Condition Spotlight
Oral health myth: “What goes in the mouth, stays in the mouth.” In other words, if you put something into your mouth, as long as you don’t swallow it, you can spit it out and it won’t make its way into the rest of the body.
But wait–research has proven this isn’t true. In fact, what we put into our mouths gets absorbed through the gum and cheek tissue, and it ultimately winds up in the bloodstream.
Studies show that 1 in every 5 orthodontic patients are over 21 years. This goes to show that orthodontic treatments are no longer just for teenagers. Many adults are choosing to undergo treatments because they Read More
Medicines are also known as dentists, have a medical focus focused on the treatment of various types of diseases from the mouth and the nearby. It works an interface between medicine and dentistry. Oral medicine Read More
We’ve all been there, right? You are out with friends, and someone says ‘you have something in your teeth.’ Cue the difficult time you are about to have trying to suck the leftover food out Read More
If you were born with crooked teeth you probably had to wear braces. After months of having to put up with all the pain and misery, when you got the braces off you’ve felt like Read More
This article is just a refresher. I know that when you were in primary school, you were taught about the different types of teeth humans have. Well, we just have four but each of them Read More
Keeping teeth and gums healthy is very important. The aesthetic moment is the visible part, but maintaining good functionality of teeth is essential for health. For this reason, we should visit a dentist at least Read More
There are some reasons why people avoid taking a proper care of their teeth – from skipping bushing due to lack of time to dental anxiety – and surprisingly these choices don’t make one feel Read More
Crooked teeth may make you embarrassed to an extent that you cover your mouth when laughing. Other people will never smile no matter how happy they are because they don’t have well-positioned and aligned teeth. Read More
Dental implants are one of the most common dental procedures among Americans who have issues with their teeth. There’s an estimated three million Americans with dental implants today, with 500,000 expected per year going forward. Read More
While medicine as a field of practice exists to take care of the sick, alternative medicine is much more concerned with preventing diseases. So, when you talk to people who support and promote alternatives, the Read More
Holistic dentists work closely with a wide range of other complementary practitioners. They realize that oral health is related to many chronic health issues. They look at the underlying causes for gum disease and cavities: Is it your diet, or hormonal changes or acid reflux?
That may mean prescribing a head massage, acupuncture session, meditation lessons or dietary counseling. They may run blood tests for biocompatibility of materials and incorporate approaches from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, herbology, homeopathy, iridology, craniosacral therapy and energy medicine. They will look for signs of sleep apnea and often treat it. However, with the added tests and consultations, they tend to be more expensive, with many procedures not covered by dental insurance. Their numbers are small: Only 391 of 199,000 American dentists belong to the HDA, or about one in 500.
Yet the natural health movement that drives holistic dentistry is having an effect on the profession at large. Many dentists nationwide, pressured by patients and aided by new technology, are abandoning toxic and invasive options for less harmful methods. Controversial mercury amalgam fillings are being edged out by less toxic options like resin composites that match teeth color; the amount of mercury sold in the U.S. for dental amalgams fell by half between 2001 and 2013.
Another factor regarding oral health is that people tend to visit dentists more often, so find one who can use what they see to improve your overall health. Taking care of our teeth and gums is simply worth the daily time and trouble to facilitate long-term health. Your oral care should be taken just as seriously as watching your diet.
