Fall is settling in nicely with its cooler weather and beautiful fall foliage. We are appreciating this wonderful time of year and getting a few more outdoor activities under our belts before it’s too cold to enjoy them. This month we’re celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month by making you aware of how candy feeds cavities and how aging affects your dental health (sorry!). We’ve also got a line on some really cool tooth-themed pumpkin carving stencils! Read on to find out what else we’ve got in store for you!
In This Issue:
- National Dental Hygiene Month
- World Smile Day
- Does Candy Cause Cavities?
- Upcoming Holiday Charity Drives
- Aging and Oral Health
- Tooth Themed Pumpkin Carving Templates
- Scheduling for the Holidays
- Honoring Our Team Members
- Recipe of the Month: Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash
- YouTube Channel
- Please Leave us a Review!
National Dental Hygiene Month
This month ends with Halloween, the perfect time to celebrate oral health as well as the professionals who help keep our teeth healthy when we consume candy and treats! National Dental Hygiene Month was started to help emphasize how vital our oral health is. A healthy mouth not only allows us to eat, speak, and smile with confidence, but also contributes to our general health. Neglecting oral health can lead to cavities, gum disease, and even illnesses affecting the entire body.
Dental Hygienists are unsung heroes working diligently to ensure that our smiles remain healthy and vibrant. After your dental home care, they are your mouth’s second line of defense with the dental cleanings they provide and by educating you on how to achieve and maintain your healthy smile.
This month is the time to recommit to taking care of your oral health. Preventive care is the cornerstone for a healthy mouth and body. This means that regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are essential. Poor oral health has been linked to various systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems. Maintaining good oral hygiene isn’t just about a beautiful smile; it’s about protecting the health of your entire body!
World Smile Day – October 6th
While we missed the actual day, we thought it was important to remind everyone of the incredible power a smile holds. No matter where you are or what you’re going through, a smile can brighten your day and the day of those around you. A smile is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries and brings people together. It’s a gesture of kindness, a sign of joy, and a symbol of hope. Every day we want to encourage you to share your smile generously. Whether you greet your coworkers with a smile, share a friendly grin with a stranger, or even gift a loved one with a heartwarming smile, you’re contributing to the positivity in the world.
Beyond spreading joy, smiling also offers numerous health benefits. Smiles are known to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and release those feel-good endorphins. So, it’s not just an act of kindness; it’s an investment in your own well-being too!
Let’s make World Smile Day a reminder that even in challenging times, we can spread happiness. Share your smiles and let’s light up our day and those around us with the most contagious, wonderful expression: the smile!
Does Candy Cause Cavities?
You’ve probably heard that sugar causes cavities and that candy contributes to tooth decay. We’re going to break it down for you and explain what a cavity is, what causes cavities, how to prevent them, and whether candy increases the risk of cavities.
What Is a Cavity?
A cavity is another name for tooth decay, which is what happens when bacteria produces acid that wears away at your tooth’s enamel, the hard protective layer of teeth. After the acid weakens the enamel, it will reach the dentin (the next layer of your tooth that is much softer), and tooth decay will start to develop there. While cavities are often thought of as dark spots or holes in your teeth, small cavities are not really detectable by anyone other than a dentist. If you do feel pain and see dark holes in your teeth, that means that the cavity has grown larger and is already very severe.
What Causes Cavities?
Tooth decay and cavities develop when the bacteria in your mouth builds up on teeth to form a clear, sticky film called plaque. This happens when you don’t brush or floss your teeth regularly, and the starches and sugars that are left in your mouth after you’ve eaten are not removed promptly. When food particles – particularly starches and sugars – are left in the mouth, bacteria feed on them, start accumulating as plaque, and excrete lactic acid. The acid removes minerals in your teeth, creating tiny holes in the enamel. The bacteria can then penetrate the dentin and ultimately can go even further, into the tooth pulp, which causes an abscess which may or not be painful. An abscess means that your tooth is infected: the bacteria in the pulp are in contact with your blood vessels and nerves.
Take a look at our YouTube channel, where dental hygienist Wendy explains more about the 4 stages of tooth decay.
Does Candy Increase the Risk of Cavities?
Yes, candy does increase the risk of cavities. One of the biggest risk factors to tooth decay is sugar because the sugar is what bacteria feeds on to create enamel weakening acids. So, when you eat candy–which we all know is filled with sugar–, you are putting yourself at a higher risk of developing tooth decay. This is especially true if you do not practice good oral health care every day.
