Calapooia Family Dental - October 2020

Calapooia Family Dental - October 2020

WHY I LOVE WORKING IN THE KITCHEN The Science of Flavor

Brian R. Summers DMD, PhD Patrick V. Hagerty, DMD

I’m a scientist at heart. I fell in love with biology and research at a young age, and I even have a doctoral degree from Stanford University in developmental biology. That’s one of the reasons why I chose dentistry as my career. I enjoyed the practical scientific application behind it. It might not be so surprising, then, to learn that one of my hobbies is one of the oldest scientific pursuits in human history: cooking. Since October is National Cookbook Month, I thought this was a great time to talk more about this beloved hobby. I love to cook, and more than that, I love to experiment in the kitchen. When you think about it, cooking and baking are just one big scientific adventure. The tried-and-true techniques that I know will work are the result of the trial and error of other cooks who wanted to discover the method that worked just right. I think the science of cooking is also why I enjoy the PBS show, “America’s Test Kitchen.” The premise is to take a recipe or classic food — like baked chicken, oven fries, cinnamon rolls, or cake — and cook it up hundreds of different ways. They change one variable (like an ingredient or technique) at a time and determine the best recipe and method based on the results. Essentially, the chefs and experts in “America’s Test Kitchen” do the experimenting for you. While leading the audience through the steps of the “perfect” recipe they found, they also explain the science behind it. You learn why something works — not just that it tastes great. It may sound like a nerdy spin on a cooking show, but “America’s Test Kitchen” continues to be one of the most popular shows on TV. We love it in our household. I lifted a recipe for cinnamon buns from the show, and they have become a Christmas breakfast tradition. My daughter even asked for the buns for her birthday morning breakfast. That discovery is becoming a tradition. There really isn’t just one aspect of the kitchen that I love the most. In baking, I enjoy the chemistry and being tasked with getting each ingredient just right to maximize flavor, texture, and consistency. There’s nothing as satisfying as pulling a creation out of the oven,

Calapooia Courier October 2020

only to see it come out perfectly with the mixture I created. Out on the grill, the trick is to balance getting a well-cooked piece of meat that’s still juicy and flavorful. I love taking an otherwise plain piece of meat and turning it into a lip-smacking meal. I do most of the cooking in our household, although Rebecca has come into her own in recent years. For me, messing around in the kitchen, finding the perfect blend of spices, or adding the right amount of heat to get the desired level of crispiness is thrilling. Plus, knowing how much work has gone into making a great meal, I just appreciate the food more. I recognize the dedication it takes to create juicy ribs or chewy cookies. Everything tastes so much better. And finally, as I work in the kitchen, I’ve also tried to get our kids more involved with the dishes we’re eating and creating. I want them to understand where our food comes from and how to make healthy meals. And I’d like them to have a basic knowledge of how to navigate the kitchen. Cooking gives them the opportunity to practice math and science while also creating something wonderful. The kitchen is always a great place to teach your kids something new. Cooking feels very natural to me. I can zone out when I make our family favorites and find something relaxing in the rhythmic motion of stirring, mixing, or concocting. It’s what I love most about science wrapped up in a delicious meal. What more could I ask for? -Dr. Brian Summers

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DENTAL HYGIENIST HALIE GEORGE ON WHY IT’S OKAY TO ENJOY CANDY THIS SEASON The Magic of Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching, and pretty soon there will be candy everywhere. Contrary to popular belief, dentists don’t hate candy — we just prefer our patients to eat only a little at a time and brush their teeth afterward. In fact, there is even one kind of candy that many dentists recommend because it’s actually good for your teeth: sugar-free chewing gum. The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes the fact that chewing gum can help keep your teeth clean and strong. But this doesn’t mean you should let your kids chew an entire pack of Dubble Bubble between meals. The ADA notes that only sugar-free gum has cavity-fighting benefits. Chewing gum that contains sugar, like Dubble Bubble, can actually create a layer of dental biofilm and acid, which covers the teeth and breaks down the enamel, leading to cavities. However, sugar-free chewing gum has the opposite effect. As the name implies, sugar-free chewing gum lacks sugar, which is what cavity-causing bacteria feed on. This means that sugar-free gum doesn’t create acid on your teeth. Additionally, the physical act of chewing gum increases saliva flow. This may sound gross, but extra saliva is really good for your teeth. It helps clear away food particles and bacteria, thus protecting against dental erosion. When picking out your gum while in line at the grocery store, look for packs that display the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This seal is only awarded to chewing gums that have demonstrated that they meet “objective requirements for safety and efficacy, as evaluated by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.” Basically, the ADA Seal means the gum is good for your teeth. It’s important to keep in mind that chewing gum, even gum that has earned the ADA Seal, cannot replace daily brushing and flossing. However, chewing a piece of sugar- free gum between meals can help keep your teeth clean throughout the day. Candy That’s GOOD for Your Teeth

I loved Halloween as a kid, although I can’t imagine that’s unusual. I think it’s fair to say every kid loves Halloween. Growing up in Albany, I can remember trick-or-treating in our little neighborhoods, hunting for the perfect candy loot. Now, as a mom in Albany, I love taking my kids Dane, age 3, and Maci, age 1, down the very same trick-or-treating routes I took when I was a kid.

