Alternative medicine is winning over health conscious individuals from all walks of life. Practitioners of natural medicine treat patients by addressing the fundamental causes for illness and by utilizing remedies that stimulate self-healing.
Alternative dentists practice in much the same way as other alternative practitioners. This new breed of dentist is called by various different titles: natural, holistic, biologic, alternative, naturopathic or homeopathic. Natural dentistry provides treatment that’s biologically appropriate and safe.
Hippocrates, ancient Greek physician, established the central standards of holistic medicine. He advised his students and followers to adhere to two crucial rules:
1. First of all, don’t do harm … the remedy should never leave the affected worse off
2. Honor the Vis Medicatrix Naturae … nature provides the power to heal
Modern-day dental therapy does not even come close to honoring Hippocratic standards. A lot of the compounds used to treat basic oral ailments possess incredibly hazardous chemicals such as fluoride and mercury. Fortunately, holistic dentists practice from a completely different paradigm. They realize that toxic dental care may destroy your over-all health … natural dentists practice dentistry like Hippocrates practiced medicine.
Alternative dental principles include:
*Tooth conserving methods … conserving tooth structure may help prevent the necessity for root canals and caps
*Avoidance of toxic compounds such as mercury, metals, fluoride and antibiotics
*Using biologically-appropriate products such as zirconia, composite resin and ceramic to repair your teeth
*The use of low dose digital x-ray to reduce radiation exposure to minimal amounts
*Recognize the Vis Medicatrix Naturae by providing treatment that promotes self-healing (periodontal disease and tooth decay are curable)
*Under no circumstances replace an amalgam filling unless strictly following “Mercury-Safe Procedures”
The utilization of mercury safe protocols is definitely the most significant reason to go holistic with your dentist. Dental amalgam is a dreadful filling material. Each and every minute of every day, amalgam fillings leach harmful levels of mercury that eventually ends up being stored inside most of the cells of your body. The only thing worse than having amalgam fillings in your teeth is getting them replaced in an unsafe way. During normal amalgam filling removal, a person’s exposure to toxic mercury vapor can be ten times the upper limit established by OSHA. The procedures utilized by natural dentists will shield you from that shockingly hazardous exposure. Typical dental practice doesn’t utilize any mercury vapor precautions. This ignorant omission could devastate your health.
Becoming a holistic dentist isn’t easy. It requires courage to buck the system and do what you believe is right. A holistic dental clinic differs in many ways from a normal office … distinct materials, special equipment, unique clientele and commonly different employees. And so, you might have to spend a bit of time in research before you locate a holistic dentist who meets your requirements. Go for it though … your health is worth it!
So go ahead and “Google” alternative dentist, make a visit and start to experience superior health.
Curt Eastin, DDS, ND is a holistic dentist and a naturopathic physician. His dental degree is from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and he earned his naturopathic degree from the National College of Natural Medicine. You can learn more about amalgam filling removal by following the link.