Holistic dentistry is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that has grown in popularity in recent years. Holistic dentists use natural therapies (often in combination with conventional ones) to prevent, diagnose, and treat oral cavity diseases. Indeed, integrative dentistry offers preventative care programs that go beyond practicing good oral hygiene.
What Is Holistic Dentistry?
As a subtype of dental medicine, dentists pursuing this approach follow a slightly different path than traditional dentists. Other names for this practice include:
- Alternative dentistry
- Biocompatible dentistry
- Eco-friendly (green) dentistry
- Integrative dentistry
- Natural dentistry
- Preventive dentistry
- Progressive dentistry
- Unconventional dentistry
What to Expect at a Holistic Dentist?
A natural dentist’s office may look similar to others, but experiences may differ. A dentist practicing this approach may ask about current physical health, dietary habits, or oral hygiene. Additionally, they may also do a series of tests, such as:
- X-ray (if needed)
- Blood sugar reading
- Blood pressure reading
- Review of past dental and health problems
A holistic dentist will order X-rays less often than traditional dentists. Depending on the reason for visiting, they may suggest them. They may also take the blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
Likewise, they discuss medical history and goals for overall physical and dental health. Once they complete the tests, they recommend a course of action. Holistic dentists also care for overall physical, spiritual, and emotional health.
For example, suppose bruxism (teeth grinding) is experienced; they’ll likely provide education in stress management, recommend a change in pre-bedtime activities, or prescribe a night guard if those methods do not help.
How Does Holistic Dentistry Differ With Traditional Dentistry?
Dentists practicing this approach are licensed dental professionals, just like traditional dentists, with similar training in all procedures. However, they take a whole-body approach to dentistry compared to traditional dentists aiming only to fix oral health issues.
An eco-friendly dentist, on the other hand, considers external factors, such as:
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Allergies
- Sensitivities to dental materials
What Sets Holistic Dentistry Apart?
Here’s what sets holistic dentistry apart:
Fluoride
This is a naturally occurring mineral that can help prevent tooth decay. However, dentists do not recommend fluoride treatments since they believe they can be linked to many health concerns. As some older research suggested, there was a link between fluoride and cancer, but there is limited evidence to suggest these links.
As an alternative, using xylitol instead of fluoride to help fight cavities is recommended by holistic dentists. Still, there are many studies indicate that fluoride is the key to preventing and controlling tooth decay, enamel health, and more.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the benefits of using fluoride include:
- Fewer and less severe cavities
- Less need for fillings and tooth extractions
- Less pain and suffering from tooth decay
Root Canals
In holistic dentistry, it is believed that root canals ’embalm’ dead teeth compared to traditional dentists performing a root canal to save a tooth. They prefer to extract teeth and believe root canals cause unwanted health issues. Yet no scientific evidence to support whether root canals harm a person’s health.
Natural Remedies
To treat dental issues, herbal products are often prescribed by holistic dentists. This included a recommendation for special toothpastes made with all-natural ingredients. As an alternative also, they may suggest homeopathic remedies, such as Chamomilla, for toothache.
Biocompatibility Testing
Whereas traditional dentist typically uses materials deemed safe by the ADA or American Dental Association, a holistic dentist runs sensitivity tests to ensure a patient has no adverse reactions to a dental material before use.
Diet
A change in a person’s diet may be recommended in holistic dentistry to remedy any issues. They might suggest a whole diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins.
Lifestyle
Aside from diet and overall health, they will also look at the lifestyle of the person. For example, they might advise them to stop drinking alcohol or quit smoking. A holistic dentist may also recommend yoga to reduce stress if someone grinds their teeth,
What Are The Complementary and Alternative Medicines Used In Holistic Dentistry?
Holistic dentistry may offer additional treatments that include the following:
- Aromatherapy
- Acupuncture
- Homeopathy
- Homeopathy
- Energy healing
- Nutritional advice
- Hypnosis
- Stress management
- Massage therapy
- Overall health evaluations
Holistic Dentistry vs. Biological Dentistry
Interchangeably, the terms are often used in dentistry. This is because of the same basic principles used and believed in minimally invasive approaches. While very similar, the two also have differences.
Firstly, they have different associated organizations. Holistic dentists will likely be part of the Holistic Dental Association (HDA). In contrast, biological dentists will probably be involved in the International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine.
In addition, the types of patients these dentists care for can differ. Holistic dentists may offer spiritual or energetic healing alongside traditional dentistry practices.
What Are The Benefits Of Holistic Dentistry?
Here are the benefits of visiting a dentist and using safe dental care and health-promoting holistic dental products for the dental health:
- Safe and less painful treatment.
- No toxic products
- Less return visits are necessary
- Recommended products are safe and effective
- More cost-effective
What Conditions Does a Holistic Dentist Treat?
Typically, holistic dentists offer the following services:
- Composite fillings
- Dental checkups and cleanings
- Whole health evaluation
- Education in oral health techniques
- Alternative treatment for head, jaw, and neck pain
What are The Possible Risks Of Holistic Dentistry?
Holistic dentistry might be unsafe in case of the following conditions:
- History of tooth decay. Since a natural dentists do not support fluoride, it will be prone to more cavities as fluoride has been shown to prevent tooth decay.
- Severe dental infection. This may require emergency medical attention or a root canal. Holistic dentists may recommend pulling an infected tooth instead of saving it with a root canal.
- Prescription medication. Some prescription drugs can interact with herbal remedies.
- Chronic illness. There isn’t any research confirming the safety of holistic dentistry for people with certain chronic conditions.
Besides, more studies are needed to understand holistic dentistry’s specific risks and side effects.
The Bottom Line
Holistic Dentistry focuses on oral health in the context of overall wellness, taking into account a patient’s systemic health – that is, the health of all interconnected systems – to benefit the entire body and not just the mouth. Perry Family Dentistry offers Dentistry, a form of dental medicine that takes care of a patient’s teeth and oral health using alternative techniques and natural remedies. Furthermore, Perry Family Dentistry is a full-service dental office providing everything from routine cleanings and fillings to complete smile transformations.