The Holistic Dentistry Guide (2025): What It Is, How It Helps, At-Home Habits, Myths—Plus the Top 10 Holistic Oral Health Checklist

TL;DR

Holistic (also called biologic or biocompatible) dentistry looks at your oral health through a whole-body lens. It prioritizes prevention, minimally invasive treatment, biocompatible materials, airway & sleep considerations, nutrition, and patient education. It does not mean “anti-dentistry”—it’s dentistry that tries to harmonize with your biology. Evidence continues to grow on mouth-body links (especially gum disease with diabetes and heart disease), while some popular holistic topics (oil pulling, xylitol, ozone, hydroxyapatite) show promising but mixed research—so we’ll separate what’s known from what’s still emerging and how to apply it safely. Wiley Online Library+1

What Is Holistic (Biologic) Dentistry?

Holistic/biologic dentistry is a philosophy of care that:

• Treats the mouth as part of the body, not a separate system.

• Favors conservative, tooth-preserving approaches.

• Selects materials and techniques with an eye on biocompatibility and overall health.

• Integrates airway, sleep, bite, gum health, nutrition, and habits into treatment plans.

Professional organizations that represent this approach describe it as mercury-free/mercury-safe, materials-conscious care that considers oral-systemic connections. IAOMT+1

Bottom line: A holistic dentist still performs modern dentistry—exams, cleanings, fillings, onlays, aligners, periodontal therapy, etc.—but with an expanded prevention mindset and careful material choices, coordinated (when useful) with your physician or specialists.

How Holistic Dentistry Can Help

1) Gum Health with Systemic Benefits

Periodontal (gum) disease is associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and respiratory issues. Treating periodontitis can improve markers that matter for metabolic and cardiovascular health. Wiley Online Library+2PMC+2

2) Materials & Exposure Awareness

Holistic practices commonly emphasize resin handling to minimize potential BPA exposure (proper curing, finishing, and cleanup) and may offer BPA-derivative-reduced options. Major dental bodies report that any BPA measured after resin placement is small and transient, and well below EPA reference doses when sealants are used as directed. ADA+2ADA+

4) Airway & Sleep

Your bite, tongue posture, and airway anatomy influence breathing and sleep. Myofunctional therapy (MT)—targeted tongue/lip/cheek exercises—shows improving evidence for reducing sleep apnea severity and daytime sleepiness in some patients, often as part of a multidisciplinary plan. PubMed+1

5) Targeted Adjuncts (Still Evolving)

• Ozone (gas/water/oil forms) is being studied in caries management, periodontal care, and post-surgical healing; results are promising but heterogeneous—protocols and quality vary. PMC+1

• PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) at extractions and surgery can enhance soft-tissue and bone healing and may reduce dry socket risk. PubMed+1

• Hydroxyapatite (HAP) toothpaste has RCTs showing non-inferiority to fluoride for early caries outcomes, while broader reviews say we still need more high-quality clinical evidence.
  
  

Popular Holistic Topics—What the Science Says 

Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste

Recent clinical trials show HAP can be non-inferior to fluoride for early caries outcomes, but broader reviews call for more robust, standardized studies before wholesale replacement claims. PMC+1

Oil Pulling

Small RCTs suggest plaque-reducing benefits when used in addition to regular hygiene—not a substitute for brushing/flossing. The evidence base is still limited; think of it as an optional adjunct. PMC+1

Xylitol

Evidence is mixed. Some earlier reviews favored caries-preventive effects; newer analyses are less conclusive. If you use xylitol, do so for saliva stimulation and sugar substitution, not as your only cavity strategy. (Note: keep xylitol away from pets.) PMC+1

Ozone Therapy

Mechanistically plausible, studied across caries, periodontics, endodontics, and surgery. Results are promising but heterogeneous; clinical protocols vary and more standardized RCTs are needed. Use as an adjunct within evidence-based care. PMC+1

BPA in Dental Resins

BPA isn’t a direct ingredient in most restorative products; trace, short-term BPA can be detected after placement. Proper curing and surface cleaning minimize exposure and keep levels far below EPA reference doses. ADA+2ADA+2

PRF for Healing

Across extractions and surgical sites, PRF can enhance soft-tissue and bone healing and may lower dry-socket risk—especially helpful for wisdom tooth recovery and graft sites. PubMed+1

Top-Ten Steps To Maintain Your Oral Health 

1. Get a whole-mouth baseline: Comprehensive exam with periodontal charting, bite/airway screening, and decay risk assessment.

