What Makes a Holistic Dental Cleaning Different Than Traditional

As a holistic dentist, I get this question all the time: “What exactly is a holistic cleaning, and how is it different from what I get at a traditional dental office?” It’s a great question, and the answer goes much deeper than just the products we use.

The Core Difference: It’s About Your Whole Body

Cleanings in general are taking the plaque and the food off your teeth and making your teeth stronger. But a holistic cleaning is going to be without fluoride. Holistic people don’t want to ingest fluoride because it’s a toxicity. And I totally understand that.

Here’s the thing – as you’re going to a holistic dentist, what I care about is your whole body, not just your mouth. This means I want to know what supplements you’re eating or taking every day. Because what you put in your body directly affects your oral health in ways most people never realize.

Why We Skip the Fluoride (And What We Use Instead)

I use components that can strengthen your teeth without the help of fluoride. Fluoride is up there. It can strengthen your teeth. We know that. It’s just we don’t want to ingest it. I always say to my little kids in my practice, it’s for your teeth, not your belly. It can make your teeth strong. But if you don’t want to touch that at all, which I certainly understand, then you need to make your teeth stronger in other ways.

That’s where hydroxyapatite comes in. Hydroxyapatite is a component that can make your teeth strong. I’ve done lots of research with this and what types of toothpaste and which kinds of components you can use in your mouth there. Research confirms that nano-hydroxyapatite has significant remineralizing effects on initial enamel lesions, certainly superior to conventional fluoride.

Here’s what makes hydroxyapatite so special: it’s also the exact component your teeth are made of. It can be mined from the earth, and it’s a component that is safe to ingest that can remineralize teeth. Studies show that hydroxyapatite toothpaste is equal to fluoride toothpaste when it comes to efficacy for remineralization.

The 10% Rule That Most Companies Miss

There are components that make your teeth stronger called varnishes. Now they are laced with fluoride. Typically most fluoride treatments are varnish. They’re now making varnishes that contain hydroxyapatite.

But here’s something crucial that I discovered: they did some research to find out how much hydroxyapatite should be in a toothpaste or should be in a varnish. And it turned out that 10% is the sweet spot.

There are lots of holistic toothpastes out there, but they don’t realize that it has to be at a certain level to help you. And so, they put 3% hydroxyapatite. They even advertise it. And I’m thinking, well, I’ve read all these studies and all the studies show that it has to be at a 10% level to make your teeth strong.

There are toothpastes out there that make your teeth strong at the 10% level. And those are the products we buy and use when we’re cleaning your teeth holistically. Of course, we’d avoid fluoride, but we’re not compromising on effectiveness.

The Supplement Conversation Your Regular Dentist Isn’t Having

Here’s where holistic dentistry gets really interesting – and where most traditional dental offices miss a huge piece of the puzzle. We want to know what supplements you’re eating or taking every day, because some of them are working against your oral health in ways you’d never expect.

My dad, every time I meet with him for lunch, he brings a plastic bag of supplements half full. I get it. He loves supplements. He wants to make his body healthy the right way. But I try to explain to him – some of those supplements can really dry your mouth out.

And when your mouth is dry, you get more decay. Research shows that patients taking multiple medications have significantly higher rates of dry mouth – from 17% with no medications to 67% with seven or more medications.

The Hidden Culprits Drying Out Your Mouth

We look at the whole body and what you’re putting in it while you’re getting your cleaning. We’re going to talk about what supplements you’re using. Ginseng dries your mouth out. A lot of the vitamins, vitamin A and B have shown to be very drying.

Studies confirm that certain supplements, including vitamin A, can affect saliva production. You have to be careful if you’re drying your mouth out. Your body can’t fight against decay. When saliva production decreases, you’re more vulnerable to tooth decay, gum disease and other dental issues.

As a patient, I talk with you about what you’re putting in your body and what you’re doing because a lot of people are taking over the counter things too that cause drying of the mouth. This whole-body approach is what sets holistic dentistry apart.

A lot of antihistamines, a lot of sleep aids will dry your mouth out. So if they’re doing stuff like that, we say try to increase your water. We’re investing in you and we’re investing in the health of your mouth. And we need to know what you’re putting in your mouth to invest in you.

Why This Whole-Body Approach Matters

The connection between your supplements and your oral health isn’t something most people think about. But when I see patients who are doing everything right – brushing, flossing, eating well – and they’re still getting cavities, we start looking at their supplement routine.

Research indicates that dry mouth affects about 1 in 5 people, and the risk increases with age and medication use. Your mouth needs adequate saliva to neutralize acids, wash away food particles, and fight bacteria. When supplements interfere with that natural process, even the best oral hygiene routine can fall short.

What to Expect During Your Holistic Cleaning

During your holistic cleaning, I’m not just focused on removing plaque and polishing your teeth. I’m having a conversation about your lifestyle, your supplement routine, and any medications you’re taking. We talk about alternatives when possible, or strategies to counteract the drying effects of necessary supplements.

I use products that strengthen your teeth naturally – like those 10% hydroxyapatite varnishes and toothpastes I mentioned. We avoid fluoride completely, but we’re not compromising on protection. Clinical studies demonstrate that hydroxyapatite is as effective as fluoride for preventing dental caries.

The Bottom Line

Holistic dental care isn’t just about using different products – it’s about understanding that your mouth is connected to your entire body. Every supplement you take, every medication you’re on, every health choice you make affects your oral health.

When I clean your teeth holistically, I’m treating you as a whole person, not just a set of teeth. That’s the difference. And for my patients who want to avoid fluoride while still maintaining strong, healthy teeth, this approach gives them the best of both worlds – effective, natural oral care that considers their entire health picture.

Your mouth deserves care that looks at the big picture. Because when we treat your whole body, your smile – and your health – truly shine.