Any parent would surely want to find someone to trust when it comes to taking the best care of their children’s health & well-being. Dr. Daniel Vinograd, an orthodontist and an integrative pediatric dentist based in San Diego, emphasizes, “Different dentists may promise holistic approach, but really, they are not.” He also said “Holistic dentistry has turned out to be the preferred concept.” Dentists who are practicing this holistic discipline believe in the concept that your teeth are vital members of the body, which is a good indicator of your well-being and health. This only means that dental and oral health may also impact other processes involved. Dr. Vinograd also added, “It is a holistic dentist’s main goal to focus on the overall interest of the patient, getting them to the safest place he or she can probably be.” You may ask the following questions to your dentist on your next meeting:
What should be covered in the first examination?
Dr. Vinograd continues, “In general, for a pediatric dentist it takes about 3 to 7 minutes to complete the first examination. In my viewpoint, it is rather unrealistic to get the information I need in a maximum of 7 minutes”. During the initial exam, the topics that should be covered includes the health of both the baby and permanent teeth of the child, any signs jaw deviation, development and asymmetry, sleep positions and quality, breathing and airway issues, posture, the types of materials that he will be using, as well as other related issues on the child’s body.
This also means discussing about the diet of your children. “In fact, we are not just discussing about your child’s pattern of consuming sweet foods, but focusing more on what your child eats in every meal, the amount of vegetables and fruits your child eats every day, the amount of protein, dairy, and carbohydrate intake. All of these factors can give us a deeper understanding of the overall health and well-being of your child”, he explains.
What are the materials that you use?
As much as possible, we try to avoid the big ones, such as the dental amalgam. It is a material made of silver, copper and mercury used for dental fillings in repairing decayed teeth. It can cause environmental and health concerns. Fluoride should also be avoided, says Dr. Vinograd.
What are your terms regarding X-Rays?
Some holistic dentists avoid taking x-rays, but they are not necessarily good. “I always take x-rays before starting a procedure because I don’t want to miss things, explains Dr. Vinograd.” Your dentist should take each case individually. Dr. Vinograd utilizes a specialized machine that has the capability of exposing a patient to the lowest possible amount of radiation.
Are root canals something that you perform?
Root canal is typically used in conventional dentistry. It is a process where an infected or decayed tooth is removed of its pulp and nerve, cleaning it from any bacteria, and then sealed. However, Dr. Vinograd explains “the chemicals that are use in killing the nerve and sterilizing the tooth are quite harmful and toxic, and may eventually leak into the rest of the body through the tooth’s root.” Without a doubt, any dentist may tend to implement his or her own method of treating an infected tooth; a lot of dentists actually choose to remove the tooth completely, as it will remove bacteria that cause infection, which can spread to your body.
For a free consultation by a San Diego Holistic Dentist, visit http://drvinograd.com