Holistic Dentistry Charleston
Taking a Total Body Approach to Oral Health
When they hear the words holistic dentistry, many patients are unsure what exactly this term means. Simply put, holistic dentistry takes a whole-body approach to oral health care, factoring in how an issue that impacts the mouth could affect other areas of the body, and vice versa.
Also known as biologic dentistry, this branch of oral health care is often associated with less invasive techniques and treatments, and even features its own unique procedures and technology your holistic dentist in Charleston uses to protect and improve your smile.
Why Choose Elevate Dentistry Charleston for Holistic Dentistry?
- Variety of Safe, Effective Treatments Available
- Metal-Free Restorations Used
- Conservative Care Approach
What is Holistic Dentistry?
When it comes to protecting your smile, treating the mouth as a separate entity can sometimes make matters worse. The truth is that the mouth is an important gateway to the entire body, and as such issues that occur in the mouth can easily affect the rest of the body, and vice versa.
Holistic dentistry focuses on the patient’s overall wellness, not just the health of their teeth and gums. In many cases, holistic dentistry treatments are less invasive and boast their own unique procedures and technology designed to protect your smile while respecting its connection to your entire body.
Our Holistic Dental Treatments
At Elevate Dentistry Charleston, we proudly provide a variety of holistic dental treatments that are designed to protect and restore your oral health while factoring in the health and wellbeing of your entire body. These treatments include:
- Ozone therapy. Using our aqueous zone generators, this safe and minimally invasive option is ideal for cavity treatment and well as gum disease therapy.
- Metal sensitivity testing. If you are suffering from chronic fatigue, metal sensitivity could be responsible. We can happily refer patients to specialists if they test positive for this condition.
- Oral cancer brush testing. We use Veloscope for new patients, as well as transepithelial brush biopsies (Oral CDX).
- Proudly a mouthwash free practice.
- We use metal-free restorations in all treatments.
Additionally, treatments involving fluoride are not used in any holistic care, but fluoridated Prophy paste is available for patients who request it.
The Benefits of Seeing a Holistic Dentist
There are many incredible benefits to seeing a holistic dentist over a traditional practitioner. Holistic dentistry is a more conservative approach to oral health care with the goal of minimizing the alteration of existing teeth to preserve their structure. It also takes the patient’s whole-body health and medical history into account, educating them about the relationship between their oral health and that of their immune system, digestive system, sleep patterns, heart health, and more.
In most cases, holistic dentists use treatments that are biocompatible and metal free to minimize their risk of allergic reactions. Many also use special, state-of-the-art technology. Furthermore, because the focus is on preserving the teeth, treatments with a holistic dentist are often more comfortable than those at a traditional practice.
Are You a Good Candidate for Holistic Dentistry?
Yes! Holistic dentistry is ideal for any patient, especially those who care about their overall health and wellness. Whether you’re struggling with chronic oral health problems like gum disease or tooth decay, or you’re simply looking for a dentist for routine preventive check-ups and cleanings, a holistic dentist can treat everything a general dentist can, but with a more conservative and educational approach to care.
If you’ve never been to a holistic dentist and are wondering whether it’s a good fit for you and your lifestyle, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information.
Holistic Dentistry FAQs
Are holistic dentists “real” dentists?
Yes – contrary to the stereotypes, holistic dentists have received all of the same training and education as “regular” dentists. They’ve graduated from dental school and have met all of the qualifications necessary for becoming a practicing dentist in the US. From there, they undergo extensive education and training that allow them to practice their discipline with overall or “whole” health (hence the term “holistic”) in mind.
The difference between a holistic dentist and a “regular” dentist is simply their philosophical approach to treatment. Holistic dentists tend to prioritize conservative treatments, biocompatible materials, and promote the body’s natural processes as much as possible.
Is holistic dentistry safe?
Yes – in fact, holistic dentistry emerged as a response to concerns about the safety of metal amalgam restorations (which contain trace amounts of mercury), fluoride treatments, and other traditional methods. Patient safety is a holistic dentist’s number one concern!
Plus, just like “regular” dentists, holistic dentists do follow standardized protocols and guidelines for best practices. These standards are set by the ADA and the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAOMT), which you may notice is an organization Dr. David is actively involved with.
Why might you want to see a holistic dentist?
Many patients want to visit a holistic dentist because they’re interested in alternative medicine techniques that match their philosophical approach to dental and systemic health. But that’s not the only reason you might want to see one! A holistic dentist like Dr. David can also be a good option if you’re averse to surgery or have persistent issues that haven’t responded well to traditional care. As a qualified dentist who stays up-to-date with the IAOMT guidelines, Dr. David can help you explore safe, proven options for holistic dental care.
How do holistic dentists promote whole body health?
Though the oral cavity is his specialty, Dr. David will consider all of your symptoms, regardless of whether they occur in your mouth or not.
The parts of the body do not function in isolation. Everything connects to form a complex biology. Holistic dentists constantly keep this in mind. If you’re prone to gum disease, for example, we’ll treat the issue promptly – but we’ll also investigate other factors that could be contributing to the disease, such as chronic inflammation, oral biome dysregulation, breathing problems, blood sugar fluctuations, and hormones.
Does holistic dentistry take dental insurance?
Many holistic dentists do take dental insurance. Dr. David, for example, is in-network with BlueCross BlueShield and Delta Dental. Since our office accepts all other PPO plans as well, we will work hard to use your policy to help you save money regardless of your insurance.
If you’d like to confirm how much coverage you can expect, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Using your plan information, we can help you navigate your benefits.