Keep toxins out of your mouth
7 Reasons
You Want A Holistic Dentist To Take Care of Your Teeth
by Carey
O'Rielly, DDS & Victoria Klubok
Use of
Bio-Compatible Dental Materials
Let's face it,
we live in a toxic world; so you don't want to add to your toxic
load or create more stress for your immune system through your
dentistry. Studies indicate that at some point at least twenty per
cent of dental patients develop sensitivity to dental material. Your
holistic dentist will have different forms of testing available to
ascertain which materials are suitable for you.
Non-Painful
and Natural Treatment of Gum Diseases
In dentistry,
the only condition that can strictly speaking be called a disease is
periodontal (gum) disease. The media has drawn a lot of attention
recently to research showing that bacteria causing gum disease is
not only found in the mouth. The same bacteria can be found in the
blood stream when a patient has gum disease and may also be present
in instances of heart disease. The mouth is the gateway to the body
and a sound oral environment is a necessary support for a strong
heart in a healthy body.
Your gums are
the foundation for any dental treatment. A holistic dentist will
always try to implement a balanced and progressive program for
preserving your gums before recommending a more aggressive approach
to your periodontal care.
Safe Removal
of Metal Fillings
It is vital
that a strict protocol be followed whenever metal fillings need to
be replaced. This includes tooth isolation so that no metal
particles find themselves in your mouth or, worse yet, are
swallowed. Clean air and oxygen should be provided for you to
breathe, along with any special filtration and a custom high speed
vacuum unit. Ideally your holistic dentist will also have a filter
that will prevent the metal that has been removed from getting into
the public water system. In our oceans, fourteen per cent of the
pollution is caused by dental metals. Bay Area dentists are actually
required to implement this type of filtration to protect the waters
of San Francisco Bay.
Prevention and
Effective Treatment of Bite Problems and TMJ Problems
Your holistic
dentist knows that your mouth is the gateway to your body, not just
internally but structurally as well. The patient's bite alignment
must always be factored into the total picture of dental treatment,
along with specific concerns like problems with the jaw joint (TMJ).
Bite assessment is important for treatment, not just for the head
and jaw but for the structure of the body as a whole.
Measures to
take for bite correction include use of splints designed with state
of the art materials, as well as muscular adjustments within the
mouth. Sometimes your holistic dentist may coordinate treatment
directly with a chiropractor in order to give you the most positive
results.
Your bite must
be at its best for the successful outcome to your dental treatment:
a relaxed and happy smile.
Adjunctive
Support
Traditionally,
dentists have always stressed the importance of regular brushing and
flossing, particularly after eating sweets, for the maintenance of
dental health. Your holistic dentist may put even more emphasis on
the importance of good dietary habits.
For example,
an alkaline, sugar-free diet is an important adjunct to preventive
oral health. It is well known that sugar contributes to tooth decay.
This is because the bacteria that cause decay easily feed and grow
on intake of sugar. An alkaline diet is also helpful in that the
stresses of our world tend to cause acidity of the saliva, which
affects the health of both teeth and gums. An alkaline diet keeps
the ph of saliva at the proper balance so that the digestive
processes beginning with the mouth will function optimally.
Following some simple dietary guidelines can minimize and actually
eliminate sugar cravings.
Your holistic
dentist may also use aids like homeopathics, which are a powerful
support to oral health and dental treatment. Homeopathic pellets of
Aconitum Napellus can be administered to calm anxiety before
treatment. Homeopathic gels can be used topically after procedures
to dissipate the effects of anesthetics. Others, such as Arnica and
Traumeel, can be applied topically to sore gum tissue.
Cosmetic
Bonding for Preservation of Tooth Structure
Metal fillings
that are 15-20 years old can create cracks in your teeth that
eventually grow to become fractures. It is not uncommon to have old
fillings stay intact while the tooth structure crumbles around it.
In addition to metal fillings weakening tooth structure, they stain
the underlying tooth black. It is best to remove old fillings before
the tooth breaks, risking root canals or crowns and caps.
Through
bonding techniques caps or crowns are sometimes unnecessary, since
bonding helps to hold the tooth together rather than wedge it apart.
This strengthening through bonding allows us to be more conservative
and remove less tooth structure. There are many durable
tooth-colored filling materials available today that support the
tooth and look natural and beautiful.
Products and
Education for Eliminating Toxicity from Your Dental Treatment,
Dental Products, Your Home and Your Environment
Today limiting
the damage caused by toxicity is a hidden determinant to good
health. Limiting toxicity may present as big a challenge as getting
proper nutrition. Your body has the wisdom to convert whatever you
feed it into nutrients it can use, but over time the immune system
and organs of the body may respond to cumulative toxicity by
breaking down. It is important for patients to know about the
ingredients to avoid in toothpaste and mouthwash. There is more and
more availability of organic, effective, good-tasting alternatives
for home dental care. Your holistic dentist can educate you in the
many ways that toxic ingredients can be found in personal care and
cleaning products and even food and medicine.
Learning which
ingredients are best avoided and taking the time to read labels are
two ways that we can empower ourselves and our families to strive
for good oral health and overall well being.
Educating and
influencing patients to have a more balanced lifestyle is another of
the reasons why your holistic dentist provides important service to
your community.
About the
author: Carey O'Rielly, DDS has over 20 years of experience in the
dental field & specializes in the integration of cosmetic dentistry
with holistic care. His practice, in Encinitas, CA, the Integrative
Center for Holistic Dentistry, is affiliated with a local medical
center. Victoria Klubok has over 20 years of experience in holistic
care & is presently a Masters candidate in Integral Health. Download
their new ebook at
www.myholisticdentist.com.
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