Like most people, I don’t exactly anticipate my next dental cleaning. I’d say it draws the same level of excitement as scooping up after the dog; no fun, though part of your citizenly duties. But a spa appointment? The mere thought can power me through a work week. And then you’ll nearly have to drag me out of the relaxation room afterwards, cup of chamomile clutched in my hands.The disparity is not lost on a clever New York dentist who is looking to merge the two opposite worlds into one with the introduction of what he calls a “mouth facial.” This detoxifying dental cleaning is meant to mirror a spa facial in the sense that it restores health to teeth while thoroughly relaxing and leaving you radiant.Clearly, I had to check this out.Upon entering the Park Avenue “Rejuvenation Dentistry” office of New York’s Gerry Curatola, D.D.S., dimmed light and a feng shui design greeted me, while a warm cup of tea began the calming process as I filled out forms. I chatted with the charismatic doc, who has appeared on “The Doctor Oz Show,” as he explained that the cleaning also differed from the traditional dentistry concept.“There’s this obsession with sanitizing the mouth with caustic chemicals, and if you do that, you’re unleashing ecological armageddon,” said Dr. Curatola. “You need to nourish the gums and balance the natural mouth biofilm—and there are all kinds of benefits to that, like greater overall health, improved digestion and stronger immunity,” he added.Not wanting a science fiction disaster to play out in my mouth, I was led into a treatment room with lighting that was more soothing than sterile. The plush massage chair was heated, and as I eased into it, I exhaled with relaxation instead of grasping the arms with white knuckles.An oral cleansing began, as I was handed earphones with music to intercept sounds of scraping and whizzing. It also magically blocked out any potential scolding for not flossing enough. (The hygienists are actually instructed not to nag patients, to prevent spoiling the pleasurable environment.)The mouth facial focuses on balance instead of disinfection with natural products that are free of chemicals like alcohol, triclosan and sulfates. There is the typical scraping, though teeth are then polished with gentle antioxidant paste. Rinsing is done with Himalayan salt solution that is naturally replete in 84 trace elements that are “remarkably different” from standard table salt that Dr. Curatola says is toxic to cells.After the detailed cleaning was complete and teeth and gum health were checked, a hydrating antioxidant-rich gum mask was applied and allowed to absorb for several minutes as I rested peacefully. After it was cleansed and I rinsed again, the best part began as the hygienist swapped out seats with a massage therapist.For the final 10 minutes, I received a mind-melting myofacial massage that released the often tense muscles of the face, temples, jaw and neck with a trio of detoxifying fine oil serums. It was every bit as good as it sounds.I left with Dr. Curatola’s new Revitin natural toothpaste filled with nutrients like Co-enzyme Q10 and micronized minerals that help balance the oral biofilm for healthy teeth and gums, as well as samples of IntelliDent Toothbrush Shields that guard against gross airborne bacteria that’s disturbingly common to bathrooms.Now here’s the catch: The office doesn’t participate in insurance, though they work with insurance companies to provide the medical receipts needed for out-of-network reimbursement and deductible allocation, if your health plan includes either. Otherwise, the cost of the one-hour treatment is a flat $260.Will the idea of a spa teeth cleaning gain ground in dentist’s offices around the world? We could only hope. Just don’t expect that it’ll be called a “mouth facial”—the good doctor has already trademarked the phrase.

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