Natural & Organic Products in Dentistry – How Are Things Changing?

Since its inception, the practice of dentistry has relied upon harsh chemicals and unnatural materials. In recent years, the dental industry has aggressively tried to shift to more natural and organic materials to negate the potential risks associated with using things like mercury for fillings. Furthermore, many patients have become more health conscious and are demanding that their dentist avoid certain materials.

The shift to natural and organic products has been a major evolution in dentistry. It has made treatments safer and has led to the onset of specialties like holistic dentistry. It’s important for patients to understand what products are being used by their dental professionals. They also need to consider what they are using at home, and if these are the best choices for their oral health and well-being.

Let’s review how dentistry is changing with respect to natural and organic products. We’ll explore the traditional chemicals and materials that are often used to treat dental issues. We’ll also introduce you to popular safe alternatives for a variety of dental procedures and overall personal oral hygiene.

Importance of Safe Dental Materials

By using unsafe materials, you could be undermining your oral health efforts. Think about it this way: you undergo extensive treatments to solve an issue that’s causing you pain and discomfort or could result in the loss of teeth only to suffer a negative reaction from a dental material. This scenario is not only frustrating; it can be detrimental to your overall well-being and pricy to fix.

Knowing that your dentist incorporates as many natural and organic materials into their practice needs to be part of the initial consultation, so make sure you’re asking questions about what kind of materials the Barrie dental clinic uses, before you commit to any procedure – big or small.

Traditional Materials Used in Dental Clinics

Dentistry has always relied upon toxic materials in specific doses to provide a range of treatment to their patients. Some examples include:

• Toxic mercury used for cavity fillings.
• Nickle used to provide crowns, bridges and braces.
• Heavy metals like Cadmium and Aluminum found in dentures.
• Chloroform and Formaldehyde used in certain procedures for children.
• Fluoride, which has been the subject of controversy, used in fillings, dental cements and certain toothpastes.
• Mouthwashes with alcohol, sweeteners, artificial colours and/or preservatives.

Don’t be scared to ask your dentist or their staff what materials they plan to use. If they aren’t sure, you should feel comfortable waiting until they can provide an answer or seek out a new dentist. Ultimately, your dentist should be committed to using safe alternatives to traditional materials, and they should know what’s being used in any of their procedures.

Holistic Dentistry

Georgian Dental® strictly adheres to the principles of holistic dentistry. This approach to oral health considers a patient’s entire well-being, not just what’s best for their mouth. It’s built on the idea of considering factors like a patient’s mental health, emotional state and nutrition with respect to treatment and post-operative care. Another aspect is that it only uses dental materials that are safe and have been tested for compatibility with a patient.

One differentiator between holistic dentistry and traditional dentistry is the use of mercury, a toxin that is harmful to patients and the environment. Holistic dentistry does not use mercury while also working toward removing the amount of mercury that exists in patient’s mouth.

Additionally, this approach rejects the use of chloroform since it is potentially linked to depression of the nervous system and is believed to contribute to kidney and liver failure.

Holistic dentistry extends to post-care to ensure that patients are not simply prescribed strong opioids. It offers alternatives that don’t compromise or extend a patient’s recovery.

By coupling advancements in dental materials with a holistic approach, patients can rest assured that they are receiving the best care without being put in harm’s way. Georgian Dental® is the only clinic in Barrie, Ontario that offers a holistic approach to patient treatment.

Mercury Rescue

For years, mercury has been synonymous with dentistry so much so that many dental professionals ignore the potential harm and risks.

The short-term effects of exposure to this toxin, include:

• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Blood pressure increase
• Heart rate increase
• Eye irritation
• Headache
• Vision issues

The long-term effects of mercury exposure, include:

• Anxiety
• Shyness
• Anorexia
• Trouble sleeping
• Appetite loss
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Forgetfulness
• Tremors
• Changes to one’s vision

To minimize, and eventually eliminate, mercury exposure for patients, Dr. Tan created a proprietary process called Mercury Rescue.

This treatment breaks down into three steps:

• The safe removal of Mercury fillings.
• Their replacement with durable 3D printed biocompatible dental restorations.
• Ongoing care to make sure they function properly.

Biocompatibility

While using natural and organic products is important, a dentist must confirm that a patient is compatible with any material. We work with a recognized naturopath to test how a patient will react to a database of materials. This database consists of different materials and helps a dentist and their staff understand what needs to be avoided and which are safe to use.

The goal is to help a dentist craft a treatment plan tailored to a patient’s compatibility and health.

Best Natural Dental Products

In addition to your dentist using safe materials, you should consider buying natural and organic products for your personal oral hygiene routine.

Here are some recommended brands that you should consider:

Grants Mild Mint with Aloe Vera Toothpaste

This toothpaste gently cleanses teeth while promoting healthy gums. By using organic aloe and natural herbal extracts, it can clean sensitive teeth or can be used by people with mouth ulcers as it won’t irritate the infected areas.

This brand comes in a mild mint flavour made from mint oil, rosemary, sage and thyme and is a great natural option for kids.

Noosa Basics Dental Floss with Activated Charcoal 

This floss is made from bamboo charcoal filament coated with coconut oil and plant-based wax and infused with myrrh, clove and Manuka. This is also a more environmentally-friendly option as it is plastic-free. The floss comes right out of the box.

Dr. Brite Cleansing Mouth Rinse

Dr. Brite naturally whitens teeth while supporting the other components of your oral hygiene routine. It can reduce plaque, detoxify your mouth and freshen breath. The caveat is that it’s on the expensive side and is available only in small proportions.

Its natural ingredients include: organic coconut oil, organic aloe vera juice and spearmint essential oil.

Pollen Botanicals Zoom Teeth Whitener

A food grade alternative to popular toothpaste brands, Zoom is a stiff paste that uses activated charcoal and Australian Bentonite clay to remove stains commonly found on teeth without the aid of dangerous chemicals.

You need to be careful when using activated charcoal but this product gently polishes teeth without harming the enamel and neutralizes bacteria that forms between teeth. It provides safe oral hygiene by using exclusively natural ingredients.

Learn More About Georgian Dental®

We believe that each patient deserves the very best in oral care from the moment they enter our dental clinic all the way through recovery. Your dentist should be aware of any harmful materials or products that they use and should openly communicate any potential side effects.

Georgian Dental® Clinic is proud to embrace a holistic approach to your dental care. contact us today to book an appointment and to learn more about the difference it can make in your oral care and overall health.