Whole-body dentistry is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that has grown in popularity in recent years. Our dental office in Mount Vernon, WA uses 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 Whole-Body 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 Whole-Body Dentist Visit?
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 whole-body dentist orders 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. Whole-body 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 Whole-Body 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 Whole-Body Dentistry Apart?
Here’s what sets whole-body 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 whole-body 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 whole-body 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 whole-body 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, whole-body dentists run sensitivity tests to ensure patients don’t react negatively to certain dental materials.
Diet
A change in a person’s diet may be recommended in whole-body 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 whole-body dentist may also recommend yoga to reduce stress if someone grinds their teeth,
What Are The Complementary and Alternative Medicines Used In Whole-Body Dentistry?
Whole-body dental care may incorporate treatments such as:
- Aromatherapy
- Acupuncture
- Homeopathy
- Homeopathy
- Energy healing
- Nutritional advice
- Hypnosis
- Stress management
- Massage therapy
- Overall health evaluations
Whole-Body Dentistry vs. Biological Dentistry
In the field of dentistry, these expressions are often used interchangably. 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. Whole-body 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, whole-body practitioners may incorporate spiritual or energetic healing alongside conventional dental services.
What Are The Benefits Of Whole-Body Dentistry?
Here are the benefits of visiting a dentist and using safe dental care and health-promoting whole-body dental products for 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 Whole-Body Dentist Treat?
Typically, whole-body 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 Whole-Body Dentistry?
Whole-body 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. Whole-body 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 whole-body dentistry for people with certain chronic conditions.
Besides, more studies are needed to understand whole-body dentistry’s specific risks and side effects.
The Bottom Line
Whole-body dentistry focuses on oral health within the context of overall wellness, recognizing how the mouth is connected to systemic health. Perry Family Dentistry offers this thoughtful approach to care by integrating natural therapies with conventional dentistry, helping patients achieve optimal oral and overall well-being. From routine cleanings to full smile makeovers, our Mount Vernon office is proud to deliver compassionate, health-conscious dental care tailored to your needs.
If you’re interested in the benefits whole-body dentistry can provide, or just want to discuss some possible treatment options, please contact our office today at (360) 424-3133 or click the button below to schedule an appointment.
