West Bowmanville Family Dental is a holistic dentistry practice, but what does that mean? It means when you visit our dentist, we consider not only your dental health but its relationship to your overall health, so we take into account your whole body.
The Systemic Connection Between Dental and General Health
Previously, oral health used to be treated as a separate issue from overall health, but we now know better, and oral health is closely linked to your general health. What happens in your mouth, the treatments and the materials used can all affect your general health. Conversely, certain health conditions like diabetes, for example, or other diseases that suppress the immune system can affect your dental health.
Another good example is gum disease in Newcastle, which typically begins with gums that bleed when brushed or closed or at other times. Usually, when gums are strong and healthy, they create a seal around teeth, but if they begin to bleed, it creates a way for bacteria to enter the body. It doesn’t take long for bacteria normally confined to your mouth to make their way around your circulatory system.
Until a few years ago, very little thought was given to how this could impact overall health. However, around 20 years ago, a link between people with cardiovascular problems and gum disease emerged. Studies into this link have now established that people with advanced gum disease in Bowmanville can have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems.
What to Expect When Visiting a Holistically Oriented Dental Practice?
Anyone visiting our practice for the first time can expect to receive a comprehensive dental exam. We review your medical history in case there are any factors that could impact your oral health or vice versa. We want to ensure that any treatments recommended will be safe and effective. Once we have finished your dental exam, we can recommend a suitable preventive dental care plan to help you maintain good oral health. Our practice uses dental materials and techniques to help protect your dental and general health. These include amalgam-free fillings, metal-free crowns, bridges, and even metal-free dental implants in Clarington.
Amalgam or metal-coloured fillings have been widely used for decades, and the material is hard-wearing and durable. However, nowadays, better materials are available, and we can fabricate fillings from composite resin or porcelain. Both these materials are extremely biocompatible, closely mimicking your natural tooth structure and providing virtually invisible restorations, blending in beautifully with your natural teeth.
If you need amalgam fillings removed, we take extensive precautions to remove them safely. These precautions include using a high filtration system to capture any mercury vapour released, and the tooth is isolated with a rubber dam, ensuring you cannot swallow any fragments. Once removed, the amalgam is disposed of correctly to avoid harming the environment.
If you require crowns or bridges, these can be made from porcelain or zirconia, a tough ceramic material that is naturally tooth coloured are ideal for people with metal sensitivities or allergies and who prefer having metal-free dental restorations in Courtice. We are one of the few dental practices in North America that provide metal-free dental implants using the CeraRoot ceramic implants system. These dental implants are made from zirconia and are tough and durable. Usually, dental implants are made from titanium, another biocompatible material, and it is incredibly rare for people to have an allergy to this metal. However, not everyone feels comfortable with the thought of anything metal in their body, and CeraRoot implants are a good option.
