Comfort Family Dental - February 2022

Comfort Family Dental - February 2022

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

FEBRUARY 2022

Protect Your Heart — Brush Every Day Why Oral Health Matters for Your Heart Health

There’s also a strong connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and as covered in December’s edition, there’s evidence that people with diabetes benefit greatly from proper oral care and/or periodontal treatment. Although brushing plays a huge role in your oral health, it’s common for us to be too busy in our everyday lives for a thorough cleaning. That’s why your biannual teeth cleaning appointments are so important. Unfortunately, Americans had been afraid of going to the dentist even before the pandemic. Despite heart disease being “When your gums are fighting an infection, the consequences go beyond minor gum bleeding. The bacteria inside your infection are often finding their way into your bloodstream, and being circulated throughout your body.”

Did you know that oral health affects your heart? If you didn’t, you’re not alone. Not many people know that gum disease can become directly linked to heart disease, and even fewer understand why. In honor of American Heart Month this February, let me take a moment of your time to explain this crucial relationship between your oral health and your heart health.

When I tell my patients their gum infection can affect their heart, it can seem like a total exaggeration. How can that

be? It’s challenging to overcome the common misunderstanding that our teeth and gums are contained within an entirely different part of our body. The truth is that our oral health

is connected to our body through one crucial link — our bloodstream.

When your gums are fighting an infection, the consequences go beyond minor gum bleeding. The bacteria inside your infection are often finding their way into your bloodstream, and being circulated throughout your body. These bacteria contribute to many types of common illnesses and chronic disease, including heart disease.

the No. 1 disease killing U.S. adults, in 2019, only 65% of U.S. adults (in other words, 2 in 3 Americans) saw a dentist in the previous 12 months. Not going to the dentist in a year can not only spread the cavities in your mouth and require more expensive treatments, but it can also allow early signs of periodontitis to go unnoticed. In honor of American Heart Month this February, let’s spread the word that oral health isn’t just about maintaining a beautiful smile — it’s also about ensuring your heart is healthy and strong for many years to come.

In fact, poor oral health has been debated as a possible cause of heart disease for many years. While this hasn’t been proven, studies

have shown so far that gum disease (periodontitis) is associated with a significant increased risk of developing

heart disease. Also, poor dental health can increase the risk of a bacterial infection in your bloodstream, which often affects heart valves. (Oral health is often especially important if you have artificial heart valves.) Additionally, tooth loss patterns can be connected to coronary artery disease.

– Dr. Corie Rowe

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WITH MEAL PREPPING STUFF YOURSELF AND YOUR WALLET

Have you ever intended to eat healthy meals throughout the week, but as the days went on, you either ran out of time or patience and picked up unhealthy eating habits? We’ve all been there, but if you find yourself falling into this routine regularly, you might want to give meal prepping a chance. Meal prepping has gained popularity over the past few years, and social media has been flooded with images of fitness gurus’ meal- prepping habits. To properly meal prep, you need to plan and shop for your meals in advance. You then need to cook all of your meals for the week and store them for easy access. This way, you won’t be tempted to eat fast food or other unhealthy options since your meals will already be prepared and ready to eat.

While there are many benefits to meal prepping, there are three that stand above the rest. You’ll cut food costs. Eating out at restaurants several days a week can get incredibly expensive. Even fast food can quickly burn a hole in your pocket. By going to the grocery store and getting the ingredients to prepare your meals in advance, you will be saving money. And you will never ask yourself, “What should I have for dinner tonight?” You’ll save time. Our days are already hectic and busy enough, and more often than not, cooking after working or running errands seems like just another chore. With meal prep,

you can spend the time you would have spent cooking on hobbies or relaxation since your meals will already be cooked and prepared. It’s a great way to make more time for yourself. You’ll be eating healthier. Eating out at restaurants, especially if it’s fast food, can be quite unhealthy. You may find yourself putting on weight if you’re eating out every other day. By meal prepping, you can introduce more home-cooked meals into your diet. You can choose healthier foods, and your portion sizes will be limited since the food is already made. This way you won’t overeat, and you can enjoy fresh and delicious meals every day of the week.

Are you in the market for a new electric toothbrush? In the days of oscillating, sonic, and ultrasonic, which is better for you? First, let’s dive into the main differences. You’ve likely seen or used oscillating electric toothbrushes in the past few decades. They’re not shaped like conventional manual toothbrushes, but with round, rotating brush heads. Made popular by Oral B in the 1990s, oscillating toothbrushes can achieve nearly 8,000 brush strokes per minute. They’re powerful and highly effective for removing plaque and have been a reliable favorite of the dental field for a long time. But what about these newer sonic toothbrushes with more conventionally shaped brush heads with over 30,000 brush strokes a minute? Mysteriously, sonic toothbrushes don’t twist or turn their brush head, so how do they work? Using powerful frequencies to vibrate your brush’s bristles, rather than moving them with a rotating brush head, sonic toothbrushes can effectively loosen and remove plaque from your teeth. Some ultrasonic toothbrushes operate at frequencies or vibrations even higher than the upper limit of human hearing. OSCILLATING VS. SONIC ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES What Type of Brusher Are You?

