Holistic Approach to Dentistry in Children
Dr. Yuriy May is known as the Top Holistic Dentist in Connecticut, with patients coming to see him from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania regular. Dr. May’s widely recognized expertise in laser dentistry (which does not require use of numbing shots or drills as the laser numbs and cuts the tooth, if needed), child frenectomies, fluoride-free demineralization treatments, non-toxic sealants, laser cavity prevention treatments and palate and jaw development devices (ALF) that can prevent and alleviate the need for braces in the future. With Natural Dentistry’s extraordinary natural, reduced-toxin dental materials and preventative service, Dr. May provides premier and life-changing dental services for children. We also offer in-office Myofunctional Therapy for speech improvement, tongue posture, and breathing issues along with frenectomies preparation and after-care with a certified myofunctional therapist.
Children Benefit More than Adults from Holistic Dentistry
A natural, holistic approach to health and dental care is ideal for people of all walks of life, but this is especially true for children. A child’s development may be hindered by everything from chemicals in our foods to unnecessary medications. That is why holistic medicine and dentistry has become such an important aspect of pediatric care today. And that is why Dr. May practices pediatric dentistry.
Family Policies for Children In Our Practice:
We are a family office, not a pediatric office. In order to optimize experiences for children, we required at least one parent or guardian to be an existing patient (or establish as a new adult patient) of the practice. This dramatically improves the experience and all clinical outcomes for our children and has been a policy since 2018, without any exceptions. Children under the age of 18 must have at least 1 parent or guardian that is an existing patient of the practice OR must have a parent or guardian that becomes a new patient at our practice. If a parent or guardian is not yet a patient, they must establish first, and only after they complete their new patient appointment can the child be scheduled for their hygiene evaluation.
Children under the age of 10 will likely not receive dental work in our office until they are 10+ years of age unless an outside anesthesiologist is contracted to sedate the pediatric patient for the procedure. Children must be fully cooperative to receive dentistry services (fillings/crowns/tissue release). That means no crying, no screaming, no resisting, and no tantrums; the child must be fully calm and ready to have Dr. May work on them at the designated appointment start time.
The exception is with the ALF program or other functional devices where we start kids as young as 6.
Hygiene is available for children as young as 3 years old in our office for regular cleanings. We see many young children that are healthy and require cleanings only and the parents are aware they must seek pediatric dental care or anesthesia for dental procedures should the need arise! We are a fluoride-free and metal-free office.
Sedation for Kids Under 10: For kids under the age of 10 or those that are uncooperative (too young or too scared) dental work will only be performed under anesthesia by an outside anesthesiologist for all kids under the age of 10 in our office. Extensive dental work for kids with anxiety or under the age of 18 may also require sedation with an outside anesthesiologist for dental work to be performed. Children over the age of 10 must be able to cooperate fully, if not, an anesthesiologist may be needed. If a patient has decay at age 3-10, we will likely refer out to a pediatric dentist to have work done and the child can return for hygiene appointments after work has been completed. After about the age of 10, most kids do very well handling dental work and they can return to Dr. May for the majority of any fillings/crowns/extractions that need to be done.
What is Pediatric Holistic Dentistry?
Holistic dentists for children perform the same services as traditional dentists (exams, x-rays, cleanings, etc.). But rather than focusing on reactive and invasive treatments like root canals and fillings or using toxic chemicals such as fluoride and mercury, the primary focus in pediatric holistic dentistry is on safe, healthy preventative care and optimal development through excellent nutrition and proper oral habits, so as to be as minimally invasive as possible.
Not only does a holistic pediatric dentist take a safe, more natural approach to a child’s dental care, but by design, holistic treatment of conditions like cavities, gum disease, plaque buildup, and abscesses is typically far less invasive and less painful than more traditional treatment methods. This is an especially appealing factor for children, who tend to be more sensitive and susceptible to dental anxiety. During routine procedures like this, children can be especially concerned with a doctor’s gentle touch and bedside manner. Holistic children’s dentistry is an area in which Dr. Yuriy May truly excels.
What’s the Difference Between Holistic and Traditional Pediatric Dentistry?
