Holistic dentistry
A holistic dental approach at Enhance dental focuses on a healthy mind, body, spirit and teeth.
Holistic dentistry includes assessment of your overall general health, well-being and lifestyle. These factors can affect the long term health of your teeth and gums.
Enhance Dental is passionate about its holistic dentistry that encompasses preventative dental treatment designed to suit your individual dental needs.
A holistic dentist provides methods of dental prevention and treatment that also enhances your entire body and general health. Click on the areas below to find out more about our holistic dental approach.
At Enhance Dental, we are committed to providing safe, mercury-free dental care. We prioritize your health by using bio-compatible dental materials and advanced safety protocols for procedures like amalgam (mercury-based) filling removal.
Why Amalgam Fillings Are Not Ideal:
- Mercury Exposure: Dental amalgam fillings contain elemental mercury, which can release mercury vapors over time. Chronic exposure to mercury may impact neurological and kidney health.
- Potential Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may develop allergic reactions or oral lichenoid lesions from amalgam fillings, which can improve after removal.
- Metal Expansion and Cracking: Amalgam fillings can expand and contract with temperature changes, potentially leading to tooth fractures over time.
Safe Amalgam Filling Removal:
Our practice follows strict safety measures for amalgam removal, often recommended by integrative medicine practitioners for overall health improvement:
- Rubber Dam Isolation: We use a rubber dam to isolate the tooth, preventing ingestion or inhalation of mercury particles and vapor.
- High-Volume Suction: Advanced suction systems like DryShield minimize mercury exposure by capturing vapors and debris efficiently.
- Air Filtration: We use air purification systems to reduce airborne mercury particles during the procedure.
- Activated Charcoal or Chlorella Supplements: We may recommend specific supplements before and after the procedure to help adsorb mercury particles and support detoxification.
- Protective Equipment: Our team uses gloves, masks, and protective barriers to ensure safety for both patients and staff.
Our Bio-Compatible Dental Practices:
- We NEVER use mercury-based amalgam fillings. All dental restorations use safe, bio-compatible materials.
- Rubber dam is used during root canals to prevent contaminants from entering your body.
- Digital X-rays are utilized to minimize radiation exposure.
- For patients with latex allergies, we offer latex-free gloves and rubber dams.
- Diagnodent® laser detection systems are used to identify tooth decay at its earliest stages.
Your health and safety are our top priorities. Contact Enhance Dental today to learn more about our safe amalgam removal and holistic dental care options.
At Enhance Dental, our preventive holistic dental approach focuses on preventing dental diseases before they start and maintaining your natural teeth for life. We understand that oral health is deeply connected to your overall well-being, so we assess both dental and general health factors to create a personalized care plan for optimal oral health.
Our Whole-Body Dental Care Approach Includes:
- Lifestyle and Health Assessment: We evaluate environmental pollutants, daily habits, diet, and stress levels to identify areas that may impact your dental health.
- Diagnostic Testing: Comprehensive tests like saliva pH level analysis and plaque assessments help us detect imbalances and risks early.
- Customized Preventive Treatments:
- Regular Professional Scale and Clean: Removes plaque and tartar buildup to prevent gum disease.
- Fissure Sealants: Protective coatings on molars to guard against decay.
- Mouth Disinfectants and Desensitisers: Reduces harmful bacteria and alleviates sensitivity.
- Enamel Strengthening Agents: Helps remineralize and fortify enamel to resist cavities.
Our Preventive Treatment Philosophy:
We go beyond simply treating symptoms—we aim to protect your teeth long-term. For example:
- Cavity Management: We don’t just fill cavities. We carefully evaluate the tooth’s structure, the size and location of the decay, and any prior dental work (fillings or root canals) to choose the most conservative and durable treatment.
- Tooth Preservation: Our focus is always on preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible, ensuring functionality and aesthetics for life.
Why Choose Holistic Dental Care?
- Whole-Body Health Connection: We recognize the link between oral health and systemic health, addressing root causes instead of just symptoms.
- Minimally Invasive Treatments: Our preventive care reduces the need for extensive procedures later on.
- Personalized Care: Every treatment plan is tailored to your unique health needs and lifestyle.
Although holistic dentistry requires more time and attention, the results—stronger, healthier teeth and a radiant smile—are well worth the investment.
Discover how our preventive holistic dental care can help you achieve lifelong oral health. Contact Enhance Dental today to schedule your comprehensive dental wellness assessment.
