If you’ve been going to a traditional dentist your whole life it can be a little jarring to hear the term “holistic dentistry”. What does that even mean? And what is the main difference between traditional and holistic dentistry? Here we’re going to dive into what sets holistic dentists apart from the rest, and how holistic dentistry could benefit you.
Getting to The Root
Dentists are doctors of the teeth. In most cases, traditional dentists will use the tools available to them to treat cavities or other issues that strictly pertain to teeth.
In contrast, the goal of a holistic dentist is to address the root cause of a dental issue. When we treat a patient, we don’t just see their smile. We take a look at the bigger picture of their overall health and wellbeing to get a better look at what may be causing issues to occur.
A holistic dentist’s mission goes beyond fixing teeth. Issues like obstructive sleep apnea, excessive snoring, and bed wetting can have a root in an underdeveloped upper airway as a result of an underdeveloped jaw. We evaluate this and address it with solutions such as Vivos Craniofaical appliances. We also examine and consider TMJ disorders in an attempt to reduce the negative impact they can have on your overall health (both now and down the line).
Natural and Clean
When medical students become doctors they take what is known as the Hippocratic Oath to “first, do no harm.” While dentists aren’t made to take this oath after dental school, the sentiment can still be applied in dental practices.
That is the main goal of a holistic dentist: to keep you safe from harmful substances, and avoid inflicting harm at all costs.
Mercury amalgam fillings installed by traditional dentists off-gas toxic vapors. Exposure to mercury can have a wide range of negative health effects. That’s why harmful toxins such as mercury containing dental amalgam have no place in our practice. When needed, we do offer safer mercury amalgam removal for those who have already been exposed to it through past fillings from traditional dentists. We are S.M.A.R.T. (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) certified and adhere to strict protocols to protect both our patients and our team throughout this process.
Our aim is to use the advanced technology at our disposal to provide minimally invasive treatment for your dental care. Our materials are the least toxic possible, both for you and for our environment.
At Ecological Dentistry our mission is for our patients to leave each visit with a greater feeling of well-being than when you arrived. For more information about our holistic practice you can learn more on our holistic dentistry overview page or by contacting us!