures; recites information out loud; enjoys talking and discussing issues and verbal stimuli; talks out problems.

Kinesthetic/Tactile Learning Style- Prefers a “hands-on” approach to learning; likes to take notes and uses a lot of scratch paper; learns best by “doing”; learns by moving; doesn’t concentrate well when sitting and reading.

The funny thing with the 3 Learning Styles for me is that I learn things by physically doing them, instead of watching someone else, but I also have a strong Visual Learning Style. I can’t sit in a class all day where the teacher is doing the lecture, I have to stay in my seat, and am expected to listen and understand what the teacher is saying. I have to move!

I can’t sit still for very long, and it can definitely be hard for me to concentrate when I’m just sitting down. I’m not exactly “easily distracted”, I just have to be doing something. So it’s quite interesting to see how these Learning Styles are incorporated into whom I am and how I learn, without me even realizing it.

I’m sure everyone knows about the 8 personality types (introvert, extrovert etc.). It’s also very important to see how your personality type either hinders or boosts your learning. It’s also important for teachers to know how each child/adult learns if they expect every child/adult in the classroom to really understand and comprehend what he/she is talking about in class.

Virtually my entire Critical Thinking class is all Body/Kinesthetic learners, so we learn best by “doing”, rather than just listening or watching. It’s important for my professor to know this so she knows how to reach each kid so they all understand.

It’s also good to know these things because it can and will affect your various jobs. One of my classmates said that he’s a good listener and likes to listen, but has a very difficult time following directions. It doesn’t mean, “Well then obviously you’re not a good listener”, because they might be the best listener you’ve ever met; just don’t give him/her directions on something.

They asked the Professor if she knew anything about it, and she was totally stumped – no one had asked that kind of question before. They ran their own test at home using a video game (that uses a lot of puzzles and requires you to follow directions before proceeding) to see why they have such a hard time following directions. They tried following the directions by repeating what they were told to do, in their head.

Ultimately they couldn’t figure out what to do and got frustrated. So they tried the same thing, but this time repeating the directions to them, but out loud. Surprisingly enough, they were able to do what the directions had said and were able to finally proceed. So they learned that they have an Auditory Learning Style.

I’m a have a very strong visual learning style. Like I said earlier, I can’t sit in class that does lectures and be expected to know what the teacher talked about before leaving the class. When I was in high school, that’s very much how high school was like. My math teacher would stand in front of the class, and lecture all day. Needless to say, I wasn’t doing very well in that class. I transferred to the local Alternative school so I could speed up my learning, and graduate high school before I was due to give birth to my daughter. The alternative school has teachers, just no lectures.

It was purely, “Here’s your packet of work, there’s your book. Do the work. If you can’t figure out from the book, THEN come ask me.” This was quite surprising to me. I felt confused at first, but yet so relieved that I wouldn’t have to waste my time listening to guy try to explain math to me in a way I wasn’t going to understand anyways. There was my packet, there was book, and there was my sweet grade. I passed the math class from the alternative school with a good grade (though I don’t remember what exactly it was). The math class I’m in right now (in college) is very much the same way. The teacher is there if you can’t figure things out on your own, but she doesn’t stand in front of class and explain math to me in a virtually foreign language.

Applying all of this to how I absorb information from work, as a new hire is quite funny. I worked as a waitress for over a year at a Mexican restaurant. My trainer handed me the menu and said, “Learn this.” Ok, I know I need to learn the menu if I’m going to be serving the food to people, but can you show me what this food is supposed to look like, too? I can’t learn my job if I’m just reading what I’m supposed to do. If it’s a serving job I’m doing, you better show me the food and tell me what’s in it, before you start quizzing me on the menu. I need to see the way it’s presented, and see what these weird ingredients are for me to know, “Oh, ok, that’s what that is!”

I always knew that was the case (I had to see, to know) but I didn’t realize how important it was in EVERYTHING I do; not just simply a waitressing job. If it’s a technical job, you better let me do it while your explaining it to me; don’t just say, “Ok watch what I’m doing,” and expect me to follow.

All of this stuff is/can be very valuable information to everyone. If you have young kids that are toddlers, watch them; see how they’re learning. If you know how your child learns, then it’ll be so much easier to communicate with them. When they did something wrong, do they need you to SHOW them what they did, or do they just need you to TELL them what they did? If they’re young enough that you can influence their learning styles, then that’s even better! Help them excel in all 3 learning styles so no matter HOW someone teaches new things to them, they’ll always be able to understand it.

Guest post written and submitted by Heather P. If you’re on Twitter, you can follow Heather P, and engage with her and fellow Hush Hush fans and Twilight book fans.

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If you have been to college, you likely have some regrets about things you wish you had done differently. If you are a current college student, there is so much you can learn from those who have come before you that could help you get the most value out of your college experience.

Whether choosing your major wisely, taking advantage of free programs for students, or networking with professionals who visit your campus, there are so many things that can give you an edge in a difficult economy. Below are ten common mistakes that college students make, and how you can avoid them and learn from the mistakes of others.

