Miami dentist Theodore Herrmann, DMD, explains, “Smiling has long been associated with low levels of stress, and lower stress levels lead to lower blood pressure, improved digestion, regular blood sugar levels, and reduced anxiety.  It’s a ‘domino effect.’”

The American Institute of Stress (AIS) contests that stress is the #1 health problem faced by Americans.  Many health professionals support the correlation of smiling and better mental and physical health. Dr. Stibich, a Columbia University consultant and behavior change expert, reports that smiling regularly, even when it is “forced,” may significantly curb anxiety and lower blood pressure.

Incorporating iTero with Invisalign gives Dr. Theodore Herrmann the most advanced digital technology to straighten your smile!  The iTero Scanner uses digital imaging and laser light technology to create a 3-Dimensional map of the patient’s oral anatomy.  Assure A Smile is utilizing the iTero system for almost all of the procedures that require impressions. These new “digital impressions” are much more comfortable for patients. That bad tasting liquid or gel type impression plaster, or “goop” is no longer needed.  Digital images are also much more precise than traditional impression material. This precision allows Assure A Smile to create the smile of your dreams that will last and may even improve you over all heath.

With nearly 3 out of every 4 Americans embarrassed to smile, it is clear that many are missing out on the health benefits of smiling regularly. Assure A Smile hopes to help patients lead healthier lives filled with healthy – bright smiles, laughter, and low levels of stress.

This winter, the practice is focused on promoting affordable Invisalign treatments for Miami residents who want to improve the appearance and heath of their smile. The current Valentines’ Day Sale offers great discounts on Invisalgn as well as on Zoom Whitening! Also, interest free financing is available to those who qualify.

We invite you to schedule an appointment with “South Florida’s Home of Holistic Dentistry”, to learn of the many ways Assure A Smile uses the holistic approach and technology to enhance smiles.  Call our front desk directly at 305-274-0047 or request an appointment online at www.assureasmile.com!

The majority of Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables.  The multi-million dollar health-supplement industry exists due to Americans’ desire for pre-packaged, easy-to-swallow supplements.  But good supplements can be expensive. Less expensive supplements that use cheaper fillers and compressed pills that make them easier to swallow can inhibit the body’s ability to break them down or absorb them completely.  Consequently a large amount supplements are flushed from the body and down the toilet.

Even “well balanced” diets may lack adequate amounts of specific nutrients to overcome health issues because today’s genetically enhanced and over processed food chain just does not provide Americans with everything they really need to sustain good health.  So simply learning about which foods are healthy and which one are not can help improve your health dramatically

Miami dentist Dr. Theodore Herrmann endorses the use of supplements to provide the body with what it needs to balance your nutrition.  “Nutraceuticals” or pharmaceutical grade supplements are available for purchase at Assure A Smile to help our patients achieve that nutritional balance and or to aide in therapeutic healing.

Miami’s Home of Holistic Dentistry has a certified nutritional counselor to help our patients and South Florida’s residents choose healthy foods that promote healthy teeth and gums for life. Here are 3 tips for improving overall health through better nutrition:

But first, it is important to note the difference between food items and supplements.  Food items include all of the all-natural and consumable things needed to sustain health:  Water, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and others.  Supplements are the encapsulated nutrients meant to “supplement” food items.  These include the familiar lettered vitamins, and minerals as well as amino acids, omegas, and oils that are now becoming more popular.

1. Find a dressing or dip. For many, the biggest drawback of a healthy diet is taste.  Processed and “flavor enhanced” foods usually contain a high amount of chemical additives and sugars.  The abundance of sugary foods makes all-natural foods seem bland in taste.  To help overcome this, try using a dressing or dip that adds zesty flavor to vegetables and fruits.  Things like a healthy organic dressing, natural honey, and cottage cheese are fine examples of healthy “add-ons” that will make it easier to consume more healthy foods.

2. Salads ARE for everyone! Most get the impression that salads are only for people on a diet.  Yes, eating salads are a great way to help shed a few pounds.  Tossing a salad with a myriad of fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables is a great way to get a huge amount of essential nutrients.  Here’s a tip:  Get colorful!  The different coloring of fruits and vegetables often indicates their unique nutritional content.  Mixing a variety of different colors can give a well-rounded selection of vitamins, minerals.

