Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'Does Your Dentist Know If You Lie About Brushing and Flossing?'

'Does Your Dentist Know If You Lie About Brushing and Flossing? '

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Smiles of Memorial  
Daniel Dernick, DDS  
909 Dairy Ashford Rd #113  
Houston, TX 77079  
(281) 493-0061 
SmilesofMemorial.com 

8 Non-Dairy, Calcium-Rich Foods for Your Teeth

Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org 

Caring for your teeth means more than brushing and cleaning between them every day. It also means paying attention to the foods you eat. 

One of the most important nutrients for healthy teeth is calcium. Calcium strengthens the hard outer shell of your tooth called enamel, which is your teeth’s defense against erosion and cavities. To protect your teeth and get the 1,000-2,000 mg daily recommended amount of calcium, many people turn to dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt. 

If you’re lactose intolerant or need to limit dairy, there are a number of foods that can still give you the calcium you need. Calcium is found naturally in some foods, while others - such as juice, tofu and even waffles - are now fortified with added calcium. 

Here are some non-dairy options from the USDA Food Composition Database to help keep your body and smile strong.

Orange Juice with Added Calcium

Oranges naturally have a bit of calcium, but many varieties of orange juice (already a top source of vitamin C) now come fortified with calcium. For example, frozen orange juice from concentrate with added calcium contains 1514 mg of calcium per cup. That’s your daily recommendation in just one glass! Juice, however, can be high in sugar, so drink it in moderation.  If your child drinks juice, make sure to serve the recommended, age-appropriate limits.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

The remainder of the article highlights 7 over non-dairy, calcium-rich foods that are good for your teeth:

• Whey Powder
• Tofu with Added Calcium
• Canned Fish
• Beans
• Almonds
• Leafy Green Vegetables
• Soymilk

Smiles of Memorial  
Daniel Dernick, DDS 
909 Dairy Ashford Rd #113 
Houston, TX 77079 
(281) 493-0061 
SmilesofMemorial.com 

Gum Disease Treatments

There Is Good News

Surgical treatment may be necessary for advanced gum disease. Gum surgery is never fun, but it is almost always successful in controlling the condition, and common insurance plans usually cover a portion of it. With mild periodontal disease, there are very effective NON-surgical procedures that, coupled with improved dental hygiene, can virtually halt the spread of the disease. This, too, is usually partially covered under most dental insurance plans.

Smiles of Memorial  
Daniel Dernick, DDS  
909 Dairy Ashford Rd #113  
Houston, TX 77079  
(281) 493-0061 
SmilesofMemorial.com 

Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'Should I Pull Out My Child’s Loose Tooth?'

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'Should I Pull Out My Childís Loose Tooth?'

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Smiles of Memorial  
Daniel Dernick, DDS  
909 Dairy Ashford Rd #113  
Houston, TX 77079  
(281) 493-0061 
SmilesofMemorial.com 

Dental Teeth Whitening

Whiter Teeth Equate to an Amazing Smile!

Restore the brilliant white to your smile in just one visit. With our in-office power whitening treatment, it's possible to remove years of staining and discoloration caused by beverages, tobacco use, or the side effects of certain medications. The results of our professional bleaching process can last for years! We also offer custom whitening trays made in our own lab. You receive supplies and instructions, allowing you to safely and effectively whiten at home. Results occur within 1 - 14 days.

Smiles of Memorial  
Daniel Dernick, DDS  
909 Dairy Ashford Rd #113  
Houston, TX 77079  
(281) 493-0061 
SmilesofMemorial.com 

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Oral cancer can be fatal. But if detected early, it has a fantastic cure rate.
Get your painless oral cancer screening today! Ask your dentist for an oral cancer screening.
It could save your life!

Smiles of Memorial  
Daniel Dernick, DDS  
909 Dairy Ashford Rd #113  
Houston, TX 77079  
(281) 493-0061 
SmilesofMemorial.com 

Mouth-Healthy Eating

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was Reviewed by the Faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

If you want to prevent cavities, how often you eat can be just as important as what you eat. That's because food affects your teeth and mouth long after you swallow. Eating cookies with dinner will do less harm to your teeth than eating them as a separate snack. Of course, overall poor nutrition can contribute to periodontal (gum) disease. It also can have other long-term effects on your mouth. Learning how food affects your oral health is the first step toward mouth-healthy eating.

Immediate Effects of Food

Changes begin in your mouth the minute you start to eat certain foods. Bacteria in your mouth make acids. The acids start the process that can lead to cavities.

How does this happen?
All carbohydrate foods eventually break down into simple sugars: glucose, fructose, maltose and lactose. Fermentable carbohydrates break down in the mouth. Other foods don't break down until they move further down the digestive tract.

Fermentable carbohydrates work with bacteria to form acids that begin the decay process and eventually destroy teeth. They include the obvious sugary foods, such as cookies, cakes, soft drinks and candy. But they also include less obvious foods, such as bread, crackers, bananas and breakfast cereals.

Certain bacteria on your teeth use the sugars from these foods and produce acids. The acids dissolve minerals inside the tooth enamel. The process is called demineralization. Teeth also can regain minerals. This natural process is called remineralization. Saliva helps minerals to build back up in teeth. So do fluoride and some foods.

Dental decay begins inside the tooth enamel when minerals are being lost faster than they are being regained.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

The remainder of the article details the following:

• more information on the Immediate Effects of food
• information on the Long-Term Effects of food
• information on What to Eat

Smiles of Memorial  
Daniel Dernick, DDS  
909 Dairy Ashford Rd #113  
Houston, TX 77079  
(281) 493-0061 
SmilesofMemorial.com