1. Many college students blindly choose a broad major because they have not decided what they want to do with their lives while others will opt for majors that have historically allowed people to find lucrative careers but aren’t the right fit for students. An example of this is the business degree, which continues to be popular but has lost prestige since the financial crisis. This doesn’t mean that students genuinely interested in business should shy away from the major; business-minded students must realize the broad scope of business curriculums, such as ones covered at MBA Online, before diving into the field of study. Simply doing a little research about a variety of majors, other than broad ones like business, can help most college students identify what it is that they they love to do and what can really lead to a career that is lucrative.

2. A second mistake that many college students make is not developing a relationship with their professors or taking advantage of office hours held by professors or their assistants. Office hours are offered by all professors and can help struggling students catch up, but can also help regular students excel and get the most out of their experience. Office hours can be very valuable, but they are a not top priority of many students.

3. College is fun, and having fun leads many students to select classes that are going to be easy and require little studying or test preparation. This can lead students into a vicious cycle of picking easy classes rather than challenging ones that will result in learning skills that make students marketable. Choosing a challenging and interesting schedule makes most students more marketable when searching for a career.

4. Colleges do a great job of exposing students to professionals and potential employers. However, many students do not take advantage of these opportunities and therefore, miss out on valuable opportunities. Whether it’s at career fairs or on campus interview opportunities, companies invest a lot of money and time into meeting potential employees on college campuses. By taking advantage of these opportunities, students may have an easier time finding a job upon graduation.

5. Every year, there is a lot of money that is left unused in the form of scholarships that were unclaimed. Many students do not do their due diligence in researching the money that may be available, and thus could lessen the financial burden of obtaining their degree. College students could potentially have hundreds of extra dollars in their pockets if they would just invest a little bit of time researching existing scholarships, applying, and collecting money for their educations.

6. Students often do not see their peers as a valuable part of their post-graduation network. There are many ways to leverage your peers, not just your superiors, to find a job, or get tips on how to interview successfully. If students would take advantage of their student network, they would likely have an easier time finding a job and would learn from each others’ mistakes in the job search process.

7. Many students believe that it is necessary to get a degree from a big name college rather than a community college near their home town. Often, employers do not care which institution is on your degree, but rather how you applied yourself when obtaining that degree. Therefore, if your budget only allows you to attend a community college while working or living at home with your parents, consider doing that if even for a couple of years before spending too much time and money at a large, and probably expensive, school.

8. Many students underestimate the value of making good grades in high school, and how that can affect the schools to which you can apply or what your college experience will entail. Therefore, start early focusing on making good grades and building a resume that will surely impress any potential admissions board or employer.

9. Many students go to college and end up spending time with people they already know rather than branching out and experiencing a diverse culture that most college campuses offer. By branching out and meeting new people, students can learn from the experiences of others and determine what qualities in others are important when seeking a career or trying to be successful in school. Branch out!

10. Many students trade in a life of valuable extra-curricular activities through which they could gain valuable leadership experience for a life of partying with their friends and being king on the social scene. There is definitely a time in college to be social and have fun, but there is also value in finding an activity in which you excel or that you enjoy, and thriving in it. Whether it is leading a bible study or other study group, holding a leadership position in your sorority or fraternity, or leading a student organization, employers will be looking for extra-curricular activities beyond hanging out with the local barkeep.

As you can see, there are lots of mistakes that most college students make that could cost them precious value in their degrees. By avoiding these mistakes, college students would be more successful and have a much better change at a lucrative career with a good company or firm.

Guest Article: Marina Salsbury planned on becoming a teacher since high school, but found her way instead into online writing after college. She currently writes on a variety of topics, but always seems to veer back to education-related articles.

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As an experienced dental professional who began having serious misgivings and doubt about the safety and effectiveness of dental treatments such as fluoride and mercury fillings, learning about the toxic and harmful effects of both fluoride and (silver) mercury amalgam fillings caused me to seek out professional dentists and specialists who have written books and published numerous articles regarding these practices for their expert advice for my readers.

Why? Despite the fact that I’ve been in dentistry for many years, it was only about a year ago that I began to question and doubt various dental procedures and began to do my own independent research on certain dental procedures and treatments. Being “just” a professional, licensed Registered Dental Assistant and Office Manager for many years, versus a professional dentist or dental specialist, it was and is important to me to provide my readers with information provided by dental experts who have gone to great lengths to inform the public and professional colleagues about the dangers and harmful effects of fluoride, mercury fillings, etc.

While I have spent many months reading numerous books and articles on these topics and others related to the field of dentistry, and have been doing my best to provide information and resource links and encouragement for readers to also research for themselves and read books about the dangers of fluoride and mercury fillings etc, inviting knowledgeable dentists to submit guest articles on these topics and others will hopefully provide readers a greater incentive to take the subjects seriously for the benefit of their own health and wellbeing, but also that of their children and families.

Dr. Tom McGuire has kindly provided the information below on how to safely remove mercury amalgam fillings and have your fillings replaced with safe alternatives.

Ignorance Is NOT Bliss!

How to Safely Remove Mercury “Amalgam” Fillings – Mercury Free and Safe Dentistry, by Dr. Tom McGuire

I felt it appropriate to start this section on safe amalgam filling removal by providing you access to my YouTube Video, Mercury: The Poison in Your Teeth. This amazing video clearly demonstrates that not only is mercury vapor released from amalgams but also quantitatively demonstrates the actual amount of mercury released from an amalgam by a common means of stimulation, tooth brushing.

