Conventional dentistry focuses on evidence-based treatments, such as cavity fillings, crowns, and root canals, which are effective for addressing structural issues and infections. Modern dental technology and techniques are used to provide quick, efficient, and lasting solutions to common dental problems.

Holistic dentistry takes a more comprehensive approach, recognizing that oral health is deeply connected to the body’s overall well-being. We emphasize the use of biocompatible materials, natural therapies, and preventive strategies that not only maintain healthy teeth and gums but also support the body’s natural healing processes. For instance, in addition to routine treatments, we may recommend natural remedies such as Arnica Montana for trauma and bruising after dental work or surgery, or Phosphorus to address sensitivity to anesthesia and control bleeding.

Integrating Natural Remedies with Dental Care

At Aesthetic Family Dentistry, we integrate natural remedies alongside conventional treatments to enhance patient comfort and recovery. Remedies like Arnica Montana are used for post-treatment bruising and trauma, ensuring a smoother healing process. For patients dealing with anxiety or fear of dental procedures, remedies like Gelsemium and Argenticum Nitricum can help calm nerves and alleviate stress, making the dental experience more relaxing. Hypericum is another remedy we often use for pain management, particularly following dental surgeries or root canal therapy.

When removing mercury amalgam fillings, which is common in biological dentistry, we take extra precautions to ensure patient safety. For patients undergoing mercury removal, we use Mercurous Sol or Viv to prevent any ill effects from mercury exposure, ensuring that the process is as safe and non-toxic as possible.

The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Wellness

One key area where holistic dentistry plays a vital role is in recognizing the connection between gum disease and overall health. Studies have shown that gum disease is closely linked to an increased risk of heart disease, with bacteria from periodontal infections potentially entering the bloodstream and contributing to blood clot formation, which can lead to heart attacks. The link between gum disease and heart health is as strong as traditional risk factors such as high cholesterol, smoking, and body weight. This highlights the importance of maintaining healthy gums and teeth, not just for oral health, but for preventing systemic health issues as well.

Unfortunately, periodontal disease often progresses without pain and can go unnoticed until it reaches advanced stages. Over half of the adult population is affected by some form of gum disease, and this number increases as people age. Routine dental checkups are essential in detecting early signs of gum disease before it causes serious problems like tooth loss or contributes to systemic conditions.

Why Combine Holistic and Conventional Approaches?

The goal of combining holistic and conventional dentistry is to provide the most effective care for our patients. For example, when treating gum disease, we incorporate both conventional treatments like deep cleanings and scaling to remove plaque and tartar, as well as holistic methods like nutritional advice and natural remedies to support gum health and reduce inflammation. In doing so, we not only treat the symptoms but also address underlying causes to prevent future issues.

By offering a balanced blend of holistic and conventional practices, Aesthetic Family Dentistry in Morris County, NJ, ensures that our patients receive the most comprehensive, personalized care available. Whether it’s using biocompatible materials, providing natural remedies for pain management, or educating patients on the links between oral health and overall wellness, we are committed to helping you achieve lasting health and vitality through a harmonious approach to dental care.

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Other holistic dentists are reporting much the same. It seems people are becoming more aware of the benefits of holistic dentistry and are buying into the body as a single organism principle.

The Holistic Dental Association says they are increasing member numbers nationwide. Many offices are seeing an increase in queries and patient registrations and this is good news for all of us. It’s good news for us because our message is getting through. It’s good news for you because holistic dentistry is undoubtedly better for you.

Holistic dentistry

The principle behind holistic dentistry is that it treats the mouth as part of the body as a whole rather than just in isolation. It has an appreciation that oral health and complications within the mouth can have far-reaching effects on your overall wellness. That what happens in the mouth can impact other systems in the body.

Holistic dentists still treat periodontal disease, still fill cavities, fit dental implants and all the traditional procedures you expect of a dentist. But we also offer more. Holistic dentistry also concerns itself with your mental wellbeing, your emotional health, diet and lifestyle.

It is also about wellness. About offering complementary treatments as well as purely dental ones. Treatments that promote an overall feeling of wellbeing and can help the body as a whole. As we learn more about how different aspects of our body are linked and how an imbalance in one area can impact a seemingly unrelated one, holistic dentistry is increasingly seen as a viable way to improve our health. Not just our oral health but health in general.

An ideal balance

It is important to understand that visiting a holistic dentist doesn’t mean we walk into the office wearing hemp shoes and sit on a bamboo chair. Or that we will be offering you herbal remedies instead of proven dental procedures. We are qualified dentists and offer all the traditional services you would expect from such a dentist. We work within ADA rules, perform only approved procedures and work exactly like any other dentist.

But we also go further. As well as all those services you get from a normal dentist, we prefer to use products that are as non-toxic as possible, consider your overall health and how an oral health issue can impact the rest of your body. It is a varied and hugely challenging, but rewarding area of medicine and we love it!

If you’re looking for a holistic dentist in New Jersey, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. We would be happy to see you!

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Holistic dentistry does most definitely look after your oral health, but in a way that benefits your entire wellbeing too.

We know that the condition of your mouth and any issues with it can have far-reaching effects. For example, we know that gum disease has an influence over heart disease and diabetes and can affect pregnancies. This is medical fact. Holistic dentistry has this kind of cause and effect at its core and ensures we always look at your overall health as well as just your mouth.

The holistic dentistry difference

So let us look at some specifics that makes holistic dentistry different from traditional dentistry.

Mercury fillings – Mercury was used for many years to fill holes in teeth and is still used in some states to this day. We learned at school that mercury is toxic and even though the ADA says it is safe, we don’t think so. As holistic dentists, we don’t use mercury and will happily remove mercury fillings and replace them with something much safer.

