The Foundation of Wellness: Why Your Dentist Should Care About Your Whole Body

In our modern world, we often compartmentalize our health. We see a cardiologist for our heart, a primary care physician for our general health, and a dentist for our teeth. But at Smiles by Shields, we operate from a fundamental truth: good overall health begins with healthy teeth and gums.

This perspective defines Integrative Dentistry (sometimes referred to as biological or holistic dentistry). Dental care is essential for supporting your overall well-being, encompassing body, mind, and spirit. It means taking a health-conscious approach to your dental concerns, always taking into account the often-overlooked impact of hidden dental issues, like infections or materials, on your total wellness.

This philosophy is driven by one simple, profound guiding principle: the Hippocratic Oath, which begins with the statement, “First, do no harm”. We take that principle very seriously.

For too long, certain dental materials and standard procedures have actually done more harm than good. Our commitment at Smiles by Shields is to provide you with the best smile possible for a long and vibrantly healthy lifetime. We advocate a preventative approach to both oral and systemic health. We aim to optimize your health now and prevent problems from arising in the first place.

This holistic focus is why the dark, traditional filling in your mouth, the one you might think is silver, is the first place we look when discussing true wellness.

Unmasking the “Silver” Filling: The 50% Neurotoxin

If you have traditional, dark-colored fillings, you likely call them silver fillings. It is an understandable mistake, but the reality of their composition is startling, and it’s critical for you to know what is actually inside your mouth.

Despite the name, this material, known as dental amalgam, is not primarily silver. It is, in fact, approximately 50% mercury, mixed with much smaller amounts of tin, silver, and copper.

Why is this a major concern for an integrative practice like Smiles by Shields? Because mercury is not merely a heavy metal, it is a potent neurotoxin. To be precise, mercury is considered one of the most toxic substances on Earth.

You might think that because the filling is solid, the mercury must be locked in. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Though the amalgam filling looks solid and stable, it constantly releases mercury vapor. Every single time you bite, chew, drink hot liquids, or even brush your teeth, a small bit of that toxic vapor is released. This happens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Accumulation Risk

For patients who are pursuing a truly healthy, wellness-focused lifestyle, the idea of a neurotoxin constantly off-gassing into their body is alarming, and rightly so. Over time, that mercury vapor, inhaled and absorbed, can accumulate in vital organs. These organs include the liver and, critically, the brain. This accumulation can, ultimately, contribute to a wide range of chronic health problems.

This is why, at Smiles by Shields, the commitment to your total health means taking a firm stance: we are Mercury-Free and Mercury-Safe. We do not place mercury amalgam fillings, ever.

The S.M.A.R.T. Solution: Why Removal Requires Extreme Caution

If you have made the decision to remove existing amalgam fillings to protect your total health, that process must be handled with specialized care. Since mercury is toxic to both the patient and the environment, strict safety procedures must be followed during removal.

The removal of amalgam fillings is more complex than simply drilling them out. As the filling is drilled, it generates heat, causing a massive temporary release of mercury vapor that can expose both the patient and the dental team to high levels of toxins.

This is why Smiles by Shields adheres to the S.M.A.R.T. (Smart Certified Amalgam Removal) protocols. These protocols are the strict safety standards put in place to ensure your health and safety, as well as the safety of our team and the environment, are protected during the removal procedure. Choosing an office that is Smart Certified is the single most important step you can take toward safe mercury removal.

If you are considering having your amalgam fillings replaced, it is essential to understand that this is not a general dentistry procedure; it is a specialized health procedure that requires specific training and equipment to prevent further exposure.

Restoring Your Smile with Biocompatible Materials

Once an amalgam filling is safely removed, the tooth needs to be restored. In traditional dentistry, this restoration might involve materials that are still not ideal for systemic health. However, because we practice integrative dentistry, our focus is always on biocompatibility.

When restorations are called for, we use only materials that support your body’s health. This is why we use only tooth-colored materials to restore your teeth. Specifically, our materials are BPA-free and fluoride-free composites or ceramics. These choices ensure that your dental restoration is long-lasting, reliable, and protective of both your oral health and your total body wellness.

Whether we are addressing an old amalgam filling, a large cavity, or extensive tooth damage, our materials and methods prioritize minimizing the progression of decay or tooth loss. When decay or tooth damage is too extensive for a filling, a crown or a bridge may be necessary, and we provide these using the same aesthetic and biocompatible ways.