How Do You Prevent Cavities?
In order to keep tooth decay at bay, you need to have good dental health care habits. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing at least once a day, and brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. As mentioned above, candy does increase the risk of cavities, so be sure to eat a diet that is low in sugar and carbohydrates (which eventually turn into sugars) and instead eat foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Another important way to prevent cavities is by going to your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Visiting every six months allows cavities to be detected early, so give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
Upcoming Holiday Charity Drives
In our office we know how fortunate we are to have a steady job, a roof over our heads, and food on the table. Unfortunately, for many that is not the case. Every year, during the holiday season, we endeavor to give back to our community and make a positive impact on those in need. We invite you to join us for our food drive to be held in November, and school supply drive in December. We’ll provide more information on our Facebook page and upcoming newsletters, so please keep an eye out!
Your generosity and involvement in these initiatives will create a profound impact on the lives of those who need it most. We believe in the power of our community to effect positive change, and we hope you’ll join us in these noble endeavors.
Happy Holidays!
Aging and Oral Health
Source: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/adults/dental-health-concerns-adults-over-60
The Link Between Medications and Cavities
You may wonder why you’re suddenly getting cavities when you haven’t had them in years. As we get older, we enter a second round of cavity prone years. One common cause of cavities in older adults is dry mouth. Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. However, it is a side-effect in more than 500 medications, including those for allergies or asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, anxiety or depression, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
This is just one reason why it’s so important to tell your dentist about any medications that you’re taking. Your dentist can make recommendations to help relieve your dry mouth symptoms and prevent cavities. Here are some common recommendations:
- Use over-the-counter oral moisturizers, such as a spray or mouthwash.
- Consult with your physician on whether to change the medication or dosage.
- Drink more water. Carry a water bottle with you, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Your mouth needs constant lubrication.
- Use sugar-free gum or lozenges to stimulate saliva production.
- Get a humidifier to help keep moisture in the air.
- Avoid foods and beverages that irritate a dry mouth, such as coffee, alcohol, carbonated soft drinks, and acidic fruit juices.
- Your dentist may apply a fluoride gel or varnish to protect your teeth from cavities.
Gum Disease
Many older adults have gum disease (periodontal disease) caused by the bacteria in plaque, which irritate the gums, making them swollen, red and more likely to bleed. One reason gum disease is so widespread among adults is that it’s often a painless condition until the advanced stage. If left untreated, gums can begin to pull away from the teeth and form deepened spaces called pockets, where food particles and more bacteria may collect. Advanced gum disease can eventually destroy the gums, bone and ligaments supporting the teeth, leading to tooth loss. The good news is that with regular dental visits, gum disease can be treated or prevented entirely.
Mouth Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, in the US there are about 35,000 cases of mouth, throat and tongue cancer diagnosed each year. The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 62. During dental visits, your dentist will check for any signs of oral cancer. Regular dental visits are important because in the early stages, oral cancer typically does not cause pain, and early detection saves lives. Some symptoms you may see include open sores, white or reddish patches, and changes in the lips, tongue and lining of the mouth that lasts for more than two weeks.
Paying for Dental Care after Retirement
Many retirees don’t realize that Medicare does not cover routine dental care. Begin to plan for your dental expenses in advance of retirement so you don’t have to let your dental health suffer once you’re on a fixed income. Organizations like AARP offer supplemental dental insurance plans for their members.
We also offer the Dental Health Club, which is our in-house dental discount plan. This is available for any of our patients who don’t have or don’t want to use their insurance.
Do I Need to Take an Antibiotic Before a Dental Procedure?
At times physicians and dentists recommend that a patient take antibiotics before certain dental procedures. This is called “antibiotic prophylaxis.” But why do healthcare providers suggest this extra step?
We all have bacteria in our mouths, and a number of dental treatments—and even daily routines like chewing, brushing or flossing—can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream (bacteremia). For most of us, this isn’t a problem. A healthy immune system prevents these bacteria from causing any harm. There is concern, however, that for some people bacteremia can cause an infection elsewhere in the body.
We recently shared an article that explains the updated guidelines surrounding who needs to take an antibiotic prophylaxis, you can review it on our website here.
