Is Holistic and Biological Dentistry Worth It? Pros and Cons

How do you feel about your smile? 

A healthy smile doesn’t just work in your favor when meeting new people. It’s a sign that speaks to your overall health and wellness.

Dentistry has a lengthy history — and we’re fortunate to be born during a time when it’s fairly simple to keep your teeth clean and healthy. A filling or simple surgery will ensure you continue to eat well, live without pain, and show off that beautiful smile. 

But… there are some things about conventional dentistry that could be updated. For example, a lot of current dental practices use toxic compounds (like fluoride) that have been shown to have negative side effects on our immune system and mitochondria.

Luckily, there are better options out there. Holistic dentists are working to change the face of dentistry — offering treatment plans that consider whole-body wellness.

Table of Contents:

• What Is Holistic or Biological Dentistry?
• Holistic Dentistry Treatments
• Conventional vs. Holistic Dentist Chart
• Why Should I See a Holistic Dentist?
• Banish Anxiety and Regain Focus on Your Dental Hygiene

What Is Holistic or Biological Dentistry?

Holistic dentistry (also known as biological dentistry) is a professional practice that focuses on dental treatments that consider whole body health. 

Biological dentists have the same schooling as regular dentists — but they’re typically more hesitant with chemical use, fluoride treatments, and surgeries. They work to ensure your diet and lifestyle create an optimal environment for your teeth, gums, and immune system.

Holistic Dentistry Treatments

If you visit a biological dentist, here are some treatments they may use.

Ozone for Holistic Dentistry

Ozone therapy is a natural way to remove infection and cleanse an area of the body without using harmful antibiotics. We like to think of ozone therapy as a form of “supercharged oxygen” that has a variety of immune system and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Breathing ozone is highly toxic to humans, but administering it topically, rectally, vaginally, or in ozonated water or oil is perfectly safe and highly beneficial for your health.

In dentistry, ozone therapy may be used to slow tooth decay, prevent gum disease, heal infection, and aid in surgical procedures and cleanings. A recent study calls ozone therapy “antimicrobial, bioenergetic, and biosynthetic [producing complex molecules within living organisms or cells].” It’s also painless and easy to use. 

Biocompatible Fillings

Until the turn of the century, mercury amalgam fillings were the best choice when filling a cavity. The problem? Amalgams are known to leak mercury into the bloodstream. Over time, this can cause heavy metal toxicity — impacting your immune system and causing symptoms like exhaustion, brain fog, and muscle weakness.

Mercury fillings are such a problem that dentist offices have been accused of contaminating wastewater with high levels of mercury. Dental amalgam pollution is so significant studies show it can affect our water, food, and even air.

While some dentists still prefer amalgam fillings, a holistic dentist will focus on something more biocompatible aka something as sympathetic to your biology as possible  — like a composite filling. 

If you have amalgam fillings already, a holistic dentist may recommend you replace them with a composite filling.

Natural Toothpaste and Tooth Remineralization

Natural toothpaste and mouthwash products don’t usually contain fluoride, unnatural dyes, or chemicals. Typically, a holistic dentist will recommend a natural toothpaste to ensure your gums and teeth aren’t bombarded by regular chemical exposure.

Some natural toothpastes may also contain an ingredient called nano-hydroxyapatite. This biomaterial has shown promising signs to help remineralize damaged enamel in teeth. Not only is it said to work better than fluoride, it doesn’t come with dangerous side effects.

Instead of dealing with cavities once they’ve already formed, a holistic dentist prefers to create a powerful oral environment that works to remineralize your teeth — preventing cavities before they form. 

Herbal Antimicrobial Use

Instead of using conventional antimicrobials or antibiotics before or after surgery, a biological dentist may choose a herbal antimicrobial to protect the gut and possibly to ensure a better outcome than antibiotics. Conventional antibiotics don’t differentiate between healthy microbes and unhealthy microbes. But natural antimicrobial treatments are more selective with your gut bacteria and they are typically easier to tolerate.

Reverse Tooth Decay in its Early Stages

Did you know you can heal and reverse some tooth decay? Yep, by encouraging a healthy oral environment that is balanced with minerals, combined with a healthy diet and proper pH levels, decay may be reversible. 

Alongside holistic dental care, your saliva contains minerals from your diet that can wash over your teeth and naturally remineralize affected areas. A holistic dentist may work with you to encourage higher mineral intake and help you reach that ideal pH balance. 

A Focus on Jaw Stress and Facial Shape

While conventional dentists may prefer to pull crowded molars, a biological dentist will look at the whole picture. With fewer teeth, your jaw could struggle to support your skull, causing headaches or jaw pain. A holistic dentist might work to expand your palate with special tools or a nutrient-rich diet instead of automatically pulling teeth.

Conventional vs. Holistic Dentist Chart

We know dentist visits cause anxiety for many people — so switching over to a holistic practitioner might feel scary at first. If you’re curious, here are some of the main differences between conventional dentists and biological dentists:

Why Should I See a Holistic Dentist? 

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already seen a functional medicine practitioner or naturopathic doctor. If you’re anything like us, you swear by your holistic doctor’s approach to whole-body wellness, especially when conventional medicine got you nowhere fast. Holistic health has changed your life in some way, big or small — and you would absolutely encourage others to pursue the same choices. 

So why would you feel anxious about approaching dental work from the same perspective? 

Biological dentists work with your body instead of working against it. They understand how tooth decay and oral chemicals may be impacting your immune system — and they look to find better methods of healing. 

Biological dentistry will even dive deep into things like tooth decay and gum disease by understanding their connections to chronic illness and a weakened microbiome. Oral health can actually tell us a lot about our physical health.

Although you might feel anxious about your first visit, we think you’ll be surprised by how much a holistic dentist cares not just about your teeth — but your wellness as a whole.

If you have chronic oral or teeth problems, jaw pain, frequent headaches, or heavy metal toxicity (caused by mercury fillings), a biological dentist may provide a different perspective on your care — and help you find the answers you need.

Banish Anxiety and Regain Focus on Your Dental Hygiene

Holistic dentistry is the future (and it’s now!). When focusing on any element of your health, you want to make sure that your service provider is considering all of the effects a treatment will have on your body. 

Patients who visit biological dentists report a better sense of overall health, less infection, better tooth and bone structure, and less fear when it comes to cavities and dental procedures.