Posts Tagged ‘holistic dentistry’

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Creating the Smile of Your Dreams with Digital Precision

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Creating the Smile of Your Dreams with Digital PrecisionAssure A Smile announces the full integration of two leading dental technologies:  Invisalign Invisible Braces and The iTero Scanner – a new digital impression system. Together, this new technology is helping South Florida residents create beautiful smiles like never before.

 

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!

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Eating Well for Healthier Teeth and a Healthier You

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Eating Well for Healthier Teeth and a Healthier YouAssure A Smile knows that good oral and over-all health starts with balanced nutrition.  Overall wellness of the body is reflected through the health of the oral tissues and health of the teeth and gums can dramatically impact the health of the body as a whole.

 

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.

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The Evils of Fluoride

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

The Evils of FluorideDr. Herrmann spoke about “The Evils of Fluoride” at a PATH (Positive Alternative Therapies in Healthcare) meeting at the Miami Science Museum on October 24th. He brought to the audience’s attention that there is a large amount of misinformation regarding fluoride, and the increased use of fluoride has resulted in it being added to our public water, toothpaste and our food (readers may visit our list of the 5 most common fluoride sources to learn more).

 

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.

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Dental Anxiety, Part II: The Day of Your Appointment

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

dental anxiety pt iiIf you are afraid to see your dentist, you are not alone!  In our last blog article, we shared an eye-opening statistic from the British Medical Journal that shows most individuals fear the dentist.  Specifically, 1 in 5 individuals who were surveyed reported fearing the dentist more than snakes, spiders, or heights.  For Miami dentists, this statistic shows that greater care must be taken in educating patients of the importance of regular dental cleanings to prevent oral health problems.  Additionally, it illustrates a large need for patients to learn to cope with dental fear and anxiety.

 

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!

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Dental Anxiety, Part I: The Weeks Before Your Appointment

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Dental Anxiety Part INearly 1 out of every 5 individuals fears the dentist more than snakes, spiders, or heights according to a recent British Medical Journal survey (i).  Alarmingly, that survey also indicates that the 1,000 respondents polled fear the dentist up to 10 times more than any other medical professional.  This is disheartening for Miami dental professionals, indicating that as many as 1 in 5 Miami residents may be avoiding regular cleanings and other procedures.  With the tooth decay and gum disease on the rise, holistic dentistry practitioners are beginning to ask:  How can we help patients overcome the fear and anxiety associated with seeing a health professional?

 

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

 

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Commit to Healthy Teeth and Gums in 2012

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

commit to healthy teeth and gums in 2012It’s almost time to make New Year’s resolutions, and what better place to start than with oral health?  The oral cavity is the “gateway” to the body, a place where both healthy nutrients as well as malicious bacteria may enter.  In this light, it is easy to see why oral hygiene is so important.  Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is vital in eating well as they facilitate the consumption healthy all-natural foods.  What’s more, strong oral health makes the body more resilient towards infectious germs and bacteria.

 

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!

 

 

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A Quick Guide to Professional Dental and Wellness Associations

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

A Quick Guide to Professional Dental Associations Your Miami dentist is only as good as his or her commitment to ongoing education and professional development.  Dentistry is a dynamic field, and professionals must continually take proactive steps towards connecting with other professionals, learning about new technology, and staying in step with the latest news and trends.

 

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!

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Mercury in Teeth: Is Amalgam Poisoning You?

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Mercury in Teeth: Is Amalgam Poisoning You?Mercury amalgams are known to most Americans as “silver fillings.”   An “amalgam” is a metallic mixture that is still used in many traditional dental procedures.  Alarmingly, these dental amalgams may have a mercury content of 50-60% or more.

 

As a Miami dentist and holistic health professional, Dr. Ted Herrmann cannot understate his opposition to mercury fillings.  “Dental patients need to know that no amount of mercury is safe,” Dr. Herrmann states.  In fact, the World Health Organization identified dental amalgam as “the greatest source of mercury exposure for the general population,” in 1991 (i).

 

The subject of mercury in dental amalgams has garnered national attention as the U.S. State Department announced its official stance on the use of this controversial substance last Monday, October 24th.

Mercury in Amalgam:  Why Is No One Talking About This?

An estimated 122 million Americans have mercury amalgams in their teeth, according to the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT).  Unfortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American Dental Association (ADA) have yet to formally announce any dangers regarding the use of mercury in dental fillings.

 

“The general public doesn’t know because the government hasn’t informed them or given them warning,” explains consumer advocate Freya Koss (ii).  Ms. Koss was diagnosed with a number of serious illnesses, including Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus, shortly after receiving a silver mercury filling.  Ms. Koss reported to Fox News that she became “spontaneously better” after having a safe mercury removal procedure to remove the mercury filling.

