Comfort Family Dental - December 2021

Comfort Family Dental - December 2021

2036 W. 95th St. Chicago, IL 60643 773-366-8718 www.comfort-familydental.com

DECEMBER 2021

Hello everyone! The 2021 holidays are very exciting for many of us — it seems we’ll get many more opportunities to spend time in-person with our close family and friends. A big part of these celebrations is eating great food and then falling asleep without thinking to floss or brush our teeth. Brushing and Flossing Can Fight Diabetes Or Even Prevent It

Although I encourage everyone to enjoy their holidays, as a dentist I do feel obligated to educate my patients on an important topic: If you or a loved one suffer from diabetes, are at risk, or would like to maintain healthy insulin levels, remember that your oral health has a significant impact. Here’s why. It’s all about bacteria. You might be surprised to learn that plaque isn’t just one bacteria. In fact, plaque can have more than 500 bacterial species. Some are good for your mouth, but others aren’t. When you combine that bacteria with food debris and water, plaque can easily build up on your teeth and provoke infection and inflammation within your gums.

“Once you have

periodontitis, you’re 40%more likely to have chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and even osteoporosis and obesity.”

the body’s ability to utilize insulin,” which happens to be the hormone that regulates your blood sugar by converting sugar into energy.

What happens if your oral care declines? Plaque (especially between teeth, unless you floss) encourages bacteria to settle into your gums, rather than leave. Without brushing and flossing, there’s a good chance both your oral health and overall body health will begin to decline, too — and it may worsen your diabetes. The good news is that good oral health will improve your diabetes. If you can get your oral health under control, it will likely benefit your diabetic symptoms as well. Today, many doctors recommend proper dental care for diabetic patients. If you’d like to learn food tips and when to brush/floss during the holidays, keep reading! I look forward to continuing to provide a healthy guide for your oral care resolutions for this upcoming year. And have a very merry holiday season, everyone.

In the past decades, researchers have realized that oral inflammation puts unwelcome demands on your immune system. When you don’t treat it, this inflammation can break apart your gums and teeth and develop into an incurable gum disease called periodontitis. Once you have periodontitis, you’re 40% more likely to have chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and even osteoporosis and obesity. Moreover, the connection between periodontitis and diabetes is rather strong. According to Dr. Pamela McClain, a dental surgeon and president of the American Academy of Periodontology, inflammation in your mouth may weaken your body’s ability to control blood sugar. She says, “Periodontal disease further complicates diabetes because the inflammation impairs

– Dr. Corie Rowe

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ALWAYS REMEMBER TO FLOSS HEALTHY GUMS, HEALTHY BODY

Lung Infections People with gum disease have more bacteria in their mouths than people who don’t. Lung and chest infections can occur by simply breathing in droplets of certain bacteria that can travel from the mouth to the lungs. In fact, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses can be tied back to gum disease. This creates a dangerous predicament for those with weakened immune systems since they already struggle fighting dangerous infections. Diabetes In general, people with diabetes are more likely to develop infections than other people. This includes gum disease. In addition, gum disease can raise an individual’s blood sugar, putting people with diabetes at greater risk of further complications. Newer research has also shown that people with gum disease are more likely to develop diabetes.

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly one-half of all Americans over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease. This percentage only increases with age as 70% of people over the age of 65 suffer from this ailment. Taking care of your gums is extremely important because new reports come out every year tying gum disease to many illnesses and conditions that can affect other areas of your body. Here are a few: Heart Health Multiple studies have shown an association between gum disease and heart disease. While a direct cause and effect has not been proven, research suggests that gum disease increases the risk of heart disease. Bacteria from the mouth can find their way into the bloodstream and produce protein, which can increase the chance of getting blood clots. Eventually, if blood flow becomes too badly affected, a heart attack could occur.

As more and more information comes out about gum disease and its effects on our bodies, it behooves us to keep our gums healthy and happy by developing one of the easiest and most effective habits: flossing every day. Simply flossing once a day can improve gum health rather quickly. If tenderness, gum recession, or swelling persist, it’s best to visit your dental provider for a checkup. It could save more than your teeth.

Is Charcoal Good for Your Teeth? Spoiler: No! It May Do More Long-Term Harm You might’ve seen people smiling with black teeth — that is, charcoal toothpaste, toothbrushes, powder implants, bridges, crowns, and white fillings. It can even damage your gums!

Unfortunately, that’s what charcoal can do, and there aren’t many supplementary benefits to using charcoal, either. In 2019, the British Dental Journal did a study and found that charcoal provides little to no protection against tooth decay. That’s partially because charcoal does not contain fluoride, which studies show is the most effective protection against tooth decay. In the U.S., most dental health professionals recommend having your teeth professionally whitened at places that use FDA-approved products and procedures. You might think: “Okay, well, charcoal still removes my stains, so I’ll just use it less frequently.” How good is charcoal at removing stains, really? Research found that charcoal cannot remove intrinsic stains (stains below the surface) and can negatively impact your dental restorations, such as veneers, dental

If you want to find a product that’ll keep your teeth white, don’t choose charcoal. Some experts say that finely ground and controlled amounts of activated charcoal can be safe to use in some specifically formulated products. However, most products on the market aren’t ground fine enough to protect your teeth — and you want to keep your enamel for as long as possible, trust us! We hope these tips will help you and your family while shopping for your next toothpaste and whitening products. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give your local dental experts at Comfort Family Dental a call!

