Dental Habits of Pilgrims & Native Americans

Since 1863, the United States has been celebrating a day of feast, complete with turkey, pies, stuffing, and too much more deliciousness to name. But Thanksgiving isn’t just about eating a plentiful dinner and slipping into a tryptophan-induced afternoon nap, it’s a day dedicated to reflecting on all we are thankful for, gathering around the table with friends and family, and enjoying a meal prepared by all.

While Thanksgiving has only been an official holiday since the days of Abraham Lincoln, the tradition of gathering together to enjoy a large dinner with friends has been in around since the Pilgrims and Native Americans enjoyed the first Thanksgiving meal together. Although the custom of joining together and eating hasn’t changed much since those first Thanksgiving dinners, oral health care sure has.

With all of the advancements in modern dentistry, it’s difficult to imagine a life where there weren’t toothbrushes available at every supermarket, drug store, and gas station, but there was a time when folks didn’t even know what a toothbrush was. At my dental office in The Woodlands, we want to dedicate this seasonal blog to talking about how Pilgrims and Native Americans took care of their grins and how dental health, along with dental care, has changed.

The Pilgrims

It’s a bit of an understatement to say that the Pilgrims didn’t have the best oral hygiene standards. They didn’t have access to proper toothbrushes and toothpaste because they hadn’t been invented yet! Instead, Pilgrims used leaves, herbs, and salt rubbed directly onto their teeth to clean their not-so-pearly whites. For a toothbrush, pig hair was affixed to a twig or animal bone, or sometimes pine bristles were used. Basically, the Pilgrims, who were new to the States and unfamiliar with what was available to them, used whatever items they could find to clean their teeth. Today, we have multiple types of toothbrushes, toothpaste flavors, floss, and other dental hygiene products. Not to mention we have the ability to see a trained dentist in The Woodlands twice a year for checkups and when we have a problem.

The Native Americans

Chances are, the Native Americans had better overall dental health than the Pilgrims. Not only were they more familiar with the land and what was available to them, their diet was healthier. Like the Pilgrims, they also used herbs like sage to clean their teeth, but they used the cucacua plant to make a substance similar to toothpaste. Additionally, while the Pilgrims were eating dried meat and fruits, beans, and a lot of hardtack –  a dry biscuit made of flour, water, and salt – the Native Americans were living off the land and eating more balanced meals of veggies, nuts, and berries. Therefore, they were eating fewer smile-damaging foods to begin with.

This Thanksgiving, take a tip from the Native Americans and try to eat a well-balanced plate (or plates!) of food and try to take it easy on the sugar-filled sweets. And when you’re reflecting on what you’re thankful for, don’t forget to be thankful for toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and modern dentistry as a whole. For it is these advancements in dentistry, plus visits to my The Woodlands dental office, that allow us to have healthy, white smiles every Thanksgiving and all the days in between.

Serving patients in The Woodlands, Spring, and Conroe.

Diabetes and Oral Health

 

November is American Diabetes Month, during which we dedicate the entire 30 days to encouraging communities to come together and raise awareness of diabetes. While there is no cure for this disease that plagues nearly 30 million Americans, research continues to bring us closer to answers, make advancements in treatment, and link diabetes with other health problems.

Those with diabetes have surely learned that uncontrolled diabetes can contribute to problems throughout your body – your eyes, nerves, kidneys, and heart can all be affected by diabetes. However, we find at my dental office in The Woodlands that many of these individuals aren’t aware of the potential oral health complications that may also arise.

For example, people battling diabetes have an increased chance of developing gum disease. Not simply because those with diabetes have an increased susceptibility to bacteria, but they also have a decreased ability to fight it off. This makes flossing, brushing, and visiting your dentist in The Woodlands regularly extremely important so the bacteria that thrives in the mouth doesn’t cause major problems.  

Not only that, but gum disease can affect blood glucose and make diabetes more difficult to manage and can even make it worse. Gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, can be treated fairly easily if caught early. However, periodontitis, a more advanced form of gum disease, is more difficult to treat and can eventually lead to tooth loss.

When gum disease hits the severity of periodontitis, your gums pull away from your teeth, and create pockets where germs and bacteria love to hide. The bacteria causes the pockets to deepen and, if left untreated, the infection will destroy the bone holding your teeth in place, causing the teeth to move, become loose, or fall out.

Other oral health problems that can result from diabetes include thrush (a fungal infection of the mouth) and dry mouth. These can create even more issues like ulcers, infections, cavities, and more.

The best way to prevent oral health problems for a patient with diabetes is to control their blood glucose level, and brush, floss daily, and maintain visits to my dental office in The Woodlands at least twice yearly. People with diabetes have unique oral health needs, so it’s important to let us know about your health history including any medication and changes to your diabetes. We’re here to help you maintain optimal full-body health, not just your teeth.

Serving patients in The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe.

