WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A BIOLOGICAL DENTIST: THE HIDDEN KEY TO WHOLE-BODY HEALING
If you’ve ever had that gut feeling that your dental work may be affecting your overall health, you’re not alone.
I once met a patient - let’s call her Sarah - who had struggled for years with fatigue, brain fog, and mysterious inflammation. She’d seen functional medicine doctors, tried countless supplements, and changed her diet …but nothing stuck. It wasn’t until she had a CBCT 3D dental scan that she discovered the hidden culprit: an infected root canal and two cavitations (infected lesions in the jawbone) from old wisdom tooth extractions.
That moment changed her life - and it’s why choosing the right Biological Dentist matters more than most people realise. To find out what Biological Dentistry is and how to choose a Biological Dentist, please read on …
What is Biological Dentistry?
Biological Dentistry (sometimes called holistic dentistry) views the mouth as directly connected to the rest of the body. Instead of treating teeth as isolated structures, biological dentists consider how dental materials, hidden infections, airway issues, and oral inflammation affect your immune system, detox pathways, nervous system, and overall health.
Unlike conventional dentistry which focuses on the 4 Cs (cavities, crowns, cleanings, cosmetics) biological dentistry focuses on:
*Biocompatible materials
*Minimising toxicity
*Root-cause diagnostics
*Supporting natural healing
The whole-body approach is especially important for people dealing with autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, allergies, chronic infections, Long Covid, or mysterious “never-ending” symptoms.
Why Choosing a Biological Dentist is Essential, not Optional
1.Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal (SMART Certified Through IAOMT)
If you have mercury amalgam fillings (known euphemistically as “silver fillings”) these contain roughly 50% mercury. This is one of the most toxic elements on earth. A biological dentist trained through IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology) follows the SMART protocol - a strict, science-backed system using advanced filtration, protective barriers, and isolation safety methods to prevent mercury vapour exposure during the dental procedure. This reduces the toxic burden in your nervous system, kidneys and immune system.
Safe mercury replacement is one of the most searched-for topics online because unsafe removal (i.e. not being trained in SMART) can worsen neurological, immune and detox symptoms. SMART certification protects you.
2.Advanced Extraction Techniques
Improper extractions can leave behind:
*Jawbone infections
*Cavitations (unhealed, infected holes in jawbone)
*Chronic inflammation
*Lingering bacteria and toxins which affect systemic health
A biological dentist uses:
*Thorough cleaning and debridement of the socket. (Debridement = the removal of dead, infected, unhealthy tissue/bone)
*Ozone therapy
*PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) made from your own blood, which accelerates healing and reduces complications.
*Removal of the periodontal ligament that attaches tooth to bone, so full healing can take place. (Periodontal ligament = stretchy tissue that holds each tooth in place in the jawbone)
This level of care is rare in conventional dentistry but essential for long-term wellness.
3.No titanium implants)
Titanium implants can corrode over time and may interfere with electrical signalling or cause inflammation in sensitive patients. For patients that prefer implant solutions, biological dentists prefer zirconia implants, which are more biocompatible and less reactive.
4.Advanced Diagnostics: Someone Who Can Actually Read a CBCT Scan
A CBCT scan can reveal:
*Chronic sinus infections
*Hidden root canal infections
*Cavitations
*Airway restrictions
*Bone density issues
Many conventional dentists own CBCT machines but don’t knowhow to interpret them fully. A trained biological dentist uses CBCT as a cornerstone of whole-body assessment.
5.A Dentist Who Respects Your Healthcare Team
A true biological dentist won’t overwhelm you with a long list of supplements or push you to change everything at once. Instead they:
*Collaborate with your practitioner to get you well again
*Support your current protocols
*Take into account your medical history
*Move at a pace your body (and pocket) can handle
This integrative mindset is the hallmark of high-quality biological dental care.
The Bottom Line: Dentistry Can Make or Break Your Health
Sarah’s story isn’t rare. For many people, the mouth is the last place they look - yet it’s often the missing link.
A biological dentist doesn’t just fix teeth. They help you uncover hidden infections, remove toxic materials safely, choose biocompatible solutions, and support whole-body healing.
There are two key objections that I sometimes encounter from patients:
Objection One: "It sounds too expensive; I can’t afford it."
*When dental infections or toxins are making or keeping you chronically sick, maybe even preventing you from earning a living, can you afford not to do it?
*Consider that one visit to the wrong dentist can herald a lifetime of sickness and lost income. Investing in a biological dentist can save money and health over time, avoid repeated procedures, medications, or chronic illness costs (which aren’t always measured in monetary value).
*Ask about payment plans or financing options. Many clinics offer monthly instalments.
*Prioritise treatments and go at your own pace.
*Stick to the basics to get the job done and don’t sign up to “extras.” A professional biological dentist should understand this and help you to get from a to b with the minimal amount of interventions necessary.
*Specialised dental care can cost more upfront but recognise that paying for more quality and safety is an investment in your life, not an indulgence. Be willing to take responsibility for the dental component of your overall health.
Objection Two: “There’s no biological dentist near me; I don’t want to travel.”
*Biological dentistry is still a niche field, so many patients do need to travel. When my husband had severe intestinal injuries, he needed to travel to London for specialist surgery that could not be performed in Devon. This was a life changing move that also saved the NHS thousands in care that would otherwise have been needed. The same principle applies with biological dentistry. The only difference is that conventional dentists don’t necessarily recognise the nature of the problem and may not even know what biological dentistry is!
To sum up, your dental choices can either support your health - or wreck it. It’s vitally important that you find the right biological dentist to help.
If you suspect that your teeth are keeping you sick and would like help with this, please get in touch with the Good Health Clinic on goodhealthclinic@outlook.com to request a free 30 minute Enquiry Call or book an appointment. Please note that an Enquiry call is not a consultation but an exploratory call to see if this is a clinical approach you wish to pursue.To your very good health,
Suzanne Jeffery (Nutritional Medicine Consultant)
M.A.(Oxon), BSc.(NMed), PGCE, GNC, BSEM, MNNA, CNHC
The Good Health Clinic at The Business Centre, 2, Cattedown Road, Plymouth PL4 0EG
Tel no: 07836 552936/ Answer phone: 01752 774755
Disclaimer:
All advice given out by Suzanne Jeffery and the Good Health Clinic is for general guidance and informational purposes only. All advice relating to other health professionals’ advice is for general guidance and information purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information provided with other sources. Patients and consumers should review the information carefully with their professional health care provider. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by other practitioners and physicians. Suzanne Jeffery and the Good Health Clinic will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages arising therefrom.