Many sonic toothbrushes have been dominating Facebook and Instagram ads, and you might’ve even seen some for the low-powered sonic quip toothbrush, a product we talked about last month — but don’t be fooled into thinking that sonic toothbrushes are newer and therefore better. The truth is that multiple studies in the dental field show conflicting results, and experts say there’s no clear “winner.” It’s more important to buy and use an electric toothbrush over a manual one. If you brush your teeth aggressively or with a lot of force, a soft- bristled sonic toothbrush might be a better fit for you. It’s harmful for your mouth to use any unnecessary force while brushing your teeth with any toothbrush, even manual. While oscillating electric toothbrushes are perfectly safe for your tooth enamel and gums, you might have better luck reducing damage with a soft-bristled sonic toothbrush. The soft-bristled is important — for aggressive brushers, it’ll improve your results on any toothbrush. If you brush your teeth with gentle force, an oscillating electric toothbrush is a great, affordable choice for a sparkling smile on a day-to-day basis. Many new oscillating toothbrushes include sonic technology as well, which can agitate fluids in your mouth and clean below the gum line where bristles can’t reach.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your expert team at Comfort Family Dental!

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A TIKTOK TREND INVOLVING PINEAPPLE JUICE The Anti-Inflammatory You Need?

Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a rite of passage for many young dental patients, and it doesn’t come without its fair share of stories. From viral videos of woozy patients crying post-surgery to entire blog posts about what to eat afterward, there’s no shortage of “expert” tips. In the last year, several videos of people drinking 64 ounces of pineapple juice prior to wisdom teeth surgery have gone viral on TikTok. The idea is that because pineapple contains bromelain, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, drinking the juice prior to surgery can reduce or eliminate potential swelling after the operation. The video makers claim that their swelling was minor post-surgery and encourage others to try this “hack.” They may not be totally wrong. A 2014 study found that patients who were given bromelain supplements after wisdom teeth extraction surgery experienced less inflammation than their placebo counterparts. Another 2016 study found that bromelain offered a powerful boost to those who also took amoxicillin (which can have anti-inflammatory properties) post-surgery. It’s worth noting, though, that none of these studies included pineapple juice; patients were given supplements instead.

Before you buy all the pineapple juice you can find, dental experts are cautioning patients against this trend. The reason is simpler than you think: It’s bad for your teeth! Pineapple juice is highly acidic, and it contains high levels of sugar. So, while you may lower your chances of swelling post-surgery, you could create an unhealthy oral environment right before a major trauma occurs in your mouth. Drinking something so acidic with open wounds in your mouth can be dangerous and painful, too. Furthermore, other health experts point out that too much pineapple juice can wreak havoc on your digestive system, menstrual health, and heart health. So, 64 ounces of pineapple juice may not be the answer for wisdom teeth surgery swelling, but dental professionals do greenlight drinking a serving or two prior to surgery — and before they need to stop eating or drinking — if patients wish to do so. It just may offer the little boost you need without the negative impacts of too much juice.

“I am experienced enough to do this. I am knowledgeable enough to do this. I am prepared enough to do this. I am mature enough to do this. I am brave enough to do this.” –ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ

Take a Break

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

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Your Oral Health Affects Your Heart 3 Major Benefits of Meal Prepping Oscillating vs. Sonic Toothbrushes: Which Is Better? Pineapple Juice Before Surgery? Take a Break Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Kids INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 2 3 3 4

Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Little Sweethearts

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for adults. Let your kids know they are the most important loves in your life

with construction paper and glitter. Your kids are sure to love getting mommy-made or daddy-made one-of-a-kind valentines. Bake Valentine’s Day goodies together. What’s better than baking with your little ones? If you are short on time, you can find premade dough, usually with a Valentine’s Day theme. Or, you can try out your skills with heart-shaped cookie cutters and sprinkles. It can get messy, but it’s certainly worth it! Wrap up a small Valentine’s Day gift. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day outfit, candy, a teddy bear, or a necklace, it doesn’t have to be big or costly! Your children will enjoy feeling the love, and they’ll be excited to get something new. Don’t forget to have fun with the wrapping! Most stores have Valentine’s Day gift bags and wrapping paper around this time of year.

with these sweet, inexpensive ideas that the whole family can enjoy! Your children will remember these traditions for years to come.

Make a special Valentine’s Day breakfast. Guess what? Pink pancakes, pink milk, and even pink eggs are a thing! With strawberry milk, food coloring and strawberries in the pancakes, and food coloring in the eggs, you’ll have an effortless and special breakfast for the little ones. Tip: Set the table the night before after the kids go to bed to make serving Valentine’s Day breakfast easier the next morning. Create Valentine’s Day cards for each kid. Tell your children all of your favorite things about them with their own personalized cards. There are so many ways you can get crafty

Your baby valentines have stolen your heart — make sure they know it by spreading the love! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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