The Holistic Dental Association was created in 1978 with the objective of educating and supporting an educational perspective to holistic dentistry. This simply says that many parts always make up a whole. Your oral health care is just one element of the entire infrastructure of your body. Holistic dentistry looks at the role your oral health care plays in conjunction with your overall health. It always takes into consideration the big picture. When it comes to addressing your body, it looks at your entire body which includes your mental health, your emotional and physical health, and even includes your social well-being. They all contribute to your entire body.
You have heard of alternative medical treatments like acupuncture and various herbal treatments. Some dentists have also been trained in holistic dentistry and might offer an unconventional method for a treatment of an oral ailment.
Examples of Common Holistic Dentistry
The single biggest example of holistic dentistry is with the use of mercury. The most common material used for fillings today is a heavy metal called amalgam. This metal often contains over 50% mercury, and some believe can damage the central nervous system and your immune system. When polled most Americans had absolutely no idea there was mercury in their dental fillings. The ADA, American Dental Association, claims there is no risk, but you might be of the opinion of why risk it.
A holistic dentist may not use fluoride but instead may choose to use herbal methods. The holistic viewpoint will also frown on a root canal procedure, stating there is more harm done to your body’s infrastructure.
The Environmental Results
Common dental waste can have a negative effect on our water supply and threaten wildlife and their natural food chain. This is a contemporary issue with the fishing industry and the mercury levels now found in fish. This also includes the disposal of cotton swabs and gauze, suggesting the incineration of these versus throwing them in the trash.
The Big Picture Approach
Most of us do not realize that everything we need to consume to sustain life must enter through the portal of our mouths. Absolutely everything we eat and drink for necessary nutrition begins with our mouths. A holistic dentist just might review your nutritional habits and suggest a program that will improve your eating habits with your whole body in mind. They may make suggestions founded in the basic principles of prevention and the reversal of degenerative dental diseases. They could teach you to avoid toxins and how to address the prevention of gum disease.
Good Oral Hygiene and Common Sense
It is good to step back and appreciate the contribution your oral health care plays in the overall health of your body. The dental industry suggests you brush your teeth twice a day and to floss once a day. These simple suggestions are of a preventative nature. They also strongly encourage you to develop a routine of seeing your dentist twice a year for regular exams. Your dentist will build a history of your oral health and make suggestions based on prevention. It is wise for you to understand the overall value of holistic dentistry and to know that you always have alternatives.