Linking Your Oral Health to Your Overall Wellbeing
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we go beyond traditional dentistry. Our holistic approach recognises that your oral health is deeply connected to your overall health. We don't just treat teeth—we look at how dental care impacts your body, from breathing and sleep to headaches and systemic health.
Why Choose Holistic Dentistry?
- A Whole-Body Approach: We consider the impact of dental treatments on your total health.
- Safe, Non-Toxic Materials: We use biocompatible materials to protect your well-being.
- Personalised, Patient-Centred Care: Every treatment is tailored to your unique health needs.
- Focus on Prevention & Long-Term Wellness: We address root causes, not just symptoms.
Mercury Amalgam Removal
Safe removal of silver/mercury fillings using the SMART protocol.
Root
Canal
Treatment
We assess the best approach to root canals based on your health.
Snoring & Sleep Apnea
Solutions
Improve sleep
quality and
breathing for
better health.
Breathing & Posture Optimisation
Addressing poor
breathing habits
for overall
well-being.
Headache Treatment
Headaches are an
example of
how oral health can
impact overall
wellbeing.
Mercury Amalgam Removal: Safe, SMART, and Biocompatible
‘Silver’ fillings, commonly used in dentistry for over a century, contain approximately 50% mercury. If not properly excreted, mercury can accumulate in the kidneys, liver, and brain, potentially affecting the immune system, nervous system, and overall health.
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we have been mercury-free for over 35 years and take great care in safely removing amalgam fillings to minimise exposure.
How Mercury is Released from Fillings
Mercury vapour is released from dental amalgam fillings due to:
- Corrosion – Gradual breakdown over time.
- Friction – Everyday activities like chewing or teeth grinding.
- Temperature Changes – Hot drinks, cold foods, and fluctuating temperatures inside the mouth.
This process is completely undetectable—mercury is invisible, odourless, and tasteless. However, a significant portion of the vapour is absorbed by the lungs, entering the bloodstream, and can interfere with essential bodily functions over time.
Why Safe Removal is Critical
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised since 1991 that mercury fillings are humans’ most significant source of mercury exposure. Simply drilling out an amalgam filling can increase exposure, making careful removal essential.
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we use the SMART Protocol (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique)—a scientifically developed, internationally recognised approach to minimising mercury exposure during removal.
Our SMART Protocol for Mercury Removal
- Protective Barriers – Rubber dam and high-volume suction to prevent ingestion or inhalation.
- Oxygen Supply – To ensure you don’t breathe in mercury vapour.
- Specialised Filtration – High-speed evacuation to safely remove mercury particles.
- Cool Water Spray – To reduce heat and vapour release during the process.
- Protective Gear – For both patients and staff, ensuring maximum safety.
Replacing Fillings with Biocompatible Alternatives
Once the amalgam is safely removed, we restore your teeth using biocompatible, long-lasting, and aesthetic materials such as:
- Ceramic restorations – Durable and natural-looking.
- Resin composites – Aesthetic and mercury-free.
Root Canal Treatment: A Balanced, Patient-Centred Approach
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we take a patient-centred approach, carefully assessing whether a root canal is the right solution for you. Every case is unique, and we prioritise thorough evaluation and diagnosis before making any recommendations.
What Happens When a Tooth Becomes Infected?
Each tooth contains a pulp chamber filled with nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. If decay, deep fillings, or trauma damage the pulp, the body will attempt to repair it. However, if healing is not successful, the pulp and surrounding blood vessels may die and become necrotic. This can lead to:
- Infection spreading to the surrounding bone
- Formation of an abscess (which may or may not cause pain)
- Systemic health concerns if bacteria or toxins enter the bloodstream
The Debate: Should a Root Canal Be Done?
There are two differing views on root canal treatment:
The Case Against Root Canals
- Bacteria and toxins may remain inside the treated tooth, posing a challenge to the immune system.
- In some cases, extraction may be a better long-term option to remove infection entirely.
The Case for Root Canals
- When performed to the highest standard, a root canal can successfully remove infection, allowing the bone to regenerate.
- If healing occurs properly, any remaining bacteria or toxins can be effectively handled by a healthy immune system.
How We Approach Root Canals Holistically
If a root canal is the chosen treatment, we take extra precautions to ensure it is performed to the highest standard, including:
- Thorough assessment and diagnosis before recommending treatment.
- 3D cone beam X-rays to understand the exact anatomy of the tooth.
- High-powered microscopy to locate all root canals.
- Additional antimicrobial measures to reduce bacterial contamination.
- Post-treatment monitoring to assess healing and bone regeneration.
