27 May Holistic Dentistry for Kids: What Makes Our Practice Different
When it comes to pediatric dental care, most dentists are the same. They push the fluoride. They say that silver fillings are fine, because the teeth will fall out in a few years anyway. But a lot of parents have legitimate concerns about the safety of fluoride, mercury, and other dental materials.
In fact, many parents are looking for alternatives. That’s how they find us.
As holistic dentists, we take a different approach. Holistic dentistry means looking at your child’s oral health as part of their whole body health. It means using biocompatible, safer materials. Our dentists focus on prevention rather than taking a drill-and-fill approach. The holistic approach includes non-invasive treatments and creating a safe, calming environment.
If you’re interested in bringing your kids to a holistic dentist, let us tell you more about what makes our practice different.
Biomimetic vs. Amalgam Fillings for Kids
We meet a lot of parents who are worried about letting their kids get metal fillings, and for good reason. Amalgam fillings are a mixture of silver, copper, and tin, powdered and bound together with mercury. They have been used in dentistry for over 150 years because they are very durable. However, there are newer, more advanced materials available today.
At Prescott Dentistry, we use biomimetic composites that act more like natural tooth enamel and bond better with the tooth structure. If your child needs a filling, we want to preserve as much of their natural tooth as possible, whether it’s a baby tooth or a permanent one.
We also offer non-invasive treatments that are less frightening for kids, like air abrasion instead of drilling, and ozone therapy for gingivitis. And if your child has allergies or chemical sensitivities, we can use compatibility testing to find a safe treatment method.
Fluoride Alternatives for Kids
If you’re worried about your kids getting fluoride treatments or using fluoride toothpaste, we understand. Fluoride is a known neurotoxin, and if swallowed it could cause developmental issues or even dental fluorosis (white spots on the tooth enamel that turn into cavities).
For parents with concerns about the safety of fluoride, we recommend looking for a kids toothpaste with hydroxyapatite instead. It’s a much safer alternative because unlike fluoride, it is not harmful when swallowed. For kids who haven’t yet mastered the art of spitting out all their toothpaste, that’s a really good thing!
But there can be quite a few other toxic ingredients in toothpaste as well. Some of them (like parabens, propylene glycol, and triclosan) are particularly harmful for children. So don’t choose a toothpaste based on the presence or absence of one ingredient alone. If you’re feeling stumped, we’d be happy to recommend a good brand at your child’s next appointment.
Holistic Dental Care for Kids in Prescott
Dental care for kids should be safe, effective, and good for their whole bodies. We believe that with the right environment and the right approach, kids can leave our office feeling confident in their smiles and in their ability to take good care of their teeth. We won’t ever push treatments on you or criticize you for hesitating when it comes to the safety of materials like silver amalgam or fluoride.
Find out for yourself what makes holistic dentistry different! Make an appointment for your kids today.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 4/25/26.