Holistic dentistry (also known as biological dentistry, integrative dentistry or natural dentistry) is an alternative dentistry option for patients who are looking to avoid traditional dentistry practices. The reason why so many dental patients are now looking for new dentistry options is that they want a dentist who puts a focus on their overall health.
Holistic dentistry believes in treating the patient’s overall health. For that reason, we can offer safer options when performing certain dental procedures. This includes using safer dental materials and procedures to treat the person. By focusing on healthier practices, we can treat the patient’s teeth and help benefit the rest of the body in the process.
According to the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine, holistic dentistry is a conservative dentistry that aims to be minimally invasive yet appropriately active.
As a holistic dentist, we understand that there is a connection between oral health and overall good health. Unfortunately, there is also a relationship between the toxic materials traditional dentists often use for certain dental procedures and their patient’s well-being.
Thus, we try to use safer dental materials and give our patients advice on how to practice better oral hygiene. While using non-toxic materials is a large part of holistic dentistry, so is prevention.
Holistic dentistry does not involve the use of harmful metals. Thus, amalgam fillings are not an option when choosing a holistic dentist. Amalgam consists of a number of toxic materials, including mercury, which can produce harmful effects in dental patients.
When a tooth is in jeopardy, holistic dentistry involves saving as much of the tooth as possible. This process often uses a resin composite restoration in order to strengthen the tooth. Strengthening the tooth is an effective way to help patients avoid any future breakage. If the tooth is beyond repair, we may recommend an all-porcelain crown.
The risk with dental sealants is that dental sealants support the formation of BPA, a harmful compound many professionals use when making plastic. The risk is highest within the first few hours of a patient having a professional apply dental sealant to the patient’s teeth. Until there is a healthy version of dental sealant available, most holistic dentists will not use dental sealants.
When absolutely necessary, we will take an X-ray of the patient’s mouth. Instead of using a traditional X-ray machine, holistic dentistry practices typically use a digital X-ray machine. This machine gives off drastically lower amounts of radiation. Since taking X-rays can be necessary, we will do our best to keep the radiation risk as low as possible.
Holistic dentistry believes that performing a root canal is the last option. When a tooth is in jeopardy traditional dentistry methods often require an immediate root canal. The holistic dentistry approach will first seek other root canal treatment therapies to try. These therapies include cleaning the area and using natural remedies like natural herbs and nutrition to potentially reverse any need for a root canal. If you are struggling with a tooth infection and wonder what treatment can help, call us for more information.
A holistic dentist does not believe in removing a patient’s wisdom teeth unless they are creating issues in the mouth. Wisdom teeth play an important part in the configuration of the mouth and jaw. Removing the wisdom teeth unnecessarily will simply lead to a number of dental issues that would never happen if one does not remove the wisdom teeth in the first place.
Holistic dentists do not offer fluoride treatments to their patients because they do not believe the long-term health problems associated with using fluoride are worth the risk. Although fluoride is considered to be safe once it is put on the tooth the problem lies in the process as most patients will ingest some fluoride during the process, which can lead to health issues.
Holistic dentistry uses biocompatibility tests in order to determine how a patient will react to a number of dental materials used when performing certain procedures. For example, a holistic dentist will use this testing option in order to make sure that a patient is not going to have a negative reaction to certain composite filling materials that are often used when making bridges and crowns.
Holistic dentistry practices believe in using natural pain control methods because it is easier on the body and does not include the various and negative side effects that often come with unnatural pain control methods.
If you would like to learn more about holistic dentistry and the various treatments we provide, call (408) 657-4185 to schedule a consultation.
Back to top of Holistic Dentistry
