Posts Tagged ‘kendall dentist’
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010
Suffering with bleeding, puffy, or agitated gums is not normal. In fact, these are 3 telltale signs of periodontal disease. Known most commonly as gum disease, this condition causes chronic bad breath, a receding gum line, and eventually loss of teeth. Take steps now, and you may be able to reverse this terrible condition under the supervision of a local dentist in Miami.
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:
Gum disease is more common than you may think. Alarmingly, this horrific condition affects nearly 85% of all Americans. Signs of gums disease include puffy, bleeding, and agitated gums. Agitation is most common after consuming food, when tiny particles are wedged between the molars of the upper and lower jaw. Individuals may also notice blood in their saliva when brushing their teeth in the morning or at night. Should you encounter any of these signs of infection, consult a Miami dentist immediately. Additionally, consider the following 5 precautions in safeguarding against gum disease:
1) Brush and Floss Nightly—it takes only 48 hours for bacteria to infect the gums. If you go to sleep with food particles in the nooks and crevices in your teeth, you give bacteria a winning chance of festering and infecting your gums.
2) Schedule regular dental cleanings—adults should schedule a dental cleaning about ever 4 months, and children every 6. By visiting a dental professional regularly, you are able to stay on top of the development and removal of plaque from your teeth.
3) Choose Invisalign if you are getting braces—traditional metal braces have wires and brackets that are permanently cemented to the facades of the teeth. This hardware can be difficult to clean, and may lead to increased bacteria and plaque cultivation. When choosing braces, opt for a removable solution like Invisalign clear braces. Patients who use removable braces like Invisalign are better able to keep their teeth and gums clean.
4) Treat Problem Areas with Perio Protect—infected areas may be treated with medicated solutions like Perio Protect. This system includes two custom made trays to fit the patient’s teeth and treat the gum line with prescription strength medication to slow and combat developing gum disease.
Gum disease is one of the most common and harmful oral infections among Americans. When left untreated, gum disease can cause loss of teeth and has recently been linked with heart disease. Should you experience signs of gum disease, particularly bloody saliva, consult a dentist in Miami immediately. The Perio Protect system is just one effective means of treatment that is available through your local dental professional.
Tags: dentist 305, dentist 33176, dentist in Miami, dr. ted herrmann, Family Dentistry 305, gum disease, health teeth, healthy gums, heart disease, Invisalign, Invisalign clear braces, kendall dentist, miami dentist, Miami Dentistry Holistic Dentist, miami invisalign, perio protect, periodontitis
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Wednesday, December 15th, 2010
It’s that time of year! Jingle bells, gingerbread cookies, and the turning of another calendar year are on the horizon. As we reflect on the passing year, let us look towards the next with enthusiasm, hope, and dedication to better health. When it comes to pursuing better oral health, Assure a Smile would like to take a moment and urge patients to think Holistic.
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:
What better time to reflect on personal health and well being than right before the start of a new year? Whether you have a dozen cavities or zero, it is important to consistently reevaluate the way you think of your teeth, gums, and local dentist. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with holistic dentistry, a proactive approach to creating healthy smiles that last a lifetime.
Diet and Holistic Dentistry
Holistic dentistry seeks out the causal factors that contribute to dental conditions. One of the most common contributing factors to poor oral hygiene is a corresponding poor diet. Holistic dentistry differs from traditional dentistry in the belief that simple dietary changes can help create healthy teeth and gums for life. For example, traditional dentistry’s answer to fighting cavities and gum disease is to brush and floss regularly. This approach is reactive, focusing on plaque removal instead of the plaque itself. Holistic dentists, by contrast, want to help patients prevent tooth decay not only through proper hygiene, but also through proper diet.
When armed with the proper knowledge, patients can make minor adjustments to their diet to help prevent plaque accumulation before it starts. Limiting sugar intake, for example, is one of the best ways to prevent plaque from accumulating on your teeth.
Proactive Teeth and Gum Care
Of course, proactive teeth and gum care is an essential part of long lasting oral health. Making dietary changes will help to limit the damage caused by eating food, however regular brushing and flossing is still required to remove the food particles that cause disease.
