BY DR. INGO MAHN, DDS, AIAOMT
When you think about achieving optimal health, a trip to the dentist is probably the furthest thing from your mind. After all, aren’t we just talking about things like fillings, cleanings, and braces? Well, as it turns out, the oral cavity has a significant impact on your overall health.
Enter holistic dentistry — a refreshing approach that connects the dots between your mouth and the rest of your body. For years, holistic dentists (also known as biological dentists) have known about the health impact of toxic metals (like mercury in silver fillings) and bacteria from gum disease and infected root canals.
More recently, the dental profession has discovered the impact of improper breathing on good sleep. Let’s take a look at exactly what holistic dentistry is and why it’s a game-changer for improving your health.
BEYOND THE DRILL:
THE MAGIC OF HOLISTIC DENTISTRY
Holistic dentistry is all about treating the mouth as a gateway to overall health. It’s not just about fixing teeth but also about identifying how oral health influences your entire body. In the early 1900s, a group of 100 German physicians spent 40 years researching this connection. They came to the conclusion that “80% of all disease was either directly or indirectly related to disease of the oral cavity.” In fact, they even developed a chart that showed a connection between all the teeth and specific organ systems!
It is unfortunate that in the past, holistic dentistry was ridiculed for this philosophy. Interestingly enough, though, these concepts are now widely accepted in the conventional dental community.
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN HOLISTIC DENTISTRY
While the term “holistic dentistry” may sound old- fashioned, it should really be considered the dentistry of the future. Just as in medicine, we have discovered many of our “modern” dental techniques to be detrimental to the health of our patients.
Here are some of the advanced techniques used by biologic dentists:
• Safe materials: In addition to removing toxic materials safely, they ensure that the replacement options are highly biocompatible. There are even non-metallic dental implants.
• Ozone Therapy: A natural yet powerful way to kill disease producing organisms.
• Low-dose x-rays: These minimize radiation exposure through digital technology and by reducing frequency.
• No Fluoride: Safer alternatives to fluoride, like hydroxyapatite, are used to help keep teeth strong.
BETTER SLEEP WITH HOLISTIC DENTISTRY
Nothing is more impactful on our health than proper breathing and sleeping. Unfortunately, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent problem in our country. A milder version of OSA, called sleep disordered breathing (SDSB) is even more common and just as detrimental to well-being.
Due to our soft modern diet and other environmental factors, our jaws are under- developed (there is a reason kids need braces and wisdom teeth extracted). This leads to a smaller airway and creates resistance to airflow. During sleep, when our bodies should be regenerating, we instead are in fight or flight mode —not a recipe for good health!
AN ALTERNATIVE TO IMPROVE YOUR ZZZs
Traditional medicine and dentistry do not have a good solution for this problem. They wait until the problem becomes critical and then prescribe a CPAP machine to force air into the lungs, or provide an appliance that holds the jaw in an abnormal, forward position.
Alternatively, a device called the Homeoblock has been shown to be highly effective in treating the root cause of SDB by toning the muscles that support the airway and also calming the nervous system.
THE MOUTH-BODY CONNECTION
Holistic dentistry reminds us that our mouths are more than just a smile — they are a window into our health. By choosing this approach, you’re not just protecting your teeth but also setting the stage for a healthier and happier you!