Top 5 Foods for Your Smile

At my dental office in The Woodlands, we’re not just focused on making sure your mouth is healthy, we’re dedicated to ensuring your whole body is healthy too. One of the key aspects to living a healthy life is choosing the right foods. Not only can healthy food choices help your body be strong and well, eating the right foods can also lead to a happy, healthy mouth.

Some of the basic rules of nutrition still apply when eating with your smile in mind. You should eat well-balanced meals and continue to follow the food pyramid guidelines. Filling your diet with plenty of veggies and fruits, lean meats, whole grains, and dairy keeps your body balanced and healthy, and most of these foods are great for your grin.

Some of the best foods for your smile, and your body, are:

Cheese. Cheese is high in phosphate and calcium and helps balance the acidity levels in the mouth. This can help keep keep bacteria away, which prevents cavities and gum disease.

Celery. Celery is made mostly of water, which is always good for your smile. Chewing on this crispy favorite also produces saliva, which helps neutralize bacteria and keeps cavities away. Additionally, celery can act as an abrasive, cleaning between teeth and massaging gums.

Apples. Like celery, apples contain a lot of water, which dilutes sugars in the mouth, including the ones found in the apples themselves. They also cause saliva flow to increase, again protecting against decay and washing away food particles and bacteria.

Onions. Onions are packed with powerful antibacterial sulfur compounds, making them great for your oral health. They can be consumed cooked or raw, but they pack the biggest benefit when they’re eaten uncooked. Just be careful of the onion breath that tends to follow.

Water. Your dentist in The Woodlands will always encourage you to drink more water. Water isn’t only great for your organs and whole-body health, it’s also beneficial to your mouth. By staying hydrated, your mouth is defended against bacteria.

In addition to eating things that are good for your smile, you should also avoid foods that aren’t so smile-friendly. Stay away from, or limit the amount of, sweets, acidic foods, dried fruits, breads, pretzels, popcorn, and cakes and pies. Not only can these foods provide a great environment for bacteria to thrive, which can lead to tooth decay, some can cause tooth damage or even broken/chipped teeth.

Besides eating right, another way to keep your smile in tip-top shape is to keep your regularly scheduled appointments at my dental office in The Woodlands. We’ll make sure that your smile is in its best condition and ensure that there aren’t any problems lurking in your mouth. Give us a call to schedule your appointment today!

Serving patients in The Woodlands, Spring, and Conroe.

How to Choose a Dentist in The Woodlands

Whether you’re new to the area or just looking for a new dentist, choosing the right practice for yourself and your family can be an intimidating process. It’s important to know that not all dentists will be a good fit. At my dental office in The Woodlands, we’d like to fill you in on some key questions to ask to make sure you make the right choice for your particular dental needs.

The first step to finding the best dentist in The Woodlands for your family is to do a bit of research. Ask friends and family who they see, think about how close to work or home you’ll want the office to be, and create a list of preliminary practices you’ll want to contact. Then, pick up the phone, make some calls, and start asking questions.

What Should I Expect During My First Visit?

This should be one of the first questions you ask your potential dental office. The answer you receive should always include a consultation or conversation with the dentist so he or she can get to know about your health history, any concerns you may have, and what your oral health goals are. Your first visit should also include a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, an oral cancer check, and any necessary x-rays.

How Does the Dentist Keep Up With New Technology or Training?

Dentists, as well as their staff, typically attend several continuing education courses, seminars, and trade shows to learn new things about dentistry and keep up with the latest technology. Your new dentist should be involved in some ongoing continuing education.

Will My Treatment Plan and Financing Options be Discussed With Me?

You’ll want to be reassured that you’ll be educated on the treatment that’s recommended as well any financing options that are available to you. During your first call, you’ll want to get an explanation that tells you all treatment and all finances will be discussed with you thoroughly before any work is completed.

Once you think you’re ready to make a commitment to one of the dentists you called, it’s a good idea to make an initial appointment and use that visit as a ‘test’ to make sure you’re comfortable, you’re treated well, and that the office is clean.

Of course, if you’d like to visit my dental office in The Woodlands, we always welcome you to call. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you to find the best dentist for you.

Serving patients in The Woodlands, Spring, and Conroe.

Keep Wearing a White Smile Long After Labor Day

Despite the old adage that says you can’t wear white after Labor Day, at my dental office in The Woodlands, we think it’s always in style to wear a white smile. While habits and time itself can take a toll on your grin and make your pearly whites less than bright, there are some things you can try in order to get, and keep, your smile its ideal shade of white.

One of the best ways to get your smile bright and white is with a professional whitening from your dentist in The Woodlands. After all, these whitening treatments are stronger than what you can get in the store and the trays are often custom-fit to your teeth. A tight fit means there’s is less chance of the whitening solution reaching your gums and causing damage, and it can also help lead to an even white across all teeth. But a professional whitening is only one step you can take in creating a long-lasting white smile.

After you get your teeth nice and white, it’s important that you strive to keep them that way. Some of the most common causes of a dull smile are found in what we eat. Just by avoiding the smile-fading foods and opting for less damaging choices, your whitening treatment will be sure to last longer.

Foods That Cause Staining: Coffee/Tea Soda Red Wine Blueberries Tomato Sauce

Foods That Prevent Staining: Carrots Apples Celery Cauliflower

I  addition to choosing more smile-friendly options, you can also help keep your teeth white by drinking any soda, tea, or coffee through a straw as it will help keep the ingredients away from your teeth; avoiding smoking; and always brushing and flossing.

As always, one of the best ways to keep your smile not only white but also healthy and strong is to maintain regular visits to my dental office in The Woodlands. Routine visits help catch any problems before they become worse, and we can even provide you with a little whitening boost if you need it at that time.

Serving patients in The Woodlands, Spring, and Conroe.

Top Reasons We Avoid The Dentist

Visiting the dentist is never at the top of anyone’s fun list; and we’ll be honest, sometimes it hurts our feelings. There are some top reasons people avoid going to the dentist, but no matter what your reason for not keeping your appointments at my dental office in The Woodlands, we’ll be happy to reassure you that you’re coming to the right place and that we’re here to help you.

Dental Phobia

Some people are scared of spiders, others of clowns or snakes. There are even people with an incredibly real fear of the dentist. Dentophobia, or fear of dentists, plagues an estimated 75% of the population and ranges from mild to severe. This fear can result in some scary health concerns too. Since those with a high level of fear completely avoid the dentist, they’re never checked for oral cancer, gum disease, or potential problems that can lead to whole-body issues like heart disease, strokes, and many other dangerous and scary complications.

Worry About Pain

When we talk about treatment options at my dental office in The Woodlands, we’re always asked, “Is it going to hurt?” The short answer is that modern dentistry and advancements in technology have made it easier to manage pain. Of course, the more detailed answer is found in the way we treat our patients. All of our care is designed to make you comfortable and relaxed, and our technology makes your treatments easy and virtually pain free. If you are still worried that your treatment will hurt, just talk to us about it. We’ll discuss the procedure in detail and get you completely comfortable before we begin.

The Sounds

Some of the most up-to-date technology allows for easier, pain-free treatments. But they can still sound scary. Whether we’re filling a cavity or preparing you for a crown, the noise of the drill and other tools can be loud and instill fear. The fear is often escalated when an instrument is in your mouth as it sounds even louder than if you hear it outside of your mouth. While the tools may sound like they’re surely going to hurt, we can promise you that they won’t.

There are many reasons people avoid the dentist, and we’ve only touched on a few. But even if your reason for avoiding a visit to my dental office in The Woodlands isn’t listed, please know that we’re hear to listen and we definitely won’t judge. Our goal is to make seeing us comfortable so we can work together to get and keep your smile healthy.

Serving patients in The Woodlands, Spring, and Conroe.

Beware: Common Summer Snacks Are Bad for Your Smile

It’s warm out. And when it’s warm, we tend to switch the type of food and drinks we consume. But have you ever thought that what may be good tasting may not be making your smile happy? There are many common summer treats that, while tasting fantastic, are causing damage to your smile. Everyone at my dental office in The Woodlands wants to educate you on what some smart summer snacks are and which ones to avoid.

What to Eat

Some good choices for summer snacking can include proteins, veggies, and cheese. Proteins, like nuts and turkey, are great at fighting acid and tooth decay while cheese is packed with calcium that not only protects bones, but teeth as well. Veggies are a great alternative to some sugar-dense fruits and many, like celery, contain a lot of water which helps to rinse bacteria from the mouth. When it comes to drink choices, we can’t stress enough the importance of water.

What to Avoid

• Soda, sweet tea, and sports drinks - These beverages are full of acid and sugar and can eat away at your tooth enamel and lead to decay. Choose a smarter option like water and if you have to drink a sports drink or soda, drink it with a straw to limit exposure to the teeth and drink sparingly.

• Iced coffee - When the weather is warmer, coffee drinkers tend to shift to a more climate-friendly morning picker upper. The problem is that this caffeine favorite is rarely just enjoyed in the morning, but rather sipped throughout the day. This increases the amount of time your teeth are exposed to the sugar and acid, causing more damage and even staining your should-be pearly whites.

• Pickles and pickled foods - Like sugar, acid is also dangerous for your smile and these foods are packed with both smile-damaging ingredients. Take it easy on these and opt for a raw veggie instead.

• Starch-loaded snacks - Snacks like potato chips and white bread are high in starch, and starchy foods like these can often get stuck in the grooves of teeth. Once they’re stuck, they can then feed the bacteria and plaque in the mouth, making it a great place for cavities to form.

While you’re enjoying the summer sun, make sure that you’re choosing snacks that not only hit the spot, but are healthy for both your body and your smile. At my dental office in The Woodlands, we encourage you to make healthy decisions about the treats you buy next time you’re at the grocery store. Your teeth, and your dentist, will thank you for it.

Serving patients in The Woodlands, Spring and Conroe.