3. Smoothies. Smoothies are a great choice for the many reasons mentioned above and more.  They can contain a diverse mix of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, and they taste downright delicious.  You can even put your supplements in a smoothie to make them easier to take. Smoothie store chains have become very popular and are convenient for that “on the run” for lunch or breakfast.

Assure A Smile, South Florida’s Home of Holistic Dentistry, is committed to helping patients increase overall health through applied holistic dentistry and ongoing education. So watch for more tips to come!

We invite South Florida residents to schedule an appointment with Assure A Smile to experience the alternative to the traditional dentistry.  Readers can call our front desk directly at 305-274-0047 or request an appointment online at www.assureasmile.com.

Miami dentists and other health professionals have routinely promoted fluoride as a way to prevent tooth decay, but there is no clinical evidence to support this claim. Based on this claim, fluoride has been added to our public water supply, but there are two different types of fluoride. Sodium Fluoride is what is in toothpaste, and it is a pharmaceutical grade fluoride that allegedly reduces tooth decay. Hydrofluorosalicylic acid is what is added to our water, and it is actually an unregulated waste product of the fertilizer industry. Hydrofluorosalicylic acid carries a warning label that reads “Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth and clothing. Avoid breathing fumes or vapor. Do not take internally.”  Because it is unregulated, it can be contaminated with lead, arsenic, cadmium and radon.

Fluoride is the active ingredient in pesticides. It kills bugs! As a pesticide, fluoride is found in large amounts in the foods we eat. For example, conventionally grown cabbage contains 45 ppm of fluoride, romaine lettuce contains 40 ppm of fluoride and iceberg lettuce contains 180 ppm of fluoride.

Fluoride is Bad for Babies and Children

Another issue with fluoride is dosage. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) the recommended dose is .8 to 1.4 ppm (parts per million), but because fluoride is in most toothpastes and our public water supply, most people, including children and babies, are ingesting much more fluoride than recommended. For example, a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste has .5 mg of fluoride, which is the same as 1-2 glasses of fluoridated water. Babies who drink powdered formula are at an increased risk of consuming more than the recommended amount of fluoride. Dr. Herrmann noted research that states:

“Infants receiving substantial quantities of infant formula generally should not use powder or liquid concentrate if water fluoride levels are near optimal or above, since the water fluoride alone might exceed total, recommended daily levels,”  (1).

The ADA recommends that “For infants who get most of their nutrition from formula during their first 12 months, ready-to-feed formula is preferred to help ensure that they do not exceed the optimal amount of fluoride intake.”

Side Effects of Fluoride

With this increased exposure to and consumption of fluoride, there are many side effects.  Dental fluorosis is a health condition caused by receiving too much fluoride during tooth development. In fact, the U.S. government recommended less fluoride for children just last spring. When fluoride is damaging a baby’s growing tooth cells, causing dental fluorosis, what is it doing to its other developing tissues like the bone, brain and endocrine system?

A March 2006 report from the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council (NAS/NRC) identified fluoride as a potent hormone disruptor that may affect normal thyroid function. Fluoride’s potential to impair thyroid function is most clearly illustrated by the fact that until the 1970s, European doctors used fluoride as a thyroid-suppressing medication for patients with hyperthyroidism. Today, many people living in communities with fluoridated tap water are ingesting doses of fluoride that fall within the range of doses once used by doctors to reduce thyroid activity in hyperthyroid patients (NRC 2006).

The NAS/NRC report also cited concerns about the potential of fluoride to lower IQ, noting that the “consistency of study results appears significant enough to warrant additional research on the effects of fluoride on intelligence.”  That finding was echoed by a December 2006 study published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal The Lancet that identified fluoride as an “emerging” neurotoxin (Grandjean & Landrigan 2006). As of 2011, there are now 24 published studies from China, Iran, India and Mexico indicating that moderate to high fluoride exposure is associated with lowered IQ in children.

