Holistic Dentistry: A New Paradigm in Oral Health Care

There is a new field of dentistry that is creating a whole new way of looking at your dental health. It is progressive, proactive and it harmonizes patients’ dental wellness with their overall physical well-being. Holistic dentistry – a new paradigm of oral health care.

While traditional dentistry focuses only on the areas above the neck, holistic dentistry looks at the patient as a whole system and how the mouth relates to the rest of the body. It stresses prevention over intervention. It employs an approach that avoids unnecessary procedures and performs those that are necessary in the least invasive manner. In essence, less is more. It uses only those materials that are known to be safe and biocompatible. It recognizes patients’ medical histories, concerns and needs. It creates a comprehensive treatment plan attuned to individual lifestyles.

A holistic dentist will usually be trained in other modalities that promote whole body healing. These might include nutrition, hypnosis, detoxification, homeopathy, anxiety relief, acupuncture or other energy medicine modalities. She can usually read your tongue and therefore inform you on the health of your liver and other organs. She can easily see vitamin deficiencies by looking at your teeth and gums. A holistic dentist knows that "balance is the secret of health."

Mind, body, spirit are often times imbalanced by very minute changes over long periods of time. The changes are subtle and rarely noticed until things are chronic. Some people are barely affected while others manifest symptoms that defy conventional diagnosis and treatment. A holistic dentist knows that the mouth is the window to your bodily health, reflecting wellness and disease that manifest systemically. She knows that each tooth is on a meridian with specific parts of your body. By restoring your dental health, you may very well bring health to all of you.

From the moment you walk into a holistic dentist’s office, you will know that you are in the right place to find health. There should be a soothing ambiance, possibly including aromatherapy, relaxing music and a caring friendly staff. The dentist should be amicable and very concerned about your concerns. A thorough medical history is fundamental.

The most basic of all social expressions is your smile. Restore it to good health with holistic dentistry. Complement your dental wellness with overall physical well-being. A holistic dentist can help you achieve this.