Functional Dentistry: A Whole-Body Approach to Oral Health
When you think about your health, how often do you think about your mouth?
At Sayva Dental, we believe oral health isn’t separate from the rest of your body—it’s deeply connected. That’s the foundation of functional dentistry, a modern, holistic approach that looks beyond just teeth and gums to understand how your overall wellness affects your smile—and how your smile affects your overall wellness.
What Is Functional Dentistry?
Functional dentistry is inspired by functional medicine, which focuses on identifying and treating the root causes of disease rather than just managing symptoms. Instead of looking at your mouth in isolation, functional dentists see it as a vital part of the whole body.
This approach doesn’t just ask “What’s wrong with your tooth?”—it also asks, “Why did this happen in the first place?”
How Is Functional Dentistry Different from Traditional Dentistry?
Most conventional dentistry is reactive: you get a cavity, it gets filled. You develop gum disease, you get a deep cleaning.
Functional dentistry is proactive: it aims to find out why you got that cavity or gum disease in the first place. Instead of stopping at treatment, we look at specific risk factors such as diet, gut health, stress levels, sleep quality, and more.
It’s about identifying patterns and habits that affect your oral health—and making changes that improve your whole body, not just your mouth.
Why the Mouth-Body Connection Matters
Your mouth isn’t a separate system—what’s happening in your oral health often reflects what’s happening elsewhere in your body. Here are just a few ways they’re connected:
Oral Microbiome
Your mouth is home to more than 800 types of bacteria. Some are good, some are harmful. An imbalance here can affect your teeth, gums, and even your gut, heart, and immune system.
Metal Toxicity
Traditional silver fillings contain metals that can leach into your body and be toxic to your overall health. Functional dentists often choose biocompatible materials to avoid this risk. We can replace many of these metallic fillings with white fillings in a safe way to get your mouth and body healthy again!
Airway & Sleep Health
Snoring and sleep apnea often start with issues in the mouth or jaw. Functional dentists may be the first to spot signs of airway obstruction that affect your sleep and long-term health.
Functional Dentists Can Use Advanced Testing
To get a fuller picture of your health, functional dentists often go beyond the standard checkup. At Sayva Dental, we may use:
Oral microbiome/Saliva testing – to understand your unique bacteria balance
- Vitamin D and nutrition supplements – to identify deficiencies that affect your enamel, gums, and healing
- HbA1C testing/review – to detect blood sugar issues that can worsen gum disease
- Review of your medical history and medications – to see how your current health may be impacting your oral microbiome
Interested in a More Holistic Approach to Dental Care?
At Sayva Dental, we treat more than just your teeth—we treat you as a whole person. If you’re looking for a more thoughtful, integrated, and personalized way to take care of your smile, functional dentistry may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Book a consultation today with Dr Kella today and learn how your mouth could be the key to better health.
