
Jan
It’s often said that the mouth is the gateway to the body. Oral health both affects and is affected by systemic/whole-body health. Holistic or biological dentistry principles align well with this concept. As your choice for a dentist near me in St. George, Utah, Gateway Oral Health Center is pleased to introduce you to four fundamentals of biological dentistry—to support your smile and your “best self optimally.”
Our team knows that dentistry is about so much more than the condition of your teeth and gums. All products, treatments, and techniques account for the connection between the oral cavity (mouth) and the rest of the body. We understand how, for instance, oral inflammation can produce inflammation in the blood vessels, which increases the risk of heart attack. Knowing these connections, we also stay on top of any changes to your overall health. As an example, our diabetic patients are at increased risk of gum disease, and it works both ways, as gum disease also increases the risk of diabetes complications. Biological dentists truly serve the whole person’s needs and can advise on everything from nutrition and modifying behaviors to promoting a healthy “system” (body) and mouth.
Biological or holistic dentists are best known for their avoidance of mercury-containing fillings. These conventional, silver-colored fillings are an amalgam of metals. However, they contain more toxic mercury than anything else (around half of the weight of each filling, on average). Instead of toxic, mercury-containing, silver-colored metal fillings, we use safe, tooth-colored, metal-free materials like composite resin and ceramics.
Gateway Oral Health Center is among the select biological dental care providers that adhere to the SMART protocol. The Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique set forth by the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology incorporates nearly 20 different safeguards to minimize mercury exposure while removing amalgam fillings. Traditionally, mercury is released at higher levels as particles and vapors as these fillings are removed. Our techniques are sound, and our investment in training on these processes and equipment to support them is well worth it as we optimally protect our teams, patients, and communities. After all, with proper mercury disposal measures, harmful waste won’t end up in our waterways. So, it’s an environmentally friendly choice, too.
We opt for only the best treatment options, not the most popular ones. We strive to do right by our patients. In turn, we can provide guidance on alternatives to traditional fluoride-containing mouth rinses and toothpastes. We may even complement your procedure with a natural “healer,” such as ozone therapy. To experience these differences and discover how your family can benefit from biological dentistry, please call us at (435) 656-0255 today.
Dr. Bryce Eagar completed his undergraduate studies at the College of Southern Nevada and the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and attended dental school at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He joined the Minnesota National Guard while in dental school and later transferred to the New Mexico National Guard. He retired from the US Army Reserves as a Major after serving for 13.5 years.
Dr. Eagar’s journey to becoming a biological dentist started with his and his family’s health. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health and a member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine.
Dr. Matthew D. Geddes earned his BS in Zoology and Chemistry from Weber State University and his DDS from Dalhousie University dental school (in 2006). He has worked as an associate and owner of a general dentistry practice. He is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a Fellow and Diplomate of the American Orthodontic Society. Dr. Geddes began learning about sleep and TMJ dentistry in 2018, which prompted him to enter the area of biological dentistry.