As you’ll see in the Video, brushing a medium sized amalgam filling will release more mercury vapor than allowed by governmental regulatory agencies at the workplace! The Video also compares the amount of mercury vapor released to other forms of stimulation, by the patient and at the dental office – and what you can do about it!

There are many scientific studies that prove this, but it’s one thing to read about it and yet another to actually see how much mercury vapor being released from an amalgam filling by an EPA approved mercury vapor analyzer. The short video also offers evidence of the toxicity of mercury and is well worth the few minutes of your time it takes to view my YouTube Video: Mercury: The Poison in Your Teeth. Don’t forget to tell your friends and family about this video – or a dentist you’d like to help educate about this subject. You can also access the video by searching YouTube for either Tom McGuire, DDS or The Poison in Your Teeth.

While mercury vapor is released from amalgam fillings during many forms of common stimulation, such as brushing, chewing and grinding, significantly greater amounts are released when an amalgam filling is removed unsafely. The following two sections introduces the many reasons why it is important to have amalgam fillings removed in a safe way. I believe it will provide the background information you will need to know why mercury free and mercury safe dentists offer these safe removal protocols to minimize exposure to toxic mercury vapor. If you wish to link directly to the specific guidelines I recommend for safely removing amalgam fillings, Click Here.

Safe Amalgam Filling Removal

The majority of people I consult with are unaware mercury amalgam (silver) dental fillings release one of the most poisonous substances we will ever be exposed to. This lack of awareness can be devastating to their health because the mercury released from them can cause, contribute, or worsen every disease and health problem we will face. Because there is a vast difference in how amalgam silver fillings are removed in a mercury free dental office compared to a pro-amalgam office, I feel it important to describe the protocol for safely removing amalgam fillings.

While there is no universal consensus regarding the safest way to remove mercury amalgam fillings but one outstanding organization has established what I believe to be the safest protocol for minimizing a patient’s exposure to mercury. Established by New Directions Dentistry (NDD), it is the most thorough protocol yet developed and its protocol is used as a guideline by many mercury free and mercury safe dentists as the basis of their own safe removal program. For more information about NDD Click Here.

Symptoms and Diseases Related to Chronic Mercury Poisoning

There are many reasons why you would want to minimize your exposure to the mercury vapor that is released when amalgam fillings are removed. There is no doubt that mercury is an extraordinarily poisonous substance and no doubt that it is released from amalgam fillings by normal actions such as tooth brushing and chewing gum. But it is also important to understand just how many symptoms and diseases are related, directly or indirectly, to chronic mercury poisoning. For more information on that subject Click Here.

Health Improvements from Amalgam Filling Removal and Mercury Detoxification

For many tens of millions of people who are suffering from the adverse side-effects of chronic mercury poisoning it may not be enough just to minimize exposure to mercury vapor during amalgam filling removal. Most of those who are now suffering from mercury related health issues should also consider initiating a mercury detoxification program. Mercury Detoxification: The Natural Way to Remove Mercury from Your Body will be an invaluable guide to you if this is a path you chose to take.

A majority of people will see improvements in symptoms and diseases (over time) related to chronic mercury poisoning just by having these toxic fillings removed, but for others it will take a mercury detoxification program to get the results they seek. To review a number of studies that clearly show the health improvements in a large number of mercury related symptoms after amalgam fillings have been removed and a detoxification program is undertaken: Chronic Mercury Poisoning: Symptoms and Diseases.

Mothers and Chronic Mercury Poisoning

If you are a mother, or mother to be, it is extremely important for you to fully understand the effects of mercury on the fetus, nursing baby, and child you’ll want to know how mercury from amalgam fillings can cause or contribute to learning, mental, and developmental disorders: Mercury from Amalgam Fillings and Autism. For additional information and to learn how you can sign a petition to have these poisonous fillings banned. Ban Mercury Amalgam, Silver, Fillings.

Amalgam Fillings: Hazardous to Your Health

I’m aware that some dentists don’t believe the mercury released from amalgam fillings jeopardizes the health of the patient and dental office staff. It’s also true that many dentists who do believe that amalgam fillings are a health hazard aren’t necessarily aware of the safest removal protocol or benefits to the patient and dental office staff of doing so.

It’s also possible that a pro-amalgam dentist may abide by your decision to remove your amalgam fillings but lacks the necessary equipment and experience to remove them in the safest way possible. Or he, or she, may not fully understand the importance of following the correct removal procedure . . . or who just doesn’t care. If your dentist falls into any of these categories, you should take the time to find a mercury free and mercury safe dentist who is well versed in this protocol. If you must work with a dentist who isn’t, I suggest you provide him with a copy of the guidelines I will recommend in the next section and ask him to follow them. If he won’t, or argues with you, I suggest finding one who will. After all, you are the patient and you hire him; it is your body, not his; and it is YOUR choice.

Even if your dentist informs you that she is mercury safe and follows a safe removal protocol, it wouldn’t hurt to have her explain what it is. You could ask her if her safe removal protocol is the same or similar to the one I suggest. Although her procedures don’t have to be exactly the same, if she deviates significantly from this protocol, make sure she gives you a satisfactory explanation as to why.

