HOLISTIC DENTISTRY

Holistic dentistry views the mouth as a window into overall health and associates poor oral health with poor physical health. Diseases or infections of the oral cavity have been shown to spread through the bloodstream to all tissues, organs, and cells of the body. Furthermore, holistic dentistry addresses the energetic aspects of the human body. Non-biocompatible artificial materials in the mouth can cause toxicity as well as energy blockages that have a negative impact on overall health.

Holistic dentistry aims to broaden the horizons of conventional dentistry beyond the area of the teeth, mouth, and jaw. Teeth are not isolated from the body, but are metabolically and energetically linked to it, and may directly cause chronic disease.

1. What is holistic dentistry?

Holistic dentistry, like conventional dentistry, deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the stomatognathic system—a functional unit that includes the teeth, gums, tongue, palate, oral mucosa, alveolar bones, musculature, and the temporomandibular joint [1]. The fundamental difference lies in how both types of dentistry conceive of the human body.

According to holistic dentistry, the body is a network of interconnected parts, and oral disease has a direct impact on overall health. As a result, holistic dentists look beyond the symptoms to determine the underlying causes of oral diseases and how they affect health and well-being, causing physical or emotional problems. In addition, holistic dentists use both natural therapies and conventional dental procedures to treat the physical and energetic aspects of a symptom holistically, such as oral acupuncture or neural therapy.

Additionally, professional chemical-free dental cleanings, treatment of dental interference fields or dental foci, and biocompatible dental fillings are all part of the holistic dentistry approach [2].

2. Holistic diagnostics

Holistic dentistry, as previously mentioned, does not treat oral cavity symptoms separately. Therefore, different kinds of diagnostic tests are used at the start of treatment in an effort to identify the underlying causes of the symptoms.

The most commonly used diagnostic methods are:

• Dental examination with an intraoral scanner (more accurate and less invasive than traditional x-rays);
• dental pulp test (vitality test);
• measurement of galvanic currents (abnormal values of galvanic currents in the mouth generate oral discomfort and other problems [3]);
• salivary pH analysis;
• measurement of metallic particles in saliva;
• examination of dental fillings materials and metals in the mouth;
• identification of dental foci or interference fields, which cause stress to the body, for example, dead tooth.

3. Complementary and alternative therapies in holistic dentistry

Alternative therapies are important in holistic dentistry because they support conventional dental treatments while also improving the patient’s overall health.
Among them are the following:

• Orthomolecular medicine: The current pace of life, stress, and an unbalanced diet impede nutrient absorption, which is required to maintain the body’s balance and functions. When there is inflammation or disease, the body can supply micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, and so on) to aid in healing.
• Intravenous infusion therapy: Vital substances such as vitamins, amino acids, and minerals are infused into the bloodstream to help the body’s self-healing processes work more efficiently. In holistic dentistry, infusions of vitamin C, B vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients are used depending on the needs of each patient.
• Oxygen treatment (Oxyven): Oxygen is required for all vital functions. Medical oxygen is slowly and gradually administered directly into the bloodstream during this therapy to boost the immune system and increase energy levels.
• Support for intestinal microbiota: Maintaining a healthy intestinal flora is critical for oral and overall body health. Herbal and natural preparations, probiotics, and colon hydrotherapies can all help to improve gut flora health.
• Bioresonance therapy: It seeks to detect energetic disturbances, stimulate cellular detoxification, and balance the electromagnetic field of the body. It is widely used in alternative dentistry.

4. Removal of dental foci and dental interference fields

Holistic dentistry places significant emphasis on dental foci and interference fields. These conditions are caused by diseased teeth or non-biocompatible materials, such as metals, in the mouth. They can cause immune system reactions, rheumatic pain, headaches, and even chronic diseases.

A dental focus may manifest physically as chronic inflammation or irritation, which is typically unnoticed by conventional dentists. However, over time, this dental focus can become an interference field that obstructs the body’s natural energy flow and, in some cases, triggers difficult-to-diagnose chronic diseases.

Possible dental foci in the mouth are:

• remnants of tooth roots not successfully removed;
• retained tooth;
• inflamed dental nerves;
• dead tooth;
• loose tooth;
• non-biocompatible materials used in dental restorations (chemicals, plastics, metals).

