Why Biological Dentistry Takes a Whole-Body Approach to Your Smile
When most people think about going to the dentist, they think about their teeth—cleanings, cavities, crowns, fillings, and perhaps creating a more beautiful smile.
But what if your dentist looked beyond your teeth?
That is one of the ideas behind Biological Dentistry. Rather than viewing the teeth and gums as separate from the rest of the body, a biological dentist considers the mouth as an integrated part of the whole person.
Looking at More Than a Tooth
When treating a dental problem, a biological approach considers not only what needs to be repaired, but also how it should be treated and what materials will be used.
What materials are being placed in the mouth? Does the patient have sensitivities or particular health concerns? Are there existing restorations that need attention? What is happening with the gums and surrounding tissues? Are there signs that breathing, airway, or sleep should also be considered?
These are some of the questions that can become part of a biological approach to dental care. The goal isn’t simply to treat a tooth. It is to provide individualized dental care while being mindful of the patient’s overall health.
Does It Matter What Goes Into Your Mouth?
Biological dentistry places particular emphasis on the materials used in dental treatment. Modern dentistry offers many restorative materials, and a biological approach considers material selection as part of individualized patient care. This may be especially important to patients who are health-conscious, medically sensitive, or simply interested in knowing more about the materials being used in their dental treatment.
Your Mouth May Tell a Bigger Story
A whole-body approach can also mean paying attention to things patients may never have associated with dentistry. How do you breathe? Do you breathe primarily through your nose or your mouth? Do you snore? Do you wake feeling rested? Are you grinding or clenching your teeth at night? Is there significant wear or damage to your teeth? A biological dentist may look at these findings not simply as isolated dental problems, but as pieces of a larger picture that may deserve further evaluation.
This doesn’t mean that every dental problem is caused by something elsewhere in the body. It means being willing to ask more questions.
For Dr. Sandford, It’s Personal
For Dr. Merrily Sandford, this approach to healthcare is more than a professional philosophy. It is personal. She is a 16-year cancer survivor, and experiencing serious illness from the patient’s side of healthcare had a profound impact on the way she views health and patient care. Her journey reinforced the importance of looking at the whole person, asking questions, considering treatment options, and allowing patients to participate in decisions about their own healthcare. It also influenced another commitment she made to her patients.
Can You Still Use Dental Insurance?
Many people assume that choosing a biological or holistic dentist means they won’t be able to use their dental insurance. At Dr. Sandford’s office, patients have the opportunity to use their dental insurance.
Why Is That Important to Her?
During her cancer treatment, Dr. Sandford was able to use her health insurance to help receive the care she needed. After experiencing that journey herself, she made a personal commitment that her patients would continue to have the opportunity to use their dental insurance while receiving biological dental care.
For her, a whole-body approach to dentistry shouldn’t mean making dental care unnecessarily difficult to access.
A Different Way of Looking at Dentistry
Biological dentistry doesn’t mean every patient receives the same treatment or makes the same choices. In many ways, it means the opposite. It means asking questions, educating patients, considering individual health histories and preferences, and helping patients make informed decisions about their dental care.
Dr. Sandford combines Biological and Cosmetic Dentistry because she believes dental care can be mindful of health while also creating a beautiful, confident smile.
Perhaps the philosophy can be summed up with one question: Instead of only asking, “How do we fix this tooth?” What if we also asked, “How do we care for this tooth while being mindful of the person it belongs to?”
Because a beautiful smile isn’t just about your teeth.
It’s part of you.
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