Should I Have My Amalgam Fillings Removed Safely

The guidelines I recommend for safe amalgam filling removal are based on the removal protocols established by the New Directions Dentistry (NDD). Click Here for information about NDD. The value of its protocol is that it can reduce your exposure to mercury vapor and amalgam particles during filling removal by nearly 100%. While this preventive approach to minimizing your exposure to toxic mercury vapor is important for everyone, it’s an absolute must for those who:

• are pregnant or nursing and still choose to have mercury amalgam fillings removed;

• are allergic to mercury or any of the other materials used in an amalgam filling, particularly tin or silver;

• anyone who has ever had any adverse side effects after having mercury amalgam fillings placed or removed; and

• anyone who has immune system disorders, allergies, or other serious health problems.

Some dentists don’t follow every one of the guidelines listed in the next section, while others go even further to protect the patient and the office staff. I believe the basic New Directions Dentistry protocol is more than adequate and should be acceptable to most, if not all, dentists who subscribe to the basic concepts of mercury free and mercury safe, holistic, or biological dentistry.

Safe Removal Guidelines for Amalgam Fillings

1. Keep the fillings cool during removal

Drilling out an amalgam filling generates a tremendous amount of heat, which causes a significant increase in the release of mercury, both as a vapor and in amalgam particles, during the entire removal process. Cooling the filling with water and air while drilling substantially reduces the amount of mercury vapor the filling releases.

2. Cutting the Amalgam into Chunks

Most mercury-safe dentists use a removal process that’s commonly referred to as chunking. This involves less drilling, because the dentist only drills enough to cut the filling into chunks, which can then be easily removed by a hand instrument or suction. Both chunking and keeping the filling cool during removal are very important and I believe all mercury safe dentists should follow this procedure.

3. Use a high-volume evacuator

Most mercury safe dentists use a more powerful suction system than the type used by most pro-amalgam dentists. I feel this is one of the most important tools in minimizing the patient’s exposure to mercury vapor and amalgam particles. The evacuator tip should be kept to within 1⁄2 inch of the filling during the entire time the filling is being removed. This helps capture more of the mercury vapor and particles. All mercury safe dentists should follow this procedure.

4. Provide the patient with an alternative source of air

Not every mercury safe dentist agrees with the need for this as long as a high-volume evacuator is being used. But if it isn’t being used, I believe the patient should be provided with an alternative air source while their amalgam fillings are being removed, even if steps 1 & 2 are done. If your mercury safe dentist doesn’t provide an alternative source of air you should ask him or her if they are using a high-volume evacuation system.

An alternative source of air isn’t necessary after the removal process when the tooth is being prepared for the new filling and while the new filling is placed. But during the actual removal, the patient should be provided with a nasal hood through which he or she can breathe either compressed air from a tank, air from a source outside the office, or oxygen from a tank. The patient should be instructed to breathe through the nose and avoid breathing through the mouth while mercury amalgam silver fillings are being removed.

The consensus is not to remove mercury amalgam fillings during a pregnancy or during nursing. But if for whatever reason that procedure is done, I personally believe that an alternative source of air should be provided when removing amalgam fillings from the teeth of pregnant and nursing mothers, patients who have multiple allergies and sensitivities, immune system problems, or any other health issues related to chronic mercury poisoning. This I would recommend even if a high volume evacuator is being used as these people will want to maximize their protection.

5. Use a rubber dam

A rubber dam isolates the tooth or teeth being worked on. It was believed that the rubber dam would protect the patient from breathing mercury vapor in through the mouth. We now know that mercury vapor can readily pass through a rubber dam made out of latex, the most commonly used rubber dam material. Many patients have heard that the rubber dam offers a great deal of protection and should absolutely be included as part of the safe removal protocol. Some people will even insist on its use to protect them from mercury vapor.

My personal opinion is that, because the rubber dam does not protect you from inhaling mercury vapor during the removal process, it does not absolutely have to be used when removing amalgam fillings. Incorporating the first 4 steps listed above will provide the greatest source of protection from mercury vapor for the patient. But while the rubber dam offers little protection against mercury vapor I believe that it does make it easier to evacuate the filling material and prevent amalgam particles from being swallowed. (Even though swallowed amalgam particles contain mercury it is not believed to be released during its process through the intestine, it is sound procedure to prevent as much of it as possible from being swallowed. So the particles are not a threat to your health.)

If a composite filling is used to replace a mercury amalgam filling, the rubber dam offers an isolated and dry field for placing the composite filling. The dentist will decide when it is or isn’t necessary. It does take some time to place and remove the rubber dam, it can be a little uncomfortable, and some patients simply cannot tolerate its use. There are other exceptions to its use because the position or location of some teeth, particularly 3rd molars, or so-called wisdom teeth, may make it impossible to place a rubber dam.

A Note to the Patient

Whether your dentist uses a rubber dam or not you should always focus on breathing through your nose during the entire time the amalgam fillings are being removed. This is especially important if an alternative source of air is not available.

