At this Jacksonville, Florida dental office we practice holistic dentistry. If you’ve never heard of holistic dentistry, we’re not surprised. Ours is a unique subset of the field and one we are proud and excited to bring to our patients. Holistic dentistry is grounded in the belief that the body works together as one whole being. Things like stress, poor diet, and oral hygiene all have a profound effect on how our body works, and it is important to understand how the health of the teeth and gums can play a crucial part in the health of our entire body. Practicing holistic dentistry is a privilege we take very seriously, and ensuring that our patients understand the superior level of care they receive at Smiles By Shields is what brings them back every six months.

Gateway To the Well Body

A pillar of holistic dentistry is that the health of the mouth relies on the health of the body and that the health of the body relies on the health of the mouth. At this Jacksonville, Florida dental practice we take this very seriously and do everything we can to educate our patients on the mouth-body connection. For us this connection is easy to see. For example if you have a chipped, broken, or decaying tooth it makes it difficult to chew rough foods. Rough foods are most often nutrient-dense which creates a situation where a patient may choose softer, less nourishing foods to remain comfortable. Over time the consuming of nutrient-poor foods robs the body of essential vitamins and minerals needed to fortify the teeth and keep the gums healthy. This negative feedback loop can cause further decay and disease within the mouth which can make it more and more difficult for the patient to eat. Not consuming healthy foods also leads to a situation where the body is undernourished and this can wreak havoc on many other body systems.

In that same vein, infection and disease in the mouth – such periodontal disease – are cases of chronic inflammation. This bacterial overgrowth puts constant strain on the immune system, suppressing it and preventing it from doing its job elsewhere in the body. Periodontal disease has been successfully linked by hundreds of peer-reviewed studies to many chronic disorders including: Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and the list continues to grow. By teaching our patients how to prevent oral disease, we can also help them lead healthier lives that may be void of other chronic inflammatory diseases.

Treating the Whole of You

While we do focus on the mouth here at this Jacksonville, Florida dental practice, our goal is to treat all of you. We believe that by setting our patients up for success with a beneficial dental wellness routine we can inspire them to care for their whole body better. Our associations with the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, IABDM, and  the Holistic Dental Association help us to provide our patients with the best care based on the most up-to-date science concerning dental health and overall well being. Here it’s not just about filling a cavity or placing veneers, it’s about creating a strong, healthy set of teeth that can help you achieve whole body wellness.

Holistic Dentistry Means Doing No Harm

Finally, one of the most important aspects of what is holistic dentistry is consciously choosing products and treatments that will provide excellent dental care without causing any harm to the patients. Dental science has come a long way over the past hundred years, yet some of the toxic solutions to oral maladies still plague the practice. Things like fluoride treatments, amalgam fillings, and BPA-laden instruments and accessories will never be found in this office.

Anything that has the potential to cause our patients physical or mental harm are not welcome.

Dr. Shields and her team are all SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) Certified, and will only use methods of filling cavities, fortifying teeth, and treating disease that has been proven effective and harmless to her patients.

If you are seeking a dentist who cares about your teeth and about your overall well being, it’s time to learn what holistic dentistry is all about. Choosing this Jacksonville, Florida dental practice can improve your life while changing the way you think about dentistry.