 

So, why is one of the most toxic and dangerous chemicals known to humankind used in routine dental procedures?  According to Ms. Koss and a number of other health professionals, the problem is that the Federal government has never taken a formal “stance” on the issue.  The tide is slowly changing, however.

Part I:  IAOMT Asks FDA to Ban Mercury Amalgams

In late December 2010, the IAOMT rallied several health professionals to formerly request that the FDA ban the use of mercury amalgam in dental procedures.  The IAOMT has made the full petition available here for download.  A few main points include the following:

 

1.  Formerly ban the use of mercury amalgam fillings as a restorative dental material.

 

2.  Restrict the use of mercury amalgams until strict proof illustrates that the material is both safe and effective.

 

3. In the interim, the FDA must restrict the use of mercury amalgam in women, young children, and other individuals with compromised kidney, immune, or neurological function.

 

In other words, the IAOMT requested that the FDA either ban or heavily restrict the use of mercury amalgams until “strict proof” can indicate that they are both safe and effective.

Part II:  U.S. State Department Announces Mercury Amalgam “Phase Down”

Last Monday, nearly a full year after the IAOMT petitioned the FDA, the U.S. State Department held a closed-doors meeting on Capitol Hill to reconsider the use of mercury amalgams.

 

After the meeting, the Department of State announced their decision to “phase down” the use of mercury amalgam fillings in dental procedures.  Unfortunately, the “phasing down” of this toxic material is not expected to begin until the year 2020.

Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal at Assure a Smile Miami Dentistry

As a holistic dentistry practice, Assure a Smile opposes the use of toxic mercury amalgam in dental procedures.  We offer leading mercury filling removal procedures that are both safe and environmentally conscious.  Readers are encouraged to contact Assure a Smile on the Web or call 305-274-0047 to learn more about safe mercury amalgam removal.

 

(i) http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc118.htm

(ii) http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wztv_vid_9687.shtml?wap=0&

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Assure a Smile Celebrates National Dental Hygiene Month

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Assure a Smile Celebrates National Dental HygieneWhat does it take to create healthy teeth and gums for life?  New research suggests it may not be as easy as brushing and flossing twice daily.  Leading medical professionals are excitedly sharing new research that illustrates a strong connection between thoughts, emotions, and the physical structures of the body.  In honor of National Dental Hygiene Month, our Miami dentist office would like to encourage South Florida residents to consider the “big picture” of holistic wellness.

Holistic Dentists Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month

Holistic dentists believe that overall wellness is reflected through the health of the oral tissues.  In other words, the condition of an individual’s teeth and gums may be indicative of their mental, physical, and emotional health.  To illustrate, consider the following mind-body connections that modern medicine has thoroughly documented in recent years:

 

1)  NYU School of Medicine clinical professor, Charles Goodstein, MD, reports that thoughts and feelings may trigger chemical reactions in the brain.  This shows a connection between the non-physical [mind] and the physical [chemical secretions in the brain] (i).

 

2)  University of Pennsylvania professor Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D. reports that negative emotions like stress, sadness, and worry cause a spike in Cortisol, which in turn suppresses the immune system (ii).

 

Holistic dentist professionals embrace these “big picture” connections by encouraging patients to consider at least 3 realms of wellness:  diet, exercise, and perspective.  Taking simple steps to eat well, exercise daily, and maintain an overall positive outlook may directly impact the body’s resiliency and ability to heal (iii).

 

So, how does holistic dentistry relate to National Dental Hygiene Month?

 

It is important to consider the concepts of holistic dentistry and wellness because the body is a large and intricately interconnected system.  For example, one cannot hope to effectively fight tooth decay without also taking steps to better their diet.  Moreover, one cannot effectively prevent disease without staying cognizant of the ways our emotions may weaken our immune system (as documented by Dr. Seligman above).  In short, those individuals who proactively concern themselves with all areas of wellness—and not just the oral tissues—are positioned to preserve their teeth and gums for life.

Parents:  Setting the Example

The foundation for strong oral hygiene is built during infancy.  According to recent research from the University of Illinois, “The soft tissue in the mouth appear to serve as reservoirs for potential pathogens prior to tooth [formation],” (iii).  It is now evident that gum tissue may house the bacteria that causes both disease and, later, tooth decay.  In honor of National Dental Hygiene Month, Assure a Smile has prepared the following tips to help parents teach their children about holistic oral hygiene and care:

 

1) Stay conscious of diet. Preventing tooth decay starts with smart food choices.  Things like simple sugars and starches can accumulate on the enamel of the teeth, forming the plaque and bacteria that cause decay.  Limiting sugar and starches is a step in the right direction.

