Most dentists are conventional practitioners. They care about their patients and offer a range of treatments to address issues like cavities and gum disease. While this approach has its benefits, it is far from ideal. That is why many dentists are choosing to take a more holistic, integrative approach to care. What exactly is a holistic dentist, and what benefits could you experience when you choose to visit one? This blog post explains.
Holistic Dentistry: The Basics
Holistic dentistry can go by a few different names, such as biologic dentistry, functional dentistry, integrative dentistry, and wellness-based dentistry. Each of these monikers adds a little something different, but all of these terms describe a practitioner who chooses to view the human body as a whole, rather than seeing the mouth as an isolated system. This philosophy has a profound impact on how the dentist treats patients.
For example, holistic dentists are likely to:
- Spend extra time coaching patients on lifestyle choices that support oral and overall health.
- Search for and address the underlying cause of oral health problems. For example, minor bite misalignment and TMJ issues are often a contributing factor to many other issues.
- Exclusively use biocompatible materials (materials that work well within the human body).
- Seek to get ahead of problems and prevent issues rather than taking a “wait and see” approach.
Benefits of Visiting a Holistic Dentist
Many patients choose holistic dentistry and have no desire to go back to conventional care! That is because they experience a multitude of benefits, including:
- More conservative care. Holistic dentistry strives to minimize the need for invasive (and expensive) procedures.
- More personalized care. Often, holistic dentists are not looking to rush patients in and out of the office. They take the time to understand each patient’s needs and create a personalized treatment plan.
- A greater role in the decision-making process. Holistic dentists want patients to feel empowered as they strive to care for their health. Therefore, they are eager to share information and educate the patient, leading to wise decisions.
- Improved overall health. The mouth plays a huge role in overall wellness! Holistic dentists know in-depth details about this connection and keep it in mind as they make treatment recommendations. Holistic-focused patients achieve improved overall health, more consistently.
Holistic dentistry is people-focused dentistry! If you have any holistic dentists in your area, talk to them to find out how they provide care that is a step above traditional methods.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Reed David has two decades of experience in dentistry. He takes an integrative, wellness approach to care. He and his team are invested in the overall health of each patient. To find out more about us and how we may be able to serve you, contact Elevate Dentistry in Charleston, SC, at 843-571-3560.