Posts Tagged ‘Family Dentistry 305’

What is Holistic Dentistry?

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

miami-dentist-what-is-holistic-dentistry

Whether new to Miami or simply in search of a new health care professional, you may notice an increasing number of doctors, dentists, and other specialists who claim to be holistic.  Like many, you may be confused as to how holistic health professionals differ from traditional ones, and you may be wondering if a holistic professional is right for you.


Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

To understand holistic medicine, and holistic dentistry in particular, we must first look at the origin of the word itself.  Holistic comes from the Greek word holism, a term that means total, whole, and entire.


Holistic dentistry, like other holistic practices, looks at an individual as if they were a puzzle.  Like a puzzle, patients are an intricate system of different pieces that are interconnected, each one affecting the next.
This also reflects the idea that a single system, like a human being, is more than the sum of several individual parts.   Holistic medicine uses this concept when treating patients.  For holistic dentists this idea means looking at much more than simply the teeth and gums.   At Assure a Smile, we like to think of holistic dentistry as being people dentistry; an examination of the entire patient.


Dental cleanings for example, begin with a full TMJ scan to better understand the entire head, neck, and jaw area of a new patient.  This is important because a patient may experience pain or discomfort in their mouth that is actually caused by a problem located outside of their mouth.  These problems are often overlooked by traditional dental cleanings that do not inspect the head, neck, and jaw.  Patients are often referred to other specialists as a result, prolonging diagnoses of the problem.


Holistic dentistry also seeks to preserve teeth in the most natural state possible.  Excessive drilling, grinding, and tooth removal are avoided and typically reserved as a measure of last resort.  Instead, non-invasive procedures are used to straighten, strengthen, and enhance oral health.


Perio protect is one such system Assure a Smile recommends to patients with gum disease.  Invisalign clear braces are another non-invasive treatment Assure a Smile offers, specifically to patients who wish to realign their teeth for both aesthetic and hygienic reasons.  These treatments are safe relative to other traditional chemical and invasive treatments, respectively, helping to preserve long term oral health.

Treating an Overbite with Invisalign

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Overbite-treatment-with-InvisalignOverbites occur when the teeth of the upper jaw fall too far over those of the lower jaw.  As a holistic dental practice, Assure a Smile offers the Invisalign treatment plan for patients who wish to gently correct their overbite while preserving their teeth.  Miami Invisalign patients now receive $1,000 off treatment plans, making today the day to start forming the smile of your dreams!


Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

Overbites, like Crossbites, are common in both young children and adults.  Depending on the severity of the overbite, health risks include the development of periodontal disease and TMJ.  Patients often wish to correct overbites for aesthetic reasons as well.  Assure a Smile prefers to offer patients the Invisalign Clear Braces treatment for several reasons, including:

Invisalign Is Clear

Invisalign uses state-of-the-art aligners that are molded to fit around both the upper and lower jaw of the patient.  They are almost exact replicas of the patient’s teeth, except they are tweaked slightly to shift teeth into alignment.  Best of all, these aligners are clear, offering a orthodontic treatment plan that is discreet.

Increased Oral Hygiene

Invisalign aligners are removable.  The days of brushing, flossing, and delicately cleaning around metal brackets and wires are long gone.  The removable nature of Invisalign makes it easier for patients to clean their teeth as if they never started an orthodontic treatment plan.  No special brushes.  No special floss.  Patients are able to maintain excellent oral hygiene without having to change their cleaning routines.

Miami Invisalign Offers Convenience

Unlike traditional orthodontic procedures, Invisalign Clear Braces are mailed to the patient at set intervals.  Patients progress through their treatment regiment without excessive office visits, making Invisalign both convenient and comfortable.

Miami Invisalign Special:  Assure a Smile now offers $1,000 off Invisalign Clear Braces treatments!  Call or email today!

Consult Miami Invisalign Providers for Crossbite Treatment

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

consult-Miami-Invisalign-Providers-for-Crossbite-TreatmentA crossbite occurs when one or more teeth are irregularly positioned horizontally; the teeth in question are either too close to the outside or inside of the mouth.  This is a common irregularity that can be caused by several factors.  When seeking to correct this irregularity, look no further than Assure a Smile!  Our office has been a Miami Invisalign provider for years, and we are excited to now offer $1,000 off all Invisalign Clear Braces treatments!



Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

Crossbites are common among both children and adults.  Several things may contribut to the formation of a crossbite, including the following:

Keeping Baby Teeth Too Long:

It is common for some people to keep their baby teeth for a prolonged period of time.  Permanent teeth end up developing as the baby teeth are still in the mouth, causing the Permanent teeth to grow outward.  This can occur on one side or both sides of the jaw.

Excessive Mouth Breathing:

For children with serious allergies, nasal problems, and snoring tendencies, crossbites may occur because of too much mouth breathing.  As the mouth of a child grows, it is important for the mouth to remain in a natural and closed position through most of the day and night.  This closed position keeps the tongue pressed lightly against the roof of the mouth, encouraging it to grow outward in a natural fashion.  Mouthing breathing, on the other hand, keeps the mouth open for prolonged periods of time.  This pulls the tongue away from the roof of the mouth, allowing it to grow narrowly.

Narrow Roof of the Mouth:

The roof of your mouth is formed by the combination, or fusion, of a couple different bones.  Sometimes these bones do not grow in sync with the lower jaw, creating an upper jaw that is narrower.  As a result, the molars of the upper jaw are misaligned along the interior edges of the molars of the lower jaw.

As a Holistic Miami Dental practice, Assure a Smile strives to preserve the teeth and gums of our patients.  Drilling, chemical treatments, and tooth removal are conducted as a last alternative only.  For Miami patients, Invisalign offers the perfect solution for treating a crossbite.  These clear braces are comfortable, molded specifically for each patient, and can be removed at the convenience of the individual.  Most of all, they can correct misalignments without resorting to tooth removal or uncomfortable metal braces.

Special:  Miami Invisalign patients save $1,000 with Assure a Smile!

Bring Teeth Closer Together With Invisalign

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

miami-dentist-bring-teeth-closer-invisalignMany patients seek orthodontic treatments like braces to narrow the gaps between their teeth.  A common misconception, however, has patients thinking their only option are a pair of traditional metal braces.  Those seeking to narrow the gaps between their teeth will be happy to know that Invisalign clear braces offer a more convenient treatment option.


Comments by Ted Herrmann:

There are several factors that may cause teeth to grow far apart from one another.  These factors include the following:


Normal Growth

It is perfectly normal for teeth to move apart from one another while a child ages into a young adult.  This is simply a byproduct of a normally growing jawbone.  For example, the permanent teeth of a young adult may grow in perfect alignment with one another at first.  Unfortunately, the jaw bone may continue to grow at a rate that moves the young adult’s permanent teeth over the years, creating gaps amidst a once near-perfect smile.


Acromegaly

Acromegaly occurs in about 6 of every 100,000 adults, causing abnormal hormone production even after the skeleton is finished growing (i).  This abnormality is thought to cause the jaw of an adult to continue to grow, moving teeth apart from one another.  This differs from the aforementioned normal growth of the jaw bone because it is caused by excessive hormonal output.


Missing Tooth

Children lose their first teeth gradually, creating spaces throughout their mouths that may interfere with the growth of other teeth.  If a child loses a tooth adjacent to a permanent tooth, for example, the permanent tooth may shift and grow towards that empty space.  This is because teeth tend to grow into empty spaces, taking the path of least resistance.


Widely spaced teeth is a trait can be seen in young children and adults alike.  No matter the age, though, Invisalign clear braces can help an individual gently straighten their teeth to narrow the gaps in their smile.  Dade County residents may consider scheduling a consultation with a local Miami Invisalign provider to review treatment options that can gently and conveniently realign widely spaced teeth.


(i)  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000321.htm

Miami Invisalign Treatment for Overcrowded Teeth

Monday, October 18th, 2010

dentist-miami-invisalign-treatement-overcrowded-teethOvercrowded teeth is a common condition among children and young adults.  Take caution:  it is rarely a good idea to remove one tooth to make room for the rest.  Instead, using treatment plans like Invisalign clear braces will help to straighten teeth into parallel alignment, creating a beautiful smile that is more easily cared for.


