What is Holistic Dentistry?

The term “holistic” refers to the process of looking at and treating the complete body system instead of focusing on the individual symptoms alone. When it comes to health and wellness, it can be easy to focus on one symptom and forget that the symptom is likely related to a deeper problem. Treating the symptom alone won’t solve the problem because it is a superficial treatment that doesn’t address the root problem.
Holistic dentistry considers the overall health of the patient and how their health is related to their dental health. It is a more comprehensive form of dentistry, which has combined modern dental diagnostics and treatments with integrative medicine and natural approaches. Patient health is the goal of holistic dentistry, along with achieving a smile naturally. If the mouth is not healthy, it is reflected in dysfunction in other parts of the body.

When a holistic dentist works with their patients, they are examining more than just the teeth. A holistic dentist understands that other factors may impact dental health, such as bite problems, nutrition, and other biological imbalances that may cause system wide health challenges. A holistic dentist focuses on overall health and wellness, in addition to the standard approach of simply treating diseases in the teeth and gums.

Why Visit a Holistic Dentist Instead of a Traditional Dentist?

Many people are broadening their horizons and looking beyond conventional Western medicine to find a n integrative holistic approach because they want to treat their health symptoms in a more natural way that supports overall health. The modern medical approach to most health problems is to prescribe a medication or use harsh treatments to get rid of the symptoms. But often those treatment methods can result in poor results and negative side-effects, which can be avoided if a holistic approach is used.
When visiting with a holistic dentist, you will see that the dentist uses both natural healing methods as well as modern science in order to find a good combination of treatments for your individual needs. Instead of only focusing the teeth, a holistic dentist considers the body, mind and emotional health of the patient. The treatment process is designed to improve overall health, and dental health will improve as a result of improving the whole body.

One of the biggest advantages to using holistic dentistry instead of traditional dentistry is the fact that a holistic dentist will avoid modern dental treatments that have been associated with other health problems. There are common dental treatments that may seem like a good solution for the individual tooth, but those treatments can be damaging to the overall health and wellness of the person that receives the treatment.
Some of the differences between a holistic dentist and a traditional dentist may include:

• A holistic dentist avoids toxic filling substances such as mercury amalgam, because mercury amalgam contains almost 50% mercury which is toxic to the body systems.
• A holistic dentist encourages gum disease treatment that does not involve invasive surgery.
• A holistic dentist will use certain methods to treat teeth with root canals, because it has been suggested that root canals may cause systematic health problems.
• A holistic dental office will typically use digital x-rays, because they have 90% less radiation exposure compared to traditional x-rays. And they are far safer for the environment because there is no chemicals used at the office.
• A holistic dental office will follow strict protocols to mitigate mercury exposure through contamination or aerosols when an amalgam filling is being removed.

Benefits of Holistic Dentistry

Even though there are some critics of holistic dental practices, the results speak for themselves. There are many people who have experienced great health successes as a result of the work of a holistic dentist. For example, some people have experienced a seemingly mysterious illness for many years, and doctors were unable to find a cause or solution. After exhausting all modern medical resources, they visited a holistic dentist, and learned that previous dental treatments or occult pathology (disease) may be the cause of the chronic illness. Once the holistic dentist takes the proper steps to identify and remedy the problem, such as removing amalgam fillings, balancing the bite or fixing a tooth with a root canal, then the illness can quickly disappear.
When you visit a holistic dentist, they understand that the teeth are an important part of the whole-body system, and dental health is closely related to overall health. They will help you to avoid the dental treatments that may be causing other symptoms in your body.

A “bad bite” developed from missing and worn teeth or earlier can throw off the skeletal structure. A restricted airway can reduce oxygen and airflow, creating a condition called sleep apnea or alter the nerve pathways through the skull which inflame and irritate nerves to and from the brain.
A good Holistic Dentist requires a greater responsibility to look beyond the immediate symptoms and patient complaint to look at what is causing the problems positively affect overall systemic body health. Additionally, holistic dentists often consult with their patient’s other practitioners, making better informed decisions about the most appropriate treatment for the patient’s general welfare.

Treatment vs. Prevention

Many people are turning to holistic dentistry to sanitize the mouth and undo old dental treatments that they received. A holistic dentist can help by safely removing amalgam fillings and replacing them with safer, more natural looking fillings that are mercury-free. Or, if you have a root canal treated tooth, then a holistic dentist can advise you on the best treatment to reverse the effects that the root canal may be causing. Remember that the symptoms of these dental treatments may not always be readily noticed, because it is possible for traditional dental treatments to cause negative health symptoms in other parts of the body that seem to be unrelated to dental health.
Another reason that you may consider visiting a holistic dentist is because the dentist can help you minimize or avoid harmful dental treatments. Prevention is the best approach, and they will help you to improve your overall health so that you can avoid major dental problems that might require invasive treatments.
The holistic dentist stresses informed choice, which means all options are given to the patient, along with the pros and cons of each one. It is totally up to the patient to decide which route is proper without undue pressure in a particular direction.
Patients benefiting from the care of a holistic dentist will tell you that the quality of their lives has improved due to their decision to take the unconventional route.