by Roseman Dental | Feb 8, 2022 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and Easter coming soon, it’s time to start thinking about indulgent treats and how they affect our bodies. Many people consider only calories as they think about the treats they want to eat around holiday seasons, but have you ever stopped to think about your teeth? Sugary treats can be harmful to your teeth. Here are some ways to have both a sweet and teeth-safe holiday.
Whole-Wheat Flour
One of the easiest tooth-friendly changes you can make is to substitute whole-wheat flour for standard white flour in your favorite recipes. White flour, as with all refined foods, quickly breaks down into simple sugar. This occurs while the food is still in your mouth. Bacteria in your mouth feast on this sugar, producing acid that breaks down your enamel. Whole wheat flour is harder to break down, and will not produce simple sugar as quickly as white flour will. If you find the flavor or texture of whole-wheat flour is too strong, try easing yourself into it by baking with half whole-wheat flour and half all-purpose or white flour. Then, gradually increase the amount of wheat flour. This works for any recipe that calls for flour, including rolls, cakes and holiday treats. You can also buy many bread products in whole-wheat or half-and-half varieties.
Alternatives to Refined Sugar
There are lots of baking alternatives for granulated sugar. Try substituting honey, real maple syrup, brown rice syrup or agave nectar next time you bake a delicious treat. As an added health benefit, both honey and maple syrup contain lots of antioxidants!
Another great alternative to sugar is fruit. Try adding applesauce, raisins, or pureed banana or apricots in place of some or all of the processed sugar in a recipe. Natural sugars are less harmful to your body than highly processed granulated sugar.
Non-Sugar Solutions
It’s possible to eliminate all sugar from your recipe while baking and cooking this holiday season. This could mean choosing recipes that contain no sugar, like all-fruit sorbets or tart treats with sour or bitter flavor profiles. But it could also mean substituting artificial sugar for the real tooth-harming thing. If you’ve never tried them before, you could experiment with sugar alcohols like erythritol or xylitol. Sugar alcohols are nearly calorie free, and are, in fact, good for your teeth—for that reason sugar alcohols are commonly added to some gums and toothpastes. They are not as sweet as sugar, so you may need to add a little extra, but overall they make an excellent sugar substitute. You can also try traditional artificial sweeteners, but beware of health benefits and drawbacks before you use them.
If you do consume treats from the store (often made with processed sugars), or you have some sugary treats without the healthy teeth substitutes, make sure you brush your teeth soon after to keep bacteria away.
Sometimes you want to indulge in a holiday treat, and by taking these steps you won’t have to worry about your teeth. Bake teeth-smart and enjoy your holidays.
by Roseman Dental | Dec 15, 2021 | Dental 360, Dental Clinic Blog, Roseman Dental - UT
The holiday season is here! In this winter issue of Dental 360°, find out why regular dentist visits are so important, learn about the ways getting older can affect oral health, and get the facts about how what you eat impacts your teeth. You’ll also get an in-depth look from Roseman Medical Group at why vaccines are important and safe.
Roseman Dental’s Dental 360° is a monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, dental residents and students, and dental assistants and hygienists all focused on you and your family’s oral health. We offer comprehensive care, are a one-stop shop for all your dental needs and offer dental care at a cost typically lower than what you would find at a traditional dental office. Roseman Dental has been serving its community since 2011 and we look forward to continuing to serve you and your family.
We hope you find Dental 360° helpful and informative. We look forward to connecting with you each month.
Happy holidays, and all the best for the new year! We’ll meet you there.
Dental 360° Winter Articles
A Dentist Twice A Year Keeps the Cavities Away
Oral Health and Aging
Your Diet and Your Mouth
Immunizations and Vaccines
Click Here to Leave a Review
by Roseman Dental | Dec 15, 2021 | Dental 360, Dental Clinic Blog, Roseman Dental - NV
The holiday season is here! In this winter issue of Dental 360°, find out why regular dentist visits are so important, learn about the work Roseman Dental & Orthodontics is doing with infants to treat cleft lip and palate, and get the facts about how what you eat affects your oral health. You’ll also get an in-depth look from Roseman Medical Group at why vaccines are important and safe.
Roseman Dental & Orthodontics’ Dental 360° is a monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental & Orthodontics, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, orthodontists, orthodontic residents – 30 to be exact, and dental residents all focused on you and your family’s oral health. Roseman Dental & Orthodontics has been serving its community since 2009 and is a comprehensive, one-stop shop for all your dental needs including dental, orthodontic and craniofacial cleft lip & palate treatment.
We hope you find Dental 360° helpful and informative. We look forward to connecting with you each month.
Happy holidays, and all the best for the new year! We’ll meet you there.
Dental 360° Winter Articles
A Dentist Twice A Year Keeps the Cavities Away
Treating Cleft Lip and Palate in Infants
Your Diet and Your Mouth
Immunizations and Vaccines
Subscribe to e-newsletter
Click Here to Leave a Review
by Roseman Dental | Dec 14, 2021 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Proper dental hygiene at home goes a long way toward keeping your mouth healthy. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day is an important part of your oral health regimen. In addition, a regular cleaning and examination at the dentist’s office is necessary to ensure the longevity of your teeth.
Early Detection
Dentists recommend that patients come in for a professional cleaning every six months. These visits usually include X-rays to check for tooth health and cavities, and a special cleaning by the hygienist to remove plaque with a polisher and metal scaler. When the cleaning is done, the dentist looks for plaque formation and cavities, and checks for signs of inflammation or other warning of potential problems. If detected early, cavities can be drilled and filled while they are small, before they abscess. Abscessed teeth often need to be pulled, and can also lead to a root canal in adults or a pulpectomy in children. Regular visits to the dentist can save you the pain of these procedures by catching problems early.