A 2006 peer-reviewed study by four Harvard scientists and doctors strongly supports concerns that fluoridated water is linked to osteosarcoma, an often fatal form of bone cancer, in boys. The Harvard study found a five-fold increase in bone cancer among teenage boys who drank fluoridated water from ages 6 through 8, compared to those drinking non-fluoridated water (Bassin et al 2006).

Many studies show a correlation between fluoride and hip fractures, including a 1991 study that found significantly higher fracture rates in counties with fluoride and a 1995 study that found that hip fractures are 86% more likely in fluoridated areas.

Research shows that the side effects and dangers don’t outweigh the supposed benefits of fluoride. You can take action to limit your ingestion of fluoride by using a water filter in your home to remove fluoride, not drinking tap water that is treated with fluoride (boiling fluoridated tap water increases the concentration of fluoride), using a fluoride-free toothpaste,  not mixing baby formula with tap water or fluoridated bottle water—instead use spring or distilled water, and choosing organic produce that is grown without fluoridated water. For more information, please visit the Fluoride Action Network’s website http://www.fluoridealert.org/.

Miami residents are invited to schedule an appointment with Assure a Smile online, or call our front desk directly at 305-274-0047 to learn more. New Patients may now take advantage of our Cleaning and Consultation Special to learn more about holistic dentistry and the unparalleled quality of service provided by the Miami dental professionals at Assure a Smile.

(1) Levy SM et al, Sources of fluoride intake in children, 1995.

In our last article, Dental Anxiety Pt. I, we discussed a few ways in which patients can identify and cope with dental anxiety in the months leading up to a scheduled appointment.  Anxiety normally grows, however, in the days leading up to a dental appointment.  That anxiety typically peaks on the day of the appointment, creating a tension that may make the thought of cancelling your appointment seem pretty enticing.

Canceling or even prolonging dental visits is always a terrible idea!  Professional dental cleanings are needed to maintain healthy teeth and gums.  Moreover, avoiding the dentist for months or even years usually creates bigger problems.  Patients who do not keep regular appointments typically fall victim to severe accumulations of plaque, decay, and disease.

Assure a Smile has prepared this exclusive Miami Dentist Blog article to help patients overcome the fear and anxiety that typically builds on the day of their dental appointment.

Coping with Dental Anxiety:  The Day of Your Appointment

Anxiety may become pronounced on the day of your visit, but do not worry!  This too is a normal reaction.  We must remind ourselves that we cannot allow anxiety to deter our actions.  Patients may find the following tips helpful in diffusing the heightened anxiety one may experience

1. Positive Visualization

Positive visualization is a popular exercise among a variety of individuals, ranging from public speakers to professional athletes.  It is simple to perform and effectively reduces anxiety by giving the mind time to acknowledge and counter it.  In the morning before your appointment, take a moment to think about how the appointment ought to go.  Allow your mind’s eye to construct every detail of your visit.  Start with your arrival in the parking lot, then slowly visualize entering the reception area and checking in.  Do not rush!  Allow your imagination to construct your visit, before it happens, with great attention to detail.  You may wish to recall the color of the carpeting, or the smile on the face of the receptionist.  Most importantly, visualize your appointment going well!  Each of us knows how lovely it feels to hear our dental professional say everything is in good shape and we’re “cavity free.”  Run through your ideal “perfect visit” and acknowledge that it can feel good!

2. In the Waiting Room

Once you arrive, you may wish to employ tension management techniques to counter the last minute “butterflies.”  Tension management techniques are also very popular among public speakers and professional athletes, as both are prone to last minute nervousness.  Two great techniques include deep breathing and fist clenching.  Deep breathing can be done simply by drawing long inhalations through the nose and slowly releasing through the mouth.  This is very similar to “yoga breathing.”  Fist clenching, as the name implies, involves clenching the fingers of each hand into a fist.  Squeeze for a moment, then slowly release.  This simple action will allow the muscles to dispel the tension the builds in the muscles of the body when we become nervous or anxious.  Combine fist clenching with deep breathing, and tension will slowly dissipate while you wait for your appointment to begin.

