Holistic dentistry
| This article is part ofa serieson |
| Alternative medicine |
|---|
 |
Holistic dentistry,also calledbiological dentistry,biologic dentistry,alternative dentistry,unconventional dentistry,orbiocompatible dentistry,is the equivalent ofcomplementary and alternative medicinefordentistry.Although the holistic dental community is diverse in its practices and approaches, common threads include strongopposition to the use of amalgamindental fillings,nonsurgical approaches togum disease,and the belief thatroot canal treatmentsmayendanger systemic healthof the patient through the spread of trapped dental bacteria to the body. Many dentists who use these terms also regardwater fluoridationunfavorably.
History
[edit]Holistic dentistry can be traced to the research ofWeston A. Price,who blamed tooth decay on modern Western diet habits such as consumption ofwhite flour,pasteurized milk, andprocessed sugar,which he also linked to criminal behavior. Price's theories were expanded byMelvin E. PageandHal Huggins,who promoted the pseudoscientific idea of "balancing body chemistry".[1]
TheHolistic Dental Networkdefines the field as: "an approach to Dentistry that promotes health and wellness instead of the treatment of disease. This approach to Dentistry encompasses both modern science and knowledge drawn from the world's great traditions of natural healing...Holistic Dentistry acknowledges and deals with the mind, body, and spirit of the patient, not just his or her" Teeth ".[2]They attempt to coin the following basic principles as being unique to holistic dentistry:[2]
- Proper nutrition for the prevention and reversal of degenerative dental disease
- Avoidance and elimination of toxins from dental materials
- Prevention and treatment ofdental malocclusion(bite problems=physical imbalance)
- Prevention and treatment of gum disease at its biological basis
TheHolistic Dental Associationwrites of that organization's founding: "In 1978, concerned, dedicated dentists came together to share their common interest in treatment modalities that were not included in the dental school curriculum. Some of these modalities were very new, and others were very old; the one thing that they shared in common was they offered additional options for treatment. These dentists wished to establish an organization that would provide a forum for the development and sharing of health-promoting therapies. A shift from the early emphasis of the dentist on modalities to a consideration of the attitudes and feelings of the patient and the dentist has occurred. But the primary goal to teach and to learn has not changed since the founding members first met."[3]
Criticisms
[edit]Practitioners of holistic or biological dentistry can vary a great deal in terms of the techniques and services they offer. While many conventional dentists recognize there is significant merit to different preventative approaches to dentistry, some of these dentists have criticized holistic practices for lack of efficacy of approach and false marketing in their practices.[4][5]
Many practices and opinions among alternative dentists are criticized as not beingevidence-basedby the mainstream dental community and skeptics of alternative medicine in general.
A significant part of the critique of holistic dentistry is related to the unsubstantiated use of certain services and treatments, many of which have either been investigated and found ineffective or have not been researched enough to be declared safe and effective for practice.[4]For example, herbal remedies are often recommended in the form of mouthwash and toothpaste in order to prevent or treat certain dental conditions.[5]They are supposedly safer products because they are 'natural.' However, there is a lack of scientific research that supports such treatments,[6]and in fact, herbal remedies have been found to impact the safety of more invasive or prolonged dental procedures, and can lead to additional complications if they interact with a patient's current medications.[7]However, some traditional herbal dental techniques, such as the use of theMiswakstick has been shown to be of possible effectiveness.[8]However, the realm of herbal dental hygiene remains a largely understudied realm, and further rigorous scientific evaluations will be necessary to determine the efficacy of different methods.
Some critics of holistic dentistry practice also note that the methodologies and equipment used during treatment are not science-backed. A potential example of this is the Cavitat, a non-validated ultrasound device purported to be able to detect alleged lesions described as "cavitations" (see:neuralgia-inducing cavitational osteonecrosis), or the non-evidence-based utilization of breathing apparatus by certain "biologic dentists" during removal of amalgam fillings, intended to reduce mercury toxicity by eliminating inhaled airborne material. However, others argue that such practices are not representative of the entire field of holistic dentistry.
See also
[edit]- Dentistry
- Root canal
- Dental spa
- Gum disease
- Alternative medicine
- Focal infection theory
- Weston Price
- George Meinig
- Dental amalgam controversy
References
[edit]- ^Jarvis, William T. (1990)."Dubious Dentistry".Loma Linda University. pp. 16-20
- ^ab"What is Holistic Dentistry?".Holistic Dental Network. Archived fromthe originalon 2 November 2011.Retrieved2011-11-22.
- ^"Holistic Dental Association - About Us".Holisticdental.org. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-11-03.Retrieved2011-11-22.
- ^abGoldstein, B.H. (2000). "Unconventional dentistry: Part I. Introduction".Journal of the Canadian Dental Association.66(6): 323–326.PMID10927899.
- ^abThakur, N.; Bagewadi, A.; Keluskar, V. (2011). "Holistic dentistry: Natural approaches to oral health".Journal of International Oral Health.3(2): 9–12.
- ^Goldstein, B.H.; Epstein, J.B. (2000). "Unconventional dentistry: Part IV. Unconventional dental practices and products".Journal of the Canadian Dental Association.66(10): 564–568.PMID12584780.
- ^Little, J.W. (2004). "Complementary and alternative medicine: Impact on dentistry".Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology.98(2): 137–145.doi:10.1016/j.tripleo.2004.05.011.PMID15316539.
- ^al-Khateeb TL, O'Mullane DM, Whelton H, Sulaiman MI (2003). "Periodontal treatment needs among Saudi Arabian adults and their relationship to the use of the Miswak".Community Dental Health.8(4): 323–328.ISSN0265-539X.PMID1790476.