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 HOLISTIC DENTISTRY

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF HOLISTIC DENTISTRY
Holistic dentists practice a whole-body approach to dental care and avoid materials that may cause health problems in restoring teeth missing function and aesthetics. Holistic dentistry aims to avoid invasive procedures by emphasizing preventive dental care.  Additional goals include the utilization of natural substances and minimization associated waste. The holistic dentist can use alternatives to mercury and silver-based amalgam fillings and traditional X-rays, which create waste chromium and require other hazardous processing chemicals.

What is it used for?
CONDITIONS HOLISTIC DENTISTRY MAY BE HELPFUL FOR

- General dentistry
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Natural therapies for gum disease and tooth decay
- Integrative orthodontics
- Dental treatment of snoring and sleep apnea
- TMJ/Cranial therapy
- Safe removal or replacement of mercury fillings
- Correcting jaw problems while considering the body as a whole, including bones and muscles of face, neck and spine
- Advise patients about diet and supplemental systemic care
- Avoiding root canals and extractions that leave cavitations in the jaw bone

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF HOLISTIC DENTISTRY
In the late 70s, the holistic dental organizations were formed.  Dentists interested in holistic approaches joined to encourage dental schools to offer training in additional treatment modalities.  Holistic organizations were formed to connect those wishing to develop and teach less-invasive, health promoting interventions.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF HOLISTIC DENTISTRY
Holistic dentists utilize a holistic orientation to provide superior dental care to patients through less invasive methods utilizing natural materials.  They also attempt to encourage more healthful, progressive methods of dentistry related to extractions, fillings, crowns, and anesthesia.  Holistic practitioners may encourage use of alternative therapies including homeopathic medications, acupuncture, cranial osteopathy, nutritional techniques, and physical therapy in treating patients in addition to conventional treatments.

One main holistic organization is the Holistic Dental Association.

Their creed states that:

"We believe that Holistic involves an awareness of dental care as it relates to the entire person.
We believe that health care practitioners and recipients should be provided with appropriate information to make informed choices that will enhance personal health and wellness while feeling loved, accepted, and understood.
We believe that Holistic Dental Association membership provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support while we expand our awareness and skills.
We believe our educational growth should be nurturing, affordable, and encompasses basic information, experiential knowledge, and leading edge ideas.
We believe in openly sharing resources.
We believe in an interdisciplinary approach to health that facilitates the individual's innate ability to heal themselves."

Holistic dentists generally try to avoid more invasive treatments or root canals. They may also remove root canals from patients when they suspect that they are causing trouble.  The extraction of teeth is performed in a way to minimize the risk of infection of the jawbone.

Another major component of holistic dentistry is offering alternatives to potentially toxic dental treatments. Natural forms of anesthesia are promoted, and a popular method is acupuncture anesthesia, in which tiny acupuncture needles are placed at various points on the body prior to and during the procedure. Utilizing the body’s natural energetic system this technique provides numbness but the patient is able to maintain mental alertness and physical comfort.

Many holistic dentists protest the use of mercury in fillings, citing research that it is damaging to the nervous system and suppresses the immune system over time.  They do not use amalgam fillings as they contain 51% mercury that has been shown to decrease over time as it leaches into the body's tissues.  Mercury ranks with arsenic as a neurotoxin and immunotoxic poison that can cause cell death or a chemical change in the body.

Holistic dentistry practices attempt to bolster the immune system throughout the mercury extraction process.  A nutritional system and a variety of detoxification supplements are provided.  Holistic dentists offer biocompatible filling and repair materials that do not tax the immune system. A serum test can establish the correct compound for each patient. Furthermore, a hair test can determine the presence of various heavy metals in the body, including mercury from past exposure that may alter the immune system. 

Preventative maintenance is also strongly emphasized in holistic dentistry.  Many dentists culture the gum line of patients to determine how many pathogenic bacteria are present. The likelihood of gum disease is evaluated early and natural forms of prevention can then be utilized to prevent gum disease.  If it is detected early, it can be treated and reversed.

Holistic dentists may work closely with other alternative practitioners, such as chiropractors, chelation therapists, massage therapists and acupuncturists to achieve maximum wellness throughout the body as a whole.

How is it done?
WHAT A SESSION OF HOLISTIC DENTISTRY IS LIKE
A visit to a holistic dentist is not substantially different from a visit to a traditional dentist. The initial health assessment on the patient's initial visit may be quite detailed to give the practitioner more information about the general state of health.  The emphasis in a holistic practice is on treating the patient as a whole person and the practitioner's knowledge and experience in using alternative modalities.

Who does it?
HOLISITIC DENTISTRY PRACTITIONERS
Holistic dentistry is a voluntary philosophical distinction within the scope of the practice of dentistry rather than a legal designation. There are a number of voluntary holistic dentistry organizations whose membership is open to all practitioners who have an interest in holistic health in dentistry.