As the saying goes, “We are what we eat.” But we can’t expect to fuel our bodies with nutritious foods if we fail to care for our teeth. As health-conscious consumers, we now have options when it comes to dental care through holistic dentistry, also known as biological dentistry. Holistic dentistry offers alternative modalities for treatment and a consideration of the patient’s health and wellness as a whole. It also recognizes each person as unique, with good dental health an essential part of whole body health.  Within our region, there are a number of holistic practitioners whose alternative treatments may make a trip to the dentist less stressful — and more personal.

Dr. Philip Memoli, Berkeley Heights

With more than 30 years of experience as a dentist, Dr. Philip Memoli begins by assessing a patient’s dental past, present, and future. He provides patients with a comprehensive program of nutrition and homeopathic counseling that takes into consideration their teeth and jaw development. By embracing the tenet of holistic dentistry that believes good health is more than the absence of disease, he assesses patients’ tooth development and mineralization, decay, and jaw development to prevent larger health problems from developing in the future. Dr. Memoli also specializes in the safe removal of amalgam fillings that may contain mercury or other toxic substances. For this, he offers an all-embracing exam that addresses multiple issues.

In contrast to conventional methods such as chelation, an intense method utilizing intravenous injections, Dr. Memoli focuses on nutrition and homeopathy to help the body detoxify naturally. This kind of focused individual attention that is often lacking in conventional dental practices provides holistic dentists an opportunity to present preventative healthcare that diminishes the need for invasive surgeries or potentially harmful drugs.

Aesthetic Family Dentistry, P.A., Denville

Doctors Fine, Steiner, and Kwiatkowski make up Aesthetic Family Dentistry, where they have become well known for restorative dental work and as experts in treating obstructive sleep apnea. As holistic practitioners, they believe it is important to treat each patient as an individual, not just someone experiencing symptoms like those of someone else. That dedication is seen in their sleep apnea appliances, which are custom designed to each patient’s neuromuscular structure and offer a more comfortable alternative to the CPAP machine.

The practice focuses on preventative healthcare, providing procedures such as GLPT (Gentle Laser Periodontal Therapy) that treat periodontal disease without surgery. The group’s dentists also have patients undergo a muscle activity screening rather than a simple bite test to ensure optimal jaw health. And with their dedication to gum health, they refer to patients’ oral DNA to preserve the mouth’s healthy bacteria. This differs from conventional gum care where antibiotics are often prescribed, which can easily disturb the mouth’s natural balance of bacteria.

The alternative products used at Aesthetic Family Dentistry are chosen with care: They use O-Zone therapy in paste form during surgery and other procedures. With an olive oil base, this noninvasive product, which has been thoroughly studied and well documented, is a powerful agent that kills deadly bacteria, viruses, and fungi while not harming healthy cells. Aesthetic Family Dentistry is proud to present services and products that help patients heal quickly and with fewer side effects than most conventional dental treatments.

Dr. David Grayson, Parsippany

In addition to his extensive training in all aspects of dentistry, Dr. David N. Grayson, DDS, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Hypnosis in Dentistry, one of only 17 people worldwide who have achieved that level of training and competence. Dr. Grayson is able to use the safe, natural, and highly effective application of hypnosis to relax and calm anxious and tense patients, avoiding the need for narcotics. Working with the patient, he can use hypnosis to make routine cleanings more comfortable, ease anxiety, and help reduce pain and discomfort during and after procedures like fillings, root canals, and extractions. And, since there are no drugs involved with the treatment, there is no danger of adverse reactions or that “groggy” feeling so often associated with medications

The Natural Dentist: At a Store Near You

At-home dental care has become more important as fewer people have access to dental insurance, according to Kelly Kaplan, president of the Natural Dentist. A company offering mouth and dental care products, the Natural Dentist began in a Saratoga Springs kitchen by a dentist with an interest in herbal remedies who set out to concoct a home-dental care product that was naturally based and free of harmful ingredients. Initially offered only in dental offices, the products bearing the Natural Dentist name have since become available nationwide in stores including  Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Whole Foods, and more. The Natural Dentist mouthwashes in both fluoride and fluoride-free versions don’t contain chlorhexidine, a common ingredient in mouthwashes that can stain teeth and damage taste buds. Whether you are a cancer patient looking to ease the pain of mouth sores or a parent concerned with future adverse health effects on your children, these products are a natural alternative that can be found locally.

Julie Grodsky resides in Stanhope, NJ where she currently teaches Kripalu Yoga locally. A freelance writer with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, Julie finds interest in all aspects of culture, from global to local.