What’s the Problem with Mercury?

holisticScientists have known mercury to be highly poisonous for at least a century and a half.  This knowledge has not stopped its use in filling cavities, however.  Knowing the danger is half the battle, so it is important to fully understand the problems with mercury and the harm it can do when it gets into your bloodstream.  Let’s talk a bit about the effects of mercury on your system so you can have a well informed discussion with your (hopefully mercury safe) dentist.

To being, mercury is highly toxic to people and mercury poisoning can cause very serious consequences, can even be fatal in some circumstances.  Besides death, mercury poisoning causes loss of senses, including hearing and taste, peripheral neuropathy, skin discoloration and peeling, swelling, dizziness, confusion, and erratic behavior.  Mercury is considered toxic by the FDA, yet millions of people walk around with significant amounts of mercury in their mouths, completely unaware.  Studies have shown that such everyday actions as eating, drinking hot liquids, and teeth brushing, can release minute amounts of mercury from mercury fillings.  The released mercury is both inhaled and swallowed.  It then slowly builds up in the body to wreak havoc.

You should be able to trust that your dentist will not do anything to place your health at risk.  If your dentist wants to place mercury filling in your mouth, and so-called silver amalgam fillings are made primarily of mercury, this is a huge red flag that they are ignoring important safety warnings.  Many years ago, mercury was the most durable and easily placed materials available for fillings, but today there are many alternatives that are at least as durable and easy to place.  There really is no good reason to use mercury at all.  Mercury is dangerous and can be detrimental to your health.  If your dentist places mercury fillings, maybe this is a good time to start looking for a dentist that truly makes your health a priority.

More – biocompatibledentist.org/holistic_dentistry/ & http://www.icc.org/details/16257547.html

San Diego Dental Startup

The United States of America is a very large country, and there are many different opportunities for businesses, companies, and start ups all over. Although we are very proud to be innovators here in Chicago when it comes to start ups, it would be foolish to deny that there are no other places just as dynamic – although of course, in very different ways. San Diego, for example, has often been a very magnetic area for those that want to try out their new company ideas, and many start ups are born there, live there, and sadly die there. So what makes it difficult to make start ups work in other cities?

For a start, a San Diego dentist has a very particular audience that he or she is working with. San Diego is a highly educated city, and has actually been declared the ninth most education city in the entirety of the United States of America. That means that the inhabitants of this city are looking for a particular kind of start up to invest in; gimmicky and immature start up need not apply. Instead, investors of start ups in San Diego are looking for something a little more nuanced, a little more vibrant – something that they have not seen before. Some San Diego dentists could rightly be considered start ups, and some technology companies really flourish in San Diego, because they offer a different and exciting slant on the more stale idea of what a start up is.

Whether you are a San Diego dentist or a San Diego student, there will probably be a place for you and your start up in San Diego. However, if it does not seem to be working, on the other hand, why not try your luck somewhere else? It could just be that San Diego is not the right place for you.

Visit BrightonDentalSD.com if you are looking for a San Diego Dentist.

Everything you Need to Know about Injectable Wrinkle Fillers

botox injectionInjectable dermal fillers can help you look younger for much less than a surgical facelift and without the risks or recovery time of surgery.  Most fillers take effect in less than half an hour and last anywhere from 4 months to over a year.

Botox injections relax the tiny muscles in the area (learn more about Botox here), while fillers actually fill in the wrinkle.  These fillers can also be used to lift cheeks and jawlines and plump thin lips and sagging hands.

Though not as serious as the risks of surgery, there are risks to injectable fillers, including possible allergic reaction, appearance of tiny bumps under the skin that are sometimes permanent, and skin discoloration called the Tyndall effect.  In very rare cases, skin cells can die, and there have been reports of blindness and nerve paralysis.  Longer lasting fillers are more likely to cause side effects.

Not every product is right for every situation.  Using the best product properly will minimize risk.  This is why it is vital to find a practitioner who is board-certified who regularly undergoes special ongoing training.  Injectable fillers fall into four main categories.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic is a substance that is found naturally in the fluid of the joints.  There are many different types of hyaluronic acid wrinkle fillers, each works a little differently.  The most common side effects include temporary redness, swelling, and bruising.  Results last from months to a year, sometimes two.  Some evidence suggests that repeated use can help stimulate the body to produce natural collagen.  Some of the most popular hyaluronic acid products include Juvederm and Restylane.

Synthetic Wrinkle Fillers

These fillers consist of substances that are dissimilar to anything found naturally in the body.  Common side effects include redness, swelling, and bruising.  Less common side effects include bumps that rarely require surgical removal.  Synthetic fillers last longer than some other fillers, but are more likely to cause side effects.  Improper use can even cause disfigurement.

