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Alternative Dentistry: you didn’t know that?!!!

The first time I heard about alternative dentistry, I didn’t believe it. Suddenly, after being a dentist for 12 years, I discovered that there are different dental therapies than the conventional ones; i.e. Holistic approaches for dentistry. Believe it.
In fact, there is also a holistic dentist who believes that overall oral health is a mirror image for overall medical health of the body; the one’s own psychological and physical condition is directly related to his or her dental health. Holistic dentistry suggests that oral problems might be an etiologic factor or an end result of other illness. For instance, the type of diet you consume influences the health of your teeth and gingiva; furthermore, we all know that vitamins and minerals are essential for the growth and health of oral hard and soft tissue. Herbs as well as supplements are rich sources of several types of vitamins and minerals.
In addition to conventional dental procedures, alternative dentistry utilizes myriad types of other therapies, including:
1. Acupuncture
acupunture
Usually, acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of tinny needles at certain areas of the body; this is to enhance the body to produce more endorphins. Endorphins are the body natural pain killers. This type of treatment causes no pain at all and has no adverse reactions. Experts believe that acupuncture can help the conventional dental treatment by minimizing post-operative pain, reducing gagging reflux, aids in treating dental anxiety pre and post-operatively, and treat TMD (temporo-mandibular joint disorder) effectively.
2. Hypnosis
Hypnosis
When hypnotized, the patient will be in a state of deep relaxation. He or she can respond to the calm repeated suggestions offered by the therapist, this positive response will enhance the patient to block his own pain and fear. Moreover, there will be no need for anesthesia; all dental therapies can be performed painlessly. The patient will not remember anything at all.
Clinically, post-operative hypnotic suggestion is made before the patient is awakened.
Actually, the action of hypnosis resembles the action of sleep dentistry; it can be used in pain management, and to eliminate most types of dental phobias. Of course, only a qualified dentist can use hypnotherapy.
3. Homeopathy
Homeopathy
Homeopathy utilizes the Law of Similars; this therapeutic law suggests that a remedy which can treat a disease effectively can treat another disease having the same symptoms. Homeopathy uses weak or tiny doses of certain medical substances to stimulate the body to intensify his own healing potentials to start the process of healing. These medical substances are produced in the laboratory, and they are well tested for their safety and effectiveness. For example, oral surgeon can give a substance called arnica to promote the process of wound healing after minor dental surgeries.
4. Herbs
A lot of herbs have proved their effectiveness in treating manifestations related to dental problems, like:
  • For the treatment of oral infections; aloe vera (astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral) and goldenseal (antibiotic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory)
  • For treatment of dental pain; clover (antiseptic, and local anesthetic), and winter green (analgesic, and anti-inflammatory)
  • For treatment of mouth sores; red rasberry tea, and tea tree oil(antibacterial, and antifungal)
  • For treatment of bleeding; rinsing with solutions containing aloe vera and brown tea.
Definitely, I was amazed after knowing these facts about alternative dentistry, what about you?!!
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