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162 Journal of the International Clinical Dental Research Organization | July-December 2015 | Vol 7 | Issue 2
INTRODUCTION
For years dentists have been taught that the predominant
cause of dental caries is a poor diet, particularly refined sugars
and starches, which enhance the growth of acid-producing
organisms that inhabit the mouth and cause dental decay. On
the other hand, epidemiological researchers such as Weston
Price questioned this theory. Price attributed dental decay
to an absence of protective factors, such as phosphorous
and fat soluble vitamins and minerals which are plentiful
in whole foods but devoid in processed foods.[1] Indeed, as
science explores new frontiers, our understanding of systemic
response to dietary insult is beginning to gather pace.
Bearing gene — environmental interactions in mind, the
author would like to propose that a higher-order interplay
may be involved in dental decay, that of psychophysiological
short CommuniCation
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Lynette Wallace, Suite 5, 70 Bowral St,
New South Wales, Bowral 2576, Australia.
E-mail: vildent@bigpond.com
coherence (PPC).[2] PPC essentially is a physiologic state that
corresponds to the harmonization of different systems;
it is derived from a dynamic synchronization of mental,
emotional, and biological functions.[3]
PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL COHERENCE
Recent research has established a significant, complex,
and highly sophisticated connection between the human
heart and brain, which is driven by our emotional
health.[2] When the heart and brain are well-coordinated,
united by our positive emotional health; there is a global
shift in psychophysiological functioning, resulting in
increased synchronization, harmony, and efficiency in
the interactions within and among the physiological,
cognitive, and emotional systems of the body, including the
craniofacial region, which produces saliva. The objective
of this short communication is to apply this model to
determine whether PPC can help explain dental decay as
observed in mouth breathing individuals. Figure 1 below
illustrates the pathway by which the heart modulates the
brain activity.
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Website: www.jicdro.org
DOI: 10.4103/2231-0754.164402
Quick Response Code:
What is the role of physiological coherence and
epigenetics in the etiology of dental caries?
Lynette Wallace
Owner PlanetSmiles, Bowral, Australia
ABSTRACT
This short communication aims to highlight the role that physiological coherence may play in dental caries.
Although many theories are proposed, there is no universally accepted theory for the etiology of dental caries.
Existing theories tend to give power to insults from outside the organism, whereas the theory of physiological
coherence gives power to the organism operating in harmony which offers protection from within.
Does physiological coherence play a role in dental decay?
Is dental decay a sign of a breakdown in physiological coherence?
Is there more than one mechanism of decay?
Physiological coherence occurs when the heart and brain are well-coordinated, united by our positive
emotional health; resulting in increased synchronization, harmony, and efciency in the interactions within
and among the physiological, cognitive, and emotional systems of the body, including the craniofacial
region, which produces saliva. High heart coherence causes an increased order and complexity in
crystallization patterns in human saliva which releases the intelligence embedded in the proteins. When
there is physiological incoherence such as in mouth breathing, the salivary proteins become dysfunctional;
and thereby, allowing caries unopposed access to the tooth surfaces. It is proposed that should this be
the case then caries management should be directed to include methods to regain coherence so as to
harmonize the body systems to regain correct signaling and function.
Key words: Dental caries, epigenetics, physiological coherence, salivary proteins
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Wallace: Physiological coherence and epigenetics in dental caries
163Journal of the International Clinical Dental Research Organization | July-December 2015 | Vol 7 | Issue 2
THE ROLE OF BREATHING IN DEVELOPING PPC
Breathing patterns modulate the heart’s rhythm.[4] Referring
to Figure 2, when in the state of rest or semiactivity, the
autonomic nervous system takes its cue from the breathing
frequency. Breathing at a relatively rapid pace, even while
seated and relaxed, results in an autonomic shift toward
sympathetic emphasis; sympathetic emphasis often being
characterized as the “fight or flight” response. The degree
of emphasis varies directly with the rate of breathing.
Sympathetic emphasis is characterized by a relatively faster
average heartbeat rate, reduced heart rate variability,
increased heart duty cycle, and reduced heart rate variability
coherence as well as other physical and physiological
changes.[4]
The heartbeat naturally varies with the breathing cycle, this
phenomena is referred to as “respiratory sinus arrhythmia”
(RSA). The heartbeat rate increases with inhalation and
decreases with exhalation. The amplitude and frequency
of the heart rate variability pattern relates strongly to the
depth and frequency of respiration. RSA is the physiological
consequence of the dynamic interaction of cardiac and
pulmonary centers located in the medulla oblongata.[4]
It is possible to generate a coherent heart rhythm by breathing
slowly and regularly at a 10-s rhythm. To be able to do this
automatically, it is necessary to generate an intentional
heartfelt positive emotional state such as compassion,
appreciation, and gratitude. In fact, certain organizations,
such as the Institute of HeartMath, have computerized
biofeedback programs to assist in learning to do this.
