The health of your teeth and mouth aren’t completely separated from the rest of your body. At Smile Wellness Co., we take on a different approach when it comes to oral health, and go beyond just fixing or treating your tooth problems!
Holistic dentistry (also known as "biological" or "functional" dentistry) focuses on the importance of the mouth-body connection, recognizing that dental health impacts every system of the body. Without proper oral health, overall health cannot be achieved. Functional dentists also focus on addressing the root causes of dental disease and do so in a non-toxic, minimally-invasive way. Some treatment methods that align with a holistically-focused practice include removal of mercury amalgam fillings following safe removal protocols, use of ozone therapy, offering biocompatibility testing, discussion of hygiene products and dental materials that are non-toxic, and identification of airway inadequacy and microbiome imbalance.
Dr. Su uses ozone in many of our treatments, such as controlling and reducing sensitivity and periodontal pocket disinfections.
Which dental material is right for you? With proper testing, we can discover the right materials to increase the safety and peace of mind for all our patients.
Digital x-rays are one of the most important new advances that our profession has seen in quite some time. Dr. Su will determine what your x-ray schedule should be based on a review of your caries risk assessment (cavity risk), your dental history, as well as your current state of oral health. Dental x-rays emit very small amounts of radiation while images are taken, but as always, our highly trained team takes the appropriate measures to ensure you and your family are safe. Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money, and often, unnecessary discomfort. X-rays also help Dr. Su see decay in between your teeth (a tricky area we can't see with the naked eye). It is important to know that dental x-ray equipment is examined and inspected by the State of Washington on a yearly basis for safety. We are always here to answer any questions you might have. Lastly, Dr. Su can discuss a homeopathic that you can take after x-rays.
In general, mercury had been deemed safe by the American Dental Association and Food and Drug Administration. However, in September 2020, the FDA revised its guidelines and recommends avoiding use in the following patients: pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant, nursing women, children under 6, patients with pre-existing neurological disease, patients with impaired kidney function, patients with known, heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam. Dr. Su recognizes that some patients are sensitive to metals or have an aversion to mercury in their mouths and prefer an alternative. At Smile Wellness Co., we understand your concerns and are here to help you achieve your dental health goals.
Traditionally, prevention of cavities focused on lack of brushing and flossing, too much sugar, and fluoride-focused prevention. At Smile Wellness Co., we look at other root causes which may include airway inadequacy, dry mouth, medication side effects, genetic risk factors, oral microbiome imbalance, toxic oral hygiene products, and nutritional deficiencies. Dr. Su will work with you to identify what may be the underlying causes of your cavities.
