This post is sponsored by Tara Kaur DDS & Associates, a holistic dental wellness clinic in Edina, MN.
As more and more people are starting to take a holistic approach to their health and wellbeing, there’s also growing interest in holistic dentistry. Which makes sense, as oral health and hygiene is connected with overall health. But what can you expect when working with a holistic dentist? And how do they differ from a conventional dentist? Let’s explore a few key differences.
Certifications and Professional Training
First of all, they need to be a doctor of dental surgery (DDS) or a doctor of medicine in dentistry (DMD). Beyond that, you can look for dentists that are part of the Holistic Dental Association or the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. SMART certification means they’re trained to more safely remove mercury amalgam fillings through IAOMT.
Reduced Exposure to Harmful Materials
Holistic dentists avoid using fluoride, which may be surprising since it’s an ingredient that’s so widely accepted as beneficial for cavity prevention. But more and more studies are coming out that point to harmful health effects linked to fluoride exposure, and the simple answer is that we can get remineralization and cavity prevention from a variety of other ingredients without the added health risk.
You will not find heavy metals used in holistic dental offices, and specifically no mercury amalgam fillings. For people looking to have mercury amalgam fillings removed, you’ll want to look for a dentist that is SMART certified to remove these materials as safely as possible for everyone involved.
Lifestyle Medicine
Holistic dentists are interested in whole person health. They may ask you about your nutrition, stress management, sleep, and other aspects of your lifestyle. And they may add lifestyle medicine tips into your overall wellness plan. They’ll help you connect the dots between nutrition, stress, sleep, and oral health.
They often recommend oral health products that are free from harmful ingredients and may be better for the environment. Probiotics and prebiotics are an emerging field of study, and your holistic dentist may have experience with some of these newer products to support the oral microbiome specifically.
Empowered Wellness
Above all, holistic dentists take an empowering approach with their clients. They position themselves more like a partner who’s walking with you rather than an authority figure telling you what to do. You’ll learn from them and feel empowered to make your own decisions regarding your treatment plan.
There are many ways that holistic dentists differ from conventional dentists, and if you’re feeling pulled to find a dentist that shares your holistic approach to health and wellbeing, we have a great holistic dental practice here in the Twin Cities.
Dr. Tara Kaur & Associates is a holistic dental wellness practice in Edina, and their team provides a welcoming and empowering atmosphere for their patients. And Dr. Tara Kaur teaches one of our on-demand classes on Holistic Dental Wellness, which is a great way to learn more about this topic and get to know her as a practitioner.
You can also search our growing directory for holistic dentists or check out the directory of the Holistic Dental Association.