HOLISTIC DENTISTRY: WHAT IT MEANS AND WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US

Dr.Jay (Krithika Jayaprakash) • Oct 26, 2018

Holistic Dentistry is About Treating the Whole Person

An increasing number of both dental patients and dental health practitioners have begun to seek alternative methods for treatment that rely less on invasive procedures and the use of toxic or harmful materials. Holistic dentists are also called Biological dentists or Functional dentists.

But what does it mean to practice holistic dentistry? What’s holistic for one dentist may not be seen that way for another, but there are some commonalities that you can expect to experience whenever you visit any holistic dentist, ours included. Here’s what you can expect.

Holistic Dentistry is About Treating the Whole Person

Dentists have traditionally been viewed as specialists. Just as you go to a podiatrist for a foot injury or a cardiologist for a heart problem, you go to a dentist for a cavity. Holistic dentistry is still all about treating dental problems, but it goes a step further by focusing on not just the oral health of a patient but treating the whole person. This is a more inclusive approach, leading holistic dentists to pay attention to the interconnectedness of your oral and dental health to the rest of your body. This core philosophy informs every aspect of holistic dental treatment, with holistic dentists paying close attention to the possible effects that dental treatments and procedures can have on the rest of your body.

The Question of Fillings

Modern dentistry had been using amalgam for filling cavities for a long time. Yet despite this, the popularity of these amalgam fillings is on the wane as fears of the main component of these, mercury, have grown. There are other safer and more non-toxic methods for filling cavities, made from composite materials, that have been developed in the 150 years since the invention of amalgam.

Holistic dentistry almost universally rejects amalgam fillings and uses these well- established alternatives. Dr. Jay Dental goes one step further by ensuring mercury vapor released during the removal and replacement of amalgam fillings is filtered out of the air using the DentAirVac aerosol vacuum system.

Other Non-Invasive Treatments and Examinations

Ending the use of amalgam fillings is high on any holistic dentist’s list, but providing non-invasive options for tooth and gum examinations is also highly important. Practitioners of holistic dentistry strive to not expose the human body needlessly.

In the case of X-rays, for example, Dr. Jay Dental uses the CariVu system (transilluminator) which uses harmless near-infrared light alternating with traditional xrays. Holistic dental treatments are likewise more non-invasive as well. We use nonsurgical gum treatments with laser, nutrition and ozone therapy to reduce or kill bacteria. The laser treatments quickly heals patients such treatments, causing less pain and often resulting in no bleeding.

The Tip of the Iceberg

These are just a few of the holistic dentistry methods that you can expect when you visit Dr. Jay Dental, as we pride ourselves on providing whole-body care to all our patients. To learn more, stop in today at our Vernon, CT office or contact us today at 1 (860) 875-3349 !