2. Tune hygiene to your risk: Customize brush/floss/water-floss plan to your bleeding points and tight contacts.

3. Choose your paste intentionally: Fluoride vs. Hydroxyapatite —pick one you’ll actually use twice daily; ask about high-risk adjuncts (varnish, gel, trays).  PMC+1

4. Fix active disease conservatively: Treat decay and gum inflammation early, using tooth-preserving restorations where possible.

5. Calm the jaw: Screen for clenching/grinding; consider nightguard, stress strategies, or airway assessment if wear is significant.  Often times, Invisalign can be a great treatment option to fixing malocclusion that can cause jaw and bite issues.

6. Audit your diet: Target frequency first (fewer acid/sugar “events”), then quality (more protein/fiber/omega-3s).

7. Check your sleep: Snoring, daytime sleepiness, or mouth-breathing? Bring it up—myofunctional therapy or medical sleep testing might help. PubMed

8. Discuss materials & protocols: If replacing old metal amalgam fillings, discuss when the timing is right for you and whether replacement is truly indicated. IAOMT

9. Add safe adjuncts (optional): Oil pulling, ozone rinses, or PRF (when clinically indicated) can be considered—as add-ons, not replacements. PMC+2PMC+2

10. Set recall like a pro athlete: Your cleanings and periodontal maintenance schedule should match your biology and goals. 

Myth-vs-Fact: Holistic Dentistry Edition

• Myth: “Holistic dentists don’t believe in fillings or fluoride.”
  Fact: Holistic dentists do restore teeth, with normal dental materials.  These materials are considered safe on the body and are very biocompatible.   There may be offices that will use fluoride strategically or offer clinically studied alternatives like hydroxyapatite for patients who prefer it.  Find one that fits your needs.  At Dallas Designer Smiles, we don't offer fluoride treatments. PMC+1

• Myth: “Oil pulling replaces brushing.”
  Fact: Evidence suggests oil pulling can lower plaque when added to normal care—but it doesn’t replace brushing/flossing. PMC

• Myth: “Xylitol candy makes cavities impossible.”
  Fact: Newer reviews are mixed; xylitol is a helpful sugar substitute and saliva stimulator, not a protective forcefield.  Once again, habit, hygiene and diet come into play here and are big factors as indicators for disease. PubMed

• Myth: “All composites are loaded with BPA.”
  Fact: BPA is generally not a direct ingredient; trace, short-lived levels may occur, and good clinical technique limits exposure even further. ADA+1  Ask about resin choices and technique. Proper curing/finishing minimizes transient exposure; levels found are far below EPA reference doses.

• Myth: “If I remove every metal filling, I’ll cure all my symptoms.”
  Fact: Replacing restorations can be reasonable for dental reasons.  There's typically a few reasons to remove older amalgam fillings.  The one that I look at the most is, the structural integrity of the tooth can be compromised as the amalgams are too hard for the teeth.  They can act like a wedge and cause unnatural flexing and strain on the tooth leading to possible cracks and fractures.  Decisions should be individualized with your dentist/physician. IAOMT

• Myth: “Ozone is a miracle cure.”
  Fact: Early data are encouraging in several areas, but protocols and quality vary; it’s an adjunct, not a magic wand. PMC

Final Word

Holistic dentistry isn’t a trend; it’s a framework that respects biology, leverages proven prevention, and integrates smart adjuncts when they truly help. If you want care that aligns with your preferences (fluoride-free, material transparency, airway-sleep focus, minimally invasive restorations), a holistic-minded office can craft a plan that fits your goals and your life.

Come see us if you're curious to see how our philosophies aligns with yours.