Your Health, Your Choice
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we take a case-by-case approach, always keeping your overall health and wellbeing in mind. Whether a root canal or an alternative treatment is recommended, you can feel confident that every aspect of your long-term health has been considered.
Snoring & Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Holistic Approach to Better Sleep
A consistently good night’s sleep is one of the most important foundations of your health. It affects your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, impacting everything from energy levels to immune function. Poor sleep has been linked to cardiovascular disease, weight gain, diabetes, memory problems, and chronic inflammation.
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we recognise that snoring and sleep apnea are not just inconveniences but can be signs of potentially serious health concerns. We take a holistic, patient-centred approach to understanding the root causes of sleep disturbances and providing effective solutions.
Why Snoring & Sleep Apnea Matter
Snoring occurs when airflow is partially obstructed, causing vibrations in the airway. While snoring is often seen as a minor annoyance, it can also be a warning sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition where breathing pauses or stops multiple times during sleep.
- Snoring: Caused by restricted airflow due to the tongue falling back, excess throat tissue, or airway narrowing.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Episodes where airflow is partially or completely blocked for 10+ seconds, leading to oxygen deprivation.
Many people with OSA are unaware they have it, yet poor sleep quality from untreated sleep disorders has been linked to:
- Cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke)
- Weight gain & diabetes (hormonal imbalances due to disrupted sleep)
- Memory & cognitive decline (risk of dementia & impaired concentration)
- Chronic inflammation & immune dysfunction
- Daytime drowsiness, headaches, and mood disorders
How We Assess & Treat Sleep Disorders
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we take a comprehensive approach to understanding your sleep patterns, breathing habits, and oral health.
- Thorough medical history & sleep assessment to identify potential risk factors.
- Evaluation of airway structure, tongue posture, and jaw position.
- Collaboration with sleep physicians for further diagnosis if needed.
- End CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy in collaboration with sleep specialists.
Treatment Options for Snoring & Sleep Apnea
We offer several approaches to help patients improve their sleep quality, depending on the severity of the issue:
- Lifestyle & Sleep Hygiene Adjustments – Simple but effective changes to improve sleep quality.
- Breathing Optimisation – Assessing whether you are a nasal or mouth breather and making interventions where necessary.
- Custom Night-Time Appliances – Specially designed oral devices to keep the airway open during sleep.
- CPAP Therapy – In cases of severe sleep apnea, we may recomm
Sleep Treatment: Restoring Health Through Better Sleep
Quality sleep is essential for your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. It is the time when the body repairs, regenerates, and restores itself. Poor sleep has been linked to a wide range of health concerns, including:
- Increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure
- Impaired cognitive function, memory, and concentration
- Chronic fatigue, mood disorders, and reduced immune function
- Higher levels of chronic inflammation in the body
- Greater likelihood of accidents and reduced performance in daily life
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we take a comprehensive, holistic approach to identifying and addressing underlying causes of sleep disturbances.
Signs You May Have a Sleep Disorder
- Waking up tired, unrefreshed, or with a headache
- Frequent snoring, choking, or gasping during sleep
- Feeling fatigued, irritable, or struggling with concentration
- Grinding or clenching your teeth at night
- Waking up frequently to go to the bathroom
- Experiencing jaw pain or muscle tension
Our Holistic Approach to Sleep Treatment
We go beyond symptom management to understand why you are not sleeping well. Our approach includes:
- Comprehensive assessment of sleep patterns, breathing, and oral health
- Identifying airway obstructions that may be affecting breathing during sleep
- Examining jaw position, tongue posture, and nasal vs. mouth breathing
- Collaboration with sleep specialists to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment
Treatment Options for Poor Sleep
Depending on your specific needs, we may recommend:
- Lifestyle and sleep hygiene changes to improve sleep patterns naturally
- Breathing retraining to encourage nasal breathing and optimal oxygen intake
- Custom-made night-time appliances to support jaw alignment and maintain an open airway
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy for more severe cases of sleep apnoea, in collaboration with sleep specialists
Take Control of Your Sleep and Your Health
Good sleep is the foundation of overall health. If you are struggling with poor sleep quality, snoring, or daytime fatigue, we can help.
Lifestyle changes
Exploring the power of good ‘sleep hygiene’ can be simple but effective.
Breathing changes
Are you a mouth breather or a nasal breather? We have a simple yet powerful intervention that can change that overnight.
Night-time appliances
We can create customised night-time appliances to help you maintain an open airway while you sleep.
CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) – CPAP therapy can be used to help treat more severe sleep problems.