It is important to consider flossing a major component of oral hygiene. Though tedious, flossing removes the food particles that become lodged deep between teeth and near the gums. If not removed regularly, these food particles can infect the gums in as little as 48 hours. Once infection occurs, gums may become swollen, painful, and bleeding, eventually leading to gum disease.
Miami Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Regular dental checkups and cleanings round out the holistic approach to dentistry. Even the most educated and proactive patients develop occasional problem areas, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. However, minor problems become major problems when left undiagnosed and treated. Scheduling an appointment with a local Miami dentist will ensure your oral health plan gets off on the right foot for 2011.
Tags: Assure a Smile, coral gables dentist, dentist 33176, holistic dental practice, holistic dentistry, Holistic Dentistry 305, kendall dentist, miami dentist, miami dentistry, miami holistic dentistry, nutrition, oral hygiene, proactive dentistry, ted herrmann
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Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
There are two popular treatments when it comes to braces for your teeth: Invisalign clear braces, and traditional metal braces. Both are highly effective, and both have helped millions of patients smile with enthusiasm. Are you torn between Invisalign clear braces and traditional metal ones? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Fortunately, there is a clear answer.
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:
Believe it or not, humans have been fascinated with straightening teeth since as early as 500 B.C. Greek philosopher Aristotle, for example, was fascinated with teeth and often wrote of ways to realign them (i). It was not until the late 1800s that medical professionals began to create devices to straighten crooked teeth. The most recognizable of these devices uses a series of metal brackets and wires to gradually shift tooth alignment over time.
Invisalign vs. Braces
Traditional metal braces are still common today. Using strategically placed brackets and wires, Orthodontic professionals are able to shift the teeth of a patient into neat and parallel rows over the course of several months. Unfortunately, metal braces have a bad stigma among young children and adults alike. They can be quite uncomfortable, as the metal brackets must be cemented onto the patient’s teeth for the duration of the treatment. Many feel embarrassed to have so much metal and wiring permanently fixed to their teeth, adding to the discomfort.
Invisalign: A Clear and Comfortable Solution
Invisalign braces entered the offices of dental professionals nationwide at the beginning of the 21st century. The revolutionary new system became instantly popular, addressing the biggest downfall of traditional metal braces: comfort. Patients suffered physical discomfort with metal in their mouths, and they were uncomfortable with being seen wearing metal braces. Invisalign, however, changed everything.
Invisalign Clear Braces
Invisalign may be considered clear braces, but they are not actually braces at all. Invisalign braces are custom made aligners. Each is modeled to fit the patient’s teeth exactly, but with one catch: they are slightly more straight. As the patient wears their Invisalign aligners, their teeth are gradually moved into parallel alignment. The aligners are made of high grade plastics– not metal—and offer superior comfort. Patients may remove the aligners before eating, brushing, and flossing, making Invisalign an extremely convenient way to create the near perfect smile you’ve always desired.
Still considering Invisalign vs. Braces? Assure a Smile is offering $1,000 off new Miami Invisalign treatments until January 1st of 2011. The smile of your dreams has never been more affordable!
(i) http://www.ada.org/public/resources/history/timeline_ancient.asp
Tags: dentist miami, Invisalign clear braces, invisalign vs. braces, kendall dentist, metal braces, metal brackets, miami dental, miami dentist, miami holistic dentistry, miami invisalign
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Monday, August 23rd, 2010
A staggering 34% of adults in the United States report having experienced a Urinary Tract Infection. Recent studies, however, indicate that the culprit may be mercury poisoning.
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann
While urinary tract infection, or UTI, remain prevalent among young adults over 20 years of age, new studies indicate that this statistic may be inflated. First, let’s examine the symptoms of UTIs before exploring the benefits of amalgam (silver) filling removal:
Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
The physicians behind Emedicinehealth.com define a UTI as an infection affecting any of the areas urine travels through as it leaves the body (i). These areas include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Common UTI symptoms include the following:
- Dysuria, experiencing pain or a burning sensation while urinating
- Inflammation and irritation of the urethra and bladder
- Frequent urination
- Experiencing the sensation of being unable to hold urine
- Experiencing the sensation of being unable to urinate easily
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Lower abdominal pain
- Vomiting or nausea
- Fairly high fever
- Experiencing involuntary shaking or chills
MERCURY POISONING IN DISGUISE
While the frequency of UTIs is very real, especially among American adults, the symptoms mirror those of a urinary system that has been poisoned by mercury. Dr. J. Trowbridge, author of The Yeast Syndrome, is on the forefront of researching the possible correlation between UTIs and mercury poison. In his book, he states that several doctors report that 98% of patients with chronic UTI also exhibit high levels of mercury toxicity. This alarmingly high percentage of UTI patients begs the question: do these individuals have a UTI, or are they experiencing similar symptoms that are brought about by mercury poisoning?
