A whole-body approach to dental care with Holistic Dentistry

Traditional dentistry is very effective at treating oral health problems such as cavities, chipped teeth, or other issues that affect the health of your teeth and gums. However, consideration typically isn’t given to how the treatments used to impact the rest of the body. At Gentle Dental Care in Menomonie and Durand, Wisconsin, we believe in using a different approach that considers you as the whole, unique person you are — not just a symptom or a tooth to be treated. Read on to learn more about holistic dentistry and how it can benefit you and your loved ones.

The mouth-body connection

Holistic dentistry is an alternative approach to providing dental care based on the premise that the mouth and the rest of the body are intricately connected. One way to understand this is to imagine a cut on your hand. If the wound becomes infected and is left untreated, the infection can travel throughout the rest of your body and ultimately cause life-threatening illness. Similarly, health problems in the mouth can contribute to a wide variety of systemic health problems, and conversely, health problems in the body can have symptoms that manifest in the mouth (such as mouth ulcers due to Crohn’s disease or oral fungal infections due to diabetes). One such example of this mouth-body connection is the well-established link between gum disease and many different health problems, including:

• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Diabetes
• Certain types of cancer
• Preterm labor

Holistic dental care for your family

What does the mouth-body connection mean when it comes to dental care for your family? As a holistic dental practice, this principle forms the basis for every treatment we provide, whether a routine dental cleaning or a more advanced procedure.

• We use biocompatible materials that will not cause allergies or reactions in the body and avoid potentially toxic materials such as metal amalgam.
• We use technologies such as laser therapy designed to reduce pain, inflammation, bleeding, and chances of infection.
• We take the time to talk with you about your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms to help get to the root of oral health problems and treat the source, not just the symptoms.

These are just a few examples of the difference in the dental care you will experience at Gentle Dental Care. To schedule an appointment and experience the difference for yourself, call (715) 600-9004 today!