Breathing Well: The Foundation of Good Health
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we recognise that imbalances in breathing can contribute to poor sleep, fatigue, anxiety, headaches, and a range of dental and overall health issues. Our holistic approach focuses on identifying and correcting dysfunctional breathing patterns to support optimal health.
Why Nasal Breathing is Essential
Breathing through the nose is how the body is designed to function. Nasal breathing:
- Filters, warms, and humidifies the air before it reaches the lungs
- Encourages optimal oxygen exchange, improving energy levels and cognitive function
- Balances pH levels in the body, reducing stress and inflammation
- Stimulates nitric oxide production, which supports circulation, immunity, and respiratory health
The Impact of Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing can lead to a range of dental and general health problems, including:
- Altered facial development in children, affecting jaw growth and tooth alignment
- Dry mouth, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease
- Restricted airway development, contributing to sleep apnoea and snoring
- Postural imbalances, leading to tension in the jaw, neck, and shoulders
- Increased risk of fatigue, anxiety, and poor concentration due to inefficient oxygen exchange
Our Holistic Approach to Better Breathing
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we incorporate breathing assessments into our dental care to help patients improve their overall health. Our approach includes:
- Identifying dysfunctional breathing patterns and their impact on sleep and oral health
- Assessing airway structure, tongue posture, and nasal vs. mouth breathing
- Providing guidance on breathing retraining techniques to encourage healthy nasal breathing
- Addressing underlying causes, such as jaw alignment and airway obstructions
Breathe Better, Live Better
If you wake up with a dry mouth, frequent headaches, or experience disrupted sleep, your breathing may be affecting your health. Addressing breathing function can lead to better sleep, improved energy, and enhanced overall wellbeing.
Headache Treatment
Headaches are an extremely common problem, but that doesn’t mean that they’re normal and something you should have to learn to live with. Having a few headaches each year is one thing, but if you have them every month, every week or every day, there is likely a bigger problem at play and sometimes the jaw has been overlooked.
Headaches are a prime example of how your oral health can impact your overall wellbeing. If you clench or grind your teeth when you sleep, you may wake up with a tension headache or neck ache. What’s more, increased pain can inhibit other muscular conditions from healing. It can work the other way around too. If you are in pain, it can cause you to clench your jaw, which creates more soft tissue problems and leads to muscular and neurological pain. Poor posture and nutrition can also put a huge strain on the body, again leading to teeth grinding or clenching.
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we aim to help all our patients live pain-free lives. If you suffer from headaches and neck aches, we’ll look closely to assess the connection with your oral health. We’ll assess the soft tissues around the head, neck and jaw joints, the quality of your sleep and more. We offer our patients a variety of appliances suitable for different scenarios, from temporary soft splints to custom-built night guards to relieve stress and tension in the muscles and joints. The use of a simple night-time mouthguard can often provide effective relief from pain, resolve long-standing chronic pain problems and greatly improve your quality of life.
Your Initial Consultation: A Holistic Approach to Dental and General Health
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Our initial consultation includes:
- A detailed review of your medical and dental history to understand how your oral health may affect your overall wellbeing.
- An oral cancer screening, as early detection, is crucial for successful treatment.
- Assessment of your jaw joints, teeth, and existing restorations, as well as the gum and bone health surrounding each tooth.
- Digital X-rays (bitewings and panoramic scans) using low-radiation technology (up to 90% less radiation than traditional X-rays).
- High-definition digital photographs provide a clear and detailed record of your oral health.
- Evaluation of symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, jaw pain, or breathing difficulties may be linked to dental issues.
- A discussion of your individual needs, concerns, and comfort preferences to ensure you feel at ease throughout your treatment.
- A clear outline of recommended treatment options, including costs so that you can make informed decisions about your care.
Why a Holistic Consultation Matters
Unlike traditional dentistry, a holistic approach considers the impact of dental health on the entire body. Many conditions—such as poor sleep, chronic pain, breathing dysfunction, and systemic inflammation—can be linked to oral health. Identifying these connections early can provide targeted treatment strategies that improve oral and overall wellbeing.
Book Your Consultation Today
Your oral health is a key part of your overall health. Our comprehensive, patient-centred approach ensures dental care aligns with your long-term wellbeing.
The Sydney Holistic Difference
At Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, we go beyond traditional dentistry to provide high-quality, biocompatible treatments in a comfortable and supportive environment. Our holistic, patient-centred approach ensures your oral health supports your overall wellbeing.
Ready to Experience Holistic Dental Care?
Your health deserves the best care. Book your consultation today and take the first step towards better oral and overall health.
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