At Dental Wellness, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality of holistic dental care possible. This includes answering any questions you may have. Below, we answered our most frequently asked questions, and if you have a concern not listed below, please feel free to talk to us. 

Do you practice in multiple locations? 

We are located at The GAP in Brisbane, but we welcome new patients from all surrounding suburbs: Ashgrove, Bardon, Redhill, Toowong, Kenmore, Enoggera and Paddington, to name a few. Furthermore, we regularly see patients from all parts of Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Some patients travel a fair distance to visit Dental Wellness as they are happy to have found a dental practice that is independent and focused on five-star customer care and relationship-based dentistry, taking their individual needs and health goals into account. 

How is a holistic dentist different from a traditional dentist? 

Traditional dentists are taught to look for disease in the form of tooth decay and gum disease and treat what they find as purely physical. Holistic dentists look at the whole body and integrate the best practices of dentistry with the philosophies of complementary medicine and progressive integrative medicine. 

Using this approach, they are able to treat your presenting symptoms while ensuring the underlying cause of the disease is also addressed.

What is biological dentistry?

The oral cavity is the beginning of the human digestive tract. The teeth in your mouth have a blood supply, nerve innervation, and lymphatic drainage system that are connected to the biological functions of the body. A biological dentist accepts the fact that the health of the mouth directly affects the health of the body, and also distant organ systems in the body influence the health of the mouth. 

Can you help me with my health problems? 

As a biological dentist, we understand that most common health problems show up first in the mouth. It is our passion to guide you to attain a healthy mouth so that you can eat the healthy foods required for health without pain or sensitivity, breathe well, sleep well, and smile with confidence. All of these goals will likely help you with your overall health and well-being. 

Are you more expensive than a ‘traditional’ dentist? 

There is no better investment than the one you make in your health and longevity. Our goal is to use the modern technology available today to guide you through a plan to optimise your dental health and so boost your overall health and wellness. A traditional dentist may only address an immediate problem but not look at the whole biological system. 

Are your treatments safe for children? 

When your child is assessed at Dental Wellness, our oral health therapist will check for dental decay and any development problems. Breathing and swallowing habits will be assessed and checked for enlarged tonsils as they may induce a mouth-breathing habit rather than nasal breathing. This will influence the development of the upper and lower jaws, affect your child’s smile, and increase the risk of dental health problems in the future. The need for braces may be prevented if these issues are addressed early. 

I’m scared of dentists – can you make it a more enjoyable experience? 

Some people fear the dentist or have had worrying experiences with dentists in the past. Holistic Dentistry addresses this by always communicating clearly about what is happening and presenting all the options that are available to you. We have carefully designed the Dental Wellness space to be a calming, inviting space where our professional team can make you feel as comfortable as possible.  

For people who have an acknowledged fear of the dentist, nutritional supplements may be recommended prior to an appointment to calm and reassure them.

What anaesthetics do you use? 

Pain is managed using the same traditional local anaesthetics available to orthodox dentists, but care is taken to avoid products that contain adrenaline, as they can cause distress for some patients. In some cases, nutritional guidance is given to improve the immune system, reduce the risk of inflammation, and speed up recovery time. Where the use of antibiotics is required supporting medication such as probiotics are also prescribed to counteract any negative side effects.

Why do I need metal-free Zirconia dental implant solutions? 

Dental Wellness aims to optimise your dental health with modern healthy solutions that will not compromise your health. This is why we do not put metals in our mouths. When deciding on a solution to replace a missing tooth or infected root canal-treated tooth, the best holistic option is a bioceramic Zirconia dental implant. They are white, biocompatible, strong, and do not conduct a charge like metals in the mouth. More of our patients are trying to avoid the stress of EMF and would prefer not to have anything conducted in their mouths. 

What is Ozone treatment? 

Ozone is energised Oxygen (O3). It kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Therapeutic solutions containing ozone can be used in dentistry to bioclean prior to bonding. Irrigation of extraction sockets and other surgical sites boosts healing and stimulates rapid repair. 

What is safe amalgam removal? 

Your old silver fillings are made up of more than 50% mercury and 30% silver, and the rest is a blend of copper, tin and other trace minerals. When this metal is heated or ground, there is a small release of mercury vapour and inorganic mercury that is absorbed either in the respiratory tract or the digestive system. When a dentist cuts old silver mercury fillings out of your mouth, there is a 1000-fold increase in the release of this neurotoxin. Unless your dentist appreciates this fact, he is unknowingly exposing you to high levels of mercury. The S.M.A.R.T protocol is used at dental Wellness and stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique that protects you, the dentist and their staff and also the environment. 

What is a 3D Cone Beam CT X-ray? 

We have invested in a 3D Conebeam CT that can produce a high-definition image of your whole mouth in 3D. Low radiation exposure and high definition allow us to see the unseen in your mouth and enable us to optimise your dental and overall health. 

Is it safe to get an X-ray while I’m pregnant? 

All X-rays are avoided during pregnancy. On very rare occasions, for example, in an emergency pain situation, a full-coverage lead gown is used. If you are planning to start a family, it is highly recommended to have a full dental check prior to conception. Optimising gum health, addressing potential toxicity, and improving sleep quality and nutrition all go to boosting your health. 