6. Remove gloves and clean the patient’s mouth

Once the filling(s) have been removed and replaced, the dentist and the assistant should remove and dispose of their gloves and the rubber dam, and thoroughly rinse and vacuum the patient’s entire mouth for at least 15 seconds. This will help remove amalgam particles and residual mercury vapor from the mouth. The patient should make every effort not to swallow during the rinsing procedure. I also suggest that after the rinsing procedure, the patient use a small amount of water and gargle as far back into his throat as possible. The patient should not swallow this watery residue! Instead, he or she should spit it into a sink or cup. All mercury free dentists should follow this procedure but it won’t hurt to remind him or her.

7. Immediately clean up

After the fillings have been removed and replaced, the dentist or dental assistant should immediately remove and dispose of the patient’s protective covering and thoroughly clean his face and neck. All mercury safe dentists should routinely do this but remind the assistant if she forgets, after all you don’t want to take any mercury home with you.

8. Use additional air purification

Some mercury safe dentists use an additional air filtering system that’s placed as close to the patient’s mouth as is practical. The more popular ones resemble an elephant’s trunk and have openings about 4 inches in diameter. This can be helpful, but I agree with those mercury safe dentists who believe that the patient can be adequately protected without such a system. More and more mercury safe dentists are using this type of purification system and while it’s a nice addition to the removal protocol, it is more important for the dentist and assistant than the patient.

9. Filtering air in the operatory

There are a number of effective ways to purify the air in the dental office. I’m not making specific recommendations. But many mercury safe dental offices filter the office air, as they work in it all day and it’s to their benefit to do so. This is more important for the dentist and staff than for the patient. Although mercury safe offices don’t place amalgam fillings, they certainly are required to remove them. Keep in mind that you will only be at the office for a short period of time but the dentist and his or her staff will be removing these fillings many times throughout the day. I believe all mercury safe dentists would want to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their entire staff from excessive exposure to mercury.

10. Use activated charcoal

There’s some evidence that activated charcoal taken 10-15 minutes before amalgam removal can bind smaller particles of swallowed mercury, allowing them to be harmlessly passed out of the intestine via the feces. I consider this to be optional, as very little elemental or inorganic mercury is absorbed through the intestine, but it can’t hurt to add it, especially if you are in the high risk category.

Comments from Dr. Tom

As you can see, the amalgam removal procedure done in a mercury safe office is vastly different from what you have experienced at a pro-amalgam dental office. The above are only presented as guidelines for the safe removal of mercury amalgam fillings and there are similar protocols that are equally effective.

It should be noted that all of the above procedures are not weighted equally in regard to how much protection from mercury vapor and particles they will provide. Some are more important than others but I believe it is absolutely necessary for Steps 1, 2 and 3 to be taken. For example, it is much more important to the patient to breathe an alternative source of air than to take activated charcoal so you wouldn’t want to trade taking charcoal for an alternative source of air.

It is also more beneficial to the patient if the dentist keeps the fillings cool, uses a high speed evacuator and a rubber dam, than filtering the dental office air. Again, not all the above procedures are absolutely necessary to safely remove amalgam fillings but the more of them your mercury dentist uses the better. Always ask the dentist if you are unsure about any procedure he or she is using.

If you plan on having your mercury amalgam (silver) fillings removed and are looking for a mercury safe dentist, I recommend searching the world’s largest and comprehensive database of Mercury Free & Mercury Safe Dentists. If you are a mercury safe dentist you can become a member of my Mercury Safe Dentist Internet Listing Service. The Mercury Free and Safe Dentist Listing offers many benefits of membership.

Similar Posts:

• Holistic Dentistry – Biological Dentistry – Mercury Free and Fluoride Free Natural Dentists
• Mercury Fillings – Mercury Toxicity – Removal of Mercury Amalgam Fillings
• Mercury Fillings Detox – Mercury Detoxification For Safe Removal of Mercury Dental Fillings
• Mercury Detoxification, Chronic Mercury Poisoning, and Mercury Amalgam Fillings by Dr Tom McGuire
• Nutrition, Teeth, and Good Health – by Dr. Tom McGuire

Mercury Detoxification: Is It for You? I’ve written this article to introduce the concepts of mercury detoxification. Of course there is much more to this subject than space allows here but it should provide you with enough information to at least consider participating in such a program.

You won’t be left in the dark because all the information you will need to understand how chronic mercury poisoning damages the body and how to support your body’s efforts at safely and naturally removing mercury will be found in my book, Mercury Detoxification: The Natural Way to Remove Mercury from Your Body. You can review the Table of Contents and browse excerpts from each chapter. The book has a full Glossary, an extensive and detailed Reference section, and a complete Index. It also contains over 50 educational Tables and Charts.

In this article I will review my philosophy and approach to mercury detoxification. I’ve extensively researched this subject and have accumulated over 1100 articles (175 pages) on all aspects of amalgam fillings, chronic mercury poisoning and mercury detoxification to support my research. These articles make up the largest organized and abstracted articles on this subject and have an extensive Table of Contents.

While I believe my book is the most informative book of its kind on this subject for the layperson, I realize that there are other programs out there. I feel that whether you decide to participate in my program or someone else’s, having a sound understanding of the principles of mercury detoxification will help you to better understand it. My book will do that for you. At least you will have something to compare to and it will serve to make for a more informed choice.