(which you apply and rub against your teeth), etc. — all over Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Then, they rinse their mouth, and bam! Their teeth are pearly white. Yes, charcoal might seem like it can remove your stains at first. That’s because charcoal products are highly abrasive against your enamel. But this leads to long-term consequences, such as increasingly sensitive teeth. Imagine being sensitive to biting into anything, at any temperature, and getting yellow stains more easily than most people!

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5 TIPS FOR INDULGING SMARTLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

No. 3: No matter what you’re drinking, drink water afterward! Whether you’re drinking alcohol or soda, don’t forget to drink water. It can help wash away the sticky sugar of your past beverage and protect your teeth into the late hours of your celebration! No. 4: Gum might be your best friend. If you want to be conscious about your oral health habits, gum is an amazing holiday best friend. The extra mouth chewing will summon more cavity-fighting saliva to protect your teeth after eating all those sweets and sugary drinks. No. 5: Cheese can save the day. If you feel like you’re eating too many bubbly drinks that might degrade your tooth enamel, try nibbling on cheese between your sips. The alkaline in the cheese helps neutralize the acid in your adult beverage. Best of all? They taste great together! It might seem strange to consider your oral care during the holiday season. But it can make a big difference in ensuring your teeth stay healthy. Let us know if you need any more advice — we’d be happy to help! Take a Break

If you’re worried about balancing your dental goals and holiday indulgences this year, never fear! Our expert team is here to help you navigate these tricky times. Here are five tips to consider before joining the holiday dinner table. No. 1: Enjoy your indulgences — and mix in some healthy, crunchy foods, too! Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as celery, carrots, and apples, are a super healthy choice for keeping your teeth clean and your body refreshed in the middle of heavy holiday courses. Don’t hesitate to indulge, but keep in mind that it might pair well with whole grains and plenty of water! Your teeth will thank you. No. 2: Chewing ice is a no-go. You might be tempted to chew ice after gathering at your family’s holiday punch bowl, but don’t do it! Imagine dropping a chocolate bar and a frozen chocolate bar. The frozen bar is much more likely to shatter — the same applies for your teeth. By chewing on ice, you create tiny fractures in your teeth that can lead to major dental problems later in life, like crowns and tooth removals.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become

by achieving your goals.” –ZIG ZIGLAR

CANDLES CELEBRATION JINGLE JOLLY

MISTLETOE ORNAMENT PRESENT SANTA

SLEIGH STOCKING WASSAIL WREATH

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2036 W. 95th St., Chicago, IL 60643 773-366-8718 www.comfort-familydental.com

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Fight Diabetes With Proper Dental Care Healthy Gums Create a Healthy Body Is Charcoal Good for Your Teeth? Enjoy the Holiday Feast Without Sacrificing Your Oral Health Take a Break Decorate Your Gingerbread House Like a Pro INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 2 3 3 4

One of the most popular holiday traditions has become making and decorating gingerbread houses. The tradition began in Germany in the early 1800s and originated from Grimm’s “Hansel and Gretel.” Some shy away from the idea of making their own gingerbread house, but have no fear — if the Germans did it in the early 1800s, so can you! To simplify things, many gingerbread houses come with baked pieces and a full decorating kit. This helps you have more time for the best part: the actual decorating! Each kit usually comes with fun candy and icing, so you can make something really kick-butt for the holidays! Icing will be your best friend. Think of it as the yummy glue that holds everything together while also acting as a colorful trim for your gingerbread house. However, because it’ll keep the house from falling, be sure to use a lot!

Alternate between colors or use a variety to make your house really pop.

M&Ms are certainly a must-have for anyone decorating their gingerbread house. Not only are they delicious, but they also make cute little accents all over the house and yard. Mini cookies of your choice may also make a deliciously good-looking roof. Try layering them up for a dimensional look! And, for extra pizazz, strategically place mini candy canes throughout the yard and on either side of the front doors and windows. If you want to get really detailed, try using actual candy bars as fire logs in the fireplace. Just be sure to store your gingerbread house in a cool area so nothing will melt! Whether you prefer a simple gingerbread house or a flashy one, any and ALL candy can be used! Get decorating and be sure to have a bite of candy along the way!

Creating a Holiday Masterpiece HOW TO DECORATE YOUR GINGERBREAD HOUSE LIKE A PRO

Spice drops also make for a great trim and “roofing,” just use icing to hold them in place.

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