Support Your Entire Well-Being with Holistic Dentistry

Holistic dentistry is the practice of considering dental health in the context of a patient’s whole health. For years, it has been a major focus of ours at Falmouth Dental Arts, and we continue to expand our education of best practices and new advances in holistic dentistry. We utilize holistic dentistry because it emphasizes your long-term health and well-being, and allows us to consider the implications of new techniques and tools in dentistry.

Holistic Dentistry looks at the entire medical history of a person, past and present, when making decisions about a patient’s health – in this case, oral health. Therefore, holistic-focused dentists implement healthier versions of common procedures to increase the patient’s overall health and well-being. Some examples include:

  • Digital X-Rays, which decrease radiation exposure by 90%.
  • Teeth cleanings that involve using natural products and essential oils, factors that prevent bacterial growth and increase a patient’s immune response.
  • Using biocompatible materials that reduce the chances of a patient having an adverse reaction. No mercury/silver fillings are placed here.  In fact, we have a “mercury safe” removal technique that we use.
  • Using ozone therapy for cleanings, restorations, natural root canals, and many other procedures.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about holistic dentistry, detailed information can be found on our site here. Be sure to ask us about our holistic approach during your next visit!

Hormones and Women’s Oral Health

Hormones, the tiny chemical messengers that tell our bodies what, how, and when to do something, can have a huge impact on women’s oral health, especially during periods of change. Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause all come with mild to massive hormonal changes in the body. These changes have been discovered to be linked to specific oral maladies. During these life stages, it is important for women to know what signs to look for that indicate oral illness.

Puberty
During puberty, a woman’s body begins producing larger quantities of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is theorized that these hormones cause the microenvironment of your mouth to change into one more accommodating for the harmful bacteria that lead to gingivitis. These bacteria take up residence in the pubescent mouth in huge numbers. Signs of gingivitis to watch out for include bleeding or inflamed gums.

Pregnancy
In addition to gingivitis, pregnant women have another complication to deal with. The saliva of a pregnant woman can change in two ways. Frequently, pregnant women’s saliva loses its anti-microbial efficacy due to a change in the chemical cocktail within the saliva, leading to a build up of harmful bacteria. Dry mouth is another common problem in which saliva production is reduced. Saliva helps fight cavities, so a persistent dry mouth could lead to unwanted problems. Sipping water frequently helps.

Menopause
Women going through menopause are more susceptible to gingivitis, dry mouth, and several other oral health issues. One frequent condition, called Burning Mouth Syndrome, has symptoms of burning sensations that are felt in different parts of the mouth. Osteoporosis during menopause could lead to bone loss in teeth and the jaw bone. Signs of oral osteoporosis are loose teeth and dentures that do not fit properly.

 

If you or other women close to you are going through any of these life changes and are experiencing oral discomfort, please call or have them call us right away to schedule an appointment.

women’s oral health