(Click Here for information about the basic Mercury Detoxification Supplements I recommend, including the dosage. Although there are more supplements and products involved in my complete mercury detoxification program (see my book) I believe that for any mercury detox to be effective it should include these basic 8 supplements. These can also be taken prior to having your amalgam fillings removed and will help protect the body during- and after- the removal process.)

Considering a Mercury Detoxification Program

When considering a mercury detoxification program a number of factors should be considered. They are divided into two parts.

Subjective Evaluation

• Have you been exposed to mercury?
• Source of exposure.
• The duration and extent of that exposure.
• Number and extent of symptoms and diseases related to chronic mercury poisoning.

Objective Evaluation

• The results of practical mercury testing (optional).

While evaluating the factors that are involved in chronic mercury poisoning, the ultimate decision to participate in a mercury detoxification program should be based on the following criteria. Do you want to improve:

• Your overall health, energy, and be as healthy as you can be?
• Symptoms that are directly and indirectly related to chronic mercury poisoning?
• Your immune/detoxification system and increase your resistance to toxins, infections, allergies, and other, more serious diseases?
• Your quality of life and extend your life-expectancy?

The question is, are you mercury toxic? I believe everyone who still has mercury amalgam (silver) fillings, including those who have had them removed, are mercury toxic to some degree and should seriously consider a mercury detoxification program. Because those who still have these fillings are being constantly exposed to mercury vapor, it’s even more important that they begin a mercury detox program as soon as possible.

There are two objective tests for mercury that will tell you if you are mercury toxic and provide a general indication of the extent of the toxicity. These are the fecal metals test and the urine mercury challenge (or provoked) test. Both, along with other common tests for mercury, are explained in detail in my book. While I believe testing has a value it isn’t necessary if you fit the subjective criteria for mercury poisoning. But the fecal metals test can also be beneficial if you want objective proof that you are mercury toxic and in helping to monitor your mercury detox program.

I also feel that an evaluation of your current symptoms and related health issues is a good indicator of the need for a mercury detoxification program. For example, if you have or had amalgam fillings and find you have a number of symptoms, or diseases, related to chronic mercury poisoning, you should seriously consider participating in a program. The following section will serve to explain the importance of symptom diagnosis.

When Should I Start a Mercury Detoxification Program?

The best answer is to begin a natural mercury detoxification program as soon as possible – especially if you still have mercury amalgam (silver) fillings. Many people have heard or read that they shouldn’t start a mercury detoxification program until their amalgams have been removed. This is wrong information. Those who still have amalgam fillings are not only accumulating more and more mercury from them but will continue to become more and more deficient in the essential antioxidants/antitoxins necessary to help the body eliminate mercury.

Even when your amalgams have been removed the body will still do its best to remove stored mercury but in the process these essential antitoxins will continue to be depleted. Thus, whether you now have amalgams, or you’ve had them removed, it is critically important to provide the body with what it needs to increase the production of these antioxidants/antitoxins and improve the health of the immune system as soon as is possible.

Symptoms & Diseases Related to Chronic Mercury Poisoning

Most people with mercury amalgam fillings aren’t aware of the extraordinary number of symptoms that are directly and indirectly related to chronic mercury poisoning. Mercury just doesn’t do its damage directly, by interfering with the normal metabolic process. It can also devastate the immune system, making you more susceptible to toxins, free radicals, and will lower your resistance to other diseases. Because mercury can be stored in virtually every cell of the body the number of symptoms related to it are wide-ranging. In my opinion, mercury can directly or indirectly cause, contribute to, or make worse every health issue we know of.

The list of symptoms and diseases related to chronic mercury poisoning is long, especially when the symptoms related to the indirect of mercury are included. You can find the list by Clicking on Symptoms and Diseases Related to Chronic Mercury Poisoning.

Of course, most of these symptoms can also have other causes and contributors. But we do know that every one of them can be made worse by chronic mercury poisoning! This isn’t speculation as there are thousands of studies to support what can happen when exposure to mercury passes the threshold level that will then manifest a related symptom.

Also keep in mind that the level of exposure, and the amount of accumulated mercury, can vary from person to person. For example, if 10 people were in an environment where the threshold level for mercury vapor was reached, not all would necessarily exhibit the earliest symptoms of mercury poisoning. For example, the immune/detoxification system of some could be functioning better, allowing them to remove more mercury than those whose system is more compromised. There are also genetic and other factors involved. Of note is that the amount of mercury in the body of those with amalgam fillings has been shown to be proportional to the number of fillings in the mouth.

The number and severity of symptoms related to chronic mercury poisoning will be determined by your state of health (especially the status of your immune system), how much mercury you’ve been exposed to over time, and the amount that is stored in your body. Understanding the full effect and depth of chronic mercury poisoning, and how singularly devastating it can be to your health, should also serve to motivate you to consider a mercury detoxification program. You can review an article I wrote on it by Clicking on Chronic Mercury Poisoning and Amalgam Fillings.

Symptom Improvement

A number of studies have been done that show the improvements in symptoms and diseases related to chronic mercury poisoning when amalgam fillings have been removed and when a detoxification program was included. This is encouraging news and demonstrates how wonderfully the body can respond once the source of the poison has been removed and the body is supported in its efforts at removing mercury. You can review these studies by Clicking on Symptoms & Improvements.

