For many years there have been questions raised regarding the safety of dental amalgam (silver) fillings. The concerns over silver fillings stem from the fact that they contain mercury. While mercury in its free elemental form is toxic to humans, the relevant question is whether or not mercury that is bound to other metals in […]
Category: Write on Health
How to avoid puppy mills online
In one of my first positions as an associate veterinarian, I worked at a clinic that was a popular choice for people that had purchased their new puppy or kitten from a local pet store. Most of these new pet owners were completely unaware their new companion was likely brought into this world in a […]
Cutting the organic hype
For many of us the word organic conjures up images of wholesomeness, health, clean ingredients and superior nutrition. While many will agree that organic food in general is a better choice, is it really? Well, that depends. Organic produce, grains, legumes and meats can be nutritionally superior to non-organic varieties. Certified organic foods must contain […]
Patient-friendly dental apps
For those of us who are users of smartphone technology, it is common knowledge that there is an app out there for virtually everything. For those who are not quite so tech savvy, an ‘app’ or ‘mobile app’ is simply a computer program designed and formatted specifically for smartphones and tablet computers. Although they have […]
Coconut oil a healthy diet addition
Coconut oil is a healthy saturated fat and a great addition to most diets. Over recent years the media have been inundated with positive studies on the many health benefits of this oil, ranging from enhanced athletic performance to assistance with weight loss. And yet for some there are still lingering concerns over the value […]
Prevention the key in dental injuries
With the change in weather comes the beginning of the summer sports season – an appropriate time to think about prevention of dental injuries associated with participation in sports. The statistics on sports-related dental injuries are actually quite alarming, with almost 40 per cent of children in organized sports sustaining dental injuries over the course […]
Action important when pets are poisoned
My clinic, for whatever reason, has had a bit of a rash of cases involving known or suspected exposure to toxins recently, with three serious situations in the past few weeks. I thought it might be a good time to discuss two of the more common threats our pets face from toxins in their immediate […]
Top five easy-to-use superfoods
There are many types of superfoods in our grocery stores today, ranging from greens, such as kale, to berries and chia seeds. Naturally packed with numerous vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, they provide a multitude of medicinal benefits. While I regularly include many different varieties of these superfoods in my diet, I have some personal favourites. […]
A brief history of toothpaste
Although daily brushing of teeth has become a cultural norm in North America, its history as part of a daily hygiene routine is surprisingly recent. In fact, it is only since the end of the Second World War that brushing on a daily basis has been adopted by the masses. In other cultures, however, the […]
Pets can have allergies too
One of the most frustrating and increasingly common conditions we see in pets is allergies. Many people are surprised to learn that their pets can suffer from allergies. The truth is, not only do we see a significant amount of allergic disease in our patients, they can suffer in ways that are often more significant […]
