Whole-Health Dentistry sounds a little mysterious.
Is it regular dentistry? Something completely different? Does it involve herbs, meditation and hugging a tree before your cleaning?
No.
Although you may sometimes hear terms such as holistic dentistry, we prefer Whole-Health Dentistry because it describes the idea rather nicely: looking after your teeth and gums while also considering how your oral health may connect with the rest of your health.
And yes, we still fix teeth.
First Things First: Dr. Palmer Is a General Dentist
Dr. Shauna Palmer is a general dentist providing the dental care you would expect for yourself and your family.
Checkups. Cleanings. Fillings. Crowns. Restorative care. Gum health. Preventive dentistry.
But her approach goes further.
Dr. Palmer believes modern dentistry shouldn’t look at your mouth as though it exists completely independently from the person attached to it.
After all, your mouth is attached to you.
That sounds obvious. But it represents an important shift in the way we can think about dental health.
Dentistry Today Is About More Than Fixing Teeth
For a long time, dentistry was largely reactive.
A tooth hurts. Fix it.
A filling breaks. Replace it.
A tooth becomes badly damaged. Repair it.
Those things are still an important part of dentistry. But today, we understand much more about the relationships between the mouth, airway, jaw, gums, sleep and overall wellbeing.
That creates a different question.
Instead of only asking:
“What’s wrong with this tooth?”
We can also ask:
“Is there something else going on that we should be paying attention to?”
That’s where Whole-Health Dentistry begins.
The Whole-Health Philosophy
Whole-health dental care doesn’t mean abandoning conventional dentistry.
Quite the opposite.
It combines everyday general dental care with a broader view of the patient.
Dr. Palmer considers not only the immediate dental problem, but also factors that may be connected to oral and overall health.
That may mean discussing the materials used in your mouth. Paying closer attention to gum health. Looking at how your jaw functions. Asking questions about snoring or sleep. Or screening the soft tissues of your mouth for changes that deserve further attention.
Sometimes a dental visit can tell us more than you might expect.
What Does Whole-Health Dentistry Look Like?
It isn’t one particular treatment. It is an approach that can influence many different areas of care.
Mercury filling removal may be discussed with patients who want existing amalgam restorations replaced. Dr. Palmer can explain the process, available alternatives and whether replacement makes sense in your individual situation and how it can be done SAFELY to limit exposure to mercury vapors.
Ozone therapy may be incorporated into dental care in appropriate situations as part of Dr. Palmer’s approach to supporting oral health.
Oral cancer screening is another important part of looking beyond teeth. Changes in the tongue, gums, cheeks and other tissues of the mouth aren’t necessarily something you’ll notice yourself, which is why regular examination matters.
Periodontal care focuses on the health of your gums and the structures supporting your teeth. Healthy teeth need a healthy foundation, and gum health deserves considerably more attention than it sometimes receives.
TMJ care looks at problems involving the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. Jaw discomfort, clicking, tension and other symptoms can sometimes affect everyday comfort in ways people don’t immediately associate with dentistry.
And then there’s snoring and sleep apnea.
Your airway, jaw and oral structures can all play a role in breathing and sleep. Dentistry may therefore have a place in identifying signs that suggest further investigation is appropriate and, for some patients, providing dental approaches as part of their care.
Suddenly, a trip to the dentist isn’t only about checking for cavities.
You Still Have Teeth. We Still Take Care of Them.
Whole-Health Dentistry doesn’t need to be complicated.
You can visit Health & Beauty Dentistry because you need a cleaning.
Because you chipped a tooth.
Because something hurts.
Because you want your smile to look better.
Or simply because it’s time for your regular checkup.
Dr. Palmer provides general dentistry with something extra: a philosophy of looking at the bigger picture whenever it may benefit the patient.
For some people, that’s exactly what they’ve been looking for.
Expect More From Your Dental Care
Your mouth is part of your body. Your dental health doesn’t exist in isolation. And sometimes the things your dentist notices can lead to questions you never expected to discuss in a dental chair.
That’s what makes Whole-Health Dentistry worth knowing about.
If you’re looking for a general dentist who considers more than teeth alone, contact us at Health & Beauty Dentistry.
Come in for your teeth.
Just don’t be surprised if we look at the person attached to them, too!
HEALTH & BEAUTY DENTISTRY
Dr. Shauna Palmer