This year may look very different for trick-or-treating, but I know we’ll still

find a safe way to celebrate with the kids. After all, this is a great time of the year to be in our region. This year’s wildfires may have changed our landscape and left some of us picking up the pieces out of the ashes. But fall is a great reminder of what happens when we come together and celebrate our blessings. Regardless of what this holiday looks like, we will still enjoy getting out into our community and celebrating — the candy doesn’t hurt either. Dane was so excited last year that I’m pretty sure he threw up after eating so much candy! On any normal day, we wouldn’t let him eat that much, but when you’re a kid, that’s what makes Halloween so magical! It’s one night filled with sweets and sugar. It may seem strange that I’m encouraging candy as a dental expert, but we don’t hate candy. In fact, we encourage our patients to eat it! There’s a caveat though. Rather than enjoying a few pieces of candy for the weeks leading up to and after Halloween, allow yourself as much candy as you would like for a few days around Halloween. Then, throw away the leftovers. Sugar rots your teeth when it’s constantly exposed for days and days and days. If you indulge for just a few days and then return to a teeth-friendly diet afterward — while also regularly brushing and flossing — your teeth will be just fine.

So, go ahead and enjoy that Halloween candy! Relive your childhood a little bit.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

–Halie George

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Plaque Beware

BRUSHING AND FLOSSING IS A DEADLY COMBINATION FOR HARMFUL BACTERIA

Which came first: the chicken or the egg? We may never know the answer to one of life’s greatest paradoxes, but we do have evidence that may answer a similar conundrum.

Let’s start with floss. This thin piece of string reaches the two sides of your teeth that brushing cannot. It sneaks into crevices where food and bacteria like to hide and feed on your teeth. But for as powerful as flossing is at capturing those pesky particles hidden in your gums, a larger tool is needed to wipe away bigger messes. After flossing, your toothbrush can then scrub the three remaining sides of your teeth. These are the front, back, and tops of teeth. A toothbrush’s bristles will sweep up the particles left behind by the floss and scrub away grime caked directly onto your teeth, gums, and tongue. (Yes, don’t forget the tongue!)

When it comes to brushing and flossing, which should you do first?

Research by the Oral Health Foundation in 2018 found that flossing before brushing your teeth can be more beneficial than flossing after you brush. The reason is fairly simple: Flossing loosens up the food particles stuck between your gums and teeth, and the bristles of your brush scrub the plaque away, including the gunk that your floss scraped up. This study is one more piece of evidence to support something dentists have been preaching since the very first dental expert said, “You should floss more.” When it comes to oral health, you won’t find any combination that’s more powerful than brushing and flossing your teeth.

Together, brushing and flossing have the five sides of your teeth covered. So, while research suggests flossing before you brush may be the best method for battling plaque, as long as you use both your toothbrush and floss — regardless of the order — you’re providing your teeth with an unstoppable duo against plaque and bacteria.

For more teeth cleaning tips or for floss and toothbrush recommendations, talk to your hygienist at your next appointment with Calapooia Family Dental. Call our office today to get scheduled and learn more about how to best fight the plaque in your mouth.

Spooky Strawberry Ghosts These adorable chocolate-dipped strawberry ghosts will be the stars of your Halloween party!

SUDOKU

INGREDIENTS

• 16 oz white chocolate, chopped • 24 strawberries • 1 package mini dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the white chocolate at 50% power for 30 seconds. Remove it and stir, then repeat the process until melted. 2. Lay out a sheet of parchment paper. 3. One by one, dip the strawberries into the melted white chocolate and set them on the parchment. Allow the extra chocolate to pool to form a “tail” effect. 4. Before the chocolate coating fully cools, add three mini chocolate chips to each berry to form two eyes and a mouth. 5. Let chocolate set, then serve your spooky snacks!

Inspired by Candiquik.com

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Brian R. Summers DMD, PhD Patrick V. Hagerty, DMD

1070 24th Ave SW Albany, OR 97321 541-926-3689 CalapooiaFamilyDental.com

Inside this Issue 1 2

Dr. Summers Pays Tribute to Cooking for National Cookbook Month This Candy Keeps Your Teeth Clean You CAN Eat Halloween Candy. Halie George Explains Why Why You Should Always Brush and Floss Sudoku Spooky Strawberry Ghosts Your Face Mask Could Be Causing Your Jaw Pain

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IS YOUR FACE MASK CAUSING YOUR JAW PAIN? Causes and Solutions for Jaw Pain

Dentists are experts in teeth and gums, but they also attend to their patients’ jaws, as they play an integral role in the overall health and comfort of the mouth. If you’re experiencing frequent jaw pain, it could be due to a number of things. Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders These disorders are the most common cause of jaw pain, and they affect nearly 10 million Americans. You may experience pain in the temporomandibular joints, the hinge joints on either side of your jaw, due to excess stimulation of the joint, a displaced disc, or arthritis of the disc, which can come from grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw, or sustaining a facial injury. Residual Pain Your jaw is connected to several other parts of the body that may experience frequent

pain or discomfort. Cluster headaches typically manifest as pain behind or around one of the eyes, but this pain can often radiate down to the jaw if it’s severe. Sinus problems could be the culprit, as these air- filled cavities are located close to your jaw joints. If they become infected by a virus or bacteria, the excess mucus that results can put pressure on your jaw joint and cause pain. A severe tooth infection like a dental abscess can also radiate away from the mouth and manifest in the jawbone. Protective Face Masks As people have begun to wear protective face masks more regularly, folks tend to posture their jaw more. This may cause strain on the muscles and tendons around the jaw joint, or even the joint itself.

You can also use your fingers to massage the sore areas of your jaw, such as the area right before your ear where the joint is located. Rub in a circular motion with your mouth closed, then repeat the motion with your mouth open. This is a great way to relieve tension and pain. If your pain persists, be sure to reach out to our office. Dr. Summers has extensive experience treating TMJ pain!

For immediate relief of consistent jaw pain, apply a moist heat or ice pack to the area.

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