"IN OUR CLINIC WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY  AROMATHERAPY, UNIVERSAL LIFE FORCE ENERGY & MINDFULNESS MEDITATION DURING YOUR DENTAL CLEANING APPOINTMENT."

​Why do we use aromatherapy during dental cleanings?

​The “smell” receptors in your nose communicate with parts of your brain (the amygdala and hippocampus) that serve as storehouses for emotions and memories. When you breathe in essential oil molecules, researchers show they stimulate these parts of your brain and influence physical, emotional, and mental health. Scientists have found lavender stimulates the activity of brain cells in the amygdala similar to the way some sedative medications work. Other researcher’s states that molecules from essential oils may interact in the blood with hormones or enzymes.

Listerine mouth rinse, (which we strongly do not recommend in our dental clinic) has done extensive research on the medicinal effects of essential oils within the oral cavity and overall body.  We use a variety of organic & wildcrafted essential botanical oils in our all-natural dental products and in the atmosphere.  The essential oils used are anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial and anti-fungal. 

(patient allergies are noted in medical history)

​Essential oils help decrease the bacteria in the oral cavity, decrease inflammation in the oral cavity and overall body, aids in healing periodontal disease (gum disease,) decrease bad breath (halitosis) and triggers healthy brain neurotransmitters that activate your pre-frontal cortex.  Stimulates relaxation and healing.

All patients give written consent for use of essential oils.

​What are Essential Oils?

​Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from the roots, leaves, seeds, or blossoms of plants. Each contains its own mix of active ingredients, and this mix determines what the oil is used for.  Essential oils are used to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing,

​What is mindfulness meditation?   What are the benefits in a dental setting?

​The practice of mindfulness involves being aware moment-to-moment.   When practicing mindfulness, one becomes aware of one’s “stream of consciousness”.   Experiencing a relaxed state.

​Mindfulness meditation is practiced sitting or lying down in the dental chair with eyes closed or open.  Attention is put on the movement of the belly when breathing in and out, or on the awareness of the breath as it goes in and out the nostrils.   If one becomes distracted from the breath, one passively notices one’s mind has wandered, but in an accepting, non-judgmental way and one returns to focusing on breathing. Your Dental Hygienist will be guiding you gently to come back to awareness of the breath.   We start our treatment with a 3-minute guided meditation.  Awareness and focus of breathing into the head, neck and oral cavity aids in letting go of anxiety, stress and fatigue.   We encourage the clients to make a positive intention of healing the mind, body and smile.

​Clinical studies have documented the physical and mental health benefits of mindfulness in general, and have been widely adapted in schools, prisons, hospitals, veterans’ centers, and other environments.

​Research on the neural perspective of how mindfulness meditation works suggests that it exerts its effects in components of attention regulation, body awareness and emotional regulation.  When considering aspects such as sense of responsibility, authenticity, compassion, self-acceptance and character, studies have shown that mindfulness meditation contributes to a more coherent and healthy sense of self and identity.   Neuroimaging techniques suggest that mindfulness practices such as mindfulness meditation are associated with “changes in the anterior cingulate cortex, insula, temporo-parietal junction, fronto-limbic network and default mode network structures.  It has been suggested that the default mode network of the brain can be used as a potential biomarker for monitoring the therapeutic benefits of meditation.

​The act of mindfulness meditation brings our patients to a present moment awareness in the dental chair.    Mindfulness helps alleviate dental phobias, anxiety and worry.  Our patients’ overtime can develop a discipline of daily oral hygiene regimen, keep regular dental hygiene appointments, and cultivate an awareness to live a healthy lifestyle.