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Recipes for a Healthier Smile

Face it, we all love to eat, but what we put in our body can also have a direct effect on our oral health. Some great “super smile” foods for your teeth include recipes rich with fruits, vegetables and grains. Here are a few foods that may or may not surprise you that are good for your oral health that you may want to include in some of your recipes:

Pineapple can act as a “whitener” for teeth. Shitake mushrooms contain a sugar called Lentinan which prevents mouth bacteria from growing. Raw onions and wasabi, a Japanese version of horseradish, also contain substances which stop bacteria growth. The iron in broccoli helps form an acid-resistant film on teeth.  After exposure to an acid-based drink like cola, enamel erodes half as quickly when exposed to broccoli. pineapple whitens teeth

Overall foods and recipes that include nutrient-dense foods aren’t just really good for your overall health but also your oral health. These healthful ingredients will help build and strengthen your teeth and gums. For more recommendations on what foods and recipes most benefit your oral health call your local Gentle Dental dentist at 1-888-513-7436.

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The Benefits of Green Tea on Your Oral Health

We all know that we need to brush and floss our teeth regularly if we want to keep them healthy, but did you know that green tea can also help to improve your dental health?

green teaGreen tea has numerous qualities, but the fact that it also exhibits antibacterial qualities makes it particularly useful in the realm of tooth decay, gum disease and general dental health. Most dental problems involve bacteria. Green tea helps stop bacteria in its tracks! There have been many studies on green tea and dental health with many concluding that green tea extract significantly inhibited the growth and subsequent effects of several related bacteria, showing its antibacterial qualities.

Green tea contains raised levels of antioxidants which not only enhance our immune system but can also be used to fight bacteria in our mouth and even help in preventing oral cancer. With all this being said it is very important to include green tea in your diet for a variety of positive health reasons including your oral health. Just make sure not to include sugar in the tea as that will counter in its positive attributes.

To learn more about the benefits of green tea on your oral health contact your local Gentle Dental office at 1-888-513-7436.

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About Tongue Cancer

When you think of cancer, cancer of the tongue isn’t usually the first type that comes to mind, but it is one of the more common and serious types of mouth cancer. Tongue cancer is defined as a malignant tumor that begins as a small lump, a firm white patch, or a sore (ulcer) on the tongue. If untreated, the tumor may spread throughout the tongue to the floor of the mouth and to the gums. As a tumor grows, it becomes more life threatening by spreading  to lymph nodes in the neck and possibly later to the rest of the body.Tongue Cancer

There are two parts to the tongue, the oral tongue and the base of the tongue.  Tongue cancer can develop in either part.  The oral tongue is the part which is visible when someone ‘pokes the tongue out’ at someone.  This is the front two thirds of the tongue.  Cancers that develop in this part of the tongue come under a group of cancers called mouth (oral) cancer.

Luckily three-quarters of these tumors are small and can be effectively treated by surgery or radiation. It mainly occurs in people who smoke cigarettes, pipes, or cigars or use smokeless tobacco. People who drink large amounts of alcohol and use tobacco are especially at risk. Tongue cancer is rare in people under age 40 and people who do not use tobacco or alcohol. It is most common after age 60.

Gentle Dental offers oral cancer screenings at all their locations. This screening includes the examination of  the tongue for these types of tumors. To make an appointment call 1-888-513-7436 and remember the earlier the detection the better the chance of saving your life!

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Join Gentle Dental In Supporting The Epilepsy Foundation Of South Florida

Over 3 million Americans of all ages suffer from Epilepsy and almost 500 new cases are diagnosed each day. With those types of numbers this is one terrible disease we all need to be aware of and work together to put an end too. Epilepsy can develop at any age and can be a result of genetics, stroke, head injury, and many other factors including oral health. epilepsy foundation logo

This central nervous system disorder resulting in recurrent seizures can be frightening and potentially dangerous. If you suffer from seizures, it is crucial that you keep your Gentle Dental dentist informed on medications, dosages and updates that you have with your neurologist. This way your dentist can take all the necessary steps to ensure a safe and comfortable visit. You can also have many oral side affects to seizure medications which your dentist needs to be aware of.

To raise awareness about the issue of epilepsy and dental health, Gentle Dental will be supporting the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida at two South Florida events this year. The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida will host the 2012 “Walk the Talk” walk-a-thons to be held on April 15, 2012 at Hollywood Beach (3601 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood) and April 21, 2012 at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park (10900 A1A, North Palm Beach)

For more information on how to get involved and support this very important cause, you can log on to http://www.EpilepsyFLA.org, to learn more about the direct oral affects that epilepsy has on a person visit: http://www.GentleDentalGroup.com/epilepsy or, contact Gentle Dental toll-free at 877-343-3253 to schedule an appointment.

