{"id":3451,"date":"2018-02-06T20:19:13","date_gmt":"2018-02-06T20:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myholisticdentist.com\/?p=3451"},"modified":"2018-08-10T18:09:25","modified_gmt":"2018-08-10T18:09:25","slug":"what-is-holistic-dentistry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myholisticdentist.com\/2018\/02\/06\/what-is-holistic-dentistry\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Holistic Dentistry and What Makes It Different?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Holistic dentistry and biological dentistry refer to two different aspects of integrative dental care. Generally speaking the term \u2018holistic\u2019 refers to the fact that the body is one whole or holistic system.\u00a0 Common sense dictates that the mouth, the primary pathway to the digestive system, is integral to the health of the entire body.<\/p>\n
Actually, the dentist was once thought to be the first line of defense in patient care. Although dentistry has been put in a separate category from overall health care, increasingly the research shows that there are definite links between dental health and systemic health.<\/p>\n
When I\u2019m speaking at or attending an event, I\u2019m often asked, \u2018What is holistic dentistry?\u2019\u00a0 After 30+ years practicing, I would define it as doing dentistry that supports the overall health of the patient or at least doesn\u2019t damage it.\u00a0 Simple in theory?\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 Easy in application?\u00a0 No.<\/p>\n
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What’s the difference between holistic dentistry and biological dentistry?\u00a0 On a practical level they can be considered one and the same.\u00a0 If you go to a holistic dentist, you may assume correctly that you are going to a biological dentist and visa versa.<\/p>\n
Biological dentistry focuses on the biological effects of dentistry on the rest of the body.\u00a0 As an example, ‘How do dental materials in general and specifically from metal restorations affect the organs of the body?’ Another area of concern are infections that are present in the mouth.\u00a0 The two main dental infections are gum disease, called periodontal disease, and root canal infections.\u00a0 More on these subjects below.<\/p>\n
Dentistry takes a fair amount of focus to do well.\u00a0 This is what makes dentistry both interesting and fascinating.\u00a0 Also, every patient is unique, and the approach you take to help them may be different to match their special needs and situation.\u00a0 Simply stated, there is not way to cookie cutter dental treatment.\u00a0 In dentistry one approach does not fit all.<\/p>\n
In holistic dentistry it’s usually the health conscious people that seek you out because they want healthy alternatives and they also want to be in an environment that is non-toxic and supportive.\u00a0 The health conscious person also wants an office that is conscious of stress levels. So how the office is run, how treatment is performed and how empathetic and calm the staff is makes a big difference in everyone’s experience.\u00a0 Holistic offices can provide this as they are focused on the overall experience of their patients, not just the bottom line.<\/p>\n
Holistic dental offices also seem to attract a lot of patients that are immune compromised.\u00a0 These days who isn’t immune challenged in some way?\u00a0 A lot of my patients are referred to me from other M.D.’s, Naturopaths, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Accupunturists and others.\u00a0 This is because they need a dentist who will do work that will not add to the body burden of of their patient’s toxicity, infection or chemicals.<\/p>\n
This takes a lot of extra knowledge and experience and most dentists just don’t want to take the time to learn and apply this.\u00a0 It’s a lot of extra work and I have found that you have to really be a believer to do it.\u00a0 Basically, you have to be phylisophically aligned with holistic principles in your own life.<\/p>\n
I am starting an educational series on holistic dentistry.\u00a0 The articles on this blog are the first step, and they will be compiled into a book called ‘Tooth Body Connection, Holistic Dentistry and Health.’\u00a0 The book will come out sometime in 2018.<\/p>\n
If you want to get an advanced copy of the book or to let me know what questions you have, what experiences you have had about the subjects discussed here feel free to comment below and I will respond.\u00a0 To learn more\u00a0about how holistic dentistry is different than traditional dentistry, read on.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”1) Evaluating Oral Bacteria and Parasites with a Microscope” module_id=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.105″ background_layout=”light”]<\/p>\n
<\/a>An obvious connection between holistic dentistry and systemic health that research supports is that microbes in the mouth are also found in the gut. Gram negative bacteria are those bacteria that live in oxygen poor environments, like the areas under the gums and between teeth. These bacteria have access to the digestive tract and can cause inflammation in the gut just as they do in the mouth.This is called the microbiome, ‘the combined genetic material of the microorganisms in a particular environment’, in this instance this mouth and gut.<\/p>\n Do your gums bleed? Are they red and inflamed? Now imagine these same things going on within your gut. If the bacteria in your mouth are causing inflammation in your gums, you may assume that the same thing is going on along your intestinal lining. This is because the same bacteria or microbiome is present in both places.<\/p>\n The vast majority of people in today\u2019s global economy have the most advanced and aggressive forms of microbes in their mouths. These bacteria cause the most inflammation and breakdown of healthy tissue, including the gums and bone around your teeth. This is what causes gum disease.\u00a0 These microbes also contribute to bowel disease.<\/p>\n <\/a>One particular amoeba, E. gingivalis, is known to be prevalent in cases of gingivitis and advancing stages of gum disease. It is a highly adaptive and aggressive parasite that causes a lot of the inflammation and tissue damage.<\/p>\n They survive and flourish by engulfing and removing the contents of white and red blood cells. They are a major cause of bleeding gums because they actually feed on them.<\/p>\n Amoeba can be easily transmitted through kissing, as droplets from sneezing or coughing, or indirectly from contaminated articles. Pets are also common carriers and transmitters of amoeba. Some dentists have estimated that about one third of their patients have some form of amoeba in their mouths. It may be more, but finding them is not easy as they live in the base of the pocket between the gums and teeth.<\/p>\n According to the Kansas State University web site, \u201cMultiple samplings reveal the parasite to colonize the oral cavity of nearly all adult humans.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a>This type of spirally undulating bacteria has the ability to change shape in order to survive. This super bug is so good at adaptation that it can even withstand antibiotics.<\/p>\n Spirochetes are aggressive enough to attack even amoeba, as well as attacking red blood cells, white blood cells and fibrin, a protein found in the blood. Spirochetes play a role in suppressing the immune system, and once you have them, you can never fully get rid of them. The good news is that you can control them if you know how.<\/p>\n These are just 2 of the many types of microbes found in the mouth.<\/p>\nMicrobes Found with Gum Disease:<\/h2>\n
Spirochetes<\/h2>\n
The Dental Microscope<\/h2>\n