The benefits of holistic dentistry come from one idea: your mouth is part of your body, so dental care should support your whole health. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, Dr. Steven Haywood brings that view to every exam, while keeping the science firmly in place.
What holistic dentistry means
Holism is a way of looking at a person as a whole. Physical, emotional, mental and social factors are all connected, and each one matters. In dentistry, that means looking beyond the single tooth that hurts. Infection and pain still come first, but your general health, your history and your concerns about materials are part of the picture too.
You may also hear the term biological dentistry. The two overlap a great deal. Both pay close attention to the materials placed in the mouth and to how oral infections can affect the rest of the body. Our article on what a biological dentist does covers the overlap in more detail.
Instead of only treating disease, a holistic dentist like Dr. Haywood is concerned with your overall wellness. The goal is safe, science-based care that fits your needs, not a one-size-fits-all routine. You can read about Dr. Haywood's training and approach on the meet the doctor page.
Five benefits of holistic dentistry
1. Care that supports your overall health
Research has linked gum disease with other health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Researchers are still working out exactly how these links work. But the message for patients is clear: a healthy mouth is part of a healthy body.
Holistic dentistry widens the focus. Diet, nutrition and the substances that enter the body through the mouth all get attention. At Southern York Smile Care, the team is especially mindful of:
- Mercury in older silver fillings
- Nickel in some dental metals
- Bisphenol plastics, such as BPA, in some filling materials
- Gum disease bacteria and other uncontrolled oral infections
Removing hidden infection and choosing materials with care are two of the most practical ways dental care can support your general health.
2. A plan built around you
Every mouth is different, and so is every person. A holistic visit starts with a thorough evaluation of your needs and concerns. That includes your medical history, your health goals and any worries you have about treatment or materials.
From there, Dr. Haywood builds a diagnosis and treatment plan that is customized for you. The last thing anyone wants from health care is a cookie-cutter service. Holistic dentistry is a flexible approach that lets you and your dentist look at more than one path, weigh the pros and cons and choose what fits best for the short and long term.
Natural, conservative steps usually come first. That might mean improving home care, adjusting diet or treating gum health before considering larger work.
3. Safer materials and mercury-free care
Southern York Smile Care is a mercury-free office. We do not place silver amalgam fillings. Instead, cavities are repaired with tooth-colored, BPA-free white fillings that bond to the tooth and look natural. Learn more on our mercury-free dentistry and white dental fillings pages.
Many patients come to us with old silver fillings and want them replaced. Dr. Haywood is fundamentally opposed to mercury amalgam, and replacing old fillings is done with care to limit exposure during removal. Ask about the steps involved at your consultation.
For strengthening enamel, holistic patients can choose a remineralization varnish. Fluoride is also available for patients who want it. The choice is yours, and Dr. Haywood will explain the trade-offs.
4. Finding hidden infection
Some oral infections cause no pain at all. An old root canal tooth, for example, can harbor bacteria without obvious symptoms. Many patients ask whether there is a better way to check on teeth like these, and it is a fair question.
Modern tools help answer it. At Southern York Smile Care, a scientific approach to holistic care includes:
- Oral DNA tests, which identify the types of bacteria linked to gum disease so treatment can be targeted.
- Green CT 3D cone beam scans, which can show problem areas around root canal teeth and in the jaw that flat X-rays may miss.
- Picasso laser gum treatment, which helps disinfect gum pockets as part of gum disease care.
- Digital X-rays with up to 90% less radiation than older film.
See our dental technology page for more on each tool, and our gum disease treatments page for how infection is treated.
5. Science and holistic care together
Holistic dentistry is growing in popularity across North America. Some of its ideas make sense to anyone. Others are less proven. What sets Dr. Haywood apart in the Shrewsbury area is a scientific approach to holistic care. Recommendations are grounded in evidence and in more than 35 years in practice.
Dr. Haywood earned a DDS cum laude from the University of Detroit in 1987, completed a US Air Force advanced residency and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. That depth of training means you get the benefits of a holistic view without giving up modern, proven dentistry.
It also means honest answers. If a treatment is not likely to help you, you will hear that clearly.
Is holistic dentistry right for you?
Holistic care may appeal to you if you:
- Have old silver fillings and would like them replaced
- Want to know more about the materials placed in your mouth
- Have ongoing health concerns and wonder whether your mouth plays a role
- Prefer conservative, natural steps first when they are a reasonable choice
- Want time to ask questions and understand every option
Visit our holistic dentistry page for a full overview of services.
What to expect at a holistic first visit
Your first visit is a chance to get to know each other. There is no pressure to start treatment on the same day.
- Your story. You talk through your health history, medications, diet and any concerns about past dental work or materials.
- A full exam. Dr. Haywood checks your teeth, gums, bite, jaw and soft tissues, including an oral cancer screening.
- Imaging as needed. Low-dose digital X-rays, an iTero Element 3D scan or a Green CT scan may be used to see what an eye exam cannot.
- Testing when it helps. An oral DNA test can show which gum disease bacteria are present, so treatment can be aimed at them.
- Your options. You get a clear explanation of what was found and the choices you have, from the most conservative first.
If you have old silver fillings, a root canal tooth you are unsure about or ongoing gum problems, mention them when you book so enough time is set aside. Southern York Smile Care is out of network with every insurer. You pay at the visit and the office files your claim for reimbursement. Kelley Fisher, our Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, can answer insurance questions and explain payment plans with CareCredit and Cherry. See our financing page and our new patient info page to get ready.
Book a holistic consultation in Shrewsbury
If you are interested in what holistic dentistry can do for you, the first step is an evaluation and a conversation. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment. We are at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury and see patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
Meet Dr. Haywood →
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