Today, good oral hygiene goes beyond fresh breath and aesthetically pleasing pearly whites.
Your mouth and the rest of your body are intimately connected, yet in health care, they are often treated separately.
The best way to avoid long-term health risks include functional dental care and education about preventive oral health to promote overall well-being.
In fact, you can prevent chronic diseases from developing in your mouth and throughout your body with a comprehensive approach to dental care, where every treatment is considered for its holistic effect on your body, something a functional dental practice can achieve.
Dr. Lila Popa and her associates at Dundarave Dental in West Vancouver, integrate modern dental science with holistic healing methods and treat the root cause, not just the symptoms.
"I'm the only certified functional dentist in Canada, and possibly only one of six in the world," reveals Dr. Popa. "No one else in Canada is currently offering the services we provide, such as oral microbiome testing and optimization."
"We aim to pioneer and set a new standard of care in dentistry, focusing on a holistic approach that benefits both oral and systemic health."
Only a few dentists are certified in functional dentistry — a prestigious status — due to the highly comprehensive and challenging exam, which goes beyond focusing on the oral cavity and addresses biochemistry, physiology, hormone and immune modules, cardiovascular and more.
"We want to talk about regenerative dentistry,” she says. “We don't want to just talk about fixing problems. We want to talk about prevention."
This marks a new era in dentistry, where oral health is viewed through the lens of functional medicine.
Benefits of functional dentistry
Functional dentistry aligns seamlessly with functional medicine, a practice that addresses the underlying causes of disease. As Dr. Popa points out, "Functional medicine trains physicians to think differently, to ask better questions and to gather more information."
By taking a functional medicine approach to dental care, Dr. Popa looks to full-body health markers such as blood pressure, genetics and medical history, as well as your diet and lifestyle choices as clues to possible underlying causes of oral health issues.
"Functional dentistry highlights how oral bacteria balance affects, not just your mouth, but your entire body, including your cardiovascular health, immunity, brain function, and gut health," explains Dr. Popa.
"Research reveals there's specific bacteria that live in our gums and when it's elevated, it has been found in cases like colon cancer. There are also pathogenic bacteria that are only supposed to live in our mouths and have turned up in Alzheimer's and dementia cases, so education is key to raising awareness and understanding these vital correlations."
Why oral microbiome testing and optimization is important
Oral microbiome testing and optimization allows Dr. Popa to assess the balance of bacteria in the mouth. By identifying and addressing imbalances, she can prevent dental issues and promote better overall health.
A simple 30-second swish-and-spin treatment is all it takes, which is performed between hygiene appointments to maintain a healthy oral microbiome, supporting both gut and brain health.
"Adding this oral microbiome testing customizes your dental needs and treatment plan so we can work together to make you better overall."
The key is recognizing the importance of oral health as part of your overall health strategy, which empowers you to make informed choices about your dental care routines. "It's going to be an individual journey," says Dr. Popa. "Once people create that connection between oral health and overall health, it's going to become natural for them to improve their oral care."
"Functional dentistry has opened up a whole new realm, and I'm eager for the world to move in this direction; I think the future of dentistry is very exciting."
Dundarave Dental is a full-service dental office providing family, general, and cosmetic dentistry. For more information on functional dentistry or any of their services, call 604-922-6044, or visit dundarave.dental.