A Comprehensive Commitment: Minimally Invasive and Low-Toxin Care

Our commitment to a holistic, “do no harm” philosophy extends far beyond just fillings. At Smiles by Shields, every aspect of our practice is designed to minimize systemic burden on your body.

1. Rejecting Fluoride

Just like mercury, we recognize that fluoride is a neurotoxicant. Therefore, we choose to be a Fluoride-Free practice. Our focus on preventative care and excellent hygiene, supported by information and guidance, is designed to help you achieve a cavity-free smile without reliance on neurotoxic substances.

2. Minimizing Radiation Exposure

While visual exams are important, sometimes we must look within the tooth and supporting tissues to check for decay, infection, or bone loss. That is where X-ray imaging comes into play.

When X-rays are necessary, we use only digital imaging. This choice is deliberate because digital imaging minimizes your exposure to harmful radiation. Some studies suggest that digital imaging uses up to 90% less radiation than conventional film X-rays.

Furthermore, for the radiation you are exposed to, we go the extra mile: we have a homeopathic remedy available to counteract its effects. This holistic approach is rare, demonstrating our dedication to supporting your body’s health down to the smallest detail.

3. The Least Invasive Approach

When treatment is needed, we always favor the least invasive approach. This is known as minimally invasive dentistry, which assures that you only receive the treatment you absolutely need.

Why is this important? Every time a tooth is drilled and worked on, it causes trauma to its inner layers, specifically the living pulp. The less trauma your teeth undergo, the healthier they can be in the long term. Whether we are addressing crowded or gapped teeth, overbites, or crossbites, our goal is to use biocompatible solutions, such as clear braces, to solve these problems while minimizing trauma.

4. Managing Anxiety

We understand that most people have some level of anxiety toward dental procedures. The holistic approach is not just clinical; it’s compassionate. If anxiety is a concern for you, we can recommend options, including sedation dentistry, so that your necessary care can be provided comfortably and safely.

Looking Beyond the Fillings: Integrative Dental Services

Our commitment to holistic health means we offer comprehensive services designed to support your total wellness. These include:

• Preventative Care: Regular dental appointments, typically every 6 months or more often if needed, are seen as a critical opportunity to contribute to your total wellness. We provide professional cleanings, information, and guidance to help you reach your health goals.
• Restorations and Replacements: We offer durable and protective options like Dental Implants for replacing missing teeth, which protect both oral function and total body wellness.
• Cosmetic Treatments: Aesthetic procedures, such as Porcelain Veneers to reshape your smile and professional whitening options, are always performed with an eye toward overall health and preservation.
• Advanced Technologies: We use the Fotona Laser for non-invasive treatments, including helping patients reduce or eliminate snoring and improving fine lines and wrinkles in the face.

We also specialize in issues that often go misdiagnosed or mistreated, such as:

• Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Snoring is more than an annoyance; it is a serious condition that can raise the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, memory problems, and diabetes. It may also signal sleep apnea, a disorder where breathing periodically stops throughout the night.
• Jaw Pain and Headache Solutions: Chronic headaches, neck pain, and shoulder pain often have dental causes. When this is the case, seeking a dental solution is far more effective than continuously treating the symptom with painkillers or other therapies.

Your Next Step Toward Total Wellness

Wellness dentistry begins at home with good oral hygiene, a nutrient-rich diet, physical activity, good sleep, and stress management. Our role at Smiles by Shields is to support you in these efforts.

We frequently see patients who reach out to us after years of living with debilitating chronic illnesses that they believe may stem from their mercury fillings or other undiagnosed dental conditions. We are happy to work collaboratively with your physicians and other caregivers, sharing information and coordinating treatments in the quest to create positive outcomes.

Choosing an Integrative Family Dentistry practice like Smiles by Shields means choosing to view your dental health as inseparable from your overall health. You deserve to know what is happening in your mouth and to have confidence that the materials used and the procedures performed are supporting your health, not undermining it.

If you are ready to learn more about safely removing your amalgam fillings, or if you simply want to transition to a truly health-conscious dental practice committed to your long-term wellness, becoming a patient is easy.

We invite you to request an appointment today and begin your journey toward a brighter, healthier, and mercury-free future.

We look forward to partnering with you on your path to wellness.