Dental care is not the same for everyone anymore. Besides dentistry people are starting to pay attention to something called biological dentistry. It looks at health in a bigger way thinking about how the mouth is connected to the whole body, not just on its own. This way of thinking is what sets dental care apart from the traditional way that most people are used to.
What Is Biological Dentistry?
Biological dentistry, which is also called holistic dentistry, thinks about how oral health is connected to our overall wellbeing. The people who practice this type of dentistry think about what we eat, the materials used to treat us and how dental procedures might affect the rest of our body. They do not just want to fix our teeth, they want to help us be healthy for a time, not just have a nice smile.
This way of doing things is different from what traditional dentistry does. Biological dentists often question using things like amalgam fillings because they have mercury in them. They also like to use treatments that’re not as invasive, trying to keep our natural teeth and not doing unnecessary work.
What Traditional Dentistry Focuses On
Dental care is mostly about finding and fixing specific problems. If we have a cavity it gets filled. If a tooth is infected it might get a root canal. Be taken out. If we have gum disease it gets. Sometimes surgery is needed. The focus is on making sure our teeth and mouth work properly.
This way of doing things works well for people. It is based on a lot of research and established rules. Dentists follow these rules. The results are usually predictable and well documented.
The Main Difference
The main difference between these two ways of doing things is the way they think about the body. Traditional dentistry thinks about the mouth separate from the rest of the body. Biological dental care thinks about the mouth as being connected to our overall health.
Biological dentists often ask about our diet, how stressed we are and our lifestyle before they decide on a treatment. Traditional dentists focus more on the problem with our teeth. Neither way is wrong; they just start from ideas about how our body works.
The Materials Used
One of the differences is the materials used. Traditional dentistry has used amalgam fillings with mercury in them for a time. Even though regulatory bodies think these fillings are safe, biological dentists are still careful about mercury.
Biological dentistry usually uses materials like resins or ceramics that do not have mercury. If someone wants to remove an amalgam filling, biological dentists follow special rules to limit our exposure to mercury during the process.
The materials used for crowns and other restorations are also different. Biological dentists choose materials that are safe for our body and test us for any sensitivities before using them. Traditional dentists usually use materials without doing this extra testing.
Root Canals
Root canal treatment is another area where these two ways of doing things differ. Traditional dentistry thinks root canals are a way to save an infected tooth and research usually supports this.
Biological dentists are sometimes more careful about this. Some of them think that bacteria can still be in the tooth after a root canal and might prefer to take the tooth out. This is not a view that is widely supported by dental research so patients should talk to their dentist about it.
Nutrition and Prevention
Biological dentistry puts a lot of emphasis on what we eat and preventing problems. Our diet, the minerals we take in and our lifestyle are all part of the conversation when we visit the dentist. They often give us advice on what to eat along with the dental advice.
Traditional dentistry also thinks about preventing problems. It usually focuses on brushing, flossing and regular check-ups rather than what we eat. Both ways value preventing problems; they just use methods.
Fluoride
Fluoride is another thing that biological and traditional dentistry see differently. Traditional dentistry thinks fluoride is very good for preventing cavities. There is a lot of research to support this.
Biological dentists are sometimes more careful about using fluoride. Might recommend alternatives that do not have fluoride. This is because they are concerned about being exposed to many chemicals, not because they think fluoride does not help with cavities.
Choosing Which Type of Dentistry
Which type of care we choose depends on what we value and what is important to us. If we want treatment that is based on research and is traditional we might prefer dentistry. If we want a type of dentistry that thinks about our body we might prefer biological dental care.
Some people use a bit of both. They might choose materials that do not have mercury but still get root canals if they need them. There is flexibility in both types of dentistry.
Final Thoughts
Biological dentistry and traditional dental care do not have to be in competition. Both types offer something whether it is following established protocols or thinking about our whole body. Understanding the differences helps us make choices that are right, for us, our values and what makes us comfortable.
No matter which type of dentistry we choose, going to the dentist regularly and talking openly with them is very important. Good oral health comes from making decisions not just following one way of doing things without thinking and it is always a good idea to ask questions.