L.A. Health News, September 2004
Please realize that biological dentistry is not a true specialty in dentistry, but rather an approach to dentistry which utilizes some aspects of complementary (or “alternative”) therapy.
A biological dentist:
- Will evaluate a patient as a whole person rather than a set of teeth.
- Will respect the intricate inter-relationship between the teeth, the mouth and the body.
- Will definitely not place any silver-mercury amalgams, and if he has to remove any, will follow strict precautionary guidelines.
Beyond these common points, biological dentists will differ in their methods. Some are trained in acupuncture, some in surgeries, bone infections or joint diseases, some in homeopathy, some in hypnosis. Overall, biocompatibility issues are of prime concern to them.
MOUTH/BODY CONNECTION
Diseases of the teeth and the mouth are in essence small-scale versions of other bodily ailments. Many times a disease will manifest itself first in the mouth. Recent studies indicate a strong relationship between bacteria involved in gum disease, and diabetes, coronary heart disease, and joint and kidney inflammation. Bacterial toxins from chronic bone infections or failed root canals, sometimes called “focal infections”, most of which remain unnoticed by the patient, have even more serious and debilitating health consequences.
In this context, doctors in Switzerland and Germany have established a detailed tooth/organ relationship chart to act as a guide for various practitioners.
TEETH AND EMOTIONS
The teeth, being in a part of the body essential to primitive survival instincts such as feeding, fighting, and facial expressions, are linked to deeply emotional centers in the brain. Many times dental treatment will trigger old memories and arouse long-forgotten emotions.
Granted, there will always be some sort of displeasure in going to the dentist. Nowadays, there are many ways to make dental treatment more acceptable. A serene setting, an understanding, open-minded dentist, and plenty of dialogue. Herbal relaxants, aromatherapy, acupressure, Bach flower remedies, homeopathic remedies for anxiety, calming music, distracting movies, hypnosis, acupuncture, all contribute to a serene and positive frame of mind and an optimistic attitude, thus creating conditions for speedier healing, and a better and more successful outcome in therapy.
HOMEOPATHIC DENTISTRY
Many biological dentists use homoeopathic remedies for various purposes. Homeopathy has been used for centuries and relies on the principle of “like curing like.” The remedies usually consist of extremely high dilutions of a substance, where there are no molecules left in solution, but rather the energy “imprint” of that substance on a submolecular level. This will resonate through the body and create a healing effect.
Depending on the dilution, or potency, a remedy can have differing depths of action, ranging from the biochemical/cellular level, down to the emotional/spiritual. In light of the heavy emotional aspects of dental diseases and their treatments, and considering the burden of heavy metal toxicity plaguing more and more people, homoeopathy could be a valuable method of supportive therapy. The broader concept of modem homeopathic therapy may encompass classical or complex homeopathy, homotoxicology, auto-sanguis therapy, nosodes, etc.
Many of these have their origins in Germany, where homoeopathy is well integrated into and tolerated by mainstream medicine. Overall, these modalities can be used in dentistry to address anxiety, pain, sensitivity after fillings, infections and abscesses, gum disease, healing after surgeries, dental trauma, ulcers, and detoxification.