Do you use latex-free gloves?

The practice is fully latex-free. All gloves are nitrile, similar to ambulance paramedics and emergency medical clinics.

Can you resolve my snoring and sleep apnoea?

Sleep apnoea is a serious medical condition that is diagnosed by a medical doctor. Dentists can see many signs in the mouth that lead to a high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea and are often the first to suggest seeing a sleep physician for a home sleep study. Dentistry can help you with snoring and sleep apnoea with the help of dental splints, nutritional advise and some sleep hygiene tips.

Is teeth grinding bad?

If you know you are a teeth grinder then your teeth are under huge stress especially at night when asleep. Tooth structure is the strongest material in your body so if you are losing this tooth structure from grinding do not ignore it. Often there is a sleep and airway issue at night that is stressing your body, heart and brain and your teeth bear the brunt of this stress. Tooth fracture, shortening of front teeth and sensitivity are all signs that your teeth are under attack and need to be protected. Often protecting the teeth with a mouthguard or splint also improves sleep quality.

Everyone wants a nice white smile. If whitening has not worked for you then you may be considering veneers. If you have perfect teeth with no fillings or chips then you would not like a dentist to cause any damage to your teeth. Direct resin veneers are placed over the top of your existing teeth without any reduction of your tooth structure to get a beautiful smile that will last for many years. The alternative to resin veneers is porcelain veneers. They are indicated when there has already been some tooth loss and discoloured failing fillings. They will never pick up stain over the years, unlike direct resin veneers that may need polishing and maintaining over time.

What are porcelain crowns?

When dentistry refers to porcelain crowns they are referring to a metal-free solution. The ceramic may be made of Zirconia, lithium disilicate or feldspathic porcelain. Ask your dentist what your crowns are made of and make sure there is no metal in them as sometimes a dentist may refer to a porcelain crown but actually it has a semi-precious or non-precious metal core.

What is a dental implant?

If you want to get a new tooth to replace one you lost some time ago a dental implant is the gold standard solution as it does not require damage to adjacent teeth. Titanium metal alloys have been replaced by metal-free Zirconia bioceramic dental implants that are chemically and electrically inert so they do not release metal ions into the body tissues potentially causing autoimmune reactions.

How many appointments do I need to restore my damaged tooth with a filling?

If you are new to Dental Wellness an initial consultation is recommended to assess your situation and your immediate problem will be stabilised before planning another appointment to restore your broken tooth with a restoration that will last many years.

What causes gum disease?

If you struggle to maintain your dental health this can lead to bacteria residing under your gums that cause the gums to react and get swollen and bleeding on brushing is the first sign of this. Your overall health also plays a part in your risk factors for getting gum disease. Gum disease is the most common disease on the planet and has been shown to increase your risk of getting a heart attack or stroke, diabetes and even some cancers. 

What is a dental hygienist?

University trained for 4 years, a dental hygienist is trained to address the soft tissues in your mouth starting with your gum health. As more and more research is clearly showing that the health of your gums correlates with many chronic illnesses, it is essential that your dentist works with a hygienist to provide the best service for your health.

How should I floss my teeth?

Brushing your teeth only cleans the inside and outside walls and gum line, but bacteria can remain between the teeth and under the gums. This is where flossing finishes the job. Running floss along the contours of the neck of the teeth assures that your gums will be healthier and risk of decay reduced. 

What can I do if my gums are bleeding?

If your gums are bleeding it means that you have gingivitis or possibly gum disease. Recent studies have shown that people with gum issues are more likely to have chronic health issues like heart disease, diabetes and arthritis and even cancer. Contact our practice to book with one of our dentists and hygienists to address this problem and guide you on how to prevent it from happening in the future. Regular maintenance and monitoring is essential. Flossing, brushing and coconut oil pulling are always recommended at Dental Wellness.

How can I improve my oral Hygiene?

Focus on one tooth at a time when brushing and flossing. Change your toothbrush to a smaller head that focuses on one tooth at a time. Coconut oil pulling is cheap and effective once we have helped you get stability. 

What is oil pulling?

Dental disease arrises in the form of tooth decay and gum disease when the balance of the oral biome is out of balance. When you are making your eggs in the morning we suggest to place half a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil into your mouth and swish and pull it between your teeth for at least five minutes. Spit the runny solution out into a tissue and discard in the bin. Do not spit into the sink or drains as the risk of the oil becoming solid again with temperature change is high. This will flush the nasty bacteria that reside between your teeth and under the gums away and boosts the health of your mouth.

What is a root canal?

A procedure carried out by a dentist or specialist endodontist to maintain a dying or dead tooth in your mouth. It is not possible to sterilise these teeth so the risk of your immune system fighting against the endotoxins is to be considered before deciding if you want the tooth in your mouth.

What is aesthetic dentistry?

Aesthetics is the modern-day cosmetic equivalent that also takes into account the whole body health and wish for longevity. Dental Wellness provides world-class aesthetic solutions using the best Australian dental technicians to create your Safer Healthy Beautiful Smile. Let us give you a smile makeover that allows you to visibly see what can be achieved digitally before any treatment is carried out. The use of Invisalign, Digital Smile Design (DSD) and cosmetic mockups assure you that your investment will be a wise one.

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