Aug 17, 2016
People from afar may be surprised to hear that summer days in New England can reach temperatures in the 90s. Though our summer is short, the occasional intensely hot day in August should be respected. One of the dangers associated with being outside on a hot day is dehydration, which can cause mild to severe symptoms throughout the body, including low blood pressure, fever, and delirium. Oral health is not immune to the dangers of dehydration, which is why we want to keep you informed about what you can do to stay hydrated while you enjoy the summer.
Cavities and Dehydration
Since dehydration is a lack of water in the body, and since saliva is comprised mostly of water, it follows that dehydration leads to dry mouth. Besides being uncomfortable, a perpetually dry mouth can contribute to the formation of cavities. Studies have shown that saliva is important for oral health because of its antibacterial properties. Less saliva means more bacteria. When combined with a mouth full of sugary summer food, like trail mix or sweet bbq sauce, the risk of developing caries, the precursor to cavities, rises.
Staying hydrated will help keep our oral health intact. You may be thinking, “That’s easy, right? Drink water.” Well, maintaining hydration is dependent on what activity you’re doing – it could be as simple as drinking water, but it could involve some research. Below are some tips on how to stay hydrated whether you’re lounging by the pool or running a marathon.
Simply Enjoying the Sunshine
You may think you are not at risk for dehydration if you’re outside on a hot day, but not engaged in physical activity. However, a hot enough day can cause you to lose significant amounts of water even when your body is at rest. If you are lounging by the pool or hanging out at an outdoor gathering, there is probably a water source nearby – be sure to drink frequently.
Hiking
Staying hydrated while hiking can be a bit complicated. You will have to drink more water than you would if your body was at rest. Additionally, you will have to carry all of your drinkable water with you; or, if backpacking, find it during the hike. Nothing can be more stressful than running out of water during a hike, but a little planning can help you avoid this situation.
Before you leave, find out how long the hike will be in terms of miles and hours. On average, you should drink one cup for every half hour you are hiking. You will sweat more if you’re hiking steep terrain rather than level ground, so plan to bring extra water if you’re conquering Mt. Washington. It also helps to drink a significant amount of water before you start hiking. Last, if you’re hiking in the back country or backpacking, find out ahead of time what and where your available water sources will be and plan accordingly.
Long Distance Running
Long distance runners are particularly susceptible to dehydration on a hot day due to an excessive loss of salt. When we sweat, we lose water and salt. Most activities don’t cause enough salt loss to become worrisome, but long distance running and other high exertion exercises are exceptions. Though we may think of salt as having a dehydrating quality to it, salt helps the body retain water. Too much or too little salt can be dangerous: balance is the goal. You can replenish lost salts by consuming drinks that contain electrolytes, rather than plain water.
If you have concerns about cavities, mouth pain, or any other oral health issues, we encourage you to call us at (207) 781-5900 for care.
Jul 20, 2016
Our office would like to welcome Dr. Antonios Karagiorgos, DMD, to our family at Falmouth Dental Arts. Dr. K earned his doctoral degree in dentistry from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. As an associate dentist, Dr. K has worked at Caring Hands of Maine in Ellsworth, at CS Maller, DMD, in Bar Harbor, and at Kennebec Valley Family Dentistry. In addition to general dentistry, Dr. K is experienced in providing I.V. sedation and has training in implant placement. He is licensed to practice dentistry in both Maine and Alaska.
In 2015, Dr. K was awarded the American Association of Oral Biologists Award. He has been a volunteer for Give Kids a Smile, a nonprofit that provides free oral health services for those in need, and Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a decades-old organization that supports homeless and high-risk youth. He is fluent in Greek and French and can converse in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
Dr. Brian Brunacini describes Dr. K as “a sincere and compassionate clinician who brings a comprehensive approach to dentistry.”
Dr. K will be seeing patients on Mondays from 8 AM to 5 PM with additional hours to follow in the future.
Jul 20, 2016
When sweet summertime strikes, what’s better than a cool, refreshing ice cream cone beneath the hot and humid sun? Neighborhood ice cream shops are open and bustling with business. While you’re likely craving a delicious sundae, consider your oral health. Classic ice cream is full of sugars and loaded with fat. While this is fine in moderation, these sugars are not part of a healthy cavity-prevention plan. Luckily, there are icy alternatives to ice cream that are equally as delicious, with an added bonus of being safe for your teeth and gums. Plus, these recipes are great for anyone who is sensitive to lactose and gluten ingredients. These frozen treats include:
Banana “Ice Cream”
Banana ice cream is one of the easiest homemade recipes you could make. The only ingredients are a few ripe bananas. Yes, that’s all!
- Recipe:
- Peel and cut up two or three bananas.
- Freeze the bananas for one or two hours.
- Place the frozen bananas into a blender and blend until creamy.
- Scoop the blended frozen bananas into a bowl and serve.
Tip: Add healthy toppings, such as peanut butter, fruit, or dark chocolate.
Sorbet
What is so fantastic and healthy about sorbet? It’s made with fresh fruit and juice concentrate. Choosing a sorbet recipe with high-water content is even better! Some examples include pear or apple sorbets, as these fruits contain a lot of water. Water is not only healthy for your diet, but also vital for proper oral care.
Tip: Sorbets contain sugars from the fresh fruit and juice, so remember to brush!
Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is an excellent alternative to rich and sugary ice cream. Much like sorbet, frozen yogurt uses fruit and juice, but what’s added is the yogurt component. Yogurt can transform an icy smoothie into a thicker, creamier consistency. Try this strawberry frozen yogurt recipe at home to satisfy your treat cravings this summer. Your teeth will thank you!
- Ingredients
- A 16 oz. pack of strawberries
- ½ cup sugar-free sweetener
- ½ cup plain yogurt (nonfat is ideal)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Directions
- Combine the strawberries with the sweetener in a food processor.
- Pulse until the ingredients are chopped up.
- Add the yogurt and lemon juice into the mix.
- Process the mixture until the consistency is smooth.
- Scoop and serve.
Greek Frozen Yogurt
As stated, frozen yogurt is a fantastic summer treat, but what’s even better is Greek frozen yogurt. Greek yogurt is loaded with healthy probiotics and protein, which some studies indicate may boost dental health in children. Additionally, Greek frozen yogurt is thick and creamy, which makes it a close substitute to authentic ice cream.
Desserts with Benefits has a very easy homemade Vanilla Bean Greek Frozen Yogurt recipe worth testing out. The recipe uses whole ingredients without any refined sugars, corn syrup, or heavy cream. It’s a great choice for your oral health and diet!
Beat the heat with these guilt-free refreshing treats this summer. For any questions or concerns about ideal food choices for your oral health, please contact our office. Here at Falmouth Dental Arts, we want you to make sure your teeth are happy and healthy! Call us at (207) 781-5900 for more information.
Jun 13, 2016
Though we can’t complain about this past winter we had, there’s no doubt we are all excited for summer and all it has to offer. One of our favorite traditions is being able to eat outdoors with friends and family. Historically, the summer barbeque offers fare that is less than dental friendly. Fear not – we have tips to keep your teeth healthy while you enjoy fun in the sun.
Cheese
Eating cheese as an appetizer can help protect your teeth against the strong acids found in other foods. Cheese is also loaded with calcium, which is always good for teeth and bones.
The Veggie Plate – your friend
Though it is often overlooked, the classic circular veggie plate can be your best friend at a barbeque. We all know vegetables are good for us, and the more you fill up on them, the less you’ll be eating the bad stuff. Despite what some of our young children might say, biting into a fresh red pepper is both delicious and refreshing.
Condiments
We don’t typically think of condiments as being sweet, but trust us, there is a lot of sugar in there, especially in many name-brand products. Focus on flavoring your hamburger with tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, and pickles rather than slopping on the ketchup and barbeque sauce.
Avoid starches
Though they can certainly be addictive, chips and other starchy snacks do a great job of getting stuck in our molars. For those long days at the beach with no toothbrush, avoiding starchy foods could save you from a cavity or two down the road.
Bring on the meat! And by meat we mean fish!
Charcoal-grilled fish is not only one of the most delicious foods there is, it is also far healthier for your teeth than red meat. Besides being less likely to get stuck in between your teeth, fish oils have anti-inflammatory properties that help fight against bacteria. Choose a Gulf of Maine Research Institute responsibly harvested fish and you’ll be helping to keep Casco Bay healthy as well – bonus!
Follow these tips this summer and your mouth will thank you, but if you couldn’t resist those ribs and corn on the cob and are starting to feel the repercussions, give us a call to make an appointment.
Jun 13, 2016
Milk. The delicious beverage that makes our lattes foamy, our ice cream creamy, and our milk shakes, well, milky. Milk is everywhere! In fact, milk is so pervasive to us humans we probably forget how unique our relationship with milk is. For example, our species is the only one in existence whose adults consume milk. All other mammalian species only drink milk as babies.
Anthropologists have been pondering this mystery for years and have theorized where our milk-drinking obsession began. Until now, there has been little direct evidence to test these theories besides studying genes in different populations. Researchers think they have found direct evidence that can trace our milk-consuming history back to its roots. They discovered milk proteins in samples of dental plaque from ancient human teeth. That’s right, they discovered 5,000-year-old plaque build-up from early man drinking too much milk and not brushing and flossing enough!
The markers indicating the presence of milk in the ancient plaque were not found in all the specimens studied. As expected, adult human remains tested from areas where dairy animals were not utilized, such as West Africa, had no traces of milk in their dental plaque. Ancient Europeans, who we know have been raising dairy animals for millennia, did test positive. As more specimens are tested and more results come in, a road map will begin to form that will show the journey our milk-drinking genes took around the world.
As we continue to enjoy this subtly sweet beverage, remember that milk lactose is a sugar and can lead to cavities just like other sweets. Always brush after consuming any food, including milk. If it’s been a while since your last checkup, make an appointment to have us remove your ancient plaque!
To read the full article visit Science Daily.
dental plaque
