Our Philosophy
At Bangalow Holistic Dentist we understand that the state of your oral health, along with dental treatments and materials, can all have a significant impact on the rest of your body and wellbeing.
Holistic dentistry, also known as biological dentistry, is a term that describes an attitude, one which promotes whole body health.
We are members of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), the world’s leading organisation for science-based biological dentistry. As per their ongoing scientific research and mission to protect the environment and public health:
- We always seek the safest, least toxic, yet most effective biocompatible materials and techniques available, to accomplish your treatment goals. This reduces galvanic stress (from dental metals), and potential toxicity and immune reactivity throughout the body.
- We recommend your mouth and jaw is free of dead teeth, infected gums and diseased jaw bone, to achieve vitality and avoid possible risks to your health. These risks include systemic inflammation, and dissemination of pathogens and toxins throughout the body.
An increasing body of evidence shows links between oral and systemic disease (disease in other parts of the body).
When you come to our clinic for a consultation or treatment of any kind, your dentist will be on the lookout for dead or diseased areas in your mouth and on your x-rays. For instance, we see a lot of overlooked and undiagnosed gum disease (periodontal disease) – a serious infection which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and respiratory disease.
We aim to protect your health by encouraging a healthy and ‘living' oral environment, so we do not recommend the following:
- Root canals, thus leaving a dead tooth that houses bacteria in the jaw bone.
- Titanium implants, except when there is no alternative
- Flouride
- Mercury amalgam fillings
- Crowns and bridges with metal components
If you do choose to have a root canal, we will refer you to an Endodontist for the best chance of success. A root canal can fail and is often asymptomatic (without symptoms). The infection may or may not show up on conventional x-rays. The best chance of detecting any hidden infection is by way of a cone beam 3D CT scan. We can refer you to Radiology if you wish to check any old root canals for possible infection not seen on x-rays.
Dr Nigel Cluer, our principal dentist, has not used mercury amalgam fillings for over 25 years and has been removing these fillings upon request from patients in the Northern Rivers area since 1999. He has rigorous safety measures in place to protect patients, staff and the environment whilst performing this procedure.
This means our clinic is both mercury-free and mercury-safe. Along with this, we consider the biocompatibility of dental materials and techniques, and the impact of dental conditions, devices, and treatments, on your oral and systemic health.
This is the foundation of true holistic / biological dentistry.
We can also assist you with heavy metal detoxification, organise biocompatibility / immunological testing for suitability of dental materials, clean out diseased areas from your jaw bone, and provide biological gum treatments.
But first and foremost, Bangalow Holistic Dentist is a simple, family oriented dental clinic with a simple philosophy of kindness and integrity.
Whether you want a check-up, a clean, a filling, amalgam removals, cosmetic dentistry, or one of our other services, we welcome you to come and experience holistic dentistry at its finest.