Dentures: Facts, Figures and Friendly Advice for Seniors

3 Reasons Why Holistic Dentists Recommend White Fillings

19 October 2019

Herman Kim

In addition to caring for your teeth, holistic dentistry clinics take an approach to oral care that involves considering the health of your whole body. This approach sometimes leads holistic dentists to make slightly different recommendations compared to traditional dentists when it comes to your dental health. One example is that holistic dentists usually recommend white fillings over traditional amalgam ones, even when the cavity is in your back teeth. Here are three reasons why white fillings are better for your overall health.

1. Amalgam Fillings Are Toxic 

Amalgam fillings contain mercury, which is a poisonous metal. While many dentists consider the small amount of mercury in fillings to present very little risk, holistic dentistry clinics prefer to keep their patients safe from even small amounts of toxic materials.

Research shows that amalgam dental fillings release mercury, which the body absorbs. Although most people do not notice major health problems as a result, some individuals are hypersensitive to mercury and have a negative reaction. As dental fillings are designed to stay in place for the rest of your life, holistic dentists prefer to use a material that does not lead to any level of mercury exposure.

2. White Fillings Are Less Invasive

Before a dentist can place an amalgam filling, they have to drill away healthy tooth structure to make space for the filling. In contrast, white fillings can fit into much smaller spaces in the tooth, which means that the dentist only has to remove the decayed parts of the tooth. Holistic dentists believe that it is better to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible, which is one reason why most holistic dentistry clinics only offer white fillings.

3. White Fillings Integrate Better With Natural Teeth

Amalgam fillings never form a bond with the teeth they fill. As a result, there is always a miniscule amount of movement between the tooth and the filling, which over the years can put a strain on the tooth and cause it to crack.

White fillings form a strong bond with natural tooth structure. As a result, there is no gap between the tooth and the filling in which bacteria can grow. Opting for white fillings instead of amalgam ones might help to reduce the risk of your tooth developing further decay in the future. The cost might be slightly higher now, but holistic dentists believe it is worth it to avoid the need for more invasive dental procedures in future.

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