You must understand that the key to symptom improvement is directly related to removal of mercury from the body. As long as mercury is still there no related symptom or disease will improve. Removing the most prominent source of mercury, amalgam fillings, is a critical first step and means the body will be better able to remove stored mercury because it no longer as to deal with the mercury entering the body from these fillings.

The day you have all of your fillings removed your body will be the most depleted in the antioxidants necessary to increase the rate of removal. Thus, supporting your body’s efforts at removing mercury by initiating a mercury detoxification program will accelerate the removal process and hasten symptom improvement. This rate and extent of improvement is a very individual thing based on a number of factors I discuss in my book.

The Confusion about Mercury Detoxification

While there’s a consensus within the mercury free dental community about the need to safely remove mercury amalgam fillings, there’s considerably less agreement about the most effective and safest way to go about removing mercury from the body. I believe a large percentage of dentists and health professionals do not fully understand the effects of chronic mercury poisoning on overall health. I am certain that this lack of awareness has lead to chronic mercury poisoning being extraordinarily under diagnosed. In addition, many mercury free dentists and health professionals who believe in the need and value of mercury detoxification have differing recommendations regarding treating it.

Some recommend extremely low dosages of supplements while others recommend dosages that may be too high for many people. This can result in confusion for the layperson, especially when the fundamentals of mercury detoxification haven’t been adequately explained and understood. If you don’t have the basic background information you won’t be able to make an informed choice about whether or not to participate in a mercury detox program. Without the ability to make an informed choice you will continue to be a victim of this health destroying poison.

Taking the Confusion Out of Mercury Detoxification

I will briefly discuss the key elements of the innovative and natural approach I take to mercury detoxification. This philosophy is the key to the safety and success of my program.

A Natural Approach

My program approaches mercury detoxification in the safest and most natural way possible. This insures that undesirable side-effects will be reduced or eliminated. The goal of my program is to support—and ultimately improve—your body’s own extraordinary ability to effectively remove mercury. Most people aren’t aware that the body has this ability, but if the exposure is too great it becomes less and less effective at removing it. Thus, unless it receives support from you it will not be able to effectively remove the mercury or heal the damage done by it.

Once your body’s ability to remove mercury has been restored and your mercury levels have been significantly reduced, the program can continue to function as a health maintenance program. In other words, it’s designed to not only help you eliminate mercury in the most natural way possible, but to also help you achieve an optimal state of health and then utilize it to keep you healthy.

While the fundamental approach I take to mercury detoxification is the same for everyone, each person’s situation is unique and should be dealt with accordingly. For example, the present state of your overall health, nutritional status, health of your immune system, the extent and length of your mercury exposure, and your body’s ability to eliminate mercury, must all be taken into consideration. These factors will vary from person to person. Ultimately, it’s the sum of these factors that will determine how long you should participate in the program and the benefits you will receive from it.

The approach I take to mercury detoxification makes my program safe for virtually anyone who doesn’t have a serious, pre-existing health problem—such as severe liver and kidney problems, or chronic constipation—which would contraindicate or limit full participation without ongoing support from a health professional.

Except for the possible use of a pharmaceutical chelator, everything in my program is either naturally produced by the body, required by the body but must be obtained from outside sources, e.g. vitamin C, or is a health supporting nutrient. All the supplements and nutrients used in my program are sold over-the-counter at health food stores and by most vitamin companies. None requires a prescription.

Minimizing Undesirable Side-Effects

Another key element of my philosophy regarding mercury detoxification is that I don’t believe you need to get sick while trying to get well. Because some people detoxify rapidly—even too quickly in some cases—I believe that you should always start low and go slow*. Detoxifying too rapidly from mercury can be difficult and uncomfortable for some. In fact, some people have become ill during a detoxification process that was too aggressive because it stirred up more toxins than their bodies could effectively eliminate. Or their immune system was too depleted to handle an aggressive approach.

I believe this accelerated approach should be avoided. The safe and gentle approach that I promote is even more important for those:

• Who are very mercury toxic;
• Whose immune system has been severely compromised; and
• Who may have difficulty with rapid detoxification.

In addition, some nutritional supplements work fine for some people, but may produce unwanted dose-related side-effects in others. My program provides a sound foundation that can be built on or even reduced, as the case may be. It is also designed to let you become more involved in what, and how much, you should take. After all it’s your body, and your body will quickly tell you how well it can handle what you are putting into it; regardless of what I or anyone else tells you what should or shouldn’t happen. So it’s important that you learn how to listen to your own body. I also encourage you to work with a qualified health professional, especially if you have multiple symptoms, or more serious health issues, that could be related to chronic mercury poisoning.

*There is an exception to the start low and go slow philosophy and that is if there is an acute exposure to mercury. In that case your health care practitioner will implement more immediate and stronger measures.

Tolerance Testing

I also emphasize tolerance testing to help prevent or minimize undesirable side-effects. The two most commonly seen side-effects of taking high doses of supplements and other nutrients are allergic and dose-related reactions. Most of what is included in my program is made or needed by the body and therefore shouldn’t cause allergic reactions. But dose-related reactions, even with natural substances the body needs, can occur if the dosage is excessive (the old adage of ‘taking too much of a good thing’ applies here). To ensure this doesn’t occur I include a tolerance testing formula that starts you off with small doses of a supplement and then lets you gradually increase it until the recommended, or tolerated, levels are reached.