Fluoride – Fluoride has been popular in dentistry for decades. Many traditional dentists have advocated adding it to drinking water, into toothpaste and other products to help our oral health. It isn’t a magic bullet and there is increasing evidence that ingested fluoride can bring its own complications. There are safer, more naturally effective alternatives that we use to achieve the same goals.

Biocompatibility – Biocompatibility is a medical term for how acceptable a material is to your body. Mercury is not biocompatible because it is a toxin. Traditional dentists do not consider biocompatibility when treating patients. If it is approved, it is used. But not everything approved is completely healthy. Holistic dentists consider the wider picture and how the materials we use impact the body as a whole.

Procedures – A holistic dentist will always recommend a minimally invasive procedure over a simple one. We consider which solution will best benefit you and your overall wellbeing, regardless of how complicated or lengthy it might be. In essence, any procedure we recommend has to benefit both your oral and overall health and wellbeing. Only if it balances both will we recommend it.

Those are just four of the many differences between holistic dentistry and traditional dentistry. In essence, a traditional dentist will address your oral health directly. A holistic dentist will still do that but will also look at any underlying issues that causes those oral health problems and ensure any remedy works in harmony with the body while still being completely effective as a treatment.

If you would like to explore holistic dentistry further or would like to switch to an experienced holistic dentist, contact us here at Aesthetic Family Dentistry today!

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Someone once described it as ‘dentistry with a conscience’ and we would have to agree with that. So what is it and what does it offer you?

Biological dentistry and holistic dentistry are essentially the same thing. An approach to oral health that addresses the body and your wellbeing as a whole, not just your mouth. Those extra considerations include understanding the knock-on effects of illnesses and conditions on your mental health, immune system and whole body, the biocompatibility and safety of traditional dental materials with the body and many other areas of expertise.

We know for a fact that certain dental conditions can have far-reaching consequences for our overall health. For example, periodontal disease (gum disease), if left untreated can cause heart problems or complicate diabetes. Mercury, once used in fillings or dental amalgam currently used by some dentists can cause long term health challenges for your entire body. These are just two examples of the wider impact dental issues can have on your wellbeing.

Biological dentistry and you

There is a fine balance between biological dentistry and traditional medicine. To benefit you as a patient, any procedure we perform has to be the best possible solution to the challenge. It also has to work in harmony with your body and wherever possible encourage your natural healing processes to complete the cure.

It can also offer complementary therapies to help relaxation and recovery. Such therapies can include acupuncture to help relax and recover before or after a dental procedure.

Biological dentistry principles include:

• Performing procedures only if absolutely necessary
• Working with the body to encourage healing without interference where possible
• Always selecting minimally invasive methods of treatment
• Appreciating the toxicity of dental materials and selecting accordingly
• Offering advice and guidance on nutrition and general wellbeing
• Concentrating on prevention rather than cure

Biological dentistry and mental wellbeing

You may notice that even though we are biological dentists, Aesthetic Family Dentistry also offers cosmetic procedures such as Botox and Juviderm. How does this fit in with our natural approach?

It’s about mental wellbeing. All our cosmetic dentistry services are aimed at creating a positive self-image that benefits you as a whole. Look good, feel good. If you feel good and are happy with what you see in the mirror, it has far-reaching benefits for your entire life. It is for this that we offer cosmetic procedures as well as holistic dentistry.

Biological dentistry is not quackery. It is still based on the scientific method but looks at the wider picture rather than just your oral health. It’s an approach that is becoming more popular as the benefits become better known and more patients experience the positive effects of our approach.

If you would like to experience the difference biological dentistry offers, visit Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. Call us at 973 627 3617 to arrange a consultation.

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As part of that commitment, we have collated some of our most useful tips for maintaining a healthy mouth. We hope they help!

Prevention is better than cure

Brushing after eating is the single best way to maintain good oral health. Not only does brushing remove debris from the mouth, it also removes plaque, bacteria and anything else that might be lurking there too.

Brushing at least twice a day is an excellent preventive measure and we cannot overstress its importance enough!

Flossing and/or water flossing is also important. Even the best toothbrushes on the market cannot get between your teeth to remove all food. That’s why all dentists, ourselves included, will always encourage flossing to ensure maximum oral health. We really do have your interests at heart!

You are what you eat

Junk food, soda and candy contain fat and/or sugar, which can cause tooth decay. Eating a healthy balanced diet not only helps your teeth but your overall health too. Try to eat a mix of protein, fruit, nuts and vegetables every day. Add meat and dairy if your lifestyle permits, although the latest evidence shows a raw green vegetarian diet as the healthiest.

Avoiding too many sweet foods will not only help prevent tooth decay, it also helps your body maintain sugar and energy levels throughout the day.

Control alcohol intake

There’s nothing wrong with having a beer after work or a glass of wine with dinner as long as consumption is kept under control. Not only does alcohol have a far-reaching impact on your health, it has also been linked with mouth cancer and attacks the outer surface of tooth enamel.

Alcohol also contains sugars that feed bacteria within your mouth that cause tooth decay.

Avoid foods that stain

To keep that beautiful white smile, try to avoid consuming too many drinks that stain teeth. Those drinks include coffee, tea and wine. Smoking also stains teeth as the tar and nicotine adheres to the enamel. Minimize or remove these tooth staining substances from your lifestyle to maximize that smile!

If you can’t help yourself and do drink a lot of coffee, we have a range of teeth whitening options for you to try. So while we do suggest healthy eating to help oral health, we do appreciate it is much easier said than done!

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