Holistic (Biological) Dentistry, Part 1

You may not have heard of "Holistic or Biological Dentistry." Neither did I--until my wife and I met Dr. Nelson Mari L. Gaba who practices Holistic Dentistry in the Philippines. Dr. Gaba is a registered member of the Holistic Dental Association (HDA-USA), having taken a post-graduate course in Biologic Dentistry at the International Academy of Biologic Dentistry and Medicine in Carmel, California, U.S.A.

In our recent meeting with Dr. Gaba, he emphasized the importance of a healthy mouth and its overall impact on the total health of the individual. He offered the information that the accumulation of toxins in the body is the key factor underlying many health problems, and that dental substances can contribute to toxic build-up in the body. The holistic dentist recognizes the interconnection between the teeth and the rest of the body.

"A balanced, healthy body needs a balanced non-toxic dental treatment. This must be bio-compatible with the entire body and must not compromise general health and well-being. Hence, we do not use metals and all materials are specifically selected for you, with bio-compatibility in mind. We recognize and respect your uniqueness and aim to create a therapeutic environment that is conducive to relaxation achieved through the use of aromatherapy, meditation therapy and other relaxation techniques. Whenever possible homeopathic supplements and other natural products are used for treatment so that further build-up of toxins will be significantly reduced. Acknowledging the invasive nature of dental treatments, procedures should be kept to a minimum. Our focus is prevention. We try to achieve a caring wellness environment where your body can heal itself with the dental treatment being a significant part of the whole balance. We strive to work in harmony with the human body in its entirety, including mind and spirit," underscored Dr. Gaba.

More information that most of us may not have heard about--or realized as crucial to a healthy tooth--were shared by Dr. Gaba:

• The enamel is the tooth's most valuable protective tissue. Without it, the tooth will continue to decay.
  
  
• The better you care for your tooth enamel, the better off you will be.
  
  
• No dental treatment is permanent but damage to tooth structure is permanent.
  
  
• The first criterion that you should use in choosing a procedure to improve the appearance of your tooth is one which does the least damage to it for the greatest improvement.
  
  
• Extensive studies show that all the different parts of our body are interconnected: the oral cavity, the teeth and the dental materials inside it are very important components to the systemic whole; that the health of our mouth is vital to our general health since it is part of the whole body.
  
  
• Whatever dental treatment is performed must be bio-compatible with the whole body and must not compromise your general health and well-being.

[Holistic (Biological) Dentistry, Part 2 will be posted next week--J.P.]