Explore the Growing Trend of Holistic Dentistry

Chances are, you’re used to making your biannual dentist appointments for a cleaning, general checkup, and perhaps some X-rays. However, if you haven’t tried holistic dentistry, it may be worth exploring the industry trend that looks at your overall health as it relates to your oral health.

Holistic dentists undergo the same training as traditional general dentists, but some may explore holistic approaches for patients interested in more natural methods, per the Ontario Academy of General Dentistry. While they provide standard care like cleanings and restorations, they may also focus on minimally invasive methods.

“The whole premise behind it is that our mouths are not an isolated part of the body,” says Dr. Stephen Chan, DMD, of Smilehaven Dental Center in La Mesa. “It is more connected to the rest of the body than we think. Holistic dentistry is about discovering the source of the problem and not just simply filling and restoring a tooth.”

Dr. Chan points to the connection between overall health problems and the mouth. For instance, if someone suffers from a heart attack, medical professionals should observe the condition of their teeth and gums to consider if an oral health issue influenced the problem.

Oral health is often considered a window into your overall health. In fact, it can play a role in conditions like endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy and birth complications, and pneumonia, per the Mayo Clinic. Some health conditions like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease may also affect your oral health.

“Not only is the mouth part of the body’s ‘ecosystem,’ it is the beginning of the digestive system,” sayd Dr. Carey O’Rielly, DDS, of Integrative Dentistry in Encinitas. “Everything we put in our mouths has an impact on the entire body. From that standpoint, holistic dentistry is extremely important. The health of our teeth and gums, the balance and stability of our bite, and the materials that are used in dental treatment all come into play.”

Holistic dentists also often avoid certain ingredients typically used in traditional dentistry.

“Holistic dentistry is about using the least toxic material and procedure so as not to contribute to more problems for the body,” says Dr. Chan. “We live in a very toxic world today and introducing more toxic materials and procedures is not what the body needs.”

Although holistic dentistry is still considered a niche, more people are gravitating toward it due to the whole-body experience it provides and an interest in alternative health practices. Overall, the Alternative and Complementary Medicine market is projected to grow from 116,060 million in 2023 to 290,750 million by 2029 — a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.5 percent, per Market Reports World.

“Our patients love holistic dentistry because they actually feel better physically besides getting their cavities filled,” says Dr. Chan. “It is a healthier choice of approach to treating their dental issues, which is why it is becoming the popular choice.”

An increasing body of knowledge around holistic dentistry is also driving people toward practices that specialize in the niche.

“People are taking the time to educate themselves about their health and I often post articles on my blog,” says Dr. O’Rielly. “My patients want to feel empowered that they are making the right decisions about their care. Many of our patients are careful to eat organic foods and go easy on their sugar intake — their interest in health and wellness extends from what they are putting in their mouths to having healthy teeth and gums.”

You can find cutting-edge technology in holistic dentistry offices, too.

“Patients appreciate that I will incorporate the latest technology when it’s appropriate for their care,” says Dr. O’Rielly. “We have three types of lasers available and use ozone for some specific treatments.”

Of course, each holistic dentist may have a different take on the field, since it’s not a recognized specialty by many major dental associations yet.

The American Dental Association has made a broad statement on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in dentistry, saying: “The ADA is open to the idea of integrating new therapies in clinical practice, along with those that have been already tested and shown to be safe and effective in improving patient outcomes. However, the ADA also acknowledges that interventions which are considered CAM are usually understudied interventions that require further scientific testing and investigation to draw reliable conclusions about their safety, effectiveness and potential benefits beyond placebo.”

Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist about why they’re choosing certain treatments and seek a second opinion if needed. However, if you’re interested in a more comprehensive dental health experience, holistic dentistry may be a great option for you.