Intestinal support

The intestine, small and large, plays an important and complex role in overall health and especially in detoxification. When the body releases mercury into the intestine it may then be “technically” out of the body but once there it still has to travel through 26 feet of intestine before it is “officially” removed from it. During those 26 feet a lot of things can happen to the mercury released into it and, unless the intestine is properly supported, all the mercury that passes into it may not ‘get out’!

Under certain conditions mercury can be re-absorbed into the body and a serious effort should be made to prevent this from happening. Thus, providing support to the intestine is another important element included in my program.

Brain Support

We all know mercury is a powerful poison, but it is scientifically classified as a neurotoxin. A neurotoxin is a toxic agent or substance that inhibits, damages or destroys the tissues of the brain and central nervous system. Because many of the symptoms related to chronic mercury poisoning are neurological, I believe that supporting brain health can substantially improve the success of a mercury detoxification program. It’s so important that I’ve devoted a special section to it in the book and it is a must read for anyone with any neurological symptoms related to mercury poisoning. Remember, to be successful a mercury detox program must not only support the body’s efforts to safely remove mercury but to repair the damage done by it.

It should be noted that the neurological effects aren’t just physical, or motor, in nature. Chronic mercury poisoning can result in numerous emotional and psychological symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, memory loss, and irritability . . . to name just a few. Again, you can access the neurological symptoms related to chronic mercury poisoning by Clicking Here.

Monitoring Your Mercury Detoxification Program

Monitoring your mercury detoxification program, both objectively and subjectively, can be very helpful in assessing the progress of your program, both for you and for your supporting health professional; if you are working with one. The body is a miracle in how it can repair itself if given the support it needs and will let you know how it is doing. I consider monitoring to be an essential component of a mercury detoxification program and discuss it in detail in the book. I also include charts that help your record and monitor your improvements.

Supplement Schedule Charts

Based on my experience, extensive research of the principles of detoxification, and my evaluation of many mercury detoxification programs, I believe that many are not successful because the participant fails to fully comply with the program. There are a number of reasons for this lack of compliance. The first is not being motivated but also includes not understanding what and why you need to take, keeping track of which supplements needed, and when to take them. I’ve created special charts and forms that make keeping track of my program a simple process.

A Summary

My book, Mercury Detoxification: The Natural Way to Remove Mercury from Your Body will show you how to support your body’s efforts at removing mercury in the safest, most effective, and most natural way possible. If this is your first experience with a mercury detoxification program my book will be an invaluable guide to this important health building process. It will also be beneficial if a previous attempt at detoxifying mercury did not achieve the desired results, or you’re now participating in another detoxification program and need more information than you’ve been provided.

When it comes to eliminating mercury from the body, the more you know about the detoxification process, the better off you’ll be. Thus, Mercury Detoxification will explain:

• Why removing mercury from your body is important to your overall health and how the detoxification process works.
• The role and importance of the immune system in mercury detoxification.
• The basics of vitamins and nutritional supplements needed to support your body’s efforts at removing mercury.
• The importance of supporting intestinal health during this process.
• The value and importance of providing your body with healing ‘brain’ food.
• How to tolerance test supplements to minimize potential side-effects.
• The role of pharmaceutical chelating agents in the detoxification process.
• Testing for mercury and how it can be used to effectively monitor your detoxification program.
• How to use my innovative Supplement Schedule Charts to help you keep track of your program and make it exceptionally easy to follow.

In a nutshell, Mercury Detoxification will provide you with the essential information you will need to understand and participate in a safe mercury detoxification program, and in a language you can easily understand. I’ve made every effort to simplify and de-mystify this subject and I also provide an extensive reference section if you want to review the science that supports my program. I wish you well.

(For information regarding the basic 8 supplements, including dosage, I believe are the minimum necessary to support the body’s efforts to remove mercury Click Here. These supplements can be taken while you still have amalgam fillings and throughout the removal process. While I recommend that you read my Mercury Detoxification book to find out what else I feel should be included, these 8 supplements can also be taken after all of the fillings have been removed.)

In health,

Tom

About Dr. Tom
Tom McGuire, DDS, is a leading authority on mercury detoxification, mercury amalgam fillings, chronic mercury poisoning and holistic dental wellness. Dr. McGuire is president of the Dental Wellness Institute, founder of the International Association of Mercury Safe Dentists (IAMFD) and author of a number of books on holistic dental wellness, including:
The Poison in Your Teeth: Mercury Amalgam (Silver) Fillings . . . Hazardous to Your Health
Mercury Detoxification: The Natural Way to Remove Mercury from Your Body
Healthy Teeth-Healthy Body: How to Improve Your Oral and Overall Health
Tooth Trip

Learn more about him. Dr. Tom McGuire, Biography.

Visit his Website at www.dentalwellness4u.com. He is available for consultations regarding mercury detoxification, second opinions, and other oral health issues. For scheduling call toll free at 800-335-7755. To email Dr. Tom, Click Here.

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