MERCURY AND HEALTH
As a Miami dentist and certified nutritionist, I can say that no amount of mercury is safe. The only way to avoid mercury poisoning is to reduce your exposure to it. The professionals at Assure a Smile offer holistic health care services including amalgam filling removal for patients with old, amalgam (silver) fillings . Replacing silver fillings with a composite, or white, filling can greatly reduce your risk of developing serious health problems.
(i) http://www.emedicinehealth.com/urinary_tract_infections/page3_em.htm#Urinary%20Tract%20Infection%20Symptoms
Tags: 305 dentist, 305 dentistry, Assure a Smile, holistic dentist, holistic dentistry, holistic health, immune system health, kendall dentist, mercury, mercury poisoning, miami cosmetic dentist, miami dentist, miami dentistry, miami holistic dentistry, south florida dentist, south miami dentist, ted herrmann, urinary tract infection, uti, wellness
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Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Could you be inhaling poisonous vapor? If you have amalgam (silver) fillings, you most likely are.
COMMENTS BY DR. TED HERRMANN:
We know that mercury is the most toxic non-radioactive chemical on Earth (i). We know that this chemical vaporizes under pressure and heat. We also know that, when vaporized, this chemical is tasteless, odorless, and easily inhaled without notice. Why, then, does it make sense to have such a chemical in your mouth?
The human mouth is naturally one of the warmest regions of the body. Used for chewing and breaking down food, the mouth also has the ability to clench and exert pressure on its teeth. The natural warmth of the mouth, combined with the pressure its jaws can force onto teeth, make teeth one of the worst places to put a toxic chemical like mercury. Chewing, unconscious jaw clentching, and nighttime teeth grinding all contribute to the health hazards of amalgam (silver) fillings.
Cavities and Mercury Fillings
To better understand the dangers of silver fillings, let’s examine how fillings work. When you have a cavity, your dentist will remove the plaque and bacteria from your tooth. Depending on the amount of plaque and the extent to which it has damaged your tooth, this process will leave a hole in the enamel of the tooth. A solution of metal is then prepared, consisting of 50-60% mercury and varying levels of silver and tin. This solution is called amalgam. The mercury rich amalgam is then shoved into the hole in your tooth.
Contrary to popular belief, this filling is not bound directly to the tooth. Instead, it is forcefully stuffed into the cavity until the entire space is filled. The cavity is sealed as the filling corrodes naturally over time. This corrosion process, however, creates problems down the road.
Mercury Toxicity and the Mouth
The corrosion process that seals a silver filling into a tooth never stops. The continual corrosion of the filling eventually creates micro fractures along the surfaces of the tooth. Over time, these fractures accumulate and eventually crack the tooth. In some cases these fractures may lead to the tooth being broken altogether. As this happens, amalgam fillings are exposed to two very bad forces: pressure from natural chewing, and heat from the mouth. The combination of pressure and heat vaporizes the mercury content of the filling, creating an odorless, tasteless, highly toxic gas. Since the gas emits from a filling in a tooth, it is easily inhaled at levels 10-50 times the level considered safe by the U.S. Public Health Service (ii).
As a Miami dentist and holistic wellness professional, I cannot understate the harmful effects that mercury can induce. Simply put, no amount of mercury is safe. A proposition in California, enacted in 1994, requires dental professionals that the use of silver fillings “causes birth defects and other problems”(iii). Assure a Smile Miami Dentistry offers safe mercury removal to help patients replace silver fillings with much safer composite, or white, fillings. Contact our holistic dentists to learn more about safely removing and replacing silver fillings.