 

2) Exercise! Exercise may dramatically increase the overall health of the body, even in sessions as short as 15 minutes long.  Exercise increases blood flow, oxygen delivery, and reduces stress.  Each of these benefits has a positive impact on mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

 

3) It’s all about perspective. Encouraging children to keep a positive perspective on day-to-day life may lay the bedrock for other positive habits.  A positive perspective encourages healthy food choices, daily brushing/flossing, and other habits that substantially reinforce overall wellness.

Assure a Smile Miami Dentistry

Assure a Smile takes pride in providing only the highest quality of service to each of our patients.  We are committed to ongoing patient education, because educated patients are empowered to make healthy decisions that create lifelong healthy habits.  We call this holistic approach “people dentistry,” because it’s all about the person.  Everyone is unique, and each patient deserves unparalleled attention.

 

You may schedule an appointment online with Assure a Smile to learn more about holistic dentistry.  We also invite Miami residents to contact our front desk at 305-274-0047.

 

(i)  http://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/connecting-dots.aspx

(ii) http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/bio.htm

(iii) http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20110819/7047/cavities-early-childhood-caries-infant-saliva-tooth-decay-kelly-swanson-dental-caries-bacteria.htm

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Research Suggests Walnuts Reduce Breast Cancer

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

walnuts reduce breast cancerMiami dentists and holistic health care professionals are nutty.  That is, they have long recommended that individuals add nuts to their diets to attain a plethora of health benefits.  Such benefits are many and varied, but a major advantage include increased cardiovascular health and longevity.  Now, research from the Marshall University of West Virginia indicates that a very specific type of nut may help reduce the risk of breast cancer.  Enter:  Walnuts.

 

Walnuts are tightly packed with an arsenal of healthy B vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.  It is the omega 3 fatty acid content of walnuts, however, that has made recent headlines.  Specifically,walnuts are high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that may reduce the risk of breast cancer.  Research suggests that the ALA content of walnuts works synergistically with the naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein of the nut, significantly reducing the development of cancerous tumors.  For more information, we turn to Dr. Elaine Hardman.

 

Dr. Hardman closely studied the development and proliferation of cancerous cells in mice at the Marshall University.  Her goal:  To determine if a diet rich in walnuts may reduce the rate at which cancer develops.  Dr. Hardman divided mice in two groups, one “control group” that received normal nutrition and one “test group” that received a diet rich in walnuts and ALA.

 

The results were overwhelmingly positive:  those with a diet rich in walnuts developed cancer at half the rate of those in the control group.

 

What’s more, walnuts had this profound impact on mice that were already destined for cancer.  “These reductions are particularly important,” contests Dr. Hardman, “[considering] the mice were genetically programmed to develop cancer at a high rate,” (i).  This implies walnuts may be even more powerful in preventing the formation in cancer in human beings, as we are not genetically programmed to develop cancer.

 

Dr. Hardman was the leader of the research team that led this ground-breaking investigation.  More information may be found in the journal of Nutrition and Cancer.  Dr. Hardman’s research serves as a powerful follow up to a 2004 statement issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, stating “1.5 oz of walnuts per day, as party of a low saturated and low cholesterol diet […] may reduce the risk of coronary hear disease,” (ii).

Holistic Dentists:  Nuts About Nuts!

Holistic dentists focuses on more than just the teeth and gums.  Holistic dental professionals view the human body as a large an intricately connected system.  Not surprisingly, proper nutrition is a fundamental concern for holistic professionals as it directly impacts the overall health of the body.

 

Walnuts are a powerful mega-nutrient that patients are smart to incorporate into meals whenever possible.  Not only are walnuts linked with a decreased incidence of cancer, as documented above, but they also contain basic nutrients that help to energize and fortify the body.

 

Moreover, walnuts are a perfect substitute for meat on salads, pastas, rice, and stir fry dishes.  Whether vegan or simply opposed to fluoride –contaminated meats, walnuts are a great way to dramatically increase the nutritional value of daily meals!

Have You Visited A Holistic Dentist?

South Florida Residents:  Contact Assure a Smile to schedule an appointment with a leading South Florida holistic dentist, and learn more about the “big picture” of oral health!

 

(i)  http://www.naturalnews.com/033536_walnuts_breast_cancer.html

(ii) http://www.healthcastle.com/walnuts-benefits-heart.shtml

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