Save Your Smile
Without regular cleanings, minor tooth problems can get out of control. Besides a root canal, poor hygiene and infrequent dental check-ups can lead to the need for more complex procedures, including extractions, bridges, crowns, veneers, implants, and dentures. Dentists are also often the first ones to notice that braces or other corrective devices are necessary. Braces and retainers not only make smiles straighter and more pleasing; they also ensure that teeth line up correctly for chewing, speaking, and swallowing, all vital functions of your mouth.
Save Money
Skipping or not scheduling dentist appointments puts your teeth at risk. While there is a cost to getting regular cleanings and check-ups, waiting until a dental emergency can cost a lot more. Many dental insurance plans cover the cost of cleanings, and patients without insurance can often work with a dentist to get an affordable price. Medical procedures such as pulling teeth, drilling cavities, crowning teeth and inserting bridges can cost hundreds or even thousands of, so it makes financial sense to get a check-up and cleaning every six months and avoid the cost (and discomfort) of repairing problems that could have been detected early.
Keeping up with your dentist doesn’t have to be a challenge. Schedule the next appointment at every visit. During a move, add “find a dentist” to the to-do list, right along with “update address.” Going to the dentist regularly is one of the simplest, and most important, ways to maintain dental health.
by Roseman Dental | Dec 14, 2021 | Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Your body changes as you grow and age, and your mouth is no exception. Understanding how your mouth changes with age will help you make the right decisions to stay healthy.
Tooth Anatomy
The teeth have several parts:
- The outermost layer is the enamel. This is the part of the tooth you are accustomed to seeing, and is the strongest tissue in the body. It is hard, shiny, and white, and covers the chewing surface or crown of the tooth.
- Dentin is a brown layer below the enamel, and makes up most of the tooth. Although dentin is porous, it’s hard and solid.
- Below the dentin is the pulp of the tooth. This soft tissue houses blood vessels, nerves and other connective tissue, nourishing teeth as they grow. Once teeth are mature, the pulp provides sensory input from the tooth to the body.
- Each tooth has roots, which are anchored in bone.
- Teeth are surrounded by soft pink tissue called gums.
Your Aging Mouth: Enamel and Dentin
Once a tooth reaches maturity, it contains all the enamel it will ever have. The dentin layer, however, is constantly growing thicker. Though teeth start out completely covered in white enamel, the enamel wears away over time. At the same time, the brown dentin layer continues to thicken. The result is a darkening or discoloration of the teeth with age as the dentin layer becomes visible below the enamel. Even good oral hygiene cannot stop these changes from occurring. However, bleaching or veneers can help whiten teeth for improved appearance.
Your Aging Mouth: Pulp, Bones and Gums
As the dentin in teeth thickens, the pulp chamber inside the teeth shrinks. This leads to less sensitive teeth, which can be a problem because cavities may go undetected in older people with decreased tooth sensitivity. Gum disease can cause bones in the jaw and mouth to deteriorate. Bacteria and plaque on the teeth cause pockets to form between your teeth and gums, leading to infection. If left untreated, this infection can deteriorate the bones, causing teeth to loosen or fall out. Warning signs of gum diseases include bleeding gums or teeth that appear longer than they once did. This can be an indication that the gums are pulling away from the teeth. If you think you may have gum disease, regardless of your age, see a dentist at once.
As you age, your body matures and changes. Being aware of these changes can help you make informed decisions about your health. The providers at Roseman Dental are great resources for understanding dental health and accessing high quality, affordable dental care.
by Roseman Dental | Dec 14, 2021 | Dental Clinic Blog
It’s that time of year again, when everyone starts thinking about how they will improve themselves or their situations in the next year. If you’re like the majority of the population, you’ve set a New Year’s resolution to get in shape and eat healthier this year. While most people set this resolution as a way to lose weight, did you know eating a healthy diet is also one of the best things you can do for your oral health?
The Effects of Poor Nutrition
An unhealthy diet affects the body in lots of different ways. It increases the risk of chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, and weakens your immune system. These chronic illnesses and a weak immune system also increase the chances of developing gingivitis, gum disease, and other oral health complications.
Since the mouth is the first point of contact for food and drinks, sugary treats and drinks can also increase the risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Regularly eating unhealthy foods can cause inflammation or chronic conditions that contribute to poor health overall.
On the flip side, eating healthy foods that are high in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables, can improve your immune system and protect your mouth from disease. According to the American Dental Association, studies show a correlation between people who have lost teeth or wear dentures and those who don’t eat as many fruits or vegetables or tend to have less nutritious overall eating habits.
Partner with your Dentist
The mouth is one of the first places where signs of a poor diet are detectable. Your dentist is one of the best resources to help keep your mouth healthy and identify tips for healthy eating. A great way to begin your “healthy diet” New Year’s Resolution is with a visit to your dentist. Go for a cleaning and check-up, and ask your dentist to help you identify ways you can improve your diet to improve your oral health.
Scheduling regular cleanings and check-ups with your dentist at the recommended six-month intervals can also keep you accountable all year for your resolution to eat healthy. The Dental Clinic at Roseman University offers affordable dental care in the Salt Lake valley for people who don’t have a dentist or for those who are under or uninsured.
For tips on what to eat, MyPlate from the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion at the U.S. Department of Agriculture can help you plan a balanced diet consisting of fruits and vegetable, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein.
This year, make a resolution to eat healthier, and develop a plan to follow through. Your body, and your mouth, will thank you.