3. In the chair

Climbing into the dental chair is often the most stressful part of the entire experience.  Combine each of the stress management techniques described above:  visualize everything going well, take long breaths, and clench your fists a few times to rid your body of any last minute tension buildup.  Before long, your appointment will be over and you will be feeling healthy and confident in your oral health!

Stress Free Dentistry at Assure a Smile

Assure a Smile has been a leading Miami holistic dentistry practice for more than 20 years.  Our team of professionals is committed to deliver only the highest quality of service.  At Assure a Smile, we go to great lengths to ensure your visit is a comfortable and pleasant experience!

Miami residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Assure a Smile online, or call or friendly front desk directly at 305-274-0047!

Assure a Smile has prepared this exclusive Miami Dentist Blog article to help patients overcome the fear and anxiety that typically builds in anticipation of upcoming medical appointments.

Preface:  The Importance of Acknowledging and Dealing with Anxiety

First, it is important to recognize that anxiety is a perfectly normal and healthy reaction to an environmental stressor.  It arises when we perceive a situation with uncertainty, fear, worry, or dread.  From an instinctual perspective, anxiety keeps us from making foolish and poorly calculated decisions.  For example, anxiety may make us think twice about approaching a snarling grizzly bear!

However, we cannot allow anxiety to deter our actions.

In the practical sense, it is normal to feel uneasy or fearful when we have a medical appointment scheduled in the future.  This reaction must be acknowledged and dealt with, however, so we may continually seek the supervision of a health professional to continually monitor our health.

Coping with Anxiety:  The Weeks Before Your Appointment

Patients may use the following tips to acknowledge and control the anxiety that may loom in the weeks or months preceding a dental appointment:

1. Acknowledge that anxiety exists.

As discussed, anxiety is a normal reaction to environmental stressors that leave us feeling troubled, uncertain, or fearful.  Identify this feeling, and assure yourself that it is common.  Engage a few family members, friends, or coworkers in a friendly conversation about oral health and dental visits.  Nearly 20% of all individuals fear the dentist, so you are surely not alone!

2. Brush & Floss regularly.

Brushing and flossing regularly is critical in maintaining sound oral health, regardless of whether you have an appointment in the near future.  However, consciously brushing and flossing with added care may help you feel more confident in the weeks just before your dental appointment.  What’s more, brushing and flossing with extra care will ensure your teeth and gums are well prepared for your appointment.  This may reduce the time spent in the dental chair, making for a faster and more pleasant experience overall.

3. Drink lots of water.

Drinking plenty of water is good for a variety of reasons.  In terms of oral health, drinking water helps to rinse food particles away from the teeth and gums so they may be swallowed more easily.  This prevents food particles, especially starches, from attaching themselves to the teeth and causing plaque, bacteria, and eventually decay.  Like regular brushing and flossing, drinking plenty of water may reduce the anxiety that precedes a dental appointment by making you feel more confident in your overall health.

Further Reading on the Miami Dentist Blog

Miami residents may find the following articles helpful in identifying and disarming anxiety resulting from the fear of doctors, dentists, and other environmental stressors:

Miami Dentistry News:  Snakes, Spiders, and Dentists, Oh My!: Did you know that people are almost 10 times more fearful of a dental visit than they are of an ordinary health physical?  In this article, you will learn that medical fears are common and not something of which you should be ashamed.

Holistic Dentistry News:  Cognitive Therapy Helps Patients Overcome Dental Fears:  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is now helping patients overcome their fear of doctors, dentists, and medical appointments in general.  This article is a must-read for those who feel that anxiety and fear significantly inhibit their decision making process.

Stress Free Dentistry at Assure a Smile

Assure a Smile has been a leading Miami holistic dentistry practice for more than 20 years.  Our team of professionals is committed to deliver only the highest quality of service.  At Assure a Smile, we go to great lengths to ensure your visit is a comfortable and pleasant experience!

Miami residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Assure a Smile online, or call or friendly front desk directly at 305-274-0047!