Collagen Fillers

Originally, these fillers were made from purified collagen extracted from cows.  They were effective, but didn’t last long and were more likely to cause allergic reactions than synthetic fillers.  New purification methods as well as synthetic collagen have reduced these risks.  Side effects include temporary redness and bruising.

Autologous Fillers

Autologous fillers involve taking fat or plasma from your own body and injecting it in another area.  Because the filler comes from your own body, there is no risk of allergic reaction.  Side effects include temporary redness, swelling and bruising.  Results of fat injections are semi-permanent when a series of injections are given over time.  Results of plasma injections last 12-18 months.

Minimize Risk

Wrinkle fillers are generally safe, but bad outcomes do occur, especially when the procedure is not performed properly.  To minimize your risk of a bad outcome, there are some things you should watch out for:

  • Price – While it’s understandable that you don’t want to pay a whole lot for the procedure, be aware that anyone offering the treatment for significantly less than many other places, they may be cutting corners that compromise your health and safety.
  • Medical Setting – These treatments should always be performed in a medical office with sterile equipment by a board-certified professional.
  • FDA Approved – Know what you’re being injected with. Was the product purchased directly from the manufacturer?  It’s not unheard of for substances such as industrial silicone or baby oil to be passed off as an approved filler product.  If the person giving you your treatment can’t or won’t tell you where it comes from, find another doctor.
  • Sunscreen – Daily sunscreen will preserve the filler longer and prevent skin discoloration.

Reference: http://dentox.com/botox-edu-news/

Dangers of Toothpaste

toothpasteThat title got your attention, didn’t it?  If you were asked about the most dangerous item in your home, you might talk about knives, lighters, stove, or cleaning chemicals.  What you don’t know is that one of the most dangerous items in your home is one you readily put into your mouth twice a day.  If you’re wondering how your toothpaste can possibly be more dangerous than some other items in your home, keep reading.

If you look at the ingredients list on your commercial toothpaste, you’ll find a laundry list of chemicals.  If you’re like most people, you really don’t have a clue what they do, but you assume they’re safe because they wouldn’t be in toothpaste if they weren’t, right?  Look a little closer at that packaging, though, and you’ll see a warning not to swallow the toothpaste.  If the laundry list of unpronounceable chemicals doesn’t alarm you, that warning should.

Some common toxic chemicals you might see on your toothpaste label include FD&C blue, or sometimes red, either way it’s made from petroleum and is a toxin.  Sodium hydroxide is also a toxin.  Triclosan is used as an antibacterial, but is classified as a pesticide.  These antibacterial products are not just known toxins, they are also contributing to the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria.  If you’re asking why there are dangerous chemicals being used in toothpaste, it comes down to profit.  If you’re wondering how it’s even allowed, it’s because the manufacturers actively lobby to get them allowed.  After all, they’re warning you not to swallow the toothpaste, right?

Now that you know what’s in your toothpaste, you may be wondering about alternatives.  While you can buy toothpaste from the health food store that are less toxic (still, be sure to read the label!), you still don’t really know what’s in them, they tend to be much more expensive than what you’re already buying, and many of them taste awful.  An even better alternative is to make your own toothpaste at home.  The recipe is simple, just a few basic ingredients that you probably already have around the house.  Your flavor options are endless, and you can make it exactly the way you like it.  What’s even better is that, for a few pennies’ worth of ingredients, you can make a large batch that will last you for weeks.  Refuse to expose yourself and your family to the risks of commercial toothpaste.  Make your own and give your teeth and your body the best possible care.

Read more at http://besttoothpaste.net/fluoride-free/

Pearly Whites As Your New Year’s Resolution?

dentistIt may seem to be a long way away, the other side of the Christmas season, but the new year of 2015 is fast approaching. It will be here far faster than you realise, and then you will discover that you have not had any time to really think about your New Year Resolutions. Many people make them every year, and really try to stick to them throughout the next twelve months . . . but more often than not, they are quickly forgotten by the middle of January, as real life starts to invade all of the happy thoughts that we made on January 1st.

However, if you really want to make a New Year’s Resolution this year that you will be able to keep to, you will need to think of something that will really benefit you. One great New Year’s Resolution that you can make is to pay a visit to a holistic dentist. Unlike traditional dentists, which only focus on your mouth and ignore anything else that is going on in your body, holistic dentists understand that our body cannot be treated like it is a series of totally separate parts. Our body has to work as one machine in order to work properly, and that is why holistic dentists will try to consider many factors into your dental health, rather than just what they can see in front of them.

Making a New Year’s Resolution which benefits your health is an excellent decision – not only because it means that your body and mind will benefit from it throughout the year, but you are also much more likely to keep it! Don’t leave your New Year’s Resolutions to the last minute this year, and make your appointment with a holistic dentist now.

