Taking care of your teeth from a young age is extremely important since you will soon start your professional life. For this very reason, it is suggested that you should visit a holistic dentist. The holistic dentists that the Dental Healing Arts provide are responsible and know how to deal with all problems.
Holistic dentistry: defining the term holistic dentistry
Because holistic dentistry is not a standardized academic discipline, its practitioners can define it in whichever way they feel proper. Holistic dentistry prioritizes the patient’s whole wellness above simply their mouth.
As a means of attracting new patients and increasing referrals from alternative practitioners, several dental practices emphasize their dedication to a natural, or “holistic,” approach. It’s possible that your holistic dentist only accepts cash.
Alternatively, other practices use a more nuanced approach, invoicing patients’ insurance companies for treatments that will be reimbursed and allowing patients to pay out of pocket for those that will not.
Dentists who practice holistic medicine go by a few different titles. Some dental practitioners may call themselves “biological dentists” or “natural dentists,” for example. 4 A more all-encompassing approach may be advocated by some. Holistic dentists, biological dentists, natural dentists, and integrative dentists accomplish essentially the same for their patients.
Although “holistic” may give the impression otherwise, there are numerous commonalities between holistic and traditional general dentistry. Traditional dental care, including cleanings and fillings, is still provided by holistic dentists. Still, they may forgo some conventional dental materials in favor of safer, more biocompatible options.
Approach to their patients’ care
Holistic dentists share the same academic grounding as their mainstream colleagues but employ different methods in their clinical work. A holistic dentist tends to say that he will be focusing on three critical things that are:
- The dental structure
- Nutritional status
- And the toxic exposure.
Examinations in holistic dental practices typically include more time and care than those in more traditional practices. After talking to individuals and learning about their medical histories, she and her husband perform a complete physical examination, checking everything from the teeth to the eyes to the jaws to the necks (a procedure they call the patient interview). The Patels also emphasize to their patients the need to maintain a healthy diet for optimal dental and overall health.
Holistic dentists may be able to refer patients to medical specialists or assist them in coping with their symptoms until conventional dentists can see them. Teamwork is an integral part of holistic dentistry.
Amalgam and root canals
Root canals and amalgam fillings are two of the most contentious subjects in discussions about holistic vs. conventional dentistry. Endodontics is a well-established area of dentistry, with over 15 million root canal procedures performed each year. Some holistic dentists refuse to perform root canals due to the high risk of infection and the harmful effects of the materials used. The American Association of Endodontists’ view that the procedure is safe and effective has gained widespread acceptance among dentists.
- While some holistic dentists may discourage patients from undergoing root canals out of fear for their health, this does not mean that all holistic dentists will automatically pull teeth that have had root canals done on them.
- Holistic dentists often choose ceramics for dental restorations due to their biocompatibility with the human immune system. However, some dentists even go so far as to analyze blood samples to determine which material is safest for individual patients.
Holistic and traditional dental care is not necessarily incompatible, and there is undoubtedly an opportunity for overlap. Dentists can find supporting evidence in both camps. Dental patients can benefit from combining conventional care with holistic practices.