(i) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/222953.php

Building a Foundation for Healthy Teeth

Healthy gums are important for at least two major reasons.  First, the soft tissue of the gums serves as a gateway through which the rest of the inner body may be reached.  This is beneficial when it comes to the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, as the gums allow vitamins, minerals, and water to pass quickly into the bloodstream.  This can be detrimental, however, when the particles happen to be malicious bacteria.  In the latter case, healthy gums are needed to ward off bacteria to prevent infection, agitation, and swelling.

Second, the gums provide a thick and supportive layer in which teeth reside.  Taking proactive steps towards building strong and healthy gums will, in turn, help to create strong and healthy teeth for life.

Assure a Smile proudly presents the following 5 Tips for Healthier Gums in 2012:

1. Brush Twice Daily

It is the oldest rule in the unwritten book of oral hygiene, but it is nevertheless important to restate:  Brush twice daily!  Brushing food particles away from the teeth is influential in preventing cavities, but did you know it is effective in preventing gum disease too?  Paying close attention to the food particles that find their way along the gum line is of particular importance, as removing these particles is instrumental in preventing the formation of bacteria and disease.

2. Floss Between the Teeth

Flossing teeth is just as important as brushing them.  To floss the teeth, take a piece of oral dental floss that is about 12-14 inches in length.  Wrap each side around the index finger of the right and left hands, and hold the floss in place with the thumbs.  Next, gently slide the floss down the vertical face of one tooth, across the gap, and up the vertical face of the proceeding tooth.  This is to be done between each tooth, removing stray food particles that brushing may have missed.

3. Drink Water

Drinking water is one of the easiest things an individual may do to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.  Water helps to wash food from between the teeth and gums and back towards the throat, where it is swallowed and ingested.  Drinking plenty of water before, during, and after each meal will help prevent food particles  from getting stuck in the teeth, which in turn prevents the formation of plaque, bacteria, decay, and disease.

4. No Smoking

Smoking is extremely hazardous to overall health.  Smoking has very specific effects on oral health as well, most notably because it creates a “dry” mouth where the incidence of decay and infection are heightened.

5. Dental Cleaning

Perhaps the most important means to maintaining healthy gums in 2012 is to have your teeth and gums cleaned by a Miami dental professional.  For children, it is recommended a cleaning takes place every 6 months.  Young adults and parents, on the other hand, benefit most from seeing a Miami dentist every 4 months.  It is important to schedule regular dental cleanings for at least two reasons.  First, a professional dental cleaning removes plaque buildup from along the gum line that might otherwise be unable to be cleaned (at home).  Second, dental cleanings present an opportunity for a dental professional to fully examine the teeth and gums to ensure all is well.  Things may not always be well, however, and it is important to see dental professional often so small problems may be treated before becoming large problems.

Assure a Smile: Miami’s Home for Holistic Dentistry

Assure a Smile welcomes Miami residents to experience holistic dentistry firsthand!  Now, new patients may receive a full cleaning and holistic wellness consultation for just $199.  Cleaning and consultation at Assure a Smile exceeds those of traditional practices by covering all major aspects of holistic dental health:  TMJ scan, full dental x-rays, cleaning, digital photographs, and a one-on-one holistic wellness consultation.

Miami residents:  schedule an appointment with Assure a Smile online or call our front desk direct at 305-274-0047.

(i) http://www.perio.org/consumer/f1.html

Invisalign Invisible Braces

Our Miami Invisalign services earn a top spot on our list of Leading Dental Technologies because they are truly changing the lives of our patients.  Since first introduced, Invisalign Invisible Braces have helped over 1 million Americans create the smile of their dreams!

We consider Invisalign to be a leading technology because it represents a strong step forward in the advancement of orthodontics.  Before Invisalign, patients had to have sharp metallic brackets and wiring permanently affixed to the surfaces of their teeth.  These traditional “metal braces” were effective in straightening teeth, however they carried with them a few drawbacks that ultimately hurt patients.  For one thing, metal brackets and wires are sharp and cause patients a substantial amount of discomfort during treatment.  These traditional braces are hard to clean as well, making it common for patients to develop tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease during treatment.  The biggest drawback of all:  many consider traditional metal braces to be unsightly, causing many individuals to forgo treatment altogether.