(i) http://www.dreddyclinic.com/dangers_of_toxic_metals.htm
(ii) http://www.yourhealthbase.com/amalgams.html
(iii) http://www.dreddyclinic.com/detox_tips_10.htm
Tags: 305 dentist, 305 dentistry, amalgam, amalgam filling, Assure a Smile, cavity, filling, holistic dentist, holistic dentistry, holistic health, kendall dentist, mercury, mercury poisoning, miami dentist, miami dentistry, miami holistic dentistry, oral hygiene, poisonous filling, silver fillings, south florida dentist, south miami dentist, ted herrmann, toxic, wellness
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Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
What’s more toxic than lead, cadmium and arsenic? I’ll give you a hint: it might just be in your mouth…
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:
Mercury is more toxic than lead, cadmium, and arsenic. What many people are unaware of, however, is just how close they come to it each day. In truth, if you have a traditional silver filling in any of your teeth, you have a little bit of mercury there too.
Amalgam fillings, common before the use of white fillings, are 50% mercury. Larger fillings may even contain as much mercury as a thermometer. This chemical vaporizes easily at room temperature, turning into a odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas. As a result, those with traditional amalgam fillings may continuously inhale mercury vapor, without even knowing it. This is extremely alarming, as research from around the world indicates that mercury inhalation poses severe health risks.
Scientists at the University of Milan assert that many studies have confirmed that mercury from amalgam fillings does enter human tissue after being used to fill a cavity (i). They go on to say that the amount of mercury that enters the brain, thyroid, kidney, and pituitary gland is proportional to the number of silver fillings a person has. In other words, the more amalgam fillings you have, the more odorless mercury vapor you inhale.
Not just Italians worry about the mercury content of fillings, either. The World Health Organization has concluded that traditional amalgam dental fillings contribute more mercury to a person’s body than all other sources combined. But is there a health risk?
In fact, mercury is a poison. This poison can adversely affect many bodily processes including the urinary, cardiac, respiratory, immune, and digestive systems. Dr. Gary Null and Dr. Martin Feldman of New York published a report that offers irrefutable evidence that mercury from traditional silver fillings is absorbed by the human body at a rate of 10-50 times the safe limit set by the U.S. Public Health Service (ii). The evidence paints a very clear picture:
Mercury is poisonous, abundant in amalgam fillings, and absorbed by the human body at a tremendously high rate.
As a holistic dentistry practice, Assure a Smile offers safe mercury filling removal. Mercury-free, white composite fillings are used to treat cavities and conduct general procedures. Contact Assure a Smile to speak with a Miami dentist about safely removing your mercury fillings.
(i) http://www.yourhealthbase.com/amalgams.html
(ii) see above.
Tags: 305 dentist, 305 dentistry, amalgam fillings, arsenic, Assure a Smile, bacteria, cadmium, cavity, cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentistry, dental appointment, dental education, digestive system health, holistic dentist, holistic dentistry, holistic health, kendall dentist, mercury, mercury inhalation, mercury poison, miami dentist, miami holistic dentist, nervous system, oral hygiene, plaque, safe mercury filling removal, silver fillings, south florida dentist, south miami dentist, ted herrmann, wellness, white fillings
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Do you have bleeding, puffy, or otherwise agitated gums? If so, you may be one of 85% of adults who have gum disease. Gum disease can lead to receding gums, loss of teeth, chronic bad breath, and has recently been linked with heart disease. Treating gum disease, however, can reverse the process and help both teeth and gums to become healthy again!
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, afflicts about 85% of adults. This condition is not to be taken lightly; when untreated, gum disease may cause recession of the gums, loss of teeth, and even heart disease. Gum disease effects one or more of the following periodontal tissues:
-Alveolar Bone, the bone that holds the teeth and gums in place
-Periodontal Ligaments, connects the teeth with the Alveolar Bone
-Cementum, a protective layer at the root of the bone
-Gingiva, the gums
Once one or more of the above tissues are affected, serious and proactive measures must be taken to remove the bacteria from your gums and prevent it from developing again. Assure a Smile offers the PERIO PROTECT system for doing just that.
The first step in the Perio Protect treatment system is to have an in-depth cleaning of the teeth and gums. This cleaning focuses on the debridement, or removal, of plaque, tarter, and bacteria from the sulcus, or periodontal pocket. The sulcus is the region between the tooth and surrounding gum area.
