Are you interested in a more natural approach to healthcare? In the world of oral health, holistic dentistry is the less-invasive, more natural choice for patient care. Holistic dentistry is growing in popularity as many people are seeking healthcare providers who have an integrated approach to medicine. At the core of the practice of holistic dentistry is a profound respect for the body’s natural mechanisms, as well as the individuality of the patient. A holistic dentist recognizes that every dental intervention presents both risks and benefits to a patient, and, for some patients, many dental benefits celebrated by conventional dentistry may actually be risks with respect to the rest of the body. Through advanced imaging, biological testing, biomechanical restoration design, and careful avoidance of mercury and fluoride in dental materials, a holistic dentist is best positioned to support systemic health while delivering quality dental treatment.
If you think holistic dentistry might be right for you, consider this overview of the holistic approach to help you decide what’s best for your health.
What is Holistic Dentistry?
Like holistic medicine in general, holistic dentistry has three main elements:
- Whole-body approach. When it comes to treating a person’s oral health, it is important to consider their overall health and general wellness at the same time. Oral health is an excellent indicator of a person’s whole-body health, as the mouth is the gateway to the body’s airway, microbial, and digestive health status. Conscious treatment of the mouth enhances whole body health, while tooth-driven oral care may inhibit bodily function.
- Natural treatments. Holistic dentistry uses natural treatments and materials to maintain and restore oral health. This includes metal-free, BPA-free fillings and prosthetics, biomimetic restoration designs, and use of ozone and lasers for a variety of procedures. Antibiotic use is used for emergent care only, and largely avoided.
- Preventive care. Another pillar of holistic dentistry is prevention. While conventional dentistry treats diseased teeth, it often fails to identify risk factors and underlying conditions that led to the diseased terrain in the first place. Through dietary analysis, microbiology testing, and airway evaluation, and careful assessment of a person’s medical history, dental disease risk can be identified and mitigated before it becomes destructive to the mouth.
Holistic Dental Treatments, Materials, and Tools
- Dental lasers. Many dental procedures can be performed gently with lasers rather than with more invasive instruments, preserving tooth structure and promoting healing.
- Ozone treatments. Holistic dentistry recognizes the wonderful benefits of ozone insufflation and irrigation. Ozone is super-charged medical grade oxygen that disinfects tissue and promotes cellular healing.
- Fluoride-free materials. Toothpastes, sealants, medicaments, fillings, and prosthetics are available in fluoride-free versions to minimize toxin exposure.
- Metal-free fillings and prosthetics. Holistic dentistry preferentially uses high quality, metal-free materials for fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants.
- Safe removal of metal fillings. Specialized evacuation filters and personal protective barriers are available to mitigate heavy metal exposure from drilling.
- Biological testing. Salivary testing, microscopic analysis, and dental materials compatibility testing are available through a holistic dentist.
Benefits of Holistic Dentistry
Holistic dentistry is not a new approach to care, although it is becoming more popular due to its many benefits.
People may feel more comfortable with their holistic dentist and experience lower levels of anxiety as compared to traditional dentistry. Between the minimally invasive treatment options and not having to worry about the dentist disregarding their health concerns, many people find that holistic dentistry is the best match for their personal health goals.
Additionally, a natural approach to dentistry often results in improved overall health. The careful removal of dental toxins, the natural, supportive materials and medicines, and root-cause testing offered by a holistic dentist all serve to decrease systemic inflammation and kickstart a healthier body.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holistic Dentistry
Is holistic dentistry as effective as traditional dentistry?
Holistic dentistry is just as effective at restoring teeth as traditional dentistry, and more effective at supporting systemic balance than traditional dentistry. The protocols and treatments employed by holistic dentistry not only address symptoms, but they identify and eliminate the source of the problem to prevent recurrence and promote stability.
Where can I find a holistic dentist in Oconomowoc, WI?
At Apollonia Dental Wellness we believe that your oral health and your general well-being go hand in hand. Our holistic approach to dentistry takes the whole person into consideration when providing care. Contact us today to schedule your consultation in Oconomowoc, WI and find out how natural dental care can benefit you and your family.
The demand for natural dentistry is increasing as patients are becoming more aware of the highly integrated nature of the human body, often overlooked by traditional dentistry. Also referred to as holistic dentistry, natural dentistry focuses on nontoxic, noninvasive dental care that supports the body’s processes as much as possible.
Mercury-free dentistry is dental care that completely avoids use of silver or mercury amalgams in patient care, out of concern for the mercury exposure that occurs from such treatments.
What is Mercury?
Mercury is a metal that occurs naturally on earth. It is known to be highly toxic to humans, as it is destructive to many bodily processes, it accumulates in the body, and it is difficult to detox from. Prolonged exposure to mercury can contribute to a myriad of health problems, including neurological, kidney, and lung damage. The amount of mercury exposure required to notice negative effects varies significantly from one person to another, but there is no known safety threshold to mercury that does not cause some damage to the human tissue. Research continues to reveal more about the potential repercussions of mercury exposure.
What Dental Treatments Contain Mercury?
Silver “amalgam” fillings are the one notorious dental treatment that contains mercury. Not too long ago, gold alloys and cost-effective silver-colored fillings were the two available options for fillings. Silver amalgam fillings are still very prevalent today, but what most people do not know is that all “silver-colored” dental fillings contain roughly 50% mercury, in addition to silver, tin, and copper. Mercury vapor and particulate associated with these fillings is considered highly toxic anywhere outside the mouth and is a regulated dental hazardous material. While conventional dentistry often promotes these fillings as stable and safe once in the mouth, holistic dentistry avoids this potential toxic exposure altogether.
Mercury-Free Alternatives
Today, composite resin that is molded to the shape of your tooth is largely considered the filling material of choice in dentistry. These tooth-colored fillings are mercury-free, and they closely mimic the materials properties of natural tooth structure while providing a more natural appearance. Composite resins are much more technique-sensitive to place than metal fillings and require the care and attention of a skilled dentist.
Benefits of Mercury-Free Dentistry
- Non-toxic. Mercury-free dentistry eliminates the risk of mercury exposure, making treatment safer and more natural.
- Natural appearance. Composite fillings are customized to match the color of your existing teeth for a more natural appearance than metal fillings.
- Decreased risk of damage. Metal fillings expand and contract with changes in temperature, which gradually weakens enamel and leads to cracked teeth. Composite fillings do not pose the same risk, preserving the structural integrity of the tooth.
- Improved health. Some patients experience a reduction in symptoms after the removal of metal fillings. Once the mercury is removed, the related symptoms often subside.
Safe Removal of Metal Fillings
If you still have metal fillings in some of your teeth, it is possible to have them removed and replaced with composite. Careful use of protective barriers and evacuation systems, such as with the SMART protocol, will help to significantly reduce your exposure to mercury in the process of removal. A certified holistic dentist is trained to determine whether you are a candidate for the SMART method. If you are concerned about mercury toxicity, it is highly recommended that you also work with an integrative physician who is knowledgeable in testing and detox from mercury to achieve the best health outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mercury-Free Dentistry
Should I have all of my metal fillings replaced?
The decision to replace metal fillings with composite is something you and your dentist should discuss together. The potential for mercury exposure during removal may be higher, but the risk of prolonged exposure by leaving them in place is also a factor.
Are there other dental treatments that contain mercury?
Other metals used in dentistry do not contain mercury. Titanium, chromium alloys, and gold alloys are common, but are mercury-free.
Apollonia Dental Wellness provides mercury-free options as part of our natural dentistry services. We believe there is a strong connection between oral health and general wellness and strive to offer safe, non-toxic treatment options. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a consultation.