Comments by Dr. Tedd Herrmann:

As a holistic dentistry practice, Assure a Smile believes in preserving the smiles of our patients as much as possible.  This means no excessive drilling, no dangerous chemical treatments, and never removing a tooth unless it is absolutely necessary.

When it comes to treating patients with overcrowded teeth, we recommend the Invisalign clear braces system because it is convenient, gentle, and effective.  What’s more:  using Invisalign clear braces to realign overcrowded teeth will make your teeth easier to clean, decreasing your chances of developing plaque and gum disease.

Prevent Gum Disease with Invisalign

True, braces help straighten teeth to create beautiful smiles.  However, the benefit of braces is not solely aesthetic.  Gum disease prevention is another upside to reshaping overcrowded teeth that many patients fail to consider when weighing the pros and cons of orthodontic treatment.

When teeth are overcrowded, it simply means they grow so close to one another that they overlap.  Sometimes this overlapping causes the teeth to grow crookedly, though the teeth usually remain functional.  However, overlapping teeth create an ideal place for food particles to get trapped when eating.  To make matters worse, it is increasingly difficult to brush and floss these food particles away because they are so deeply wedged within the overlapping areas of the teeth.

When food particles remain trapped between teeth, a film of plaque forms along the enamel, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to breed.  Once this happens, infection may occur within as little as 48 hours.  Prolonged infection over many years leads to gum disease, a serious oral health problem that causes swollen and bloody gums, gum recession, and even loss of teeth.

It is important to consider straightening overcrowded teeth not only for appearance reasons, but to make your teeth easier to clean as well.  Assure a Smile is a proud Miami Invisalign provider that has helped many patients create healthy long-lasting smiles with clear, comfortable, and conveniently removable braces.

Invisalign in Miami

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

miami-dentist-invisalign-in-miamiMost people know that Miami Invisalign providers promise a comfortable, convenient, effective way to straighten their teeth.  The question is:  Will it work?

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann

Invisalign clear braces have become popular in recent years because they are clear, removable, and hassle-free when compared to traditional metal braces.  Many patients are skeptical, however, that the Invisalign system will work to straighten their teeth.  A teeth straightening system with wires and brackets, it seems, has many wondering if they can achieve the same results with Invisalign as they can with traditional braces.

Invisalign:  Over a Million Smiling Faces

Those considering an Invisalign treatment plan may rest assured that the company boasts “over a million smiles” evidencing the effectiveness of their product.  These patients typically have a number of different issues that need correction, including:

Widely Spaced Teeth

Typically, an abnormally growing jaw bone contributes to widely spaced teeth.  However, this may also be cause by teeth shifting to fill a space left by a missing or removed tooth.

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth result from too little space on the jaw bone for each tooth to grow within its own space.  This crowding causes overlap that makes teeth hard to clean, contributing to tooth decay and eventually gum disease.

Crossbite

Crossbites are characterized by a vertical misalignment of the upper and lower jaw.  When the mouth closes, several upper teeth my bite down on the inside or outside edge of the lower teeth, causing excessive wear and bone loss.

Overbite

Overbites are usually caused by genetics; however, they may also be caused by eating habits or the over development of the jaw bone that supports the teeth.  An overbite is characterized by an extreme extension of the teeth of the upper jaw out and over the teeth of the lower jaw.

As a Miami Invisalign provider, Assure a Smile works to develop custom teeth straightening plans for each of our patients.  At Assure a Smile, we strive to help patients achieve the Smile of their dreams.  We have had many patients emphatically report near-perfect results after using Invisalign products.  For more information on treatment options, please visit our Invisalign invisible braces page.

Heavy Metals and Free Radicals

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

miami-dentist-heavy-metals-and-free-radicalsFree radicals are increasingly being linked with several diseases, including heart disease.  Lowering the level of free radicals in your body is a crucial first step towards increasing overall health.  Two powerful measures you can take to lower the amount of free radicals in your body include ingesting plenty of antioxidants and regularly implementing heavy metal detoxification strategies.


Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:


Free radicals have been a topic of popular health news for several years now.  The simplest way to think of free radicals is to think of your body as a car.  You power your body with food, water, and oxygen just as you power your car with gasoline.  Similar to your car, your body burns these things and produces byproducts.  Free radicals, in this light, are like the exhaust of a car.  They are produced as a byproduct of cellular activity, they have no benefit, and they can be quite harmful as they accumulate.

Combat Free Radicals with Antioxidants

Free radicals circulate through your body, bombarding healthy cells continuously.  New research suggests this bombardment is detrimental to your DNA, and it may be a factor that increases your chances of developing serious diseases like cancer.

One measure we can easily take to fight free radicals is making sure our diets are rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C.  Antioxidants are simple oxygen molecules that combine with free radicals, neutralizing them and halting their rampage.  Regularly consuming plenty of antioxidants can help keep limit the extent to which free radicals are able to damage the cellular structures in your body.

Employ a Heavy Metal Detoxification Strategy

Using a heavy metal detoxification strategy is a superb way to fight the production of free radicals.  Recent studies show that free radicals may replicate exponentially when they come into contact with heavy metals.  A free radical that collides with mercury, for example, may explode into a hundred or so more free radicals.  Heavy metal detoxification, then, is a necessity for limiting the reproduction of free radicals in your body.

Of course, reducing your exposure to heavy metals is important as well.  It is recommended that fish like tuna, for example, is consumed sparingly as it contains high levels of mercury.  Patients with silver amalgam fillings may likewise want to consider amalgam filling removal to further reduce their exposure to mercury.

Hello Cilantro, Goodbye Heavy Metals

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

hello-cilantro-goodbye-heavy-metalsExposure to heavy metals cannot be escaped.  They are everywhere:  in the foods we eat, in the air we breathe, and even in the consumable products with which we interact.  They only way to reduce the amount of heavy metals in your body is to continually get rid of them.


Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

Heavy metals are everywhere.  We are continually exposed to heavy metals simply in virtue of living with them.  From mercury thermometers to lead-based paints, heavy metals are used to make common items that are used each day by thousands of people worldwide.  Often, medical scholars issue warnings about these harmful products only after immense research indicates that they are dangerous.


Assure a Smile has found two fantastic recipes that feature cilantro, a powerful herb known to flush the body of toxins.  By incorporating cilantro in your diet, you can ensure that you consistently flush your body and take great steps towards long-term vitality.


Cilantro Pesto Sauce (i)

This delectable sauce is perfect for grilled chicken breast, broiled fish, and pasta entrees.  It has an olive oil base, so you can rest assured you are also getting a good amount of healthy unsaturated fat.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of fresh cilantro leaves
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (almonds and walnuts work very well)
  • 1 large garlic clove
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into a blender and mix thoroughly.  That’s it!  Apply to chicken, fish, or pasta and enjoy.


Cilantro Vinaigarette (ii)

This dressing will be the perfect addition to any spring mix or spinach salad.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cloves crushed garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

Directions:

Place garlic and salt in a mortar and pestle; grind until forming a paste with the garlic and salt.  Add mustard and again grind until mixed well.  Whisk the paste in the extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar.  Finally, mix in the fresh cilantro.


Assure a Smile invites you to read more about Heavy Metal Detoxification on our blog.  You may find additional information on our Holistic Dentistry page.


(i) recipe courtesy of:  http://www.justcleansing.com/heavy-metal-cleanse.htm

(ii) recipe courtesy of:  http://recipes.epicurean.com/recipe/1389/cilantro-vinaigrette.html

Heavy Metal Detoxification

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

miami-dentist-heavy-metal-detoxificationHeavy metals accumulate once ingested, making them a serious danger.  Tiny amounts of heavy metals, like the mercury in tuna, embed themselves in the body.  Over time, the concentration of these metals can lead to the development of disease.  Heavy metal detoxification, however, can help you regularly remove heavy metals from your body.

