The idea of considering the whole person while treating a particular symptom or condition is as old as Greek philosophy. “Let food be thy medicine,” Hippocrates famously advised. Holistic dentists routinely discuss nutrition during dental visits, as what you eat has a profound impact on the condition of your teeth, your gums, the blood supply that nourishes them, the integrity of roots and bones, the types of bacteria thriving in your mouth, and your likelihood of developing chronic conditions.
More than 2,400 years after Hippocrates, traditional medicine has begun to come around to this view. For example, researchers have proven a strong link between gum disease and heart disease, demonstrating the importance of aligning your oral and body health in a comprehensive way.