Positive emotions excite the system at its natural resonant
frequency and enable coherence to emerge and be maintained
naturally without conscious mental focus. When the heart’s
rhythm shifts into coherence as a result of a positive emotional
shift, our breathing rhythm automatically synchronizes with
the heart, thereby reinforcing and stabilizing the shift to a
system-wide coherence, which leads to increased intuition
and creativity, cognitive and performance improvements, and
hormonal balance.[2]
Conversely when nasal obstruction is present (such as
that associated with a modern processed diet) secondary
to adenotonsillar hypertrophy, deviated septum/nasal
congestion, high-vaulted narrow palate, etc.; regulated
breathing becomes impossible due to irregular rhythms set
up by mouth breathing. Mouth breathing makes it impossible
to achieve the three important changes that occur with PPC.
These changes are:
1. The two components of the autonomic nervous system
synchronize with each other with a shift back to
parasympathetic activity.
2. Physiological entrainment, whereby body systems
synchronize to the heart’s rhythm.
3. Increased synchronization between the heart and the
brain.
Coherence also increases the ordering and complexity of
crystal structure.[5] In fact, salivary proteins have been found
to change shape, depending on whether the body is in
coherence or not.[5]
1. Mouth breathing causes incoherence in the physiology
of the body.
2. Incoherent breathing causes a change in structure of the
salivary proteins.
3. Salivary proteins become nonfunctional and are unable
to fulfill their protective role.
4. Other regulatory protein and signaling dysfunction
throughout the body leads to systemic degeneration.
When breathing nonproductively over a long period of time
(mouth breathing due to stress, allergies, nasal obstruction, etc.),
Figure 1: Pathway by which the heart modulates the brain activity[2]
Figure 2: Breathing rate vs autonomic nervous system emphasis[4]
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Wallace: Physiological coherence and epigenetics in dental caries
164 Journal of the International Clinical Dental Research Organization | July-December 2015 | Vol 7 | Issue 2
the parasympathetic nervous system becomes dysfunctional.
This dysfunction leads to a sympathetic dominance, a
condition shared by most modern adults to some degree.
Thus, sympathetic dominance results in diminished
circulation, muscle tightness, anxiety, pain, and a myriad
of other symptoms, including aging. Note that evidence is
emerging, which suggests that a function of the craniofacial
sinuses may be to produce nitric oxide (NO). NO is a small
vessel dilator, which could promote pulmonary alveolar
ventilation. However, NO has numerous roles throughout
the body, and its perturbation might represent a regulatory
protein and signaling dysfunction throughout the body that
leads to degeneration.
Specifically, we posit that coherence affects the saliva,
turning it from functional to dysfunction. In a recent
study, the HeartMath Research Center was able to show
increased crystal structure and order following coherence
practice.[5] Both crystal size and order increased after
coherence practice. Therefore, diminished PPC might
precipitate dysfunctional saliva, which can no longer
bathe the teeth with functional immunoglobulins. In turn,
interproximal decay takes over as a predominant cause
of caries, allowing it to progress rapidly and unopposed.
In contrast, with enhanced PPC there is fully functioning
saliva, and the decay is much less rapid, darker in color,
and affects fewer teeth, mainly in the pits/fissures and
smooth surfaces. Therefore, this article provides some
preliminary thoughts to support the contention that PPC
might benefit the dental professions to prevent or retard
the progression of dental caries.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank Prof. Dave Singh for his contribution and advice
in preparing this article.
REFERENCES
1. Weston A. Price. Nutrition and Physical degeneration 4th ed. La
Mesa: Price-Poenger Nutrition Foundation, Inc; 2000 p. 281.
2. McCraty R, Rees R. The central role of the heart in generating
and sustaining positive emotions. Boulder Creek: The Institute of
Heart Math; HeartMath Research Centre Publication No. 06-022
2006 2009 p 26.
3. McCraty R. The energetic heart bioelectromagnetic interactions
within and between people. Boulder Creed: The Institute of
HeartMath; HeartMath Research Centre Publication 2003 p. 3.
4. Coherent Breathing — The Denitive Method by Ellio, S. and
Edmonson, P . R. N. Coherence Press 2008; p. 19.
5. Dehyle A, Waterman J. Heart Coherence increases order of
crystallisation paerns in dried saliva study. HeartMath Research
Centre, Boulder Creek; Institute HeartMath, Vol 1, p 1.
Cite this article as: Wallace L. What is the role of physiological coherence
and epigenetics in the etiology of dental caries?. J Int Clin Dent Res Organ
2015;7:162-4.
Source of Support: Nil. Conict of Interest: None declared.
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