Dr. Sonya Reddy, founder of Smile Up Dentistry holistic dentistry practice, grew up in a family of physicians that practiced in India, England and Argentina. Although she was exposed to homeopathic medicine as a young child, it wouldn’t be until adulthood that she realized how holistic therapies and dentistry connect with overall systemic health.

Reddy attended New York University College of Dentistry, and moved to California to practice what she calls, “traditional, bread-and-butter dentistry.” However, that changed after her daughter was born. “She was a mouth breather and thumbsucker, which led to malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth), poor sleep and lack of focus at school. She could not calm down easily,” Reddy relates. “She was recommended to take attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication from a pediatric dentist when she was just 7 years old.”

Instead of medication, Reddy looked for alternatives. She found articles about how underdeveloped jaws and small airways can lead to an oxygen deficit, causing symptoms similar to ADHD. Through a functional medicine doctor, she also learned how mercury exposure from metal, or amalgam, fillings can lead to brain fog and lethargy.

“Once I successfully treated my daughter’s habit, her malocclusion improved and that intervention led to her doing amazing in school,” Reddy says. “Underdeveloped jaws and small airways can be fixed.” With a desire to practice integrative dentistry, Reddy opened Smile Up Dentistry in 2019, shortly after her family moved to the Dallas area.

She offers full general dentistry services such as cleanings and implants. Holistic dentistry services include mercury-free restorations and amalgam removal. Reddy is certified in the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) through the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. The SMART technique trains professionals to remove mercury safely with minimal exposure for patients and staff.

Ozone therapy is a non-invasive, non-toxic way to eliminate infection and rid the mouth of decay-causing bacteria. Reddy notes that ozone helps improve white blood cell counts, so it is often used to treat inflamed gums.

Reddy’s specialty is airway-focused dentistry, which involves treatments for malocclusion, sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and teeth grinding—all of which she emphasizes affect total health. Many services for children are available.

“That’s how my journey began,” Reddy says. “Kids that are mouth breathers don’t get the quality of oxygen they need. But if you set kids up for success with a good airway and they can breathe well, they will not need medication or orthodontics for malocclusion.” Reddy uses the HealthyStart series of oral appliances to correct airway issues with children.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for adults with sleep apnea, but Reddy notes many airway issues can be corrected with a Vivos sleep guard, an oral appliance custom fitted by a dentist that users wear at bedtime.

Smile Up Dentistry offers a test to confirm whether a patient has sleep apnea. “Sleep apnea is a silent killer,” Reddy emphasizes. “We don’t want anyone going through life thinking that it’s just a part of aging. Proper diagnoses will lead to proper treatment.”

Reddy and her staff strive to offer customized care. After a thorough exam, which includes a 3-D tour of the mouth, Reddy reviews all options and recommendations with patients. “I’m an evidence-based dentist, and I don’t do anything unless I see research behind it. I emphasize to patients the link between oral health and systemic health.”

She advises that many dentists specialize in functional, integrative or holistic dentistry, but specialized services can differ. “Be sure to ask questions depending on what your needs are. Just because a dentist practices holistically doesn’t mean they offer services like treating sleep apnea or they work with ozone.”

Reddy supports the community through initiatives like the Give A Smile foundation, through which she donates free dental services to female victims of domestic violence to help improve their self-confidence and their lives. She provides dental services for kids and educates parents about preventative care through the Chetana Foundation. “I love the interactions with patients and seeing them transform after I educate them about the mouth-body connection,” she says. “They leave healthier and happier, and tell me this is what medicine should be.”

Smile Up Dentistry is located at 3000 FM407, Ste. 300, in Bartonville. For appointments and more information, call 940-291-2593 or visit SmileUpDentistry.com.