Once plaque and bacteria have been removed, a set of custom Perio Protect trays is made. These trays fit tightly around your teeth while also leaving a reservoir for a treatment solution that runs along the gum line. This solution is tailored specifically for your treatment needs, and it consists mainly of oxidizing and oxygenating agents that reduce bacteria populations (i).
After your debridement cleaning, it is recommended you wear the Perio Protect trays and accompanying solution 2 to 3 times daily. When the trays are inserted, the reservoir effectively holds the treatment solution along the gum line and prevents bacteria populations from regenerating in the sulcus. This allows your gums time to heal properly.
Habitual brushing and flossing can prevent gum disease. However, once gum disease develops, brushing and flossing alone are not enough. Treating periodontal disease requires a thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums, followed by continual treatment of the area with a FDA approved, doctor prescribed solution. As a Miami dentist, I recommend the Perio Protect system as a premier and fully customizable approach to treating gum disease. The system works well from a holistic dentistry perspective as it works to restore each of the periodontal tissues through one convenient process.
(i) http://www.perioprotect.com/whatIs.asp
Tags: 305 dentist, 305 dentistry, alveolar bone, Assure a Smile, bacteria, cementum, cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentistry, debridement, gingiva, gum disease, gum disease prevention, gum treatment, heart disease, holistic dentist, holistic dentistry, kendall dentist, oral hygiene, perio protect, perio protect solution, perio protect trays, periodontal disease, periodontal ligament, periodontal tissue, south florida dentist, south miami dentist, sulcus, ted herrmann, treating gum disease, wellness
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Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
Healthy snacks for kids are a summer must! Fresh fruit, plenty of water, and homemade treats can keep your child full, energetic, and cavity-free. So, treat your children this summer with these delicious and nutritious snack recommendations from Assure a Smile Miami Dentistry.
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann
Children, perhaps more so than adults, need snacks. The eating habits of a child typically mirror those of their caregiver, consisting of three daily meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, as most caregivers can attest, getting a child to clean their plate can be a challenge.
Anxiousness, coupled with a proportionately small stomach, make it difficult for children to sit down and eat an entire meal. As a result, children may not receive enough calories each day. This is very unhealthy for both children and adults because fewer calories means less energy and nutrients to fuel the body and protect it from foreign objects, like viruses and bacteria. Preparing small, nutritious snacks will help children consume the calories they need for energy as well as the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Heart Healthy Whole Grains
Whole grains are building blocks for a nutritious and filling snack. Parents must take caution, though. Most “whole grain” foods are made using only a small portion of actual whole grains. In addition, whole grain cereals and snack bars are often over processed and rich in sugar. The best whole grain snacks include oatmeal, topped with fresh blueberries, or a small portion of brown rice and vegetables. While the portions may be small (two children sharing a single bowl of oatmeal, for example), the nutritious advantage is huge. Whole grains are associated with a lessened risk of heart disease, and they are a fundamental source of energy!
Delicious Dairy Products
Dairy products make the perfect mid-day snack for children. Foods like low fat cheese sticks, yogurt, and cottage cheese with fresh fruit offer two main nutritional benefits. First, they are a good source of protein. Second, they have moderate amounts of unsaturated fat. Studies show that replacing ordinary fat with unsaturated fat, like that found in dairy products, reduces the amount of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) in your blood (i). Although cholesterol worries are something we typically associate with adults, children too can benefit from eating foods that keep LDL levels low.
Organic Fruits and Vegetables
Organic fruits and vegetables make the best snacks for children. Fruit is a good early morning snack because it is a good source of carbohydrates, water, and vitamins to sustain energy throughout the day. Apples, peaches, grapes, oranges, and watermelon are all great choices. When it comes to late afternoon snacks, though, vegetables are the way to go. Vegetables contain fewer carbohydrates yet are rich in minerals. Serving snacks like raw broccoli, carrots, sliced tomatoes, and celery can replenish a child’s nutrient levels without overfilling their stomachs before dinner. To make things more fun, serve a low fat side to add some extra flavor to the vegetables. Low fat ranch dip, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, light seasoning, or all natural organic peanut butter complement vegetables in a delicious way. Also, dipping is fun! The more fun a snack or meal is, the more likely a child is to eat the entire portion.