Invisalign has changed everything.  Made of medical grade plastics, Invisalign aligners slip gently over the teeth without agitating the soft tissues of the mouth.  They are nearly invisible when worn, making Invisalign the most discreet means of creating a beautiful smile.  Most importantly, Invisalign is removable.  This allows patients to eat, brush, and floss like normal.  Invisalign patients do not have to make any significant changes to their lifestyle in this regard, and they have far fewer cavities than individuals with traditional metal braces.

iTero Scanner

The iTero Scanner is changing the way dental professionals take “impressions” of teeth.  Impressions are used to create physical replicas of a patient’s oral anatomy.  Dental professionals may then use those replicas to create inlays, crowns, and other devices that are meant to fit precisely within the oral landscape.

iTero technology using Now, patients no longer have to clench trays of “goopy” plaster in their mouths to take impressions.  Instead, a simply camera is used to create a digital “map” of the entire oral cavity with unmatched precision.  The iTero Scanner increases both patient comfort and the end result.  And that’s a win-win for everyone.

Diagnodent Laser

The Diagnodent Laser makes it possible to identify areas of tooth decay that are otherwise undetectable by traditional x-ray techniques.  Diagnodent technology uses fluorescent light beams to analyze the substance of individual teeth.  It is through this process that hidden areas of decay and bacteria can be detected.  These areas are then treated before they have the opportunity to grow into much larger problems.

Waterlase Dentistry

Waterlase dentistry uses a combination of laser light energy and water to perform a wide variety of procedures.  This high-tech tool is rapidly replacing the traditional dental “drill,” and it is far more comfortable.  Waterlase patients report being able to have procedures with less anesthetic, making Waterlase procedures minimally invasive compared to other traditional ones.

Looking Forward:  2012 Technologies and Procedures

Assure a Smile is committed to delivering the highest quality of care to patients.  Our team undergoes rigorous and ongoing training to stay up-to-date on the latest dental technologies and procedures.  We are a holistic dentistry practice, meaning that we focus on the overall health of the patient and not just the teeth and gums.

Readers are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Assure a Smile to experience holistic dentistry firsthand.  To speak with a holistic professional, please call or front desk at 305-274-0047.

Without further ado, our Miami dental office presents this year’s guide to healthy teeth and gums in 2012!

Thinking Holistic:  The Advantages of Good Oral Hygiene

It’s important to consider that oral hygiene does not protect just the teeth and gums.  Rather, oral hygiene may improve the overall health of the body.  When oral hygiene is strong, so too are the body’s natural defenses against bacteria and illness.  When oral hygiene is bad, the body becomes weak and everything will suffer.

Strong Teeth and Gums

It may seem obvious, but individuals with strong oral health also have strong and resilient oral tissues.  These include the teeth, the gums, and the jawbone, as well as all the tiny ligaments that connect everything and facilitate function.  Practicing good oral hygiene allows these tissues to flourish by effectively removing food particles, plaque, and bacteria from the oral cavity.

Better Emotional Health

Can brushing and flossing regularly increase emotional health?  Yes, it absolutely can!  Research suggests that about 70% of Americans are afraid to smile.  Reasons vary, but most individuals are simply embarrassed of the appearance of their teeth.  Our culture places great importance on the “pearly white” appearance of teeth, and this makes those with less-than-perfect smiles feel ashamed at times.  Building strong teeth and gums through sound oral hygiene can reverse this trend.  Proactively building healthier teeth and gums can build one’s confidence and make them more likely to smile and laugh.  Smiles and laughter releases a flood of healthy hormones that have long been tied to better emotional and physical health!

Improved Physical Health

Poor oral hygiene has been tied to poor overall health.  To illustrate, consider that researchers have identified a common bacterium in both gum disease and heart disease.  In short, this is evidence that the same bacterium that causes gum disease may also cause serious heart conditions.  For more, please visit our article titled The Link:  Cardio and Oral Health.

It is important to understand that bacteria may enter the body through the gum tissue and have a significantly negative impact on other body systems.

