Foundation Principles of Functional Dentistry

1) The mouth is not only part of the body, but it may be one of the most important, functional, sensory rich systems of our biologic orchestra. Throughout evolution, all living organisms have two prime directives: Survival and reproduction. The mouth is intimately involved in both. The mouth is the body's gateway to the external environment. All food, water, and oxygen come into the body through the mouth, so there are sensory mechanisms in place to determine what the substances are and produce secretions to process the raw materials. Yet, all potentially harmful agents come in through the mouth as well. The mouth is the largest orifice of the body exposed to the external environment and because of that, it has a very important immune defense system.

2) Recognizing the vital importance of the mouth and oral area to the health of the body, Functional Dentistry looks for the underlying pathways of dysfunction that produce a disease process, and strives to restore the mouth and oral function with techniques and materials that do not harm or interfere with natural biologic function.

3) Functional Dentistry educates dental and other health professionals to recognize the diease and dysfunction patterns which then become easy to correct. Diet and nutrition choices early in life alter jaw and teeth growth and development patterns, as well as reduce the immune defense molecules of the mouth. Functional Dentistry recognizes the harmful effects of conventional and many alternative techniques that may have profound consequences on the future health of the whole body. Almost all adult dentistry that is performed today is working on teeth dentists have drilled and filled early in life. Functional Dentistry does not destroy teeth to fill them. Using lasers, ozone, diet, and tooth-like restoratives, teeth can be restored to natural form and function without setting the stage for the need for future dentistry and the unwanted whole-body influences.

4) Functional Dentistry views stress patterns and cellular toxicity as perhaps the most important aspects of whole-body dysfunction and the disease process. De-stress and detoxification of the mouth may be an important key step in detoxifying the whole body. Functional Dentistry focuses on techniques and materials that minimize these effects, remove existing stressors and toxins from the mouth, and work with the patient and his or her health provider to detoxify the body.

5) Functional Dentistry believes that prevention of any dysfunction or disease process, overcoming the weaknesses of genetic predispositions, and restoration of health, begins with an understanding that the diet, lifestyle, habits, spiritual beliefs, and the environmental choices of the patient are paramount in the achievement of a life in balance and harmony with nature, and free of disease. The practitioner does not "heal" the body and will "fail" in his efforts, if the patient is not committed to the process--only the patient's own body can heal itself. The practitioner is there as a knowledgeable guide, health coach, counselor, and an "architect of health" to design a plan of functional health restoration.

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