Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Clean at the BBQ

messy-ribsBarbecued meats aren’t exactly known for being the tidiest foods to eat. From getting sauces on your fingers and clothes to getting food stuck in your teeth, chowing down at a barbecue can be a messy endeavor. Getting your hands a little dirty might be part of the BBQ tradition, but we can at least offer some tips to help you keep a clean smile while you’re socializing.

Wings and ribs in particular are infamous for getting stuck between teeth, but those veggie platters can be useful beyond just scooping up bleu cheese! Munching on raw carrots, celery, or other veggies can help dislodge food that gets stuck in your teeth.

Similarly, raw fruits (especially apples and other hard, crisp fruits) do wonders to help cleanse the mouth. Having a bowl of fruit salad instead of that second rack of ribs might also save you from falling asleep on the couch afterwards! And if all else fails, bringing dental floss, or a couple dental flossers with you can be very handy for those hard-to-reach spots or that piece of food that won’t budge.

Join the “Go Red” movement

go red for womenOftentimes, people don’t participate in these sorts of things because they do not know how to start to get involved. Not knowing where to begin can be scary and add stress to your already stressful life. But just think of the potential implications if you don’t join…

Joining this movement is easy. It starts with taking care of yourself. Then you can take care of your loved ones. Then, before you know it, you are an advocate for Heart Health everywhere you go.

Here are 10 ways that you can “Go Red” provided by the American Heart Association:

  1. Know Your Heart Score
  2. Live Healthy
  3. Know the Signs of a Heart Attack
  4. Start Walking
  5. Wear Red
  6. Host a ‘Wear Red Day’ Event
  7. Help your Community Go Red
  8. Go Red Online
  9. Shop for the Cause
  10. Support Go Red

It doesn’t always have to be extravagant or a monumental event to be helpful and beneficial. Every little bit helps, and it especially helps you! Get the list in more detail by clicking this link to it’s page on the American Heart Association website!

Also, check out this video! http://vimeo.com/85786476

Cold or a sinus infection you can’t seem to shake? It might have to do with a problem with your teeth!

It’s that time of year again… along with the cold weather comes, well…colds. Stuffy noses, sore throats, headaches, coughing – you know the drill. ‘Tis the season.

But did you know that an infection or abscess in your back teeth can spread into your maxillary sinus and cause an infection there as well?

As you might know, you have several sinuses, but only one of those sets can be affected by tooth-related issues. The maxillary sinuses are on either side of your nose and come in close contact with the roots of your upper teeth. Because the two are so close, abscesses from the upper back teeth can make their way into your maxillary sinus and cause an infection.

Most cases are due to a viral infection and resolve over the course of 10 days. However, if your sinus infection or toothache has been nagging for weeks, you may have a maxillary sinus infection that relates to an unknown infection in your teeth! So if you are prone to sinus infections, you may not think to visit with us, but perhaps you should!

Here are some common signs and symptoms of sinus infections:

  • Headache, localized facial pain/pressure, or toothache – a dull, constant, or aching sort over the affected sinuses is common with both acute and chronic stages of sinusitis. This pain is typically localized to the involved sinus and may worsen when the affected person bends over or when lying down. Pain often starts on one side of the head and progresses to both sides.
  • Acute and chronic sinusitis may be accompanied by thick nasal discharge that is usually green in color and may contain pus (purulent) and/or blood.
  • Infection of the eye socket is possible, which may result in the loss of sight and is accompanied by fever and severe illness. Another possible complication is the infection of the bones of the forehead and other facial bones. 
  • Sinus infections can also cause middle ear problems due to the congestion of the nasal passages. This can be demonstrated by dizziness, “a pressurized or heavy head”, or vibrating sensations in the head.
  • Other symptoms of sinusitis include bad breath and Post-nasal drip.

Generally, tooth abscesses are painful. However, once in a while there’s no discomfort at all—it depends on the location of the infection. If you’re experiencing pain (even if the pain goes away), or any of the other symptoms listed above, let us know. We can help catch problems—and infections—before they spread.

 

Source: http://dentaltipz.blogspot.com/2013/12/sinusitis-and-dental-office.html

Pumpkins: Half Decoration, Half Superfood

Health benefits of pumpkins

Pumpkins have many health benefits, especially for your mouth and oral hygiene!

It’s hard to think of fall without imagining the colorful foliage, ripe apples, and the all-star autumn symbol—the pumpkin. From jack-o’-lanterns in October to pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, pumpkins are ubiquitous in our fall traditions. They adorn our doorsteps and are even spicing up our breads, beers, and lattes. What many people don’t know, though, are the healthful benefits that pumpkins can provide.

Pumpkin is a fantastic source of Vitamin A, with one serving (one cup mashed) providing 245% of your daily value and 19% of your daily Vitamin C. Vitamin A is a bone strength booster that will fortify your teeth and Vitamin C strengthens connective tissues like your gums, providing an effective one-two punch for your oral health.

The benefits of eating pumpkins don’t stop there. Just a quarter-cup of pumpkin seeds will get you almost half the daily value of magnesium, which benefits your blood pressure, aids in proper bone and tooth formation, and assists in a host of other physiological functions. An ounce of seeds will provide you with 2mg of zinc, which helps with your mood, sleep, immunity, eye and skin health, and more. Americans are generally deficient in both of these minerals, but eating pumpkin seeds will help get you back on track!

Pumpkin puree and pumpkin seeds are rich in plant-based omega-3 fats, antioxidants, fiber, iron, and calcium. It can be very easy to work pumpkin into your diet, especially in the fall when they’re in high stock. To get the most out of pumpkin seeds, they should be eaten raw (and preferably sprouted). For an idea on how to utilize pumpkin puree, check out this super healthy Pumpkin Pie Parfait recipe.

Click Here to buy your Dancing with the Dentists tickets now!

Just as anticipated, ticket sales got off to a hot start! Excitement is building to see all the dancing dentists competing for a great cause. We are in the process of updating our website, but we want to make sure to avoid confusion regarding ticket sales. So you can purchase tickets right here by clicking the big BUY TICKETS button!!

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Dancing with the Dentists Update

DwD logo no textWe have introduced you to three of the four dancing dentist couples and the fourth and final couple will be announced next week! They are now in their third week of rehearsal and we are shocked by the progress and enthusiasm of everyone involved. The friendly competition is building and you can tell everyone really wants to win! But the real goal here is to raise money for a needy and worthy cause. We have had many outstanding companies join forces with us to sponsor the event as well. Their generosity is overwhelming. Sponsorship opportunities are still open and available! So please, if you know of anyone who may be interested, please email us at dancingwiththedentists@gmail.com. For real time updates, photos and videos of rehearsal, and more, Like Us on Facebook!!

We simply can not wait to come together for this night that is sure to be filled with plenty of entertainment, excitement, and fun for all.

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