The idea is simple, but essential: teeth are part of the body as a whole. It is this thinking that drives the (slowly) growing field of holistic dentistry, an adjunct to traditional oral care that considers the safety of the materials used in treatment — mercury fillings are out, porcelain is in — opts for non-surgical procedures whenever possible, and takes the time to customize care for each patient.

Lewis Gross, D.D.S., has been a dentist for 26 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to encouraging and expanding holistic dental practices. Gross’ patients receive traditional dental care softened by numerous aspects of complementary and alternative medicine. Certain patients can choose acupuncture over anesthesia and those who are dentist-phobic may be calmed with aromatherapy and relaxation techniques.

Gross recently stepped away from the dental chair to give LIME the scoop on holistic dentistry.

LIME: Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is holistic dentistry?

LG: Holistic dentistry is not a recognized specialty in dentistry, but the dentists who have chosen it have agreed upon protocols about how we’re going to treat people. The idea started 20 years ago with a dentist named Hal Huggins who pronounced mercury as a danger to the public. Mercury is a known neurotoxin but the ADA still took away his license. One of the problems of being a holistic dentist is that you’re fighting the tide of conventional theory.

To me holistic dentistry is understanding that we have responsibility for people’s health, that a dentist is a physician of the mouth and not a carpenter. It’s looking not only for a whole-body approach to dentistry, but also striving to be less invasive. Healing is not about business — it doesn’t have to be so surgically oriented. There are always options. A holistic dentist will choose the least invasive method, which is usually also the less expensive method. We do 50 percent less root canals and we have a special way of extracting teeth called cavitation – we take more time to ensure that the cavity is clear to prevent infection. We might also bring in other alternative practitioners — like acupuncturists and craniosacral therapists — it’s more spa-like in its approach, we use aromatherapy and relaxation techniques. A holistic dentist is also going to sit there and listen. They’re going to give you more choices.

LIME: Why do most dentists still use mercury fillings if they’re so dangerous?

LG: They are very cheap and easy to use. The white fillings — composite or porcelain — are much more technically difficult to use and also more expensive.

LIME: Do holistic dentists have to be specifically trained?

LG: There is a certification training course through the Holistic Dental Association. Most of these things are things that dentists already know, but that they just don’t practice.

Holistic dentistry is something we created. It’s more of an adjustment to what we already know. We are registered dentists who practice with more concern about the biocompatibility of the materials we use and the general wellness of patients. For example, when we remove a mercury filling we use a rubber dam to prevent the mercury from getting into a patient’s body. Most dentist don’t do that because they’re lazy.

LIME: Is holistic dentistry covered by insurance?

LG: Yes. You might have a bigger co-pay, but it’s worth it for a dentist who’s more sympathetic. If you use who the insurance company sends you to then you’re making your health decisions based on a discount.

LIME: How did you become interested in holistic dentistry?

LG: I’ve been a dentist since 1979. I went to Columbia and was just a registered dentist until my sister was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and she wanted to have her mercury fillings removed. I’d remove the mercury and then the dentists in [her home state of] North Carolina would put them back in.

LIME: Tips for preventative dental care?

LG: Get regular cleanings and eat a vegetarian diet. It makes you less acidic — acidic diets promote bacterial growth. A vegetarian diet also cleanses the teeth through chewing of fiber and strengthens the immune system.

LIME: And fluoride? What’s your take on the debate?

LG: Fluoride has made a tremendous reduction in tooth decay. It has certainly worked, but I don’t think it needs to be in the drinking water of every person. It has had beneficial effects in the prevention of dental carries, but it should be applied topically (i.e. through toothpaste).