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Caring For The Elderly

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There are many unique needs and challenges when it comes to senior adults and oral health. There is a big connection between a healthy body and a healthy mouth. If you want to feel good, stay healthy, and look great throughout life, seniors have seen what a difference a healthy mouth makes. By adopting healthy oral habits at home, making smart choices about diet and lifestyle, and seeking regular dental care at a young age can help natural teeth last a lifetime. elderly

Many people think that conditions such as toothaches, tooth loss and dry mouth happen naturally as you grow old. The truth is, most of these conditions result from not taking care of your teeth when you are younger more then just being a certain age. We can all keep our teeth longer by maintaining good oral health.

The reasons the elderly may experience more dental health can vary. From poor diet to side affects of medications are just two of the factors that can lead to a variety of oral problems including periodontal disease.

If you are elderly you should drink water and use toothpastes and rinses that have fluoride in them. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily and definitely stay away from all tobacco products.

To make an Oral Cancer Screening appointment or to make an appointment for a checkup and cleaning call your local Gentle Dental office at 1-888-513-7436.

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Yes There Is An App For That!

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Apple’s  iPhone is one of the most popular smart phones on the planet and has millions of applications or apps that help all kinds of people in various aspects of their lives, even apps for your teeth and mouth. Below are few popular ones that may help with your oral health:

iphoneMouth & Teeth is a dental app which covers various topics of various dental problems including overall dental health, gum disease, oral cancer, snoring, tonsils and various other topics. It is a very informative app which covers various aspects of these issues.

Brushy Time is an app which helps you maintain the amount of time for which you brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. It has an  animated look that will be very helpful to teach children easily.

iBraces Help is a great app with useful information for patients who are currently using braces or patients who want to undergo orthodontic treatment. It includes pictures and videos with descriptions.

As you can see with technology, times are changing for all aspects of our life including our oral health. If you have an iphone or ipod touch try downloading a few of these great dental apps and to make an appointment with your local Gentle Dental office call 1-888-513-7436.

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The Importance of Saliva

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Saliva, like blood helps build and maintain the health of soft and hard tissues. Saliva removes waste products and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. It is the first line of protection against bacteria and diseases and it contains the minerals that maintain the integrity of the enamel surface and thus is the major preventive agent for cavities. Saliva enhances enamel protection by providing high levels of calcium and phosphate ions at the tooth surface. saliva

Chewing is the most efficient way to stimulate salivary flow by causing muscles to compress the salivary glands and release saliva. When salivary flow is reduced oral health deteriorates and you can experience dry mouth which includes difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing. There are over 400 RX drugs that have side effects that includes dry mouth. For example, antihistamines and anti-anxiety medications.

In addition to chewing sugar free gum, commercial products such as artificial saliva and tissue lubricants are also used to relieve dry mouth symptoms. If dry mouth symptoms persist, see your Gentle Dental Dentist to rule out a possible underlying medical condition.

Overall, saliva plays a significant role in maintaining oral health. For any questions in regarding this important topic and to schedule an appointment with your local Gentle Dental Dentist call 1-888-513-7436.

Thanksgiving Sweets and Your Teeth

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Today is Thanksgiving.  A great day to be with friends and family and have a great big meal!  But did you know that drinking and snacking on sweet or starchy things today is not just a treat for yourself, but unfortunately for the plaque building up on your teeth as well. Plaque means bacteria and bacteria leads to cavities and potential  tooth loss.  Here are a few suggestions to combat those goodies and promote a healthy holiday smile.

Fiber is exceptionally good for your teeth, acting somewhat like a detergent in your mouth, helping to scrub off that unwanted plaque. There are a number of fruits and vegetables that have good fiber content, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt to include a few more veggies into your holiday menu. Some examples are artichokes, broccoli and raw carrots. Not only do fibrous foods act as scrubbers, they also promote saliva flow, which aids in neutralizing acids and enzymes which attack your tooth enamel.

Dairy products are also good for your oral health.  They contain calcium which helps build stronger enamel, providing better protection from those less healthful holiday choices. Many recipes call for cheese, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products which help with your tooth enamel.

Do you have a soft spot for an after dinner latte? A latte actually has a couple of good things going for your teeth – milk and tea. Both green and black teas contain polyphenols that work to counteract plaque causing bacteria. Although tea is acid, the acidity is so weak that it does not affect your teeth.  Both black and green teas contain the properties that break down plaque bacteria, making them a good component of a healthy teeth arsenal. Just cut back on some of the sugar in that latte!

Eating for the health of your teeth doesn’t need to be a chore; there are plenty of tooth-healthy foods that are delightful to the palate as well. From everyone at Gentle Dental, we wish you a great Thanksgiving holiday. To make an appointment for a cleaning after the big meal please call 1-888-513-7436.

 

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