Holistic Alternative Dentistry: Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

Holistic alternative dentistry differs from traditional dentistry by considering your overall health, not just the health of your mouth.

The dentist engaged in natural dentistry spends more time with you than the conventional dentist because he wants to become completely familiar with your entire health history so that he can effectively cater for your current dental needs.

Dentistry should be about caring for the health of the whole body, not just the teeth and gums. For example, it is now known that periodontal disease is related to the health of the heart and badly aligned teeth can create digestive problems. Just dealing with the teeth is not the whole story. The holistic dentist takes into account the whole person, body, mind and lifestyle. Such a dentist will not use mercury amalgam for fillings, as he knows this is a toxic substance and can do damage to the overall health of the body. He will use a non toxic substance such as a resin, and will often remove old mercury fillings and replace them with safer substances. A holistic dentists will ensure that any x-rays that are needed use low emission equipment, or he will use another means of diagnosis.

Most holistic dentists are against the use of fluoride, as they believe it can be harmful and indeed toxic in moderate doses. They support the view of several studies that fluoride added to water has little health benefit.

Nutritional counseling, involving dietary recommendations and if needed, suggestions for supplements for preventive treatment are also offered by holistic dentists. The services of a hygienist are also made available. The holistic dentist South Yarra provides all the treatments offered by the more orthodox dentist, including teeth whitening, treatment of gum disease, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry and root canal therapy.

Homeopathy is an important part of holistic alternative dentistry. First aid homeopathy is used in the post treatment of dental procedures. Acute homeopathy is used for conditions that will eventually get better on their own. Lastly, constitutional homeopathy is used to treat the whole person, as this aspect of health is as important as the health of the mouth in holistic dentistry.

All aspects of the health of the teeth are treated by the holistic dentist. One condition which afflicts many people is receding gums. This is where the bone of the mouth and gums moves away from the tooth itself. This may result from poor oral hygiene or grinding or clenching of the teeth. Holistic dentists may recommend taking certain vitamins such as vitamin D which has anti inflammatory qualities and vitamin C which assists in the repair of connective tissue for this condition.

When examining and talking to the patient, the holistic dentist is interested in any level of stress the patient may be suffering as this has been shown to contribute to the amount of plaque adhering to the teeth and gums and which may contribute to gum disease. He may advocate physical activity and meditation and special breathing techniques which can be beneficial in the alleviation of stress. Other changes which might be suggested are replacing your toothbrush with a rotating toothbrush, brushing and flossing more frequently and avoiding strongly acidic foods.

The holistic alternative dentistry, as practiced maybe even by a dentist Melbourne, is concerned about prevention of any health problems before they start, and treating any problems the patient has in the safest and most natural way he can.