For more about Holistic oral hygiene, visit http://drvinograd.com

 

Best Ways to Treat Varicose Veins

The Secret Vein Clinic Varicose veins are unattractive enlarged veins which can show on your feet and legs. When there is a problem with the blood flow in the veins, it causes them to enlarge like this. People who are obese, pregnant, menopausal, or over 50 years old are the most likely to develop varicose veins. Although these veins do not pose any risk to your health, they are cosmetically displeasing to the naked eye. For this reason, a lot of people feel embarrassed and depressed when these veins show on them.

Varicose vein treatments are available to fix this problem. Back in the old days, doctors used to perform a highly invasive procedure called “vein stripping.” The recovery time from this procedure was quite extensive and it rarely ever fixed a patient’s varicose vein problem. If it did fix the problem, it was only temporary because the enlarged veins would show up again. Fortunately, patients have more options for their varicose vein treatments than ever before.

Below are the top 3 treatments explained:

1) Endovenous Laser Treatment

This treatment involves a combination of a laser and ultrasound scan. The doctor will first insert a catheter into your vein. Then a tiny laser is placed into the tube of the catheter so that it can reach the vein in your leg. An ultrasound scan is performed to assist the doctor in placing the laser in your vein through the catheter. The laser works to heat your vein and seal it from top to bottom. A local anesthetic will be administered to the patient to numb the pain.

Sclerotherapy2) Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a rather simple varicose vein treatment. The doctor simply injects a specific chemical into your varicose veins. Over the next couple of weeks, the chemical works to close the veins until they fade completely. There will usually be a scar left behind for a short while. Some patients might need multiple injections over the course of these weeks.

3) Radiofrequency Ablation

This is like the endovenous laser treatment because it heats up the varicose vein in a similar way. The only difference is that radiofrequency energy is used instead of a laser. First, the doctor will place a catheter into the vein, starting near your knee area. An ultrasound scan will assist them in locating the vein throughout this procedure. Through the catheter, the doctor places a special probe that can produce radiofrequency energy. Once the probe reaches the vein, this energy is released. The vein is heated until it collapses and seals. It is better to do this on larger varicose veins after the other two have failed.

For more information visit The Secret Vein Clinic in La Jolla, CA.

Door Wars: Sliding vs Bi Fold

Glass Sliding DoorPicking the right door for your home, office, or patio will “hinge” on combining functionality with your own unique taste when it comes to style and design. Let’s have a look at why the sliding mechanism is such a practical choice, while also checking out the wide space saving features the bi fold door provides.

What are Sliding Glass Doors?

Whether you go with frosted or translucent glass, mirrored or a raised panel, traffic won’t be much of an issue for a closet with sliding glass doors. The most obvious downside is that only one side of your closet will be available at any given time. Sliding closet doors that are fully mirrored may be a little overwhelming for some rooms (see other options at our sliding doors los angles showroom), so consider such alternatives as sliding barn doors, panel, louvre and flush. By contrast Bi fold doors offer a wider opening and can accommodate more configuration options like integral blinds.

Sliding Doors: Pros and Cons

  • Pro: Structurally they have less demands and often can accommodate a moderate sized glass pane.
  • Con: Less convenient to open and shut regularly, also installing them may put a strain on your wallet.
  • Pro: With its narrow frame it removes any protrusion issues.
  • Con: The wide and deep roll track may be awkward at times (triple runners especially)
  • Pro: Not only are they curtain and blinds friendly, sliding glass doors in particular do the environment a solid, by disproving the stereotype that all furniture must be made from wood.

What are Bi Fold Doors?

By contrast bi fold doors offer a wider opening and can accommodate more configuration options like integral blinds. They offer the best in terms of flexibility with respect to their configurations. Bi fold doors may seem to take up more space, but they are folded back making them a perfect fit for corner areas. They have the flexible option to fold inside or outside and will be a suitable choice for most modern homes.

Bi Fold Doors: Pros and Cons

  • Pro: Great for smaller doors, or areas where space is more on the limited side.
  • Con: Somewhat intrusive when opening towards the inside.
  • Pro: You’ll be able to fully access the closet and with setup and installation on the easier side, you’ll be more excited to start exploring all the different styles and materials at your finger-tips.
  • Con: One of the drawbacks is that installing glass is a lot harder although not impossible.
  • Pro: The “level threshold” is a safety plus and removes any trip hazards, something the sliding door is not able to do with its door track.
  • A high quality bi fold door can run upwards of $600.

Which Way Do You Slide?

