At Precision Family Dental, we are proud to practice holistic dentistry, also known as biological dentistry.
But what is holistic/biological dentistry? You may not have encountered a holistic or biological dentist before coming to our office.
Essentially, a holistic dentist offers traditional dentistry along with alternative and adjunctive therapies to best serve each individual’s specific needs.
Precision Family Dental provides the best in traditional dentistry and combines that with the best from the biological and holistic world. That way, we can offer our patients the very best overall healthcare and oral care.
Some ways our holistic dentist can protect both your oral and overall health through biological dentistry include:
- Using BPA-free composite resins
- SMART mercury amalgam removal
- Offering adjunctive and alternative therapies for gum disease and decay
- Educating patients on the connection between oral and systemic health
Using BPA-Free Composite Resins
Have you heard of BPAs before? BPA stands for , an industrial chemical used to make certain plastics and resins for more than 50 years.
You may have seen BPAs make headlines because of their possible adverse health effects. BPAs are often used in plastic food and beverage containers. When heated (for example, in the microwave), BPAs can potentially leach into your food.
What you may not know is that BPAs are also common in certain dental restorations. Many dentists use certain composite resins that contain BPAs for tooth fillings. Studies have shown that these tooth fillings may leach into your mouth, possibly leading to negative side effects.
At Precision Family Dental, we take care to use only BPA-free composite resins for tooth fillings.
Removing Amalgam Fillings
Additionally, Dr. Adam Piotrowski is certified by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology to practice their SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) technique for amalgam removal. This means he safely removes amalgam fillings, composed of 50% elemental mercury, that may negatively affect your overall health.
The SMART technique is a protocol of additional barriers and suction systems to ensure that vapor and particulate released during the removal procedure are not inhaled or ingested by the patient or any of our team. Once the amalgam filling is removed, Dr. Piotrowski utilizes biocompatible materials, including BPA-free fillings and ceramic, to restore the tooth to a healthy state.
Preventing Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can have an adverse effect on your oral health. But did you know that unhealthy gums can lead to health issues elsewhere in the body?
Studies have shown a link between periodontal disease and other health issues. For example, one study concluded that advanced gum disease (known as periodontitis) may be a risk factor for . Another study showed that the same inflammation caused by periodontal disease may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease for men between the ages of 30 and 64 years old.
At Precision Family Dental, we make sure our patients understand that their mouth is simply another part of their body, which means their oral health will always be linked to their overall health. Just like an infection in your arm can spread elsewhere if left untreated, disease in your gums can lead to health problems beyond just your oral health.
Recommending Additional Therapies for Gum Disease
The best way to ensure healthy gums and prevent gum disease is to brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with an electric toothbrush, floss daily, and get a professional teeth cleaning at least every six months. These are also the steps that can help reverse milder stages of gum disease, such as gingivitis.
In addition to preventative and therapeutic cleanings, Precision Family Dental offers adjunctive therapies to kill the bacteria that cause inflammation and promote healing in the gum tissue.
Educating Patients on New Risks to Their Oral Health
Finally, our holistic dentist can educate patients on risks to both their oral health and their overall health.
Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive oral care possible, while guiding patients to a better understanding of how their oral health connects with their systemic health. We aim to empower our patients with the knowledge they need to care for their mouth and body as a whole.
Learn More About Biological Dentistry
Our Grand Rapids, MI, holistic dentist is committed to protecting both the oral health and the overall health of his patients with biological dentistry. To learn more, call Precision Family Dental at (616) 949-1570, or contact us online to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.