Holistic Dentistry
With holistic therapies becoming more and more popular, it was only a matter of time until they reached Dentistry. With certain therapies such as Reiki Healing and Acupuncture being introduced into the NHS, holistic therapy is becoming recognized as a great, non-invasive way to relieve anxiety and improve health.
Many Dentists’ are introducing holistic therapies into their dental practice by hiring a therapist or holistic-trained Dental Nurse- some Dentists are even choosing to provide these services themselves and referring to themselves as “Holistic Dentists”.
“Holistic Dentistry” basically means that the clinician views the health of the mouth as part of the general health of the patient. Rather than relying on general medicine to cure the problem, it is thought that natural supplements and healing can do this instead. Of course there are certain situations where conventional medicine is needed however.
Holistic therapies that are currently being offered in dentistry are:
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture involves inserting tiny needles into certain points of the body to alleviate pain and sickness and promote good health. It can be used during pregnancy to help ease labour, to help with joint/muscular problems and even help alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Acupuncture originates from China originally and is now very popular in the west.
Acupuncture can help dental patients by:
• Reducing the pain/swelling from invasive treatment, particularly surgical.
• Easing fear and nerves prior to appointments.
• Helping patients control a particularly strong gag reflex.
• Easing jaw pain.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy involves the use of natural remedies to help the body to naturally heal itself. On visitation to a Homeopath, he/she will take a detailed account of your situation and prescribe you with natural remedies which can come in lots of different forms. Some common remedies include Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Clover and Tea Tree Oil. Homeopathy can help dental patients by:
• Helping with pain relief. A common remedy for pain relief is Clover.
• Soothing inflammation pre or post-treatment. A common remedy for inflammation is Willow Bark.
• Helping to treat oral infections or abrasions. A common remedy for oral infections, e.g. Herpes; is Lysine.
• Helping to alleviate fear/anxiety. A common remedy for anxiety is Phosphorus.
• Aiding the body’s natural healing process. A common remedy for the promotion of natural healing is Black Walnut.
Reiki Healing
Reiki is an ancient form of healing which originated in Japan and works by clearing the seven major chakras (energy points) of any blockages that can cause physical, mental or emotional symptoms. Reiki means “universal life force”. Universal life force represents an unlimited supply of energy which once tapped into, flows through the body and cleanses on every level. Reiki helps heal physical illness whether it is acute or chronic and because of this can help dental patients greatly. Having Reiki healing is deeply relaxing and involves being lay down for about an hour whilst the practitioner places their hands on certain energy points in the body. Reiki can help dental patients by:
• Helping put patients at ease and relax them before or after treatment.
• Helping to conquer fear or anxiety of dentistry.
• Encouraging the body’s natural defences to speed up recovery after a treatment which has caused trauma to the mouth such as a difficult extraction or implant placement.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is an alternative therapy that involves the use of oils specifically extracted from plants. These oils are called essential oils and the use of them varies from lifting one’s mood to helping improve one’s health. Aromatherapy works in two ways; the aroma from the essential oils has an influence on the brain, so for example, it can make you feel better if you are down and also because the oils are directly extracted from plants, they can have healing and medicinal properties.
Aromatherapy complements dentistry very well. The last thing a patient wants to smell when they enter a dental practice is disinfectant or the smell of burning acrylic after a denture ease! Having some form of scent machine such as a diffuser would make a big difference to how patients perceive dentistry and would make the practice a much more welcoming place. Gently massaging essential oils into the temples is also another great way of relaxing and easing the patient.
With holistic therapies becoming more and more popular, it was only a matter of time until they reached Dentistry. With certain therapies such as Reiki Healing and Acupuncture being introduced into the NHS, holistic therapy is becoming recognized as a great, non-invasive way to relieve anxiety and improve health.
Many Dentists’ are introducing holistic therapies into their dental practice by hiring a therapist or holistic-trained Dental Nurse- some Dentists are even choosing to provide these services themselves and referring to themselves as “Holistic Dentists”.
“Holistic Dentistry” basically means that the clinician views the health of the mouth as part of the general health of the patient. Rather than relying on general medicine to cure the problem, it is thought that natural supplements and healing can do this instead. Of course there are certain situations where conventional medicine is needed however.
Holistic therapies that are currently being offered in dentistry are:
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture involves inserting tiny needles into certain points of the body to alleviate pain and sickness and promote good health. It can be used during pregnancy to help ease labour, to help with joint/muscular problems and even help alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Acupuncture originates from China originally and is now very popular in the west.
Acupuncture can help dental patients by:
• Reducing the pain/swelling from invasive treatment, particularly surgical.
• Easing fear and nerves prior to appointments.
• Helping patients control a particularly strong gag reflex.
• Easing jaw pain.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy involves the use of natural remedies to help the body to naturally heal itself. On visitation to a Homeopath, he/she will take a detailed account of your situation and prescribe you with natural remedies which can come in lots of different forms. Some common remedies include Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Clover and Tea Tree Oil. Homeopathy can help dental patients by:
• Helping with pain relief. A common remedy for pain relief is Clover.
• Soothing inflammation pre or post-treatment. A common remedy for inflammation is Willow Bark.
• Helping to treat oral infections or abrasions. A common remedy for oral infections, e.g. Herpes; is Lysine.
• Helping to alleviate fear/anxiety. A common remedy for anxiety is Phosphorus.
• Aiding the body’s natural healing process. A common remedy for the promotion of natural healing is Black Walnut.
Reiki Healing
Reiki is an ancient form of healing which originated in Japan and works by clearing the seven major chakras (energy points) of any blockages that can cause physical, mental or emotional symptoms. Reiki means “universal life force”. Universal life force represents an unlimited supply of energy which once tapped into, flows through the body and cleanses on every level. Reiki helps heal physical illness whether it is acute or chronic and because of this can help dental patients greatly. Having Reiki healing is deeply relaxing and involves being lay down for about an hour whilst the practitioner places their hands on certain energy points in the body. Reiki can help dental patients by:
• Helping put patients at ease and relax them before or after treatment.
• Helping to conquer fear or anxiety of dentistry.
• Encouraging the body’s natural defences to speed up recovery after a treatment which has caused trauma to the mouth such as a difficult extraction or implant placement.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is an alternative therapy that involves the use of oils specifically extracted from plants. These oils are called essential oils and the use of them varies from lifting one’s mood to helping improve one’s health. Aromatherapy works in two ways; the aroma from the essential oils has an influence on the brain, so for example, it can make you feel better if you are down and also because the oils are directly extracted from plants, they can have healing and medicinal properties.
Aromatherapy complements dentistry very well. The last thing a patient wants to smell when they enter a dental practice is disinfectant or the smell of burning acrylic after a denture ease! Having some form of scent machine such as a diffuser would make a big difference to how patients perceive dentistry and would make the practice a much more welcoming place. Gently massaging essential oils into the temples is also another great way of relaxing and easing the patient.
