While some people may have never heard of the term and some have a vague understanding of what it is: “Holistic Dentistry”. Holistic dentistry has been around since the 1970s and it’s been steadily gaining popularity in recent years as more and more people look to heal their bodies naturally through diet and nutrition, lifestyle changes, and physical practices like yoga or tai chi.
While regular dentists focus on oral health and fixing your teeth, holistic dentists also look at total body wellness, which includes oral hygiene and prevention of diseases in general, including the emotional condition of their patients. This difference between holistic dentistry and traditional dentistry allows holistic dentists to treat their patients ‘holistically’, meaning: with their overall health in mind.
What can I expect during a first holistic dental visit?
Dr. Shauna Palmer, holistic dentist at Health & Beauty Dentistry in West-Kelowna:
“At your first holistic visit, we perform a thorough dental examination. We will ask you specific questions about your overall health, habits, and medical history so that we can develop a better understanding of your overall health. You will also have to bring any relevant medical records or other documentation to your appointment.
When I do my job properly, people that were afraid or hesitant to smile will be walking around with a perm-grin. As a proud West Kelowna dentist, I would like to help changing people’s lives, not just their appearance. My goal and my priority is to help my patients live better, more fulfilled lives. A fulfilled, healthy life is not about oral health only. It’s about the bigger picture of mind, body, and spirit. In other words: Our dental treatments are about the ‘Whole Thing’ or better said: The ‘Wholistic Picture’. Being a holistic dentist makes my life better as well: I get to know people in a different way; not only their teeth. And after some time, there’s a more in-depth, personal understanding. Yes, holistic dentistry is more fulfilling and rewarding for me as well!”
What dental services does a holistic dentist provide?
Holistic dentistry is just as technologically advanced as traditional dentistry, if not more so. Please be aware that the services offered at each holistic dental office will differ.
A holistic dentist like Dr. Shauna Palmer in West-Kelowna provides E.G.:
LASER DENTISTRY
Dental lasers can be used to treat gum disease, oral infections, sensitive teeth and so much more. Laser treatment can reduce pain, is less invasive, and causes less discomfort than traditional dental tools.
In general, laser dentistry results in less bleeding. There is a significantly lower risk of bacterial infection or tissue damage when used as a treatment option.
MERCURY FILLING REMOVAL
Based on up-to- date scientific research, we recommend the removal of existing dental mercury amalgam fillings, to assist in reducing the potential negative health outcomes of mercury exposure to patients, dental professionals, dental students, office staff, and others.
Why mercury filling removal? Dental amalgam fillings, which are made with a mixture of mercury, silver, copper, tin, and sometimes zinc, are still applied in the United States and Canada. Often called “silver fillings,” all dental amalgams are 45-55% elemental mercury. Mercury is toxic, and this poison is recognized as a chemical of major concern because it poses a dangerous threat to public health. Mercury accumulates in the body, and any amount of mercury taken into the body should be considered hazardous.
Therefore, the use of mercury in dental amalgam fillings poses serious risks to human health, and dental mercury released into the environment can cause long-lasting damage.
Holistic Dentist Dr. Shauna Palmer in West-Kelowna is SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) Certified. Following a SMART procedure when dealing with amalgam removals ensures that the patient, the dental team, and the environment are well protected from the release of mercury during and after the treatment.
Learn more by viewing this video:
https://youtu.be/AO_6W-Hnt64
PHYSIOLOGIC ORTHODONTICS
West Kelowna dentist Dr. Shauna Palmer has been practicing with a physiologic approach to dentistry since 2000. She believes that physiologically based orthodontics can be more effective, depending on the patient’s requirements, oral health and medical condition.
What is a physiologic approach to orthodontics? Through computerized tomography imaging and the use of other diagnostic technologies, we can assess the shape, position, and health of your cranial, facial and jaw structures.
Problems to look for are things such as an underdeveloped upper jaw, or an underdeveloped bottom jaw, or a bottom jaw that is overgrown (underbites and overbites), jaws that are too narrow or jaw joints that are compressed or damaged.
Physiologically based orthodontic therapy enables us to correct the size, shape, and position of the jaws for optimal TMJ, airway, cervical posture, facial beauty, and leave plenty of room for beautifully straight teeth.
When it comes to dental braces, Dr. Palmer’s motto is, “We don’t just straighten your teeth. We have a holistic and comprehensive understanding of your jaw, teeth, facial and cranial structures before the braces are created.”
To keep up with new technologies in dentistry, Dr. Palmer follows ongoing orthodontics training in balancing the teeth, jaw muscles, jaw joints, facial structure, body posture, and aesthetics.
What are the benefits of going to a holistic dentist?
Most holistic dental offices will provide you with all of the same services that you can expect to get from a traditional dental office, such as fillings and crowns, extractions, regular teeth cleanings, and gum disease treatment etc. However, holistic dentists generally use less invasive procedures and nontoxic materials. Most importantly: A holistic dentist has your overall health in mind with every treatment provided.
To learn more about the holistic dental services of Dr. Shauna Palmer at Health and Beauty Dentistry in West-Kelowna, contact us today!