More than 80% of the population is afraid of going to the dentist. Why? Because many children are traumatized by their experiences at a dental office while still very young (kids are still often strapped to a papoose board and held down before a procedure is done). Traditional pediatric dentistry is all about reactively treating problems as quickly as possible, and as profitably as possible.
In holistic pediatric dentistry, we take a whole-body approach to dental wellness and development. We believe in “do no harm” as a philosophy, which means anything that could be a risk to your child is not something we will use in our office. That’s why do not use fluoride (a neuro-toxin), dental sealants (most include BPA), mercury silver fillings (neuro-toxin), or film-based X-Rays (too much radiation).
Holistic pediatric dentists are more interested in helping children prevent dental problems while developing long-term habits that will keep them out of a dental chair throughout their life.
Controversial Topics in Pediatric Dentistry
Fluoride in children is one of the most controversial topics in pediatric dentistry today. Fluoride is a well-established toxin and has long functioned as a pesticide1. Despite that, many traditional dentists still advocate its use as a preventative measure for decay (there are no scientific blind studies that prove fluoride tablets prevent decay).
Fluoride can have adverse effects on child development as well as overall wellness. Because fluoride has already been added to much of the public drinking supply in the U.S., it is relatively easy for children here to develop dental fluorosis2. In fact, the according to EPA guidelines, most people exceed the recommended daily limit of fluoride through their food intake alone, without any sort of supplements. Moreover, fluoride is a neurotoxin, meaning its primary toxic effect is on the nervous system. Recent Harvard School of Public Health studies have actually linked fluoride exposure to lower IQ3 in children under 14.
Fluoride isn’t the only toxic material to which your child may be exposed while visiting the average dentist. Mercury is a highly toxic metal that is commonly used in fillings (“silver” fillings are actually more than 50% mercury). People of all ages have experienced myriad negative effects after having their teeth filled with the toxic amalgam, which can then spread mercury vapor into the lungs and bloodstream through a natural decaying process. Children, fetuses, hypersensitive individuals, and people with kidney impairments are known to be particularly susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of dental mercury4.
Traditional dentists will argue that mercury and fluoride are perfectly safe, but the research shows otherwise. Plus, with safer alternatives available to use in dentistry, the holistic approach is to simply avoid anything that has been shown to have a negative effect on overall health and wellness. This natural, holistic approach to dentistry is even more ideal for children than adults, as they are actively still developing.
The Bottom Line on Pediatric Holistic Dentistry
The Center for Disease Control lists tooth decay among the most prevalent early childhood diseases, with 42% of children between 2 and 11 estimated to have cavities in their baby teeth5. This sets them up for oral health complications that could potentially follow them throughout their lives. That’s why it is so important to get your child to a dentist early and often… but not just any dentist: a holistic dentist for kids.
Dentistry should be about prevention, about overall health and wellness, and about long term oral health that doesn’t have adverse side-effects from toxins traditional pediatric dentists are regularly using. That’s exactly the belief of dentists and staff at Natural Dentistry. Dr. Yuriy May takes a measured, holistic approach to pediatric dentistry so you know that your child is getting the best care for today and into the future.
References:
- Mike Adams. “PROOF: Chinese industrial fluoride suppliers openly list sodium fluoride as ‘insecticide’ and ‘adhesive preservative’ in addition to water treatment chemical.” Natural News. Natural News. 31 Aug 2012. Web. 8 Jan 2016.
- “Dental Fluorosis.” CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. n.d. Web. 8 Jan 2016.
- Marge Dwyer. “Impact of Fluoride on Neurological Development in Children.” Harvard Public Health Magazine. Harvard School of Public Health. 25 July 2012. Web. 8 Jan 2016.
- “The Dangers and Toxicity of Mercury.” toxicteeth.org. Consumers for Dental Choice. n.d. Web. 8 Jan 2016.
- Michelle Healy. “Young Kids’ Tooth Decay Hits ‘Epidemic’ Proportions.” USAToday.com. USA Today. 3 Mar. 2014. Web. 8 Jan 2016.