Holistic Dentistry

What is Holistic Dentistry?

Holistic Dentistry offers us a more than interesting vision of thinking about our body and our health. Holistic dentistry has been gaining popularity. More and more professionals and patients are interested in exploring it. Its premise is to contemplate the dental structure as a reflection of the totality of the individual. From this perspective, alterations in the teeth, mouth, and even the tongue and lips could be related to conditions rooted in other organs, and vice versa. Here we explain in more detail what holistic dentistry is all about and how it is applied today.

What does the concept of holistic dentistry refer to?

The  “holistic” concept is often misunderstood in traditional medicine. This term is associated with therapies considered “alternative “, as opposed to generally focus on methods pharmacotherapy.

But in reality, “holistic” does not specifically refer to a method or set of therapeutic techniques. The word comes from Greek and can be translated as “whole” ( Greek ὅλος holos “all, whole, entire”) or “in the whole”.  In the different areas of health, the holistic approach proposes that the systems and their properties should be analyzed as a whole, in an integral and dynamic way, and not as a sum of isolated parts.

Dr. Pascal Terjanian has previously talked about the relationship between oral health and general being. In this article, we will elaborate further and focus on how holistic dentistry is applied.

What does holistic dentistry mean and how is it applied?

Specifically, in dentistry, the holistic approach invites us to observe the patient and their state of health, through the mouth-oral cavity and teeth. This means that oral health should not ignore other aspects of the physical and mental health of individuals, their habits, lifestyle, and even their psychological & emotional state.

Although it may sound strange to us, the importance of this topic has been supported by clinical observations and scientific studies. Very often,  we see systemic diseases manifest through alterations in oral health. In the same way that various dental problems can be the starting point of a disorder in another part of the body.

This is where the knowledge and skills of an expert in holistic dentistry come into play. The dental professional should be able to when evaluating the oral cavity and the symptoms reported by the patient, relate them to possible underlying health problems. 

In addition,  holistic dentists are increasingly focusing on the prevention of systemic complications associated with oral treatments. For example, they propose to reduce or eliminate the use of metals in the repair of teeth, replacing them with more “neutral” materials such as carbon and fiberglass.

What is the relationship between oral health and overall health ?

There is much evidence that oral health is not limited to the mouth and teeth,  but is related to other organs of the body, in addition to the emotions and psychological complexity of each person.

The most recognized case, probably, is that of diabetes. Diabetic patients are known to be more vulnerable to oral diseases,  as their bodies tend to be less resistant to infections. On the other hand, there are studies that show how periodontal problems increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

How do mental health, anxiety, and stress affect the oral health?

Anxiety and stress affect a large part of the global population, they also weaken the immune system and reduce our defenses against infections. This can cause a negative impact on oral health. In addition, stress can increase the risk of bruxism, since it often creates the unconscious habit of clenching or grinding the teeth.

The blog by Dr. Pascal Terjanian

Preventative dentistry is a major focus of Dr. Pascal Terjanian’s practice. He considers the role of nutrition and overall physical health when assessing dental issues and appropriate treatments. Good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups form the foundations of preventative dentistry. Dr. Pascal Terjanian maintains a blog on dental issues, covering preventative dentistry topics as well as providing information on warning signs that might warrant professional attention. The blog plays an important role in his strategy for providing quality preventative care.