At Enhance Dental, we recognize that nutrition and stress play critical roles in maintaining optimal oral health. A balanced diet and stress management are essential in preventing dental issues and supporting overall well-being.
How Nutrition Affects Dental Health:
- Poor Dietary Habits: Diets low in vegetables, fruits, and fiber but high in sugar, processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems.
- Acidic and Sugary Foods: Frequent consumption of acidic drinks and sugary snacks weakens enamel and feeds harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities and erosion.
- Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin C can compromise tooth strength and gum health.
Personalized Nutritional Guidance:
Our holistic dental care includes personalized dietary recommendations to support your oral health:
- Balanced Diet Plans: We help you incorporate more nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, crunchy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains to strengthen teeth and gums.
- Sugar Reduction Strategies: Guidance on reducing processed sugar and acid intake to protect your enamel and prevent cavities.
- Hydration Habits: Encouraging proper water intake to support saliva production, which naturally cleans and protects teeth.
Stress and Oral Health:
Chronic stress can negatively impact oral health by causing:
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Stress may lead to unconscious clenching or grinding, causing enamel wear and jaw discomfort.
- Dry Mouth: Stress reduces saliva flow, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
- Weakened Immune Response: Stress weakens the body’s immune system, making gums more susceptible to infections and inflammation.
Holistic Solutions for Stress Management:
- Relaxation Techniques: We recommend mindfulness practices, meditation, or yoga to manage stress effectively.
- Nutritional Supplements: Targeted supplements like magnesium, B-vitamins, and adaptogens may be advised to support stress reduction and oral health.
- Customized Dental Appliances: For teeth grinding, we offer custom-fitted night guards to protect your teeth from damage.
Supporting Healing and Prevention:
To enhance healing and prevent dental issues, we may suggest dietary supplements such as:
- Calcium and Vitamin D: For stronger teeth and bones.
- Vitamin C and CoQ10: To promote healthy gums and tissue repair.
- Magnesium and Omega-3s: To reduce inflammation and support stress relief.
At Enhance Dental, we take a whole-body approach to your dental health. Our team is here to help you make sustainable nutritional and lifestyle changes to achieve a healthy, radiant smile.
Contact Enhance Dental today to learn how nutrition and stress management can improve your dental and overall health.
At Enhance Dental, we understand that everyday life stress can significantly impact your oral health. Emotional and physical stress can manifest in various dental issues, affecting the function and overall well-being of your teeth and gums.
How Life Stress Affects Oral Health:
- Mouth Ulcers: High stress levels can weaken the immune system, making you more prone to painful mouth ulcers (canker sores).
- Receding Gums: Chronic stress can contribute to gum inflammation and recession, increasing the risk of periodontal disease.
- Tooth Sensitivity and Mobility: Stress-related teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching can cause sensitive, loose, or even fractured teeth.
- Fractured or Worn Teeth: Excessive grinding or jaw tension can wear down enamel and damage teeth over time.
Stress-Related Conditions Beyond the Mouth:
- Jaw Pain and TMJ Disorders: Stress often leads to muscle tension, resulting in jaw pain, stiffness, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.
- Headaches and Migraines: Tension in the jaw and facial muscles from stress can trigger frequent headaches and migraines.
Holistic Dental Solutions for Stress Management:
At Enhance Dental, we take a comprehensive approach to addressing stress-related dental issues:
- Custom Night Guards: We offer custom-fitted night guards to prevent teeth grinding and protect enamel during sleep.
- Jaw Relaxation Techniques: Guidance on exercises and therapies to relieve jaw tension and improve TMJ function.
- Nutritional Support: Recommendations for stress-reducing nutrients, including magnesium, B-vitamins, and adaptogens.
- Mind-Body Practices: Encouragement to incorporate stress-reducing practices like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness into your routine.
- Regular Dental Check-Ups: Early detection and treatment of stress-related oral health problems can prevent long-term damage.
Balancing Oral and Overall Health:
Our holistic dental care focuses on treating the root causes of stress-related dental concerns, not just the symptoms. By addressing lifestyle factors and providing tailored dental solutions, we help restore balance to your oral health and overall well-being.
Don’t let life stress compromise your dental health. Contact Enhance Dental today to discover how our holistic approach can support your smile and your health.
