Cosmetic Dentistry: Why Holistic Dentists Think it’s Important

Dr Ron Ehrlich discusses why the term ‘cosmetic dentistry’ is often not connected with holistic dentistry – and why it should be!

Dr Ehrlich says holistic dentistry and cosmetic dentistry need to be considered together, here’s why.

Whether we like it or not, our appearance makes a difference in our lives in many ways. People judge us, consciously and subconsciously. In many ways, we judge ourselves:

• How confident we are when we smile
• How confident we are to talk
• How others perceive us

So, the way we look and the way our mouth looks is a priority.

Three Important aspects of cosmetic dentistry

So cosmetic dentistry and holistic dentistry are very well aligned. The reasons for pursuing these extend far beyond the fundamental fact it just looks better.

1.    Tooth Whitening

As we age, anything over the age of 20, our tooth colour starts to age too with subtle darkening changes. While we certainly don’t advocate the ‘piano key’ look of white teeth, a fresh, clean look of teeth, particularly as we age, can significantly differentiate how we are perceived and how we perceive ourselves.

So, tooth whitening is something the team at Sydney Holistic Dental Centre recommend as a good idea. Check our section on tooth whitening.

The Tooth Whitening Procedure

Well-fitting, well-made custom trays to hold the whitening gel are essential. Careful instructions to follow are also crucial to as not to overdo it. We certainly don’t advocate sleeping with whitening trays. Home whitening is also an excellent way to go. It’s slower and more gentle, more sustainable, and lower cost. We do in-house whitening for those who need a quick result or don’t feel they can do the two- or three-week whitening period at home.

2.    Teeth Alignment

Aligning teeth will create more space if your teeth are crowded. Teeth crowding is quite common, with either lower- or upper-teeth narrow jaws. This is not only an aesthetic thing, though aesthetics are important.

Three reasons for creating more space to align teeth better:

• Importance of Breathing
  The first reason is to improve your breathing by creating more space for your nasal passages and your sinuses. The shape and size of your upper jaw will determine the shape and size of your nasal passages and sinuses. This significantly impacts how well you breathe. The shape and size of your upper and lower jaw determine how much room your tongue has to be in your mouth. And your tongue has the potential to block your airway. At SHDC, we regard breathing function as the main reason for creating more space for aligning teeth. We recommend Invisalign for more straightforward cases, or we work closely with an orthodontist for more complex issues. Improving your airway and your breathing is the main reason for creating space.
• Keeping Teeth Clean
  The second reason, it’s much easier to clean your teeth if they are well-aligned, compared to trying to clean crowded teeth. Keeping teeth clean is a priority reason for improving teeth alignment.
• Having a Confident Smile
  The third reason is simply to look better! A more confident smile and more confidence in how you are perceived and how you perceive yourself enhances wellbeing in many ways.

So cosmetic dentistry and holistic dentistry are very well aligned. The reasons for pursuing these extend far beyond the fundamental fact it just looks better.

3.    Teeth Function, Cosmetic Dentistry & Oral Health

The third aspect of cosmetic dentistry is providing practical support for oral and general health when you have heavily filled teeth, heavily worn teeth, or missing teeth. With the use of a crown and bridge, an implant, or other significant dental procedures, we can transform a person’s smile, improve their ability to chew and elevate their overall health and wellbeing.

Good chewing enhances good nutrition and is also connected, interestingly enough to cognitive function. A fascinating study from Sydney University published at the beginning of 2020 shows how chewing and cognitive function are closely related. To improve our brain function, we need to chew better!

So cosmetic dentistry and holistic dentistry are very well aligned. The reasons for pursuing these extend far beyond the fundamental fact it just looks better.