What Is Biological Dentistry? Benefits, Cost & What To Expect
A Biological Dentistry (also called a holistic or natural dentist) operates according to the belief system that your oral health is fundamentally connected to your overall health and well-being. They understand that problems of the mouth can, and often do, affect other areas of the body. Their mission is to treat and restore the natural health of your mouth while working in harmony with your entire body.
Utilizing lifestyle changes and non-pharmaceutical treatments, biological dentists can help you prevent diseases from developing or progressing. They also treat less understood systemic diseases rooted in poor oral health.
A natural dentist recognizes the mouth-body relationship and uses a holistic, whole-body approach to treat the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms that manifest in the mouth. They are educated in how oral infections can spread to other parts of the body, how mercury and other toxic dental materials may harm us, and how a misaligned bite can account for health problems such as insomnia, headaches, ear aches, poor posture and joint pain. The Meridian tooth chart shows you how the mouth and body are interconnected, and how every organ in the body is directly linked to a specific tooth.
Top 10 reasons to select a Biological Dentistry
Focus on whole-body health
Studies indicate that some patients may develop a sensitivity to certain types of dental materials. When working with sensitive patients, a biological dentist will also perform biocompatibility testing—either via a blood test or kinesiology (muscle testing)—to determine which filing material best suites your individual biology. Most holistic dentists offer a wide range of safe bio-compatible dental materials to use for fillings, bridges and crowns.
For instance, dental cavitations can cause systemic health issues with no clear root cause. But biological dentists know that these dental cavitations are hard to detect and physically far from the afflicted area, so they check for cavitations when suspected.
It is important to recognize that poor oral health is linked to almost every systemic disease you can think of. Many write it off as, “They don’t care about their dental health, so it makes sense that their overall health is bad too.”
Biological dentists are focused on whole-body health. They care about how your oral health affects the whole person, as well as how your whole-body health affects your oral health.
However, Biological Dentistry look for that direct link between poor oral health and whole-body health.
Biological dentists use Safe Materials
Biological dentists recognize that what goes in your mouth can affect your whole body. They are committed to using safe, durable, non-toxic bio-compatible dental materials, and strictly oppose the use of amalgam, or mercury fillings. This commitment helps to lessen your toxic load and puts less stress on your immune system. Interested in a non metal implant? Many also offer ceramic dental implants made of zirconia.
Most biological dentists would consider themselves “biocompatible dentists” as well. This means they only use dental materials that do not react badly with your dental care or whole-body health.
Mercury does not naturally belong in your mouth. In most parts of the world, fluoride would never naturally be ingested. You may be surprised at how many chemicals and toxins there are in toothpaste and other dental care products that biological dentists avoid.
Offer Bio-Compatibility Testing
Some patients may develop a sensitivity to certain types of dental materials. When working with sensitive patients, a biological dentist will also perform biocompatibility testing—either via a blood test or kinesiology (muscle testing)—to determine which filing material best suites your individual biology. Most holistic dentists offer a wide range of safe bio-compatible dental materials to use for fillings, bridges and crowns.
Alternately, most conventional dentists do not believe in biocompatibility testing and will not test you to determine if you could react to the materials they use.
Some individuals’ unique chemistry is simply not “compatible” with certain dental materials. A lot of the time, this is because the patient’s immune system views the dental material as a foreign body that must be attacked, potentially leading to prolonged immune dysfunction.
Mercury Safe – Not Just Mercury Free
While the American Dental Association (ADA) and pro-amalgam dentists argue that the levels of mercury vapor exposure from fillings are too low to cause concern, biological dentists believe there is no safe level of mercury exposure and will not risk using it in their practice.
Today, you will find numerous dentists who claim to be “mercury free,” meaning they do not place new amalgam fillings. However, most biological dentists go the extra mile to be both mercury free and “mercury safe.” This means they adhere to a strict protocol set forth by the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Technology (IAOMT) to protect their patients, staff and the environment from mercury exposure when removing amalgam fillings.
Mercury itself is classified as a neurotoxin. It has been scientifically proven that mercury fillings in your mouth continuously release small amounts of toxic vapor into your body every time you eat, drink, brush your teeth, clench your jaw, and so forth. Over time, exposure to these toxic vapors can cause chronic mercury poisoning.