These disturbing fields alter the balance of energy flow throughout the body. Unfortunately, they are difficult to identify. They are usually silent interference fields that can only be detected by a properly trained holistic dentist.

The interference field theory is based on biophoton theory, which illustrates how self-generated electromagnetic fields influence biochemical processes and, in turn, can alter matter. [4].

Dental foci or interference fields are difficult to diagnose and treat. In general, neural therapy is used to clear blockages and restore natural energy flow. In some cases, surgical removal of the dental foci may be recommended.

5. Biocompatible, metal free dental materials

Metals in the mouth, whether as dental fillings, dental restorations, or prostheses, can cause energetic changes or blockages in the body’s energy flow, affecting other organs. Amalgam, gold, chromium, cobalt, nickel, and titanium are the most commonly used metals in dentistry. Metals corrode in an aqueous medium such as saliva, which can lead to gradual toxicity and allergies.

Several studies, particularly on amalgam dental fillings, have been conducted.
Amalgam fillings have been proven to continuously release mercury into the body, which can cause health problems in some people [5]. These include weakness, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

In the past, these amalgam fillings were widely used, and many people still have them in their teeth. Today, dentists and scientists debate their benefits and drawbacks [6]. Regarding the effects of mercury in amalgam fillings, the dentist must consider genetic factors, stress level, diet type, and so on. All of these factors increase a patient’s susceptibility to toxicity. This is why some patients react while others do not.

In any case, holistic dentists recommend that amalgam dental fillings be removed and replaced with fillings made of more biocompatible materials to prevent chronic mercury toxicity. In general, removing amalgam fillings helps to relieve symptoms and chronic conditions.

Metal dental fillings can be replaced with cement fillings, plastic fillings, or ceramic fillings. Plastic and cement fillings, like amalgam fillings, can cause intolerance reactions in some individuals. As a result, in holistic dentistry, ceramic and glass-ceramic dental fillings are preferred, and biocompatible materials such as zirconium oxide are used for dental restorations and prostheses (bridges, crowns, implants, etc.). Each case must be evaluated individually, keeping in mind the unique characteristics of each patient. Chelation therapy may be recommended by the holistic dentist in some cases to cleanse the body of accumulated heavy metals.

6. Conclusions

Holistic dentistry takes a holistic approach to health and considers the relationship between the oral cavity and the rest of the body. Often, especially in chronic diseases, treating teeth and gum problems alone is insufficient. Holistic dentists combine conventional and alternative therapies to help restore the body’s well-being and relieve chronic conditions.

Holistic dentistry identifies clear links between oral and systemic diseases, particularly chronic diseases like joint and muscle pain, rheumatism, neuralgia, tinnitus, dizziness, allergies, migraine, headaches, and many others. A trained holistic dentist will also diagnose and analyze nutritional, metabolic, and energetic aspects, as well as intolerances or allergies to dental materials, which are rarely considered in conventional dentistry.

7. Reference list 

[1] Simma-Kletschka I., Höller E.M. (2019) Ganzheitliche Zahnheilkunde. In: Frass M., Krenner L. (eds) Integrative Medizin. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48879-9_26

[2] Bachmann C (2015). Ganzheitliche Zahnmedizin. Schweiz Z Ganzheitsmedizin 27, 332-336. https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/441750#

[3] Kobau, Christian (1998). Ganzheitlich und naturheilkundlich orientierte Zahnmedizin: eine Verbindung von östlichem und westlichem Wissen. Klagenfurt, Kobau.

[4] Srinivasan TM (2017). Biophotons as Subtle Energy Carriers. Int J Yoga, 10(2), 57-58. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433113/?report=classic

[5] Bengtsson, U. G., & Hylander, L. D. (2017). Increased mercury emissions from modern dental amalgams. Biometals : an international journal on the role of metal ions in biology, biochemistry, and medicine, 30(2), 277–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-017-0004-3

[6] Jirau-Colón, Hector et al. (2019). Rethinking the Dental Amalgam Dilemma: An Integrated Toxicological Approach. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16(6), 1-13. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/6/1036/htm