General Dentistry includes procedures that most people have heard of, even if they haven’t had them done, such as crowns (caps), fillings, & root canal therapy. General dental care is also used to repair minor tooth damage due to accidents, such as chipping a tooth while eating. Addressing bad breath is also part of general dentistry!
A Focus on the Whole Body
Your first visit with a biological dentist will likely start with a fairly broad review of your medical history. This is part of what it means to practice holistic medicine—to take the whole body into account when analyzing a patient’s health. This includes emotional & general physical health & covers a broad range of lifestyle health such as sleeping habits, diet & the environment you live in.
Holistic dentists may recommend other homeopathic treatments beyond oral care. These vary greatly from person to person, but the same focus on natural, nontoxic ingredients remains.
While holistic dentistry examines the whole body, there’s still plenty of focus on teeth. Teeth cleanings, good brushing habits & oral exams are all staples of biological dentistry. Holistic dentists must still receive a dental degree & be licensed the same way all other general practice dentists do before they can treat patients.
What Is Biological Dentistry?
Biological dentistry is primarily used in preserving teeth & using safer products to improve or replace old procedures. Certain procedures are generally avoided that are deemed too invasive & care recommendations generally involve gentler, more natural products. Biological dentistry is essentially the same as holistic medicine & some practitioners are indeed referred to as holistic dentists. Biological dentistry is not a specialty, but rather a mindset that works to heal the whole body using natural medicines.
More Natural Treatments
Biological dentistry generally does not involve procedures like root canals. This is because they claim there is a risk of bacteria, viruses & other invasive material entering the bloodstream during the procedure. Since this type of medicine is generally practiced without the use of strong drugs like antibiotics, the risk of infection becomes greater, & so the use of invasive procedures declines.
Another thing biological dentistry avoids is the use of precious metals. We are probably all familiar with the use of silver amalgam in fillings. Gold has also been used in fillings & crowns. This is due to the malleability of these types of metals, as well as their ability to stay clean. However, current techniques that more people are turning to involve composites that resemble natural teeth. Biological dentists will often use a resin that is free of metals. As with all general dentistry, the use of harmful amounts of mercury has stopped.
Fluoride is also generally not used in holistic dentistry. This is one of the larger differences in care materials not used in holistic dentistry, as fluoride is used often, particularly in children & in public water supplies, to prevent tooth decay.
Talk to Your Dentist About Options
Biological dentistry can be performed by any licensed dentist, so there’s no need to go to a specialist to receive this type of care.
Biological dentistry could be right for you if you are looking for a more natural way to keep a healthy smile. While holistic dentistry is not a safer practice it may work better for people with allergic reactions & other sensitivities. Talking to your primary dentist is a great way to learn if this type of care is right for you.
