The Health Benefits of Chocolate!

 

Written by Dentistry Today Tuesday, 06 August 2013

There is good news for chocolate lovers: new research indicates that chocolate could be considered a “super food,” joining the ranks of blueberries and broccoli. It can even fight tooth decay.

Chocolate is produced from cacao, which contains powerful concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antibacterial properties.

Researchers stress that these benefits apply only to dark chocolate – not milk chocolate – and the higher the natural concentration of cacao, the better.

Some health benefits of chocolate as a super food are:
Fight tooth decay • Because of cacao’s antibacterial properties, dark chocolate may significantly reduce the incidence of plaque, bacteria, and tooth decay.

Better cardiovascular health
• Cacao is rich in polyphenols, a molecule that can significantly improve cardiovascular health by increasing the bioavailability of nitric oxide, which leads to improvements in blood pressure, insulin resistance, and blood lipid levels.

Lower risk of diabetes
• Thanks again to polyphenols, researchers found that individuals who consumed about 40g of dark chocolate daily cut their risk of developing diabetes in half.

Lower body fat percentage
• Antioxidants in dark chocolate reduce inflammation and help alleviate the production of the stress hormones that would otherwise cause weight gain.

Improve mental well-being
• Cacao can promote feelings of calm, clarity, and bliss by stimulating the production of phenethylamine while regulating serotonin.

Other benefits include increased mental clarity and improved management of stress.

Dental Implants can save money, boost quality of life!

Written by Dentistry Today Monday, 08 July 2013 20:32
Dental implants may provide the best way to avoid emptying one’s bank account.A new report in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants demonstrates the ways in which dental implants are a beneficial alternative when compared to conventional tooth replacement treatment.
The report stems from a comprehensive review of all studies published in the English language from 2000 though 2010. The total ended up being 14 studies on the matter.
There were numerous specific findings that came from the study. The first of which was that for single-tooth replacement, implant-based solutions were cheaper than traditional tooth-borne prostheses.
There were also higher initial costs for implant-borