Posts for: February, 2017
Healthy eating, combined with regular physical activity, play a vital role in your child's health and well-being. Dairy foods are naturally nutritious, packed with ten essential nutrients that help your child feel good for life. But did you know that diary is also great for your child's dental health? In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, dairy products also help fight cavotoes! Dairy products have a specific role to play in dental health, as they contain a unique combination of special anti-decay nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and the protein, casein. Cheese is especially useful, as eating a small piece of cheese after consuming sugary foods or drinks can help protect teeth and reduce the risk of tooth decay.
February marks another National Children's Dental Health Month, which has been sponsored by the American Dental Association for over 65 years in order to raise awareness about the importance of children's oral health. During the month of February, the ADA encourages all parents and caregivers to help children develop good dental habits at an early age. Regular dental visits can help children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Valentine's Day is best known as a celebration of love in all its forms. Pink hearts, red roses, and cute greeting cards adorn every surface that you see. What many people don't realize is that the modern Valentine's Day celebration actually arose from a religious holiday!
St. Valentine's Day was originally celebrated as a religious feast day in honor of early Christian martyrs. The martyrs named Valentine were honored: a priest in Rome, the persecuted bishop of Interamna, which is a town in central Italy, and a saint martyred in Africa.
The origin of Valentine's Day as a holiday for sweethearts actually began with Geoffrey Chaucer in his 1382 poem. As the poet wrote, "For this was on Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate," and the modern day romantic holiday was born. Shakespeare and many other writers have also mentioned Valentine's Day as a day of love.
Today, over $1 billion chocolates are sold in our country alone, with heart-shaped boxes accounting for 35 million of those purchased. And, on Valentine's Day itself, florists sell nearly 200 million stems of roses!
Although many people dismiss Valentine's Day as a commercialized "Hallmark holiday," it is beloved to couples and romantics across the United States and other countries. No matter what your celebratory plans may be this February 14th, may it truly be a wonderful day to celebrate the loved ones in your life! Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Thomas Family Dentistry!
Since February is American Heart Month, it is a great time to take note of your heart health! Cardiovascular disease remains America's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association. Studies have also shown that there is a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, which underscores the importance of good oral health care!
Visting our office on a regular basis can help to prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages. How? Our Dental Team checks each patient for gum disease at each check-up exam and cleaning. Having your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis reduces the oral bacterial count, which can lead to the development of gum disease.
In observance of Heart Month, it is important to know your heart health numbers!
- Blood pressure: less than 120/80
- Cholesterol: less than 200
- BMI: less than 25