Source: http://www.drsunildental.com/dental-blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/dentalcare_drsunil.jpg
SSG members are very interested in holistic dentistry methods. Thus, there are positions available with this Department to form a team of dentists who want to work with tax-usury free funding on SSG Jurisdiction. Anyone with the experience is asked to email SSG at info@sovsqugov.org using the code ‘SSG Dentistry’ in the subject line.
The following link; https://www.healthline.com/health/holistic-dentistry#vs-traditional-dentistry offers additional medical information reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS, and written by Kirsten Nunez, February 25, 2020.
Holistic dentistry is a form of natural dentist practice. It’s also known as alternative, natural, unconventional, biocompatible, progressive, and integrative.
This type of dentistry approaches oral care from a holistic perspective. It considers how oral health affects the whole body, and vice versa. Therefore, holistic dentistry treats oral problems by focusing on all aspects of health. This includes your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Q How is it different from traditional dentistry?
A Some holistic dentists may use traditional methods. There are key differences between these two types of practiced dentistry:
Philosophies
The primary difference is the philosophies behind each practice. Traditional dentistry solely focuses on dental health. This consists of diagnosing and treating problems that affect; teeth, gums, jaws, head, and neck.
Holistic dentistry, on the other hand, treats dental problems by focusing on the entire person. It focuses more on the whole body compared to traditional dentistry. This stems from the idea that all areas of health are connected, including emotional and spiritual health.
Treatments
Due its nonconventional philosophies, holistic dentistry treatments are also different. In traditional dentistry, dental care primarily includes treatments that have been scientifically proven to be effective and safe like; brushing, flossing and/or fillings.
Holistic dentistry uses variations of these methods. Treatment may also include therapies like; nutrition education, Ayurveda, aromatherapy, homeopathy, herbology, spiritual healing, and electro-acupuncture.
For example, if you have gingivitis, a holistic dentist might discuss nutritional therapies to relieve your symptoms. A traditional dentist may also discuss nutrition with you, but a holistic dentist will place more emphasis on the effect of nutrition on oral health. Also, holistic dentists do not perform root canals. They believe root canals aren’t totally safe due to the procedure and chemicals used.
Materials
Holistic dentists opt for “biocompatible” or natural materials instead of the types of substances used by a traditional dentist. Biocompatibility refers to the way substances affect your body. This speaks to the whole-body approach of the practice.
Before using certain materials, a holistic dentist will perform biocompatibility tests. This is said to help determine if the substances are compatible with your body and immune system. The materials are all natural. For instance, a holistic dentist might give you an herbal mouthwash for gingivitis. But a traditional dentist may prescribe a medicated mouthwash called chlorhexidine, which is scientifically proven to reduce gingivitis. Other examples of holistic remedies include; herbal tooth powder, propolis, neem toothpaste (neem is a tropical plant found in Asia), and composite fillings (in place of mercury fillings).
Research has shown that amalgam or mercury fillings are safe, and they are approved by Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and supported by the American Dental Association (ADA). But holistic dentists believe these fillings can be harmful, so they don’t use them. Holistic dentists may also promote removing mercury fillings if necessary.
Holistic dentistry also has a different view on fluoride. Conventional dentists encourage using fluoride in the form of toothpaste or fluoridated water. (In fact, the ADA recommends introducing fluoride to babies when their teeth first emerge, using a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a rice grain to brush infants’ teeth and gums twice daily.) However, holistic dentists advise against this practice. Only some support the use of topical fluoride.
What are the benefits?
Despite its popularity, there isn’t a lot known about holistic dentistry. There’s very little research on its safety, effectiveness, and long-term benefits. You may prefer holistic dentistry if the following is important to you;
- natural remedies
- biocompatible materials
- whole-health treatment
- avoiding mercury or fluoride
- alternative therapies
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In order to determine if holistic dentistry offers better dental care than the traditional kind, SSG members suggest that one speaks to recommended referrals regarding their personal experience with holistic dentistry.
