What Is a Functional Dentist?

Encourage nasal breathing: Orthotropics is the science behind maintenance of occlusion and the same philosophy supports the development of facial structures. Tropic premise is the foundation of orthotropics and it emphasizes on: teeth close in bite, mouth closed and tongue in right position. Nasal breathing is the normal physiological process. But at times, and quite commonly, we shift to mouth breathing either as a part of habit or some obstruction. One of the simplest manners to avoid mouth breathing is to start taping the mouth at night, during study hours, reading time, television time etc.

Adapt 80/20 rule with diet: Eating remineralizing foods such as cheese, nuts, milk products certainly help in enriching the tooth structure and thereby preventing cavities. On the contrary, demineralizing foods such as juices, citric foods, sweets, highly processed foods can lead to erosion of the enamel, thereby increasing the chance of caries and sensitivity. It is highly recommended to shift to adequate amounts of remineralizing foods on regular basis.

Practice good oral hygiene: Brush for two minutes in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed. Flossing is mandatory as significant percentage of decays occur in between the contacts of back teeth. Fluoride toothpaste with age specific content should be used in routine.

Vitamins and supplements: Certain vitamins such as vitamin D3, vitamin K2, vitamin A, calcium, oral probiotics, and trace minerals are capable of remineralizing cavities, hence, should be incorporated in the recommended dietary amounts.

Treating the dental decays and all the other concerns of teeth is one aspect of dentistry but treating the reasons that led to the cause in the very beginning is the craft of functional Dentist. The suggested diet is rich in healthy fats, high-quality proteins, vitamin K2-rich foods, and leafy greens. Processed foods and carbonized drinks should be avoided at all times.

Balanced Oral Microbiome: It is one of the vital criteria for a good foundation for good oral hygiene. Bacteria which are the normal residents of oral cavity help to fight bad breath and other oral diseases. Practices such as tongue cleaning, flossing, and consuming no processed food diet does support a balanced microbiome.