As a Miami dentist and nutritionist, I recommend parents serve two snacks to their children each day. Healthy whole grains, dairy products, fruit, and raw vegetables are hands down the best snacks for kids. They offer a moderate serving of calories, healthy fat, protein, and plenty of vitamins and minerals. Holistic dentistry holds the view that overall health is reflected in the mouth; following these snack guidelines will keep your child’s body healthy, and their mouths cavity-free.
(i) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fat/NU00262
Tags: 305 dentist, 305 dentistry, Assure a Smile, bacteria, calories, dental appointment, diary products, eating, fun snacks, healthy snacks, heart disease, holistic dentist, holistic dentistry, kendall dentist, miami dentist, miami dentistry, miami holistic dentistry, minerals, oral hygiene, organic fruit, organic vegetables, snacks, snacks for children, snacks for kids, south florida dentist, sugar, ted herrmann, vitamins, wellness, whole grain, whole grains
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Thursday, August 5th, 2010
It seems there is never enough time. When time is short, we tend to choose the easiest option. The problem? The easiest option is not always the healthiest.
Break the cycle and prime yourself with success by eating a healthy breakfast every day!
Aside from providing your body with fuel, eating a daily breakfast rich in protein, fruit, and healthy fat builds a foundation for long term longevity.
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:
It is said that the word breakfast literally means to break your body of the fast it undergoes while you sleep. Yes, that’s right. Your body eats away at itself while you are sleeping, drawing energy and nutrients from fat stores and muscle fibers. This is why we awake with hunger, and this is why eating breakfast is so important.
A healthy breakfast can be broken down into three parts: protein, complex carbohydrates, and unsaturated fats. A typical well rounded breakfast, for example, consists of protein from egg whites, complex carbohydrates from a fruit salad, and unsaturated fat from a dairy product like whole milk, yogurt, or cottage cheese.
Aside from ridding us of our early morning rumbling stomachs, a healthy and well rounded breakfast builds the foundation for longevity and overall vitality in at least three ways.
First, a healthy breakfast provides the body with lean protein at the early hours of the day. This is very important because the body draws protein from muscle fibers while we sleep. As this happens, the body feels as though it is starving and goes into survival mode, slowing the metabolism and increasing the production of a hormone called cortisol. Those protein stores must be replaced as soon as possible, and the fastest way to do is by consuming 10-15 grams (about four egg whites) of protein each morning. This will bring the body out of survival mode and decrease the production of cortisol over time. Recent studies have found that individuals with low cortisol levels have greater immune system health as well as a reduced risk of heart disease (i). In this way, eating eggs each morning promotes long term health.
The second part of the healthy breakfast equation includes about 2 cups of fresh fruit. This portion of the meal provides high quality carbohydrates that the body will metabolize into energy throughout the day. Also, fruit has a relatively high concentration of both water and vitamins that will hydrate and nourish the body. Most notably, fruit is naturally sweet. Enjoying naturally sweet whole foods, like fruit, throughout the day will deter those late night cravings for sweets that all too often lead to plaque buildup and tooth decay.
Finally, a healthy breakfast is rounded out with a moderate serving of unsaturated fat. The best source for this is yogurt as it goes well with fruit and other breakfast foods. The unsaturated fat in most dairy products, fish oils, and olive oil has been linked in recent studies to strong heart health, most likely because if its power as an anti-inflammatory (ii).
A healthy breakfast will arm you with an arsenal of nutrients to tackle even the toughest of days. As a Miami dentist and nutritionist, I see firsthand the benefits of eating healthy meals. Patients who eat breakfasts rich in eggs, fruit, and yogurt say they feel more energetic and alive. This is illustrated in their teeth: patients who eat well have strong, healthy teeth and gums. To learn more about how diet can affect oral health, Schedule a dental appointment with Assure a Smile.
(i) http://www.myfit.ca/nutrition/cortisol_stress_coffee_foods_lower.asp
(ii) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fat/NU00262
Tags: 305 dentist, 305 dentistry, Assure a Smile, breakfast, cosmetic dentist, cosmetic dentistry, dental appointment, fruit, healthy breakfast, heart disease, holistic dentist, holistic dentistry, immune system, immune system health, kendall dentist, miami dentist, miami dentistry, miami holistic dentistry, protein, sleep, south florida dentist, south miami dentist, ted herrmann, unsaturated fat, vitamins, water, wellness
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Sunday, July 25th, 2010
Have you had your grains today?