Mercury fillings are also known as:
- Amalgam fillings
- Mercury amalgam fillings
- Dental amalgam fillings
- Silver fillings
- Silver amalgam fillings
Focus on Prevention
Instead of being forced into a corner to react to an oral health issue, these dentists prefer to identify risk factors and treat the problem with conservative methods before it becomes a big problem that requires undesirable treatments.
For example, biological dentistry believe that tooth decay can be prevented with good nutrition, smoking cessation, and good oral health habits. Conventional dentists typically believe that you should put fluoride on a tooth to treat a cavity, and not educate their patients on how the cavity got there.
In sharp contrast to the “drill and fill” strategy many conventional dentists embrace, holistic dentists are advocates for minimally invasive dentistry. Minimally invasive dentistry seeks to treat dental ailments, such as tooth decay, gum disease and even cosmetic issues, without the overuse of extensive drilling or unwarranted procedures.
Most natural and least invasive
Biological dentistry prefer the most natural treatments and the least invasive procedures.
Most biological dentists would consider themselves “biocompatible dentists” as well. This means they only use dental materials that do not react badly with your dental care or whole-body health.
Mercury does not naturally belong in your mouth. In most parts of the world, fluoride would never naturally be ingested. You may be surprised at how many chemicals and toxins there are in toothpaste and other dental care products that biological dentists avoid.
However, there are all-natural dietary supplements that can benefit your oral health, and in turn the entire body. Biological dentistry emphasizes detoxification.
Moreover, biological dentistry know that invasive dental procedures can be traumatic, possibly resulting in unintended consequences. These dentists will mostly avoid root canals, for instance. They use safe, bio-compatible materials and offer various minimally invasive dental technologies to restore teeth to their optimal condition.
Avoid Root Canals
A root canal treatment (RCT) is the procedure of removing the pulp (living part) of the tooth, cleaning it, then sealing it off.
Root canals are commonly performed by traditional dentists to “save” a tooth that is dead or is going to die soon. A biological dentist, on the other hand, acknowledge the potential long-term risks associated with root canals are much more conservative in their approach to recommending and performing them.
If you are told you need a root canal, it’s always in your best interest to seek out another opinion. In some cases, an inflamed tooth may respond well to root canal alternatives such as homeopathy, herbs, ozone or laser therapy, nutritional support, and so on. Extractions are also a safe alternative that should be considered.
Conventional dentists over-prescribe root canals. A dentist may administer a root canal “just to be safe” or because it’s covered by dental insurance.
Unfortunately, root canals can leave behind the infection, result in a tooth abscess, and destroy the tooth structure.
Root canal alternatives may involve extracting the tooth altogether then replacing it with a:
- Zirconia implant
- Bridge or bonded bridge
- Metal-free partial
Safe Amalgam Removal
No, they won’t ever use mercury fillings, but it’s important to be sure that whatever alternative is used will not react badly with the patient’s whole-person well-being.
These dentists recognize that while it is certainly important to have mercury removed from your mouth, it is equally as important to use proper removal protocols that protect their patients from additional mercury exposure. If these protocols are not followed, mercury vapor can be released into the air during removal and then absorbed into the body by inhaling or ingesting the vapors.
Some individuals’ unique chemistry is simply not “compatible” with certain dental materials. A lot of the time, this is because the patient’s immune system views the dental material as a foreign body that must be attacked, potentially leading to prolonged immune dysfunction.
Many biological dental offices utilize muscle response testing, skin response testing, and blood tests to measure the toxicology of the dental material when it comes to each individual patient. If the compatibility is not tested, inserting the right dental material is guesswork.
Fluoride Free
Biological dentists almost never use fluoride. Yes, fluoride is proven to treat and prevent tooth decay (cavities). But robust research shows that fluoride is a neurotoxin when ingested.
Hydroxyapatite toothpaste is a promising alternative. According to recent research, hydroxyapatite toothpaste can help remineralize teeth similar to fluoride, but without the potential adverse effects!
You don’t need fluoride to prevent tooth decay. All you really need is a good toothbrushing technique, a healthy flossing habit, and a nutrient-dense, low-sugar diet.
Most conventional dentists promote the use of both topical and ingested fluoride, favoring fluoridated water and toothpaste. Biological dentists, on the other hand, generally dispute the use of ingested fluoride, pointing to research indicating various risks:
- Fluoride is an endocrine disruptor and can affect bones, brain, thyroid and blood sugar levels.
- Fluoride over-exposure can cause Fluorosis, leading to cloudy spots, streaks and stains on the teeth.
- 36 studies found a correlation between fluoride and a lower IQ.