At Enhance Dental, we understand that your overall general health is closely linked to your dental health. Scientific research now confirms that oral health is not separate from the rest of the body—they are deeply interconnected. By taking a holistic approach, we aim to prevent and manage dental issues that may also impact your overall well-being.
How General Health Affects Dental Health:
- Heart Disease: Gum disease (periodontitis) has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Inflammation and bacteria in the gums can enter the bloodstream, contributing to cardiovascular issues.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can make it harder to fight infections, increasing the risk of gum disease. Conversely, severe gum disease can make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels.
- Weakened Immune System: Health conditions or medications that weaken the immune system can increase the risk of oral infections and slow healing.
How Poor Oral Health Can Impact Overall Health:
- Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases: Poor dental health has been associated with systemic conditions like stroke, respiratory infections, and even certain cancers.
- Pregnancy Complications: Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight in pregnant women.
- Chronic Inflammation: Ongoing gum inflammation can contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases throughout the body.
Our Holistic Approach to Oral and General Health:
At Enhance Dental, we focus on supporting your whole-body health through advanced dental care:
- Comprehensive Health Assessments: We assess your medical history and lifestyle to understand how general health conditions may affect your oral health.
- Preventive Dental Care: Regular cleanings, check-ups, and personalized care plans help prevent gum disease and tooth decay, reducing your risk of related health issues.
- Nutritional Guidance: We offer dietary advice to strengthen your immune system and support both dental and overall health.
- Inflammation Management: Through safe dental treatments and natural therapies, we work to reduce inflammation and support your body’s healing processes.
- Safe, Bio-Compatible Materials: We use only non-toxic, mercury-free materials to minimize the body’s exposure to harmful substances.
The Oral-Systemic Health Connection:
By improving your dental health, you can positively impact your general health and lower your risk of developing serious medical conditions. Our goal is to help you maintain a healthy mouth and a healthier body.
Take a proactive step toward better overall health. Contact Enhance Dental today to learn more about how our holistic dental care can support your well-being.
At Enhance Dental, we recognize that certain general medications can have significant effects on your oral health. Our holistic dental approach involves carefully reviewing your medical history to identify medications that may contribute to dental issues and developing preventive strategies to protect your smile.
Medications That Can Negatively Affect Dental Health:
- Bisphosphonates (e.g., Fosamax): Commonly prescribed to prevent or treat osteoporosis, bisphosphonates can lead to a serious dental condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). This condition may cause painful, long-term ulcers in the jawbone, especially after dental extractions or invasive procedures.
- Medications That Cause Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Many medications reduce saliva production, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections. Common culprits include:
- Antidepressants and Anti-anxiety Medications
- Antihistamines and Decongestants
- Blood Pressure Medications
- Diuretics
- Pain Relievers (Opioids)
- Medications That Cause Gum Overgrowth:
- Anti-seizure medications (e.g., Phenytoin)
- Immunosuppressants (e.g., Cyclosporine)
- Calcium Channel Blockers (used for hypertension)
- Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: Cancer treatments can weaken oral tissues, reduce saliva flow, and increase vulnerability to infections and ulcers.
Our Preventive Dental Strategies:
At Enhance Dental, we take proactive steps to reduce medication-related dental risks:
- Comprehensive Medical History Review: We thoroughly review your medications to identify any that may pose dental risks and tailor your care accordingly.
- Customized Preventive Plans: We design care plans to manage side effects such as dry mouth, gum overgrowth, or bone-related complications.
- Saliva Support Solutions: We recommend products like saliva substitutes, mouth moisturizers, and increased hydration to combat dry mouth.
- Gentle Dental Procedures: For patients on bisphosphonates, we carefully assess the need for extractions or invasive procedures and offer alternatives when possible.
- Nutritional Guidance: We provide dietary recommendations to strengthen teeth and gums, reducing the risk of decay and gum disease.
Protecting Your Oral Health While on Medication:
Your medical history and prescribed medications are key to creating a safe and effective dental care plan. Our holistic approach ensures that we take every precaution to prevent medication-related dental issues and maintain your overall health.
If you’re concerned about how your medications may impact your dental health, contact Enhance Dental today for a comprehensive consultation.
Holistic dentistry is constantly evolving. Our Enhance Dental dentists continually study and research the latest dental treatments, materials and methods that are designed to enhance your overall dental health, general health and well-being. This way we can provide the safest and most up to date methods you deserve.