If you’re in the market for a new oral healthcare professional, you may be looking at various practices to determine what it is you want. While location, services, expertise, and payment options are important, have you considered whether you want someone who will care for just your smile or an individual who believes in providing whole-body health? Read on to learn more about what makes a holistic dentist unique and why scheduling a visit with one will be the best decision you could make for your overall well-being.
What is a Holistic Dentist?
A holistic dentist is someone who understands that the mouth and body are closely connected, so the services they provide align with the goal of ensuring total-body health.
Some common treatment options they might provide include:
- Ozone/oxygen therapy
- Safe amalgam removal
- Metal-free dental restorations
- Ceramic dental implants
- Platelet rich fibrin
- And more
When providing these services, a holistic dentist considers how treating the existing oral health problem will impact the body as a whole. What this means is that a typical evaluation of your oral anatomy will not just lead to a simple solution that addresses your dental issue. It will also include an explanation of how it will affect your physical, mental, and emotional health.
How is a Holistic Dentist Different From a General Dentist?
There are a few key differences that exist between holistic and general dentistry. These include:
- The Focus: General dentists tend to focus more on oral health and ways to treat the mouth. Holistic dentists take a more comprehensive approach by looking at the body as a whole and how certain treatments will affect more than just your smile.
- Materials Used: Although many dentists are turning to more natural-looking materials as opposed to traditional metal and amalgam, some general dentists still use gold, porcelain fused to metal, and silver fillings. Holistic dentists choose biocompatible materials that are healthier for the body and environment. This means that you’ll be unlikely to find any metal restorations in their dental office.
- Treatments Offered: General dentists emphasize preventive care with services like dental fillings, at-home oral hygiene, and other more standard (traditional) methods. Holistic dentists incorporate additional therapies (i.e., aromatherapy, nutrition consultation, etc.) to try and mitigate a problem before moving toward other types of treatment (i.e., fillings or crowns).
Benefits of Choosing a Holistic Dentist
Countless patients place their smiles and bodies in the hands of trusted holistic dentists every day, and they walk away feeling healthier and happier. You will find that by choosing to undergo treatment with someone who has your whole-body health in mind, you’ll experience many great benefits, such as:
- Someone who prefers minimally invasive treatments as opposed to more complex and extensive procedures
- Someone who incorporates innovative technologies that provide high-resolution imaging and exceptional care but are less invasive (i.e., soft tissue laser)
- Someone who cares about the materials being placed in your mouth and chooses non-toxic, biocompatible ones that are not harmful to your body or the environment
- Someone who believes in addressing the root cause of your dental problem, not just the symptoms
If you are ready to take better care of your smile, body, mind, and well-being, make sure your next appointment is with a holistic dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Udoka Holinbeck is a holistic dentist who is committed to providing exceptional, top-of-the-line services to patients who desire a whole-body approach. She and her team at Bionica Dental Wellness don’t just focus on a person’s smile but also their overall health and how the two connect. Using metal-free materials and a more comprehensive approach, she can get to the root of the problem and provide life-changing results. Visit our website or call (262) 337-9745 to learn more about holistic dentistry and if it’s right for you.