Alternative Medicine

We provide gentle and compassionate care in a friendly environment. We always focus on evidence based diagnosis, patient education, and working with you to build a treatment plan that aligns with your oral health goals.

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or call 250-744-4499

Why choose us for your dental care?

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED & DEDICATED DENTIST

KNOWLEDGEABLE , CARING & GENTLE  TEAM

PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE

Alternative Medicine

HOW DO HERBAL MEDICATIONS DIFFER FROM CONVENTIONAL DRUGS?

Although many of the prescription and over-the-counter drugs used today are derived from plants, there is a big difference between the two. Conventional drugs, which must be approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration, are based on an active ingredient. Manufacturers find a chemical that provides a desired response when taken into the body, and then they synthesize that chemical. In other words, a conventional drug is based on a chemical that is made in a laboratory, even though it may have originally come from a plant.

Herbal or botanical medications are taken from the natural chemicals within a plant. Either the extract is taken in its original form, sometimes combined with other herbal extracts, or it is refined. When an herbal medication is refined, the essential extract is taken out of the plant source, concentrated and then added back to make the original herbal medication more potent.

WHY DO I NEED TO TELL MY DENTIST IF I TAKE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS?

Always tell your dentist about all medications and supplements you are taking and how much you take. From vitamins to echinacea, everything you put in your body causes a certain reaction, and some alternative medicines are very potent. That reaction can interfere with medications your dentist gives you or enhance them to cause a much stronger reaction. If your dentist doesn’t know what drugs or supplements you have taken, he or she will not know how to protect you from possible substance interactions.

WHAT ARE SOME COMBINATIONS I SHOULD AVOID TAKING?

Even the most common herbal and vitamin supplements can have serious side effects for some patients. Blood thinners, such as the popular ginko biloba and even vitamin E can be dangerous when taken with aspirin, which also acts as a blood thinner. Because this may cause a situation in which some patients’ blood will have difficulty clotting, serious surgical procedures should be avoided after taking such a combination of supplements.

Vitamins can be dangerous as well, if you aren’t careful. Vitamin C, when taken in the thousands of grams as an intravenous cancer treatment, can cause problems and weaken the efficiency of anesthesia. On the other hand, if you are taking a calming supplement, such as Kava Kava or St. John’s Wort, this can enhance the effects of the anesthesia your dentist gives you and cause problems.

Dandelion and bearberry are both herbal supplements that are said to work as a diuretic. These can interact with and over-enhance the effects of prescription diuretics, which can lead to dehydration, loss of potassium in the body, and even disrupt heart-rhythm.

WHAT WILL MY DENTIST DO WHEN I TELL HIM OR HER?

It is important that your dentist has all the information, including your medical history, herbal medication and conventional drugs you are taking. If your dentist knows that you are taking a medication that can interact with something he or she is planning on giving you, there are a variety of solutions from which to choose. Your dentist may have you stop taking the herbal medication until the treatment is over, or choose a different drug for treatment, if one is available.

There are so many new alternative medications on the market today that a dentist may not know about all of them and their side effects. If your dentist is not familiar with the medication, he or she will make it his or her job to find out if a treatment is safe for your situation.

Many patients who take alternative medicines may not tell their dentist. They are afraid the dentist will not respect their decision to take an herbal medication and tell them to stop taking it. The truth is, as herbal medications become more popular, many dentists are beginning to use them in their practices. Your dentist might even have an alternative, herbal solution for you.

WHERE CAN I GO FOR INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES?

The best person to ask is a licensed alternative MD. There are a few accredited schools in the United States that offer degrees in natural healing. Some of these schools can offer referrals to their graduates. For example, you can go to Bastyr University’s referral page to look up a variety of practitioners.

Insurance & Financing

We believe that high-quality dental care should accessible for everyone. That’s why we accept most major insurance plans and are priced competitively for those who wish to pay out of pocket. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

or call 250-744-4499

250-744-4499

Check Your Dental Insurance or Ask Us a Question

Have a question about your smile? Curious if you are covered under your current dental insurance plan? Fill out the form below and one of our professional dental team members will get back to you as soon as possible.

Why Choose Us?

Friendly Doctors

Family & Kid Friendly

Financing Available

Comfortable Office

Convenient Location

Open Monday – Thursday

Digital X-Rays

Same Day Appointments Often Available

Accepting New Patients

Your Mouth, Your Decisions!

Our job is to show you what we see in your mouth, educate you on your options, and let you make the best decision for yourself. We never push unnecessary treatments and always give you options.

Give us a Call!

The first step to better oral health is booking a new patient visit. Give us a call at 250-744-4499 or request an appointment online.

Initial Visit

During your first visit we will take some digital X-Rays and see what’s going on inside of your mouth. Then, we’ll learn about your oral health goals and come up with a treatment plan.

Next Visit

Once we have shared our recommendations, we want you make the best decisions for yourself. We will never be pushy or recommend treatments that you do not need.

250-744-4499

New Patients are Always Welcome at our Practice!

Have a question about your smile? Curious if you are covered under your current dental insurance plan? Fill out the form below and one of our professional dental team members will get back to you as soon as possible.

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

or call 250-744-4499

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New Patients are always welcomed at our practice!

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