As one of the leading practices in the greater Cincinnati area that offers holistic oral surgery, our patients come to us searching for natural means of healing following their operations. All-natural dental surgery focuses on utilizing materials that have biocompatibility with the human body as well as post-op treatment that makes use of non-pharmaceutical pain management.
Ozone therapy—yes, that ozone—is a powerful application that contains antimicrobial properties, and it can be used in completely natural dental operations to facilitate healing and prevent infection. It sounds like it’s a newer innovation, but ozone therapy has actually been used for over a century. So, what exactly is it? And how does it work?
Understanding Ozone Therapy Used in Non-Pharmaceutical Oral Surgeries
Ozone differs slightly from oxygen in that it has an extra atom attached to it. That extra oxygen atom—for a total of three—makes it a more reactive molecule. It’s actually slightly unstable, but that’s what gives it its potent properties. Of course, ozone naturally forms in the earth’s atmosphere and shields us from UV radiation.
Your local oral surgeon who deals in holistic dental practices isn’t out gathering ozone from the atmosphere. Instead, they have access to medical-grade ozone generators. The devices take regular old oxygen and either pass it through a controlled electrical discharge or expose it to ultraviolet light. By doing this, it mimics the natural formation of ozone, ensuring consistency and safety when it’s used in holistic oral surgeries.
Ozone Therapy is an Antimicrobial Powerhouse
Ozone therapy’s effectiveness in holistic dental procedures lies in its unstable properties. When ozone runs into bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, it enacts oxidative stress upon them. During this process, ozone is able to wreak havoc on the cell walls of bacteria and the lipids that that envelop viruses. Once the integrity of those is compromised, the bacteria and viruses are unable to function correctly. In short, it’s a highly effective therapy when used by dental surgeons who use natural means of recovery.
But what about our cells? While it absolutely crushes microorganisms, ozone therapy is tolerated by healthy human cells because of its selective toxicity. In therapeutic concentrations used in completely natural dental surgeries, the defense systems in our cells keep us protected from the ozone. Over time, our cells have actually evolved to be able to withstand oxidative stress. Viruses and bacteria, on the other hand, are completely powerless to stop those three oxygen atoms from rendering them useless.
Ozone Therapy’s Application in Holistic Oral Surgery
Ozone therapy has an array of practical benefits when applied to patients in natural dental surgeries. With its antimicrobial properties, ozone can be used before an oral surgery to thoroughly disinfect the site, or it can be used in post-op as a holistic healing method used in oral surgeries.
Prior to an oral surgery, ozonated water is used around the surgical area to disinfect the site and reduce the microbial load present. It can even be used in a gaseous form to reach nooks and crannies in the mouth that are hard to get to normally. By creating a clean and disinfected environment prior to surgery, your holistic dental doctor can set the stage for success. They can even use ozonated water to thoroughly irrigate deep sockets. Irrigating sockets prior to an extraction flushes out debris and bacteria that linger around.
In fact, ozone therapy is used even during surgery too. This naturally-occurring therapy for dental surgeries can be freely used throughout the surgical process to maintain a sterile mouth. During surgery, it’s specifically utilized to help remove any blood clots that might be forming as well.
Post-Op Ozone Therapy is an Effective Holistic Oral Operation Treatment
Following an operation, ozone therapy is used to support healing and prevent complications. It’s an effective natural healing agent for oral surgeries. Your oral surgeon might provide you with ozonated water to gently rinse your mouth with. This keeps the surgical site clean and greatly reduces the risk of infections. In some cases, ozone can be added to carrier oils as a topical medication to use around the site as well.
Ozone therapy is also a fantastic way to mitigate the pain of dry socket. Dry socket occurs following a surgery when the blood clot is dislodged prematurely. The absence of the blood clot allows bacteria to settle into the socket, causing pain and inflammation. Thankfully, it’s no match for a holistic oral surgery treatment like ozone therapy. The ozone eliminates anaerobic bacteria and reduces pain and swelling.
Ozone therapy is sort of the posterchild for the principles of holistic oral surgery. It optimizes the success rate of surgery and promotes healing through all-natural means. Next time you’re in the chair, ask your local oral surgeon about the possibility of incorporating ozone into your treatment plan.
