Sunday, November 28, 2010

Seven Tips To Lose Weight Says Dentist From Marietta

The overweight and prevalence of obese people in the United States says Marietta Dentist, Kirk Kimmerling continue to grow despite all the literature that maps out the health consequences for being overweight.  Medical conditions; hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, cancer, stoke and even higher incidence of tooth decay are becoming a heavy burden on our health care system.  Instead of people changing the direction of their lives, some  Americans have embraced obesity as desirable.  Many others complain of feeling like a second class citizen because they are not as thin as a Victoria Secret model.  They claim our society has its values wrong. They ignore the fact that an accumulation of fat in you body knocks years off your life.  Fat contains carcinogens that are dangerous causing people to use the health care system more than if they were not obese.  The way to reduce weight is to decrease the caloric intake and to become more active.  Each of these require commitment and a change in lifestyle.  Many people are adverse to change, hence herein lies the problem.  Fortunately,  there is a way to control cravings without starvation. It's nothing you haven't heard before, but will shed pounds.  If you are committed, the plan can work.
The plan must be written down and posted to your refrigerator.
  • Number one is to complete a grocery list when you are not hungry.  Plan out the week's healthy meals, and snacks.
  • Number two is to make sure you eat breakfast every day.  It's a good time of day to get that necessary caloric intake.
  • Number three is to plan on exercising every day.  Walking is an excellent way to begin, and you can build up the distance slowly.  Find a buddy as committed as you.
  • Number four is to train yourself to eat less.  Trick your mind by serving meals on a smaller plate.  Try it, it works.
  • Number five is to have healthy snacks ready for when you have uncontrollable hunger pangs.  Granola bars, yogurts low in sugar, bananas, whole-grain cereals, nuts, microwave popcorn and berries are some good suggestions.
  • Number six is to buy complex carbohydrate whole-wheat pasta, breads, potatoes, and rice. This is more difficult for your body to digest and it releases energy slower, helping combat food cravings.
  • Number seven is to omit soft drinks, sports drinks, and any other sugary drinks from your diet.  Drink water or unsweet tea with and in between meals. It is shocking the number of calories that this alone can reduce.
Our bodies have a strong alarm system signaling us to eat, even when we shouldn't.  Food cravings result from an imbalance between consumption and our internal system that regulates appetite.  The neurochemistry of the brain's pathways involved in feeding are being researched by major pharmaceutical companies.  Although the issue of obesity is long from over, we do see promising research in ways to curb appetite and strong desires to overeat.
Since, America is leading the charge in weight gain, it is us that need to turn it around.  If you follow the seven steps above, you will shed some pounds.  It is time to  make a commitment to be part of the solution and plan out success.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Is The World's Blood Supply Contaminated And Is Yours?

Wow, did you know? The world's blood supply banks have bacteria contamination.  Yes, this is well known by the scientific community for several years, says Marietta Dentist, Dr. Kirk Kimmerling.   It is shocking, but true.  Let's say you were in an accident and lost a lot of blood.  The unit of blood they give you to save your life also has bacteria from the donor.  Unfortunately, when receiving a unit of blood, there is a risk of a very high fever, called septic shock, that may also kill you.  Before it was thought this septic shock was due to an immune cross reactivity with proteins from the donor, which now is better understood as an aggressive immune response to the donor's bacteria.  The health community is becoming more and more aware of this chronic bacteria in blood, called bacteremia
Scientific evidence proves that nearly one hundred percent of the microbes circulating through the blood system originates from the oral cavity.  Dentists are sure that nearly one hundred percent of the bacteria enters the blood system through unhealthy gum tissue, called periodontal tissue.  Again, this bacteremia is probably the major source of an infectious and inflammatory process in a healthy individual.
This inflammatory process and how it relates to disease such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and the aging process is being well studied.  Volumes of information have been published concerning inflammation of the blood and blood components called inflammatory cytokines.  A chronic infection, such as bleeding when you floss is thought to predispose disease.
Now studies show a very strong relation between bacteremia and higher levels of cholesterol in the blood called hyper-cholesterol anemia.
Evidence supports that proper flossing quickly reduces total cholesterol and decreases undesirable cholesterol.  Preventative measures in home-care and regular dentist prophylaxis, cleaning visits not only improve the oral health of an individual but help reduce systemic inflammation, a prevention to other chronic diseases.  Without proper dental hygiene, gum disease can develop in the oral cavity, allowing bacteria to grow.  It is this bacteria that produces molecules in the bloodstream such as endotoxins that circulate through out the body causing an inflammatory process leading to disease.
Where does this evidence take us?  First, to avoid getting bacteria in your blood you must take exceptional care of your gums and teeth.  This may not only lower your cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular disease, but may also lower systemic inflammatory reactions.  Evidence supports that proper flossing quickly reduces total cholesterol and decreased undesirable cholesterol. A daily regiment of oral home care and professional care should help you live a longer happier life.
Kirk Kimmerling DDS
So, if you ever need a unit of blood from a blood bank, one may wonder a little about the person that gave the blood.  What was their overall oral health?  Did they brush and floss their teeth? Did they ever visit thedentist?   So, when asking yourself if it is important to brush and floss, you can answer that question with an absolute yes.  Taking care of your mouth is not just healthy for your mouth, it is important to your overall health.  Preventing and treating chronic oral infections needs to take center stage in your personal daily living.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Dr Kirk Kimmerling, Marietta Denitst On Eating, Drinking and Child Decay