Methods for Promoting Good Oral Hygiene

It’s time to get back to basics!  Good oral hygiene starts with routine.  We all know the drill, and it starts with regularly brushing and flossing the teeth.  But how do we improve our oral health even further?  Let’s look at the basics and transition into a few of the “big picture” ways to promote lifelong oral health:

Brushing and Flossing

Brushing and flossing removes food particles from the teeth before the have the chance to form plaque, bacteria, and decay.  Removing these particles is instrumental in preventing gum disease also, as bacteria that causes tooth decay may also infiltrate the gums to cause periodontitis.

Drinking Water

Water is needed to perform almost every vital process in the body.  From nutrient transportation (via blood) to energy production, water is the foundation of life.  Drinking plenty of water during meals may also reduce the incidence of tooth decay by washing food from the mouth before it latches to the teeth.  Additionally, drinking water instead of soda or fruit juice will reduce the incidence of cavities caused by consuming too much sugar.

Smoking

It is well documented that smoking causes serious illnesses like heart disease and lung cancer.  Smoking may also have a direct impact on oral health; smoke dries the mouth and inhibits healthy saliva production.  A decrease in saliva makes it more difficult for the body to break down food particles.  This increases the chances they may become tangled in the teeth and gums, causing tooth decay and gum disease.

Assure a Smile: Helping Miami Create Healthy Teeth and Gums for Life

Assure a Smile is South Florida’s leading holistic dentistry practice.  Our team is fully committed to the health and education of our patients.  To learn more about holistic dentistry, please schedule an appointment online.  Our, speak with a holistic professional by calling our front desk directly at 305-274-0047!

One of the best ways to gauge your dentist’s commitment to his or her craft is by taking a good look at their professional associations.  Professional associations, like the American Dental Association, keep practitioners connected and add cohesion to the field overall.  These associations may also be the primary distributor of major medical news updates in some fields, placing even greater importance on the ways in which your health professional connects and works with their associations.

Assure a Smile has prepared this Quick Guide to Professional Dental and Wellness Associations to help patients learn more about the networks to which their dental professionals belong:

American Dental Association (ADA)

The ADA was founded in 1859, making it the largest and oldest national dental association in the world.  The ADA serves two primary functions:  First, it engages with the public to promote valuable oral health information.  Second, the ADA represents the dental industry in America.  Each month, the ADA publishes a collection of dental articles, research, and papers in the “Journal of the American Dental Association.”

American Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

The AGD represents a large group of American and Canadian dental professionals.  Though a multi-national dentistry association, it ranks #2 in terms of size, second only to the ADA.

International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI)

The ICOI was founded in 1972 with a single goal in mind:  To help dental practices better serve their patients by providing the latest dental implant education to their entire dental team.  To date, the ICIO is the largest dental implant organization, comprised of general dentists, oral/ maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, endodontists, and more.

World Clinical Institute of Clinical Lasers (WCLI)

The WCLI is led by an Executive Board and Professional Advisory Board led by some of the brightest and most well known doctors in the dental field.  Noteworthy members include past-president of the ADA, President Elect of the AACD, as well as other forward thinking dental organization founders.  The goal of the WCLI is to advance dental laser technology, education, and procedures in an effort increase patient outcomes.

Assure a Smile Professional Associations

Assure a Smile proudly represents membership and continual engagement in each of the aforementioned professional associations, as well as the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology  (IAOMT), International Association of Mercury Free Dentists (IAMFD) and International Association of Orthodontists (IAO).

Assure a Smile is a holistic dentistry practice, meaning that we focus on overall patient wellness as reflected through the health of the teeth and gums.  Only by focusing on holistic wellness may a patient create truly strong teeth and gums for life.

Assure a Smile invites readers to visit Dr. Herrmann’s Doctor Profile Page right here on Assureasmile.com!  There, guests may find more information on Dr. Herrmann’s educational background, dental experience / certifications, and professional associations.

Are you looking for a holistic dental experience?  Assure a Smile offers premium dental services built on sound patient education and a focus on overall wellness.  To learn more about holistic dentistry, readers are invited to schedule an appointment online or call our office directly at 305-274-0047!