Caregiving for a Disabled or Elderly Loved One
You may have a parent, spouse or friend who has difficulty maintaining a healthy mouth on their own. How can you help? Two things are critical:
- Help them keep their mouth clean with reminders to brush and floss daily.
- Make sure they get to a dentist regularly.
These steps can prevent many problems, but for some people tasks that once seemed simple can become very challenging. If your loved one is having difficulty with brushing and flossing, talk to a dentist or hygienist who can provide helpful tips or a different approach. For those who wear dentures, pay close attention to their eating habits. If they’re having difficulty eating or are not eating as much as usual, denture problems could be the cause.
When you’re caring for someone who is confined to bed, they may have so many health problems that it’s easy to forget about their oral health. However, it’s still very important because bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs and cause pneumonia, and infections in the mouth due to cavities can eventually cause generalized infection.
If you are a representative for a nursing home resident who needs dental care and is enrolled in Medicaid, there is a regulation, called an Incurred Medical Expense, that may help pay for medically necessary care as determined by a dentist. The Medicaid caseworker at the nursing facility and the dentist providing care can work together to apply the Incurred Medical Expense to pay for needed dental benefits.
Tooth Themed Pumpkin Carving Templates
Need some inspiration for those pumpkins this year? Why note some fun toothy designs!
Click on the image you want to download the template.
Scheduling for the Holidays
As a reminder, our schedule is very full with limited openings. We want to make sure you can get in when you need to, especially if you have family members coming home from school or visiting who need an appointment. If you want to get in before the end of the year, call us now to schedule!
Thanksgiving, November 23 & 24 – CLOSED
Team Appreciation Event, December 8 – Closing Early, OPEN 9 AM to 1 PM
Christmas, December 25 – CLOSED
New Year’s Day, January 1 – CLOSED
Honoring our Team Members
To learn more about our team members, visit Our Team page on our website.
MVP – Chelsea, Front Desk Coordinator
Every month we recognize a team member who has gone above and beyond, for our patients or other team members.
In October, we honored Chelsea who has a wealth of knowledge that is helpful to her team members at the front desk and also to our patients. Chelsea has been a fabulous right hand to our team lead and is always open to taking on any tasks. We also appreciate how dependable and responsible she is – Chelsea is always on time and ready to work!
Invisible Worker Recognition
We also like to recognize one or more team members who make our day-to-day operations run smoothly, despite their contribution not being obvious to many of us.
In September, we recognized Ana and Dani for training other team members on our dental imaging scanners. As a result our clinical team as a whole is becoming quite proficient in quickly performing Dental Wellness Scans on our patients, enabling our patients to visualize what’s going on in their mouths!
Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash
This Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe is filled with fall flavors. The squash is roasted until tender and stuffed with wild rice & chickpeas.
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 Minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 Minutes
Calories: 586
Ingredients
FOR THE WILD RICE
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup wild rice rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas drained & rinsed
- 2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
FOR THE SQUASH
- 2 acorn squash washed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- fresh parsley chopped, for serving
FOR TAHINI SAUCE
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1-2 tablespoons mustard (dijon or yellow or both)
- garlic salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- water as needed to thin
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat the oil in a stock pot and add the onion, garlic and dry seasonings. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the chickpeas, wild rice and broth. Bring to a boil, cover, lower heat and simmer for 1 hour (see notes). Taste and add salt if needed.
- Meanwhile, cut the top and bottom tips of the squash off – so they can lay flat. Cut each squash in half crosswise. The squash should look like flowers. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and discard (or save for roasting later).
- Combine the olive oil and dry spices in a small bowl. Brush the inside of each squash with the oil mixture and place open-side down on the baking sheet. Place in the oven for 40 minutes. Remove and allow to cool slightly while the rice finishes cooking.
- Turn the squash over on the baking sheet and stuff with the wild rice mixture. Place back in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until everything is warmed through.
- Combine the tahini sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. Add water as needed to thin out the sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Remove from the oven, drizzle with tahini sauce and top with fresh parsley.
Notes
- If the rice is still hard after an hour, but there is still broth in the pot, cover and steam for another 10 minutes. If the rice is still hard and there’s no broth in the pot, add a couple more tablespoons of broth and cover for another 10 minutes.
- Acorn squash can be a little tricky to cut. Be sure to use a sharp knife and rock the knife back and forth to cut through. Also, be sure not to cut too much off the top and bottom – just enough so it creates a flat surface.