Dr Kirk Kimmerling informs a patient
Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, a cosmetic dentist in Marietta, GA has his perspective on what young people need to change in their drinking and eating habits for better oral health.  With the ever-changing lifestyles of families in America, young people partake in sports more than ever before.  Many families are on the go.   School sporting teams, as well as community teams for the young have become a way of life.  Although it has been excellent for their overall physical health, their mouths and teeth have paid the price.  It is these very children eating on the run, and consuming sugary/acidic drinks that may be a recipe for oral disaster.   Although, the sporting lifestyle is excellent, eating and drinking habits need to change.

Cavities are caused by bacteria that live in the mouth.  Certain bacterias when fed sugar/carbohydrates produce acids that demineralize tooth structure.  Your saliva helps to prevent this demineralization by neutralizing the acids produced by the bacteria.  A tooth actually has the ability to repair itself, however when the acid overwhelms the tooth and it loses more minerals than it can produce, the decay process takes place.  The tooth loses the battle against the over-whelming bacteria and acid attack.
Continual drinking of sugary or acidic drinks during sporting events also is continual feeding of the cavity causing bacteria.  This allows an environment for the bacteria to thrive and accelerate demineralization of your child's teeth.  Sipping sugary sports drink is not good for your child's teeth.  The same holds true for eating on the run without brushing or flossing.  The trapped food between the teeth feeds the bacteria. Since, molars tend to trap food, this is why so many cavities happen between back teeth.  Once an acid is produced, it can stay in the mouth for up to a half hour, and possibly many hours during a sporting event if your child sips it slowly. 

 The idea is to limit the food fed to the bacteria.  If possible, change the hydration of choice to water or unsweet tea.  If you are not willing to compromise on giving up the sports drink, then drink it all at once before the event so you are not dousing your teeth for hours.   Then, have your child rinse their mouth with water to help rinse any residual drink away. Your child may object to the change at first, but realize the benefits when he has a better check-up at the dentist later.

As your child eats on the go, give them a piece of unsweet gum to help dislodge any food trapped between their teeth.  If possible, buy the gum with xylitol sugar.  This sugar actually helps kill the sugar that produces the acid. The bacteria can not metabolize it, and inhibits its growth. Since, bacteria can not do its destruction unless it is fed, give it less to eat.

In conclusion, protect the oral health of your children by changing small habits now.  These recommendations can possibly make all the difference to your child's dental health.  Looking for more information on Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, see his website www.drkirkkimmerling.com

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, a Marietta Dentist Helps Calvary Children's Home

    Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, a cosmetic dentist in Marietta, GA (close to Kennesaw) isn't just any dentist.  For over 26 years, his practice has been highly successful demonstrated by his incredible 13 operatory facility and high-tech equipment to match.  The key to his success is his willingness to take care of Cobb County citizens that are less fortunate.  Dr. Kimmerling has taken Calvary Childrens Home, Powder Springs, GA under his wing since 1999.  He treats 25-45 children a year to routine and restorative dental care at no charge.  Each child is seen for an initial visit, cleaning, flouride, and x-rays.  If any restorative procedures are needed, they too are done at no charge.  Dr. Kimmerling even does teeth whitening for free, for some of the children, and they love it.  He's just a wonderful and giving person, a common expression used by the staff and house parents of the children.  Many years ago, they approached Dr. Kimmerling and asked him if he would be willing to take care of a few children, in hoping they could get all of the children taken care of with many different dentists in the area.  He quickly said, he would take care of all of them, a pleasant surprise to the Home.  Now, for the last12 years, Dr. Kimmerling has taken care of all of the children.  It has been his great pleasure to watch them grow up and finish the same high school, McEachern High School that Dr. Kimmerling attended.  He says he is pleased that the children have such a lovely home to grown up in, and with wonderful house parents.  He believes Calvary Children's Home is top notch, and should be used as a model for the rest of the country, so their success can be repeated.  "These kids grow into successful, happy young adults, and that pleases me," says Dr. Kimmerling.  He believes a healthy smile is important to how we feel about ourselves, so that healthy smile is his gift to the start of a good life for them.  Many of the children have become successful productive adults, and have come back as patients.  If you would like more information on Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, and his practice, click the website to follow. www.drkirkkimmerling.com