Researchers now link vitality, disease prevention, and healthier teeth with whole grains like brown rice. Substituting bad carbohydrates with good is easy, and it may just help you live longer!
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann DMD
Everyone knows that carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy. The popular whole grain cereal Wheaties pushed this idea with their “Breakfast of Champions” slogan in the 1930s, though most of us remember the campaign from the early 90s.
Not all carbohydrates are created equally, however. Some carbohydrates contain only one or two sugar molecules and are appropriately labeled simple sugars. The best known of these simple sugars, table sugar, is most likely in your kitchen pantry. Other carbohydrates are made up of long chains of these simple sugars and, because of their increased molecular complexity, are referred to as complex carbohydrates. Brown rice, barley, and other whole grains are good examples of these robust, nutrient-dense carbohydrates.
Simple or Complex?
On paper, complex carbohydrates beat their simple counterparts by an astonishing margin. Complex carbohydrates contain more nutrients, have greater energy potential, have a smaller affect on blood sugar levels, and do less harm to your teeth and gums over time. Simple sugars, by contrast, have almost no nutritional value, are not a good source of sustainable energy, largely affect blood sugar levels, and can cause plaque buildup on teeth that eventually leads to decay. Though simple sugars win us over because of their sweet taste, a closer look reveals that replacing simple sugars with complex carbohydrates has enough health benefits to silence even the loudest screaming sweet tooth.
First, complex carbohydrates contain large amounts of B vitamins. B vitamins, when combined with adequate amounts of water and protein, work to increase your body’s metabolism. That means more energy! For the curious readers out there, I urge you to take a closer look at any of the dozens of energy drinks that have popped up in the past five years. You will notice a common ingredient in almost all of them: B vitamins. Complex carbohydrate foods, though, are still a much better option for many reasons: They will satiate your hunger, they contain fiber to promote digestive health, and they offer a high caloric content for prolonged energy.
In addition to carrying loads of B vitamins, complex carbohydrates promote overall wellness from the standpoint of disease prevention. Natural News, a website dedicated to the latest in natural living, health, and news, recently reported on a Temple University study that identified a compound in brow rice—a poster child for complex carbohydrates—as having the ability to lower blood pressure, an essential step towards preventing heart disease.[i]
Finally, complex carbohydrates are not as problematic for your teeth and gums. Simple sugars, especially those found in massive quantities in juices and soft drinks, have a knack for gathering on a tooth’s enamel and forming plaque. This plaque provides an ideal place for bacteria to breed and infect both the tooth and gums, leading to a host of adverse dental conditions. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, contain fewer grams of sugar per serving and are less corrosive to tooth enamel.
The benefits of a diet consisting largely of complex carbohydrates are numerous. Moreover, adjusting your diet to contain fewer simple sugars and more complex carbohydrates is easy. To start, here are the three most common “bad” carbohydrates and corresponding “good” carbohydrates to replace them with:
1) White bread: Replace with 100% Whole Wheat, or other similar Multigrain breads
2) White rice: Replace with Brown Rice or 100% Whole Wheat pasta
3) Candy: Replace with sugar free gum, decaffeinated tea, or a small glass of juice
A local Miami dentist can provide you with further information on the benefits of balancing your diet with good carbohydrates. Certified nutritionists can also help you build a nutrition plan rich in varied, healthy foods. At Assure a Smile, you will receive both. Take advantage of our new patient Miami dental cleaning special and learn more about healthy teeth and gum care, holistic wellness, and the importance of a balanced diet.
[i] http://www.naturalnews.com/029143_brown_rice_diabetes.html
Tags: 305 dentist, 305 dentistry, Assure a Smile, b vitamins, brown rice, carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, complex carbs, eat well, fiber, heart disease, holistic dentistry, holistic health, kendall dentist, Miami dental cleaning, miami dentist, miami dentistry, miami holistic dentistry, nutrient, nutrients, oral hygiene, proactive dentistry, simple sugars, south florida dentist, south miami dentist, ted herrmann, wellness, whole grains
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