Holistic dentistry, also known as biological dentistry, biologic dentistry, alternative dentistry, unconventional dentistry, or biocompatible dentistry, looks at the connection between your oral and overall health. Dentists that practice this alternative approach believe there is a close relationship between the two.
While holistic dentists can agree on using non-toxic materials to promote oral hygiene, there’s controversy over what specific methods are the most beneficial. When searching for a holistic dentist near you, it’s important to visit the websites of the dentists you’re considering and their dental offices to ensure the doctor and their staff’s beliefs align with yours.
Is Holistic Dentistry for Me?
While holistic dentists do practice an alternative approach to dentistry, they’ve still completed a post-graduate program and are certified with the credentials DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine).
After dental school, holistic dentists don’t all follow the same post-graduate education. Depending on their own beliefs, each dentist will decide which educational path to continue on and then later incorporate it into their practice.
Common Holistic Dentistry Philosophies
While holistic dentists do practice an alternative approach to dentistry, they’ve still completed a post-graduate program and are certified with the credentials DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine).
After dental school, holistic dentists don’t all follow the same post-graduate education. Depending on their own beliefs, each dentist will decide which educational path to continue on and then later incorporate it into their practice.
In addition to not using amalgam or mercury fillings, holistic dentists may practice:
- Integrated dental healthcare– This is a form of dentistry that uses a combination of traditional and holistic procedures.
- Nutritional therapies– Some dentists focus on the connection between diet and oral health. Just like our body needs certain minerals and vitamins, our oral health depends on this too.
- Homeopathy, aromatherapy, or herbology– These are natural therapies to promote relaxation and/or replace conventional medicine.
- Hypnosis– Some holistic dentists incorporate hypnosis into their practice to help patients relax in a way that avoids side effects.
Holistic dentists may also have differences of opinions on what the proper therapies are for cavitations or temporomandibular joint syndrome.
How to Find a Holistic Dentist?
If you’ve never visited a holistic dentist but are interested in the field, you may not know how to start your search. After doing research and deciding which practices align with your beliefs, you will want to find a dentist who incorporates the same beliefs into their practice. Because so many of us already have anxiety over visiting a dentist, finding the right dentist near you will help alleviate this stress.
Once you’ve found a few holistic dentists in your area, schedule a consultation with the ones that interest you. After visiting the dental office and speaking with the holistic dentist, you’ll have a better idea if you and the dentist are a good fit. Because it’s important to trust your dentist and have a good relationship with them, you shouldn’t sign on with a new dentist until you’re confident with your decision.
Whether you’re searching for a dentist who practices traditional, holistic, or integrative dentistry, 4Smile will help you find the right dentist for you.