Both doors offer advantages and drawbacks when it comes to view. Folding doors can when fully opened offer the best possible view whether installed in a closet or back of the house. Sliding doors by default will offer a view that is somewhat interrupted, although if you need more privacy or noise reduction they are a better choice. The cost of either one of these doors will depend on the material you choose rather than the design. Aluminum, wood, and timber are very popular and will all play a role in the doors look, maintenance requirements, and longevity.

Reference: http://knrslidingdoors.com

Holistic Dentistry Involves Treating Body and Mind

There is one thing that a lot of people barely ever understand about holistic dentistry, which in fact confuses so many of them. For a fact, this practice is not just about your teeth, but it goes over and above everything else that you know. The concept of holistic medicine in the first place, is all about your body and mind. It is impossible for a holistic dentist or any holistic doctor for that matter, to treat just the issue you are having, and ignore any other signs of trouble in your body.

For a fact, your teeth, or your dental cavity for that matter, do not exist in a vacuum. The entire body system is an elaborate network of organs and organ systems, which work in tandem with one another. This is why when something happens to your body, you can feel the pain or the effects on other pars too. The same applies to the dental cavity, and this is why your holistically inclined dentist will pay attention to your oral, mental and physical health too.

In the event that you are visiting a good holistic dentist, one who is really a holistic dentist and not the ones who are just jumping on the bandwagon, you will realize that they are strong proponents of the fact that good oral health comes only when your entire body system is okay. This means that you have to be strong mentally too, for you to sustain good oral health.

For a holistic dentist, their main priority lies in making sure patients will never be uncomfortable at all, or in a position to be injured or harmed as a result of whichever treatment they are administering to the patient. This is the entire principle of holistic medicine – to make sure that no harm is done in the prospect of doing some good.

As a matter of fact it is always expected that you get in touch with your dentist, and together, form a strong bond that allows you to get a proper understanding of one another. If this does not happen, your treatment procedure will simply not work. It is also important for the dentists to treat you well, to respect you as a person. This means that even if you are afraid of dentists as a lot of people are, it is their role to make sure that they alleviate this fear, so that you can go about this process without having anything to worry about.

It is easier for individuals who are working with people that they trust, especially a dentist, to let go of their fear and rest easy. This is the one thing that a holistic dentist has to do. They offer you an assurance that everything will be okay.

You can count on your holistic dentist not to use any harmful treatment or materials in the course of your procedure in their office. Things like amalgam filling material are not supposed to feature anywhere in the procedure at all.

Reference: San Diego Dentist Website

How to Test Your Home for Mold

????????????Do you suspect there is mold in your home? Mold and indoor contaminants can affect your health, causing life-threatening diseases. About 4.6 million cases of asthma in the U.S. are attributable to mold exposure. This silent killer is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Every year, millions of people develop chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and acute respiratory infections after being exposed to mold. These microorganisms are potential health hazards and should be removed immediately.

How to Detect Mold in Your Home

Molds need three things to grow: a wet environment, mild temperature, and food (wood, leaves, ceiling tiles, or paper). Since most buildings meet these conditions, mold can occur anywhere. If there’s a musty odor in your home, it’s probably caused by mold. Use your eyes and nose to determine whether or not your house has mold. Although it’s not necessary to identify the species of mold, consider taking samples. Certain types of mold may cause specific symptoms, such as itching eyes, running nose, or headaches.

Even though homes are more energy efficient than ever, mold growth still represents a major problem. If there are signs of it in your house, remove the mold as soon as possible. A mold inspection may be necessary too. This will allow you to determine the cause of mold growth and find any mold growing in your basement, living room, kitchen, or behind the walls. The earlier you detect the mold, the better.

When it comes to testing your home for mold, you can either seek professional help or use a mold test kit. The mold tests available on the market can help you find hidden pathogens and check indoor air quality. Some will also indicate the type of mold present in your home. Although it’s recommended to have your house checked by a professional, this option is more expensive. A qualified mold inspector will take samples and analyze them in the lab.

Are Mold Test Kits Effective?

Mold test kits are affordable and easy to use. They can be classified into three categories:

  • Bulk testing kits
  • Surface testing kits
  • Air testing kits

These products will help you determine the amount and type of mold particles in a certain area at a given time. For best results, test several areas at different times of the day. However, professional mold inspections are more effective than mold test kits. The samples you collect can be misleading, while a visual inspection provides accurate results. Health experts claim that mold test kits cause fear in the people who use them, which leads to higher revenues for manufacturers. On the other hand, these products might be good for preliminary screening.

Once you identify the source and location of mold, it’s necessary to clean the area and replace any insulation or wallboard that shows signs of contamination. You also need to control the moisture in order to prevent mold from growing back. Early detection can significantly reduce the time, cost, and effort associated with mold removal. If you decide to clean up the area yourself, wear a mask and protective equipment.

More about mold testing and removal at http://orange-restoration.com/services/san-diego-mold-removal/