The most important thing to consider when cooking at home is variety, and this Blog article is here to help!  There are specific sets of macronutrients (listed below) that will satiate hunger while also priming the body with the vitamins and minerals needed to conquer Monday morning fatigue.

We will begin with a brief overview of these breakfast macronutrients.  Then, we will see how each can be combined to create a delicious breakfast.

The Building Blocks of Breakfast

The following macronutrients are the building blocks of a healthy breakfast (you may also find ways to incorporate many of these food items into lunch, dinner, and mid-day snacks):

1) Egg Whites

2) Sweet Potatoes

3) Cilantro

4) Garlic

5) Blueberries and other anti-oxidant rich fruits

Power Play:  The Sweet Potato Scramble

This recipe combines several of the macro-nutrients listed above into one delectable dish that is perfect for breakfast or lunch.  You will need:  1 sweet potato, 3 whole eggs, cilantro, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, 1 cup blueberries, and low fat vanilla yogurt.

Preparation

To begin, prepare the following ingredients:

1) Clean sweet potato.  Place on side and slice in to circular discs about ¼ inch wide.

2) Place 1 whole egg into a mixing bowl and add 2 egg whites.  Mix well.

3) Wash blueberries and set aside in separate serving bowl.

4) Crush 2 cloves of garlic, slicing into smaller pieces if necessary.  Note:  Using a garlic press to crush cloves into a paste is preferable.

5) Set aside ¼ cup cilantro.  Dice thoroughly.

Cooking Instructions

1) Add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to frying pan.  Raise stove top burner to low to medium-low heat.

2) Add crushed garlic.  Increase heat slightly to sauté garlic.

3) Add sweet potato discs to garlic and olive oil.  Sauté until tender.

4) Sprinkle with diced cilantro.  Mix thoroughly.

5) Add egg mixture.  Fluff with spatula.

6) Season lightly with salt and black pepper, as desired.

7) Serve sweet potato scramble as main dish.  Serve blueberries with low fat vanilla yogurt as dessert.

Breakdown:  Health Benefits of the Sweet Potato Scramble

This hearty breakfast will fill you up and keep you full well into lunchtime.  This means fewer high-sugar “snack” bars, prolonged energy, and a more stable blood sugar index.

Egg Whites: Egg whites are one of the leanest sources of protein you can find.  Their makeup is dominantly casein, a special type of protein that is digested more slowly compared to the protein found in chicken, meat, fish, and soy.  This means a more slow and steady deliver of nutrients that will keep you feeling fuller, longer.

Sweet Potatoes: Miami dentists are usually against sweets.  Well, here’s an important exception!  A 7-ounce sweet potato delivers 65% the daily recommended dose of vitamin C, as well as hefty servings of Beta-carotene, Vitamin A, and fiber (i).

Olive Oil & Egg Yolk (from single whole egg): Combined, these two ingredients deliver a healthy portion of unsaturated fat.  Unsaturated fat is a fundamental building block of health, with leading research indicating that unsaturated fat can greatly reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol.

Cilantro: This simple herb helps to flush toxins from the body.  For more information, please visit our article titled Hello Cilantro, Goodbye Heavy Metals (article also features a delicious recipe for Cilantro Pesto Sauce!).

Blueberries: Blueberries are high in the antioxidants and natural sugars needed to promote spikes all-natural energy production.  Readers are encouraged to visit our article, Miami Dentist Exclusive:  Free Radical Damage Part II, for more on the health benefits of antioxidants and a list of the most antioxidant-rich foods available at your local grocery store.

Holistic Dentistry at Assure a Smile

Assure a Smile is committed to delivering the highest quality of service with an emphasis on patient education and overall health awareness.  Our team is proactive and helps each patient to learn more about their unique self.  We focus on “big picture” ideas, like promoting healthy eating habits that help patients create healthy teeth and gums for life.

Miami residents are invited to contact Assure a Smile online or call 305-274-0047 to schedule an appointment with South Florida’s leading holistic dentistry office.

(i) http://www.naturalnews.com/034135_sweet_potatoes_nutrition.html