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

Our Miami Dentist Blog has reviewed in great detail the dangers of heavy metals like mercury.  We’ve suggested considering silver amalgam filling removal as a treatment to prevent the development of serious health risks, like auto-immune disease.  In this post, we will explore several other ways in which the body can naturally flush these toxins.

Protein

We have discussed how an adequate amount of protein makes for a healthy breakfast.  Now, though, we turn to daily protein intake to accomplish another goal:  ridding your body of heavy metal toxins.  Protein supplements containing an amino acid known as gluthaione have been known to help the body flush toxins (i).  Often times, these supplements are available in several delicious flavors that go well in between meals.

Herbs and Antioxidants

There are also several herbs that help the body flush itself naturally.  Cilantro, coriander, chlorella, and green tea are all viable options (ii).  Cooking with these herbs, especially cilantro, is a great way to make them a consistent addition to your daily life.

White Composite Fillings

Attempting to detoxify your body through consistent flushing is powerless if you continually expose yourself to toxic heavy metals. We’ve explored safe silver filling removal in previous posts as a way to replace mercury-rich silver fillings with safer white composite fillings.  This is an essential step in long-term detoxification, as it will remove the mercury fillings from your mouth, nearly eliminating the toxic vapors to which you are exposed daily.


(i) http://www.all4naturalhealth.com/mercury-detoxification.html

(ii) see above.

Watch Out! Heavy Metal Toxins Are Everywhere

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

watch-out-heavy-metal-toxins-are-everywhereHeavy metals accumulate in our bodies whether we are aware of it or not.  Sometimes the metals come from the foods we eat.  Other times, we inhale metallic vapors from our environment.  These heavy metals, no matter how they enter are body, are toxic and must be removed continually to maintain natural vitality and holistic health.

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

No matter how healthily we try to live, we will always be exposed to dangerous toxins simply because they surround us.  Each day, we come in contact with several different materials that contain poisonous amounts of heavy metals that, when accumulated, may cause serious health problems.  These materials may be found in consumer goods, food products, and even dental work.

Heavy Metal Poisoning Through Paint

Things like model paint are not meant to be consumed and may contain high levels of heavy metals.  The most common heavy metal found in paints is lead.  Symptoms of accidental ingestion of this toxin include abdominal pain, convulsions, hypertension, renal dysfunction, loss of appetite, fatigue, sleeplessness, hallucinations, headache, numbness, arthritis, and vertigo (i).  These symptoms are common to chronic consumption; individuals who work in production or other processes involving raw painting materials and who experience any of these symptoms should consult a physician immediately.

Fish and Mercury Poisoning

Tuna is known to contain mild amounts of mercury.  However, this mercury accumulates in the human body over time.  Even low and infrequent consumption of tuna can lead to the retention of mass amounts of mercury over time.

Mercury Content of Amalgam Fillings

Amalgam dental fillings are know to be made of 50-60% mercury, depending on the size of the cavity that is being filled.  Over time, individuals with silver amalgam fillings have traces of mercury in their saliva that is 10 times greater than individuals who have no silver fillings (ii).  This shows that amalgam fillings are likely to be the source of extremely toxic levels of mercury for individuals with traditional silver fillings.

If you desire a long and healthy life, you must limit your exposure to sources of  heavy metal toxicity.  Toxic metals lie hidden in paints, common foods, and even dental amalgams.  Safe removal of amalgam fillings will eliminate the strongest source of heavy metal toxicity for individuals with silver fillings.

Complementary efforts include being aware of lead-bearing paints and limiting consumption of foods high in mercury content, like tuna.  Contact Assure a Smile for more information on silver fillings, detoxification methods, and replacing silver fillings with white composite fillings.



(i) http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-156a.shtml#symp

(ii) Doctors Data Inc.; Fecal Elements Test; P.O.Box 111, West  Chicago, Illinois, 60186-0111;   http://www.doctorsdata.com/repository.asp?id=43  ; & Biospectron Lab, LMI, Lennart Mansson International AB, lmi.analyslab@swipnet.se; http://home.swipnet.se/misac/research11.html#biospectrons