Don't Stress About Halloween Candy

 

It's almost Halloween! Costume stores are springing up, yards are decorated with ghoulish décor, and our day of sweet indulgence without guilt is almost here. Everywhere you look, there's your favorite candy or chocolate wrapped in scary yet appealing packaging. Well, to all the sweet tooth Halloween lovers -both adults and kids- here are some practical tips from a Dentist who shares your love for most things sweet.

Sort the candy. When you are raiding your five-year-old's candy bag at 2 in the morning, separate the stack into two parts. Place the taffy, the caramels, the gummy bears, anything that is sticky, chewy or sour into the first pile. All of the other candy goes into the second pile.

Avoid the first pile. Dental cavities have a proven cause-and-effect relationship with extended exposure to sugary or sour substances. Oral bacteria thrives in this environment and converts these substances to acid that can, in turn, lead to cavities.

Watch your family’s consumption of these sweet treats during this season. A great tip is to leave the candy wrappers in a visible area so that you remember how many of these ghoulish confections you’ve eaten. The greatest danger candy poses for teeth is when patients "graze" on it all day.

Chew sugar-free gum to help you ration your sweet intake. Ingredients like Xylitol and Sorbitol, low calorie sweeteners found in some gum, can actually be beneficial to your oral health. Research has shown that these sweeteners starve destructive bacteria, allowing your mouth to replenish minerals to your teeth. Get advice from your Dentist on the frequency and amount recommended.

Talk to your kids about oral health. This is a great time to reinforce the twice-a-day brushing routine and the daily 'oh-so-dreaded flossing regime. Always remember, children will mostly do as they see. The most ideal scenario would be to brush after the consumption of candy. If that’s not possible, then encourage your child to eat the candy within a few minutes instead of snacking throughout the day, and then wash away some of the sugar by drinking a glass of water. And remember, Halloween is a great time to call your dentist and get the family scheduled for a check-up!

In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, "There is only one difference between a long life and a good dinner; that in the dinner, the sweets come last." Enjoy the sweets in moderation and have fun this Halloween!

The Miracle Smoothie for Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Surgery

 

 

 

Recovering from wisdom teeth surgery makes it hard to eat, but this is the when your body needs nutritious food the most so it can heal itself and build back immunity. A great and easy-to-make drink when you’re recovering from wisdom teeth surgery is a wheat grass smoothie. Wheatgrass is a superfood that will help you recover faster, provide instant relief, and give your body the nutrients it needs to repair itself. Preparation is easy. Just blend the ingredients below until smooth.

Ingredients

One orange, peeled
Splash of coconut water
One handful of wheatgrass
1/2 cup of ice
A few scoops of protein powder (optional)

Instructions

Throw the ingredients in a blender on the highest (or liquify) setting, until smooth. Make sure the ice is fully blended – you do not want any hard bits in your smoothie because you must avoid anything crunchy while recovering from wisdom teeth extraction. Do not use a straw to drink your smoothie – use a spoon instead! Using a straw can cause a dry socket.

Benefits of Wheatgrass for Healing

Chemicals in wheatgrass are said to increase the production of hemoglobin, which is the chemical in red blood cells that carry oxygen, thereby preventing tooth decay, improving wound healing, and preventing bacterial infections. Some studies have shown that wheatgrass helps with anemia and wound healing, but so far there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support this.
Wheatgrass is a nutrient dense food that is likely to make you feel better as you recover than eating a diet of strictly apple sauce and ice cream, as is the typical diet of people recovering from wisdom teeth extraction. Wheatgrass is dense in Vitamins A and C, which are scientifically proven to make your recovery from wisdom teeth extraction faster and smoother. Other vitamins in wheatgrass include Vitamins E, B12, K, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium.

After having wisdom teeth surgery, you must stick to a liquid or soft food diet for several days. Vitamin C aids in the maintenance and repair of gum and mouth tissues and getting plenty of Vitamin C is critical to having a shorter and smooth recovery.

Feeling puffy? Wheatgrass has anti-inflammatory chemicals that will soothe your inflamed, irritated gums from the wisdom teeth extraction. The ice in the smoothie will also provide instant relief for puffy, sore gums.

Benefits of Protein Powder

Throwing in a scoop or two of protein powder is a great way to feel full and get some protein while you’re stuck with an all liquid diet.

 

The High Price of Avoiding the Dentist

 

Many people cite cost as one of the main obstacles in their quest for dental care. However, skipping regular check-ups to save a few dollars can prove to be an expensive decision in the long run. An attempt to save money by limiting dental care to just brushing a few times a day, flossing, and restricting sugary foods may seem like a good idea at first. This is a mistake nobody should make though. One of the principal reasons for visiting a dentist is to prevent problems or stop existing dental issues from worsening. The long term expense and pain associated with avoiding regular dental visits far outweigh any costs associated with preventative care.

For example, if a cavity is not stopped early on, the tooth may become severely decayed resulting in pain and either the need for a crown or entire tooth extraction.

A crown is a tooth-shaped cover fashioned in a laboratory and fitted onto the damaged tooth which is shaped so the crown can securely be affixed to it. A crown will be at least $500 and easily up to $1000 or more depending on the necessary procedures and materials used.

When a tooth extraction is necessary, the cost of the actual extraction is tiny compared with the next step: Either an implant or a bridge to replace the missing tooth.

A bridge consists of the actual artificial tooth bridging the missing-tooth gap, as well as crowns (in most cases) on the adjoining teeth to add support. Bridges can cost as much as $1000 or more.
A dental implant, which often requires the expertise of an oral surgeon, consists of a metal post affixed to the bone which then can be fitted with an artificial tooth and can cost in excess of $2000.

More serious problems can develop as well, such as severe gum disease leading to breakdown of bone and support tissues, eventually culminating in tooth loss and the need for at least partial dentures or multiple implants, both running in the many thousands of dollars.

Crowns, implants, bridges, and dentures are not just financial burdens for people without dental insurance. Of course coverage varies from plan to plan, but those with dental insurance are generally not covered fully or even very much on these types of procedures and so must personally bear much of the cost.

Conversely, a check-up typically runs somewhere between $50 and $100. The cost of the restorative procedures outlined above clarifies the true dental bargain that a regular check-up represents.