Biological Oral Care. What is it and why does it matter?

Isn’t all dentistry biological?

Well, yes. The whole mouth is a bunch of biology. But the term “biological dentistry” has taken on a somewhat specific meaning. At its core: it’s a way of thinking about how the mouth affects the body and vice versa. And that drives our decision-making processes in how we identify problems and their sources and, ultimately, their solutions.

You may have heard of Biological Dentistry being used interchangeably with “Holistic Dentistry.” Some people even refer to “Integrative Dentistry” or “Functional Dentistry.” Those who identify with one or more of these terms should have a very sincere appreciation for the importance of the mouth-body connection.

Biological, holistic, functional, integrative. Why so many names?

Even dentists use these names almost interchangeably. And some dentists may even consider themselves holistic or biological without a thorough understanding of what this means for how this art of dentistry is practiced.

So pretty much interchangeable terms?

Here’s what I’ve learned in the last year or so. There are definitely similarities, but they aren’t exactly the same. Here are how the Holistic Dental Association (HDA) and the International Association of Biological Dentistry and Medicine (IABDM) generally define the terms, respectively:

Holistic dentistry involves an awareness of dental care as it relates to the entire person—mind, body, and spirit. Decisions are made to support enhancement of personal health and wellness while feeling loved, accepted, and understood. The goal is to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support while offering dental care that recognizes that the mouth does not exist in isolation from the rest of the body. There is a belief in an inter-disciplinary approach to health that facilitates the individual’s innate ability to heal her/himself.

Biological Dentistry is the practice of dentistry that considers how dental procedures can impact the rest of the body, and how the overall health (or lack of health) of an individual can interact with the mouth. It is a way of practicing dentistry with the belief that oral health is connected to overall health, and that problems in the mouth can affect other parts of the body. There is also an emphasis on an inter-disciplinary approach to health that aims to optimize an individual’s ability to reach their healthiest potential.

Confused? It can be. But let’s not get too caught up with names. Because here’s the bottom line: the mouth is not isolated from the rest of the body. So what is really important is that we recognize this fact and provide healthcare services and advice with this recognition.

There are large portions of holistic dentistry and biological dentistry that overlap. Holistic dentistry emphasizes the relationship between the mouth and body. Biological dentistry emphasizes the interaction of materials and functions of the mouth on the entire body. Both are important considerations that should be a part of every dental decision.

But let’s not get too caught up with names.

The more, the better.

The more dentists and healthcare providers we have who recognize this, the better. Instead of reacting to problems as they arise, we should have a more functional understanding of the root causes of issues—so we can truly treat and prevent.

The mouth and body are much more connected than we ever imagined.

The mouth was (and sadly, still is) often viewed as a mostly mechanical organ simply there to crush food, speak eloquent (or not) words, and make one more attractive if fortunate enough to have straight, pearly whites. However, the oral cavity is the much more than that. Here are just a few other facts about the mouth:

• It is the home of many MANY microorganisms. We always want to play nice with them.

• It is the entry to the gut. Familiarize yourself with the fascinating world of studies being done on microbiomes and the brain-gut relationship and you’ll see that your mouth is more than just a crushing machine!

• The mouth is the downstairs flat-mate to the nasal airway. Imagine if your neighbors downstairs started raising their ceiling. They’d end up with a nice cathedral ceiling. But you’d end up with your floors only a few feet from your ceiling. Imagine living like that. WELL . . . imagine breathing like that!

• The tongue is a very large and strong occupant in the mouth. It is often also made to feel very unwelcome by the arrangement of teeth “fencing" it in. So it often starts to hang out in the “back yard.” The problem is: that’s the airway’s space. Now you’ve got obstructed breathing and obstructed sleep. Not good. And the mouth is a contributor in this not good situation.

• There are so many more to list!  

A biological dentist is more likely to evaluate these additional considerations (and more) when overseeing your oral health. At Restoration Dentistry, our aim is to evaluate, identify, and help restore the oral cavity’s positive contributions to your overall health. We hope to meet you soon! Until then…

Wishing you prosperity and health,

Restoration Dentistry

PS - Please take some time to reach out to us via the Contact Us page. We are excited to meet you and hope to begin a journey toward health and maintenance soon.