Holistic dentists and alternative health professionals have a common ground:  each sees the big picture.  Holistic health practitioners see the human body as one giant puzzle.  When disassembled, the puzzle is merely a pile of random pieces.  When assembled, however, the puzzle creates a picture that is in itself greater than any one piece.  In this way, holistic dentists and other alternative health professionals pay particular attention to patients’ mental, physical, and social needs, recognizing that each contributes to overall health.

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

Holistic health is all about the big picture.  It asserts that human beings have certain needs, and these needs must be addressed with physical, mental, and social dimensions in mind.

Consider:  If you wake up in the morning with a bad head cold, can you be absolutely certain that it is because of a physical ailment?  Modern medicine has shown time and time again that sickness, like the common cold, can be caused by stress.  Individuals with high stress levels show signs of weak immune systems, making them particularly vulnerable to sickness.  Stress is the mental piece of the equation; sickness is the physical manifestation.  In other words, certain mental conditions may cause physical things to happen.

Holistic Dentistry

Holistic dentistry varies from traditional dentistry in the attention it pays to patients’ mental and social needs, in addition to the physical.  Traditional dentistry, on the other hand, focuses on the patients’ physical needs only.  For example:  a patient with a cavity needs a filling.  Traditional dentistry stops here, reacting to the physical problem only.

Holistic dental practices focus on the comprehensive big picture.  To illustrate, consider the same aforementioned patient with a cavity.  Holistic dentists will absolutely note a physical need—the patient needs a filling.  They go further, however, and dig into why the patient needs a filling.  Why has this patient developed plaque that has been untouched for so long that it had a chance to eat away at the enamel of their tooth?  More often than not, these questions are answered through the assessment of the patient’s mental and social needs.

Poor Oral Hygiene and Stress

One reason for poor oral hygiene may be stress.  To illustrate, consider that individuals with high stress levels seek various different comforts to alleviate that stress.  This can lead to excessive sugar intake, going to sleep without brushing and flossing, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching.  These things slowly break down tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to cavities.  Stress is just one example of a mental state that can alter a physical state.  Anxiety, paranoia, fear, and different emotions can likewise affect the physical being of a person.

To care for your oral health in the best way possible, consider visiting a holistic dental professional.  Holistic dental experiences are more comprehensive than traditional ones.  Cleanings at Assure a Smile, for example, provide a thorough insight into your specific oral conditions, including jaw bone density, mouth acidity, and more.  If you are interested in a more inclusive and insightful visit to the dentist, take advantage of our New Patient Cleaning Special and schedule a dental appointment online!

It’s that time of year!  Jingle bells, gingerbread cookies, and the turning of another calendar year are on the horizon.  As we reflect on the passing year, let us look towards the next with enthusiasm, hope, and dedication to better health.  When it comes to pursuing better oral health, Assure a Smile would like to take a moment and urge patients to think Holistic.

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

What better time to reflect on personal health and well being than right before the start of a new year?  Whether you have a dozen cavities or zero, it is important to consistently reevaluate the way you think of your teeth, gums, and local dentist.  Take a moment to familiarize yourself with holistic dentistry, a proactive approach to creating healthy smiles that last a lifetime.

Diet and Holistic Dentistry

Holistic dentistry seeks out the causal factors that contribute to dental conditions.  One of the most common contributing factors to poor oral hygiene is a corresponding poor diet.  Holistic dentistry differs from traditional dentistry in the belief that simple dietary changes can help create healthy teeth and gums for life.  For example, traditional dentistry’s answer to fighting cavities and gum disease is to brush and floss regularly.  This approach is reactive, focusing on plaque removal instead of the plaque itself.  Holistic dentists, by contrast, want to help patients prevent tooth decay not only through proper hygiene, but also through proper diet.

When armed with the proper knowledge, patients can make minor adjustments to their diet to help prevent plaque accumulation before it starts.  Limiting sugar intake, for example, is one of the best ways to prevent plaque from accumulating on your teeth.

Proactive Teeth and Gum Care

Of course, proactive teeth and gum care is an essential part of long lasting oral health.  Making dietary changes will help to limit the damage caused by eating food, however regular brushing and flossing is still required to remove the food particles that cause disease.

It is important to consider flossing a major component of oral hygiene.  Though tedious, flossing removes the food particles that become lodged deep between teeth and near the gums.  If not removed regularly, these food particles can infect the gums in as little as 48 hours.  Once infection occurs, gums may become swollen, painful, and bleeding, eventually leading to gum disease.

Miami Dental Checkups and Cleanings

Regular dental checkups and cleanings round out the holistic approach to dentistry.  Even the most educated and proactive patients develop occasional problem areas, and it is nothing to be ashamed of.  However, minor problems become major problems when left undiagnosed and treated.  Scheduling an appointment with a local Miami dentist will ensure your oral health plan gets off on the right foot for 2011.