In theory, the raw diet seems like a great idea. The composition of food changes when it is cooked, leading to a decrease in enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. Proponents of the raw diet believe it delivers higher concentrations of naturally occurring nutrients to promote health, wellness, and vitality. However, recent studies suggest following the raw diet can actually be harmful to the body, especially the teeth and gums.
As the holiday season begins, we can’t help but get excited with the joy and laughter that seems just around the corner. Family, friends, and good home cooked meals are just a few of the best things about the holidays. This time of year, it’s always nice to take a moment to reflect on all the good things in our lives, while also taking time to recommit ourselves to healthier lifestyle choices. Don’t wait until New Year’s Eve to start thinking of ways to stay healthy! From Thanksgiving through the end of December, there are plenty of opportunities to improve the health of your teeth, gums, and total body. As the gateway to the entire body, the mouth plays a vital role in holistic health. Take a moment to review this list of tips for cavity prevention during the holidays, and experience health benefits that extend far beyond the teeth and gums.
Oil pulling is an all-natural way to improve oral health. Although oil pulling is just now enjoying positive feedback from dental patients, it is actually an age old practice that originated in India thousands of years ago. It wasn’t until the 1990s that health experts in the Western world began recommending oil pulling as a way to naturally detoxify the body, particularly the teeth and gums. Today, many holistic dentists recognize oil pulling as a safe, easy, and inexpensive way to significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay, oral infection, and gum disease.
As a Miami holistic dentistry practice, Assure A Smile helps patients achieve a healthier smile through more than just reactive dental care. We help patients develop life long healthy habits that help teeth and gums grow stronger. We believe this integrated, total body approach to dentistry is the most effective way to build Healthy Teeth and Gums for Life.
This February, Assure A Smile raises awareness for children's oral health needs. According to studies published by the Surgeon General, American children suffer from chronic tooth decay at alarming numbers, predisposing the nation's youth to serious health issues. In the short run, high rates of tooth decay can lead to gum disease, infection, and gingivitis. Long term, however, the bacteria that causes gum disease has been found to also cause heart disease and increase the risk of stroke.
We're happy to announce that Dr. Herrmann is now certified to administer ozone therapy for cavities, root canals, and other dental procedures. Along with Dr. Herrmann's new certification, Assure A Smile is now home to an exciting new line of advanced ozone therapy technologies that safely administer O3, or ozone, during routine procedures.
Silky, sweet, and smooth, chocolate has been adored for more than 3,000 years by cultures from around the world. Though considered by many to be a delicious treat, new research suggests chocolate might be better categorized as a “super food” that is more similar to the blueberry than the cupcake. There are at least 7 reasons to smile about this delicious food, each of which stems from the fact that chocolate is produced from cacao, a special seed that contains powerful concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anti-bacterial properties.
At the end of 2012, Portland city council members met behind closed doors in an attempt to pass a public water fluoridation mandate. When word of the council’s plan leaked, citizens sprang into action, collecting an unprecedented 400,000+ signatures to bring the controversial decision to the public for a vote. Six months have passed since that time, and we're happy to announce that the residents of Portland have successfully voted to keep public water free of fluoride.
So, what can we learn about Portland’s recent underdog victory against the pro-fluoride lobby?
The number of United States cities and municipalities that have voted to end water fluoridation grew rapidly in 2012. As awareness for the issue continues to spread, an increasingly large number of communities are lobbying for natural drinking water that is completely free of fluoride additives. Among the primary reasons for discontinuing the controversial practice are concerns for the general health of the community, as well as concerns that it may incur an unnecessary financial burden that may not benefit the public at all.
In Japan, scientists have created a new tool that many believe will help prevent tooth decay in the future. They call it the “tooth patch,” an ultra-flexible biocompatible film that scientists have designed to fit snugly over the surface of teeth. The film is made entirely of hydroxyapatite, the natural mineral from which tooth enamel is made. The developers of the tooth patch hope that it’s enamel-like composition will make it an effective shield to prevent tooth decay, as well as a restorative material that can be used to repair teeth with pre-existing cavities or dental caries.