Month: March 2016

The Best and Worst Easter Candy for Your Smile

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Easter Candy Grocery aisles are stocked full of marshmallow-shaped chicks, pastel-colored creamy eggs, and oh-so-good chocolate bunnies. Another Easter season is here, which means another holiday that’s typically flooded with candy. At my Holland dental office, we want to talk about the best, and the worst, candy for your pearly whites.

The Best

We know dentists are usually candy scrooges, but that doesn’t mean we don’t still love to satisfy our sweet tooth just like you. We just try to limit the candy that’s not so good for teeth and focus more on the ones that aren’t so bad including:

  • Hollow Dark Chocolate
  • Sugar-Free Candy
  • Candy Bars with Nuts

The Worst

The worst candies for smiles all have similar qualities. They’re loaded with sugar, they prolong the amount of time teeth are exposed to sugar, and they can cause enamel erosion or other dental damage. Try your best to avoid these treats, or enjoy in moderation:

  • Sour Candy
  • Sticky Sweets
  • Hard Candy

Limit Damage

We know it’s unrealistic to ask you to never eat any of the candy in “The Worst” category. And that’s ok. If you do indulge a bit, follow these tips to limit damage:

  • Wash it down with water. Sipping water while eating sugary foods helps neutralize acid produced by bacteria that feed on the sweet stuff. Swishing with water afterwards knocks loose any particles stuck in grooves and crevices.
  • Don’t munch on them all day. This limits the amount of time your teeth are exposed to sugar. The less time sugar spends in your mouth, the less chance for decay and cavities.
  • Don’t brush. Well, not right away. Wait at least a half hour to an hour after eating sweets to give the acid a chance to neutralize. Brushing right away can actually cause more damage.

Another way you can keep your pearly whites healthy and cavity free is to maintain regular appointments with your Holland dentist.  If you do have any damage, regular visits help catch it early and make it easier to treat.

Schedule an appointment at my Holland dental office today!

Accepting patients from Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland.

The ABCs (and Ds) of Vitamins & Your Dental Health

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Vitamins At my Holland dental office, we not only care about your oral health, we care about your whole body. To reach optimal wellness for both, it’s crucial that you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals. While all are important, we wanted to highlight a few that are necessary to keep your mouth healthy.

A is For… Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps support a strong immune system. And that’s important to both overall health and oral health. An adequate amount of vitamin A keeps gum tissue healthy, can quicken the healing process for any sores, and aids in the production of saliva.

Find it in: Carrots, mangos, kale.

B is For… B Vitamins

Good for controlling inflammation, B vitamins may help painful canker sores from popping up and causing a nuisance. Too little of these vitamins can also lead to bad breath.

Find it in: Chicken, fish, spinach.

C is For… Vitamin C

Not enough vitamin C leaves you more exposed to illness as well as loose teeth and even bleeding gums. In fact, people who are vitamin C deficient are at increased risk for developing gum disease.

Find it in: Citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, red peppers.

D is For… You Guessed It, Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption. Without it, all the benefits of calcium aren’t received. As we know, calcium is crucial for strong, healthy bones, like your jaw. Without it and its sidekick vitamin D, teeth may become loose or weak.

Find it in: Milk, egg yolks, fish.

Most of the time, all the vitamins and minerals you need are obtained through the foods you eat. But sometimes not. Whether a natural deficiency, a diet that’s lacking in certain nutrients, or medical condition, there are absolutely times when a supplement is needed. We encourage you to talk to your physician before starting a vitamin or mineral supplement.

By eating right and ensuring you’re getting enough of the crucial vitamins, you’re on the right track towards a happy, healthy smile. But that doesn’t mean regular dental appointments can be ignored. You should visit the dentist at least twice a year. Is it time for your next checkup? Give my Holland dental office a call and schedule your appointment today!

Serving patients from Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland.

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