What is Holistic Dentistry?

Holistic dentistry as the name suggests goes beyond the conventional form of dentistry and adopts a more holistic approach. It takes various factors under consideration, such as the patient’s physical, emotional and at times even spiritual health. A holistic dentist focuses on all aspects of oral health and educate patient on how oral care plays an important role in maintaining the overall health of a person.

In the past several studies found that gum diseases were linked to the ailments of the heart, diabetes and pregnancy. However, traditional dentists were only trained to correct issues related to the mouth, they had little or no knowledge about the long term effects of these on the body. This gave rise to the need of holistic dentistry and today it is one of the most popular fields of dentistry.

Although many dentists will claim to be holistic it’s very important to see which solution they suggest for a problem. Let’s take a look at some of the common dental issues and how they are addressed by traditional and holistic dentists.

Root canals

The most common solution offered by traditional dentists for a decayed tooth is a root canal. It is a tried and tested solution that is in practice for centuries.

Holistic dentists on the other hand believe that a root canal treatment won’t be effective unless the canal is completely sterilized and bacteria free. They will try to look for other solutions to the problem before suggesting a root canal.

Mercury fillings

Many traditional dentists will suggest mercury fillings simply because of the fact that they are easier to place and leak only a tiny amount of mercury.

Mercury is a toxin that can be harmful even in smaller amounts and holistic dentists are well aware of this fact. They are also known to put too much pressure on the teeth and make them weak. Therefore holistic dentists do not exceed any safety guidelines while placing or removing it.

Fluoride

Traditional dentists have been favouring the use of fluoride and still strongly recommend it in topical as well as ingested form. In fact they recommend fluoride drops to infants to keep cavities at bay.

Holistic dentist on the other hand argue against the use on ingested fluoride as too much of it can lead to cancer and several other bone related problems. A holistic dentist will suggest the best ways and quantity of using fluoride that is safe for you and your family. 

Tips For Taking Care Of Your Family's Oral Health

Adults who have a family are not just responsible for their health, but also the health of their family. Taking care of your family’s oral health has become more important because poor oral health can lead to various diseases that could easily be prevented with a little love and care. Here are a few things you can do to take care of your family’s oral health and yours.

Use the right products

Different people have different needs, your oral health is no different. The toothbrush that you use for yourself may not be suitable for your child. It is possible that you need a toothpaste that helps with your gum sensitivity issues while your better half or children do not. It is always better to use the right products that suit the needs of the person using it. But brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily applies to one and all.

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Infant Oral Care: Brushing, Flossing, and Cavities

A toothless smile of a baby can warm up the most sullen of hearts.

Pregnant women often read up a lot about the overall health care of their baby. The correct ways to feed them, bathe them, hold them and even put them to sleep interests all would-be-mothers. An aspect of the baby’s health that is overlooked is the oral care. There are several misconceptions associated with oral care of babies and toddlers, let’s try to eliminate them.

• No teeth, no care: Mothers of new born babies often believe that because the baby is missing teeth, their mouth does not require any cleaning. This is an unhealthy practice that is dangerous to your baby’s health. A mouth has bacteria irrespective of the person’s age. It is important to clean the mouth of babies right from birth. Use a damp and soft piece of cloth to clean the gums of your baby. With your finger, try and clean the tongue.

• Teething troubles: The first set of baby teeth generally appear after four months to a year of birth. Most parents, assume that because this is not the permanent teeth of the baby, it does not require care. Milk teeth are the foundation of permanent teeth. It is important that you care for your toddlers teeth soon after they appear. Use a soft brush and a toothpaste to clean your child’s mouth.

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