| The Christmas Holiday Eating Season |
Winter often brings rounds of holiday parties, office snacks, dinner gatherings and open houses. So we thought we'd share a few facts about nutrition and remind you of our suggestions for keeping your teeth healthy through the Christmas holiday and beyond.
Sugar, the culprit in serious dental decay, has no nutritional value. But according to Harvard medical School's Healthbeat newsletter, "Americans now consume, on average, about 20 teaspoons of added sugar daily" in addition to that found in fruit, vegetables, and dairy.
There is emerging evidence that you can modify your preferences for salt, fat and sugar over time by following a diet that strategically lowers your intake of each.
Christmas may be over but I bet you're like us and still have lots of holiday treats left over. Consider trying this experiment at your next holiday meal: select a couple of low-calorie items to put on your plate first; raw vegetables, fruit slices and whole grain crackers are tooth-friendly options. Walk away and chat while you snack on these. When you return to the table, take small amounts of several other items so that your taste buds feel satisfied, not cheated. Eat slowly and consciously savoring each flavor rather than rapidly and reflexively.
Avoid standing by the desserts. Take another helping of fruit and focus on its sweetness. Then challenge yourself to leave the party before you give in to the dessert temptation, especially if you are not able to brush your teeth until much later.
We hope you had a very Merry Christmas! |
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| Treats for Troops 2019 - Halloween Candy Buy-Back Report |
 HCBB 2019 was a huge success!
This was the third time that we’ve done it. We love it! It’s neat to see the pile of donated candy grow during the week after Halloween. But why do we do it? Do you remember trick-or-treating as a child? How about unwrapping and savoring your favorite candy? Or perhaps trying a new sweet with some hesitation? Did you trade candy with your brothers & sisters? Do you have childhood memories of costumes at school? Or of prowling the neighborhood for sweets with friends? Of smiles and shared laughter? Of answering the door to greet the other neighborhood kids with the excitement of the holiday?
Well we do. And so do our troops.
Our service men and women are far from home. Far from their wives and husbands, far from their children or parents. Many are in foreign lands on different continents. Some are even away from home for the first time ever. All of them are longing for home in their own way. And a little bit of candy at Halloween reminds them of home - it's a little piece of happiness.
This year we shipped a record 84 lbs of candy! We ship it to an organization called Soldiers Angels who then distributes the candy world-wide. That would not have been possible without your generosity and thoughtfulness. Thank you so much for supporting those who give their all for us!
-Jake Layer
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| New Year's Resolutions
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New Year's Day is nearly upon us, and many of us have made resolutions for the new year. This year, why not make some resolutions for your oral health? Here are some suggestions for New Year's Resolutions that are easy to keep.
Brush your teeth twice daily with your favorite toothpaste for at least two minutes. After you make your commitment to brush, be sure to tag on flossing daily to clean those hard to reach places between teeth that the brush can't reach. Next, resolve to eat healthier in 2020. A healthy diet often means healthy teeth - your smile will thank you!
Commit to visiting us twice a year for a thorough oral exam and professional cleaning to keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. If a problem arises in between visits, don't hesitate to call our office for a proper diagnosis and treatment if needed. Regular checkups are the best way to detect problems early. Early detection saves you time, money, and discomfort.
With just a little effort, you can keep your New Year's Resolutions and give yourself the gift of better oral health! |
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| Ways of Decreasing the Regularity of Bruxism |
Many people have bruxism, but may not know it by that name. More people call it tooth grinding than bruxism. However, it means the same thing in terms of the damage it does to your teeth. If you grind your teeth, or notice that you clench them when trying to focus, then you need to do something to protect your teeth. Managing stress is one way of being able to reduce how often you grind or clench. So is getting exercise as it helps people learn to focus more effectively. If that does not help, then come in and talk with us about a mouthguard.
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