It is a well-known fact that very few of us enjoy visiting the dentist. The array of metal implements, harsh lights, the clinical environment and the pain of dental surgery means that many people have been afraid of the dentist from childhood.
Holistic dentistry aims to change this notion, and make trips to the dentist a place for healing and knowing that you are in the good hands of someone who cares about your health. If you are one of the many people who put off visiting the dentist due to fear, it may be a good choice for your dental health to find an alternative practice, like the Seattle holistic dentist. Taking care of your teeth is highly important for your overall health – these dentists recognize this fact and take a different approach so that everyone feels comfortable in their practice.
Below, we lay out a short explanation of what holistic dentistry is and all the benefits of going to a holistic dentistry practice.
What is Holistic Dentistry?
Also known as natural or biological dentistry, this form of dentistry cares about patients’ whole-body health, encompassing physical, emotional and mental health. Natural therapies are used as often as possible in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral health issues. A true holistic dentist can be defined as doing what is best for the whole body, starting with the teeth and gums.
Natural Methods
Where possible, holistic dentists aim to reduce their use of harsh drugs, chemicals, and anesthetics on their patients. A new method called Laser Dentistry is often used, which is shown to reduce healing time, is virtually pain-free and eliminates the need for metal dentistry tools like drills, which can cause trauma to unaffected teeth and tissues of the mouth. It requires no anesthetic, which means no unnecessary chemicals enter the patient’s body. Holistic dentists are typically against their patients ingesting fluoride.
Less Invasive
Holistic dentistry aims to solve the patient’s complaint by using the least invasive method possible, preserving the health of the unaffected teeth and tissues. These dentists understand their patients’ wishes to undergo the least amount of surgery as possible and treat their patients’ mouths as if they were their own.
Taking the Time
This type of dentistry isn’t about rushing as many patients in and out of their doors as possible – it’s about taking it slow, doing things precisely and making the patient feel comfortable. These dentists aim to listen to their patients and work according to their needs and wishes in co-operation with the patient for a greater outcome. The principles that holistic dentists follow mean that they work slower but the result has a better effect on the health of the patient.
When drilling is necessary, holistic dentistry follows a slow-drilling method which is gentler and results in less of a need for pain-killing drugs or anesthetic. This kinder method means inflammation of the teeth and gums is less likely and reduces the need for root canals later down the line.
Minimal Metal
Many people are sensitive to mercury and nickel, commonly used in dentistry. Holistic dentists use metal-free compounds for fillings, inlays, crowns, implants and tooth restorations, often using ceramic instead. In accordance with the biological dentistry beliefs, biocompatible materials like porcelain are preferred to replace mercury and nickel. If you have been administered with dental restorative implants containing these metals before, a holistic dentist can remove them and replace them with gentler materials for you.
Whole Body Health
Holistic dentists see the mouth as the gateway to the entire body. The blood flowing through your heart and organs also flows to the mouth, which means that oral diseases quickly spread disease through the whole body in the bloodstream. Gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to heart disease, strokes, and even cancer, meaning that holistic dentists see it as imperative that everyone is prevented from developing any oral problems. See your holistic dentist for advice on taking naturally preventative measures against gum disease.
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