Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org Sweet as the holidays may be, sugar-packed treats can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. This season, ring in the festivities with healthy and fun holiday snack options that fill your mouth with joy. Egg Snowmen These adorable snowmen - made with hard-boiled eggs, carrots and peppercorns - will melt your heart before melting in your mouth. Eggs are a source of Vitamin D, which is needed to help absorb, carry and deposit calcium in the bone that supports your teeth. Carrots - which are crunchy, firm and full of water - help to scrub your teeth clean like a natural toothbrush. Get the recipe >>  Spinach Artichoke Frittata Trees You won’t need to cut down on these trees! Dairy products like milk contain calcium, eggs are a source of Vitamin D and leafy greens like spinach are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. (Just be sure to floss before flashing a smile beneath the mistletoe!)...

The habit:  “Tooth enamel is a crystal. Ice is a crystal. When you push two crystals against each other, one will break,” Dr. Messina says. “Most of the time it’s the ice, but sometimes the tooth or a filling will break.” The solution:  Drink chilled beverages without ice, or use a straw so you're not tempted. “The risk of chewing ice is greater than any pleasure that comes from chewing it,” he says. “Besides, ice is really cold!” To read the entire article please visit  MouthHealthy.org Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

The habit:  Grazing all day, especially on sugary foods and drinks, puts you at a higher risk for cavities. When you eat, cavity-causing bacteria feast leftover food, producing an acid that attacks the outer shell of your teeth. The solution:  Eat balanced meals to feel fuller, longer. If you need a snack, make sure it's low in fat and sugar. If you indulge in the occasional sugary treat, follow it with a big glass of water to wash away leftover food. To read the entire article please visit  MouthHealthy.org Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

The habit:  Your teeth were made for eating, not to stand in as a pair of scissors or hold things when your hands are full. When you do this, you put yourself at a higher risk of cracking your teeth, injuring your jaw or accidentally swallowing something you shouldn’t. The solution:  Stop and find something or someone to give you a hand. Your mouth will thank you. To read the entire article please visit  MouthHealthy.org Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

The habit:  This nervous habit can chip teeth and impact your jaw. “Placing your jaw for long periods of time in a protruding position can place pressure on it, which is associated with jaw dysfunction,” says Dr. Ruchi Sahota. The solution:  Bitter-tasting nail polishes, stress reduction and setting small, realistic goals can help. If certain situations are triggers, hold something to keep your fingers busy. To read the entire article please visit  MouthHealthy.org Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

The habit:  Brushing for two minutes twice a day is one of the best habits you can get into. Just make sure you’re not trying too hard. “Brushing with a hard toothbrush, or brushing too hard, can damage teeth and irritate gums,” says Dr. Matthew Messina. The solution:  Use a soft toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance at the proper pressure. “Don’t think ‘scrub.’  Think ‘massage,’” he says. “Save the hard toothbrush for cleaning the grout in the bathroom tile.” To read the entire article please visit  MouthHealthy.org Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

The association between gum diseases and heart disease is not a secret anymore. It has always raised a question in my mind if maintaining good oral health can help me achieve good overall health. Well, the answer is “yes.” Maintaining good oral health can save us from spending thousands of dollars on preventing heart diseases. We can say that proper brushing and flossing can help us maintain a healthy heart. According to the American Academy of Periodontolgy, people with gum diseases are twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease, one of the leading causes of heart attacks. Atherosclerosis also known as “hardening of arterial wall” is one of the major etiological factors of heart disease. This occurs due to deposition of plaque (formed by accumulation of fat and other blood substances on the arterial wall). This can eventually clog the artery leading to complete blockage of coronary arteries precipitating into stroke. To read the entire article written by Swati Yadav, pleas...

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org  You know that what you eat directly impacts your health, and that includes the health of your teeth and gums. But it can work the other way around too. If you have an orthodontic appliance, such as braces, or have had certain dental problems or procedures, the health and comfort of your teeth and gums can directly impact what you eat. Here are some tips for what to eat and how to avoid these common dental issues. Braces Braces are delicate, and any foods that are sticky, chewy or hard can easily cause them to break, including: ice nuts popcorn hard candy gum Any food that you need to bite into to eat is prime for breaking braces. You can get around this by cutting the food, such as corn off the cob or rib meat off the bone, or slicing apples and chopping carrots into small, bite-size pieces. You may also experience problems eating after your braces are tightened-teeth may feel sore. The first few days are...

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about overcoming dental anxiety. The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

The habit:  “This can cause chipping or cracking of the teeth, as well as muscle tenderness or joint pain,” Dr. Messina says. “You might also feel like you can’t open your mouth wide or chew with pain.” The solution:  “Relaxation exercises and staying aware makes a difference,” he says. A nighttime mouthguard can also help. “You’ll have less tooth damage, less pain and muscle soreness and better sleep.” To read the entire article please visit  MouthHealthy.org Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com