Holistic dentistry is a practice that uses safe, non-toxic methods of caring for your oral health. It covers the same areas as traditional dentistry but works with the entire body in order to ensure optimal health. Read on to find out more.
What is Holistic Dentistry?
Holistic dentistry relates your general health to your oral health. It takes into account a person's physical, mental and emotional health, and how they respond to dental care. This form of dentistry uses modern, bio-compatible, non-toxic materials and techniques as well as using both complementary and conventional techniques in dental treatments.
A central concern of holistic dentistry is an understanding of the impact that infections in the gums, teeth or jawbone have on health in general. It is important to note that the body is connected – nothing works in isolation. The mouth has a rich nerve and blood supply. It harbours bacteria, and it is through the mouth that all food and water enter the body. It stands to reason then, that the mouth needs to be healthy. Holistic dental practices aim to create optimal health. For optimal health to be achieved, the six defects in the human body must be addressed.
Source: Dr. Nicholas Meyer
What are the Benefits of Holistic Dentistry?
A dental professional who follows a holistic approach to dentistry uses traditional dental materials, such as x-rays, sparingly. Instead, they rely on their sense of touch and sight in addition to natural therapies such as water fluoridation, aromatherapy, nutritional counselling, massage therapy, homoeopathy and many others, to help improve a person's oral health. They also use fewer chemicals, which is beneficial for people with sensitive teeth or gums, or those who are looking for a more natural way to care for their teeth.
One of the benefits of holistic dentistry is that holistic dentists are able to treat dental problems that traditional dentists cannot, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, chronic pain and even allergies. Holistic dental care can also help people achieve better overall health by addressing any nutritional deficiencies or imbalances that may be contributing to their poor oral health.
Services Provided by Holistic Dentists
The following are some services that may be provided by holistic dentists:
- holistic dental care
- diagnosis and treatment planning
- preventative care and oral hygiene
- treatment of gum disease
- cosmetic dentistry
- smile makeovers
- tooth whitening
- orthodontics
- dental implants
- porcelain dentistry
- laser dentistry
- CEREC restorations
- TMJ treatment
- root canal therapy
- breath freshening
The Six Defects – Signs and Symptoms in the Mouth
The six defects are problems that are common to every degenerative disease. They have symptoms that will be present in the mouth to varying degrees. These defects that holistic dentists always focus on are:
pH Imbalance (Acid or Alkaline Imbalance)
This is when the pH of bodily fluids is out of balance. Acid stress is very common and underlines 80 percent of all diseases. Oral symptoms include bone resorption, tooth decay, candida, and bacterial infections in the gum and/or bone.
Anaerobic Metabolism
The body gains energy from a mix of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism but it favours aerobic metabolism. If the body starts using too much anaerobic metabolism, fatigue, disease, and infections begin to occur. Oral symptoms include bone resorption, tooth decay, candida, and bacterial infections in the gum and/or bone.
Free Calcium Excess
In a good state of health, 55 percent of serum calcium is bound to protein or alkaline buffers while 45 percent is in a "free " state. If the ratio narrows, too much free calcium occurs, and this can cause calcification, bone resorption, and alterations in cell signaling, which can then result in a range of diseases. Oral symptoms include calculus on the teeth and calcium deposits.
Chronic Inflammation
Acute inflammation helps the body to heal itself, but if it is chronic it begins to fail its purpose, raising the risk of infection, toxicity, and all diseases. Oral symptoms include periodontitis tissue destruction.
Connective Tissue Breakdown
Connective tissue makes up the superstructure of the body and helps to literally hold the body together. Enzymes produced by chronic inflammation along with damaging free radicals cause the connective tissues to begin to break down. Oral symptoms include bleeding gums, loosening teeth, and periodontal diseases.
Oxidative Stress
This is when the antioxidants are not able to cope with levels of damaging free radicals. Oral symptoms include ageing, fissuring of the lips, dry skin, and inflammation at the corners of the mouth.
Homoeopathy and Holistic Dentistry
Homoeopathy is an important part of holistic dentistry. This holistic approach can be used in three scenarios of ill health. First-aid homoeopathy is used postoperatively in dental procedures like tooth extractions. Acute homoeopathy is for conditions that will eventually get better on their own such as mouth sores. Constitutional homoeopathy will treat the whole person in order to trigger a profound healing response. It is very helpful for long term and chronic problems, such as recurring periodontal disease.
Homoeopathic remedies can help to minimise and reduce inflammation and expedite the healing process. In addition, they can reduce anxiety and pain, as well as help with the treatment of a dental disease. This approach to treatment is safe to take with other medications.
In the holistic practice of dentistry, ozone therapy is applied to the affected area after tooth extraction. This is not the case in traditional treatments, where a conventional dentist would normally prescribe antibiotics and painkillers to prevent dental infections. And unlike traditional dentists who can pull out an infected tooth at any time, a holistic dental health practitioner will prepare their patient weeks before the procedure by providing nutritional advice and strategies to strengthen their immune system.
While homoeopathic remedies are safe, it is important that you consult with your holistic dentist before taking any.
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings, which are sometimes called silver fillings, are not used in holistic dentistry as they contain mercury. An amalgam filling is used by traditional dentists to fill cavities caused by tooth decay or a broken tooth. When mercury is used as part of a filling, any remainder must be disposed of as toxic waste, by law.
Holistic dentistry uses non toxic, biocompatible materials for fillings. Biocompatible materials, as the name implies, do not interfere with any of the body's functions.
Update: While there have been concerns about the levels of mercury in amalgam fillings, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia advises that "these low levels of mercury exposure will not affect general health." However, some European countries, including Sweden, have taken steps to phase out these mercury fillings for environmental reasons (Source: Victorian Government Department of Health).
If you're looking for a dentist in your area who will take a more holistic approach to your oral health needs, you can check through the practitioner listing pages of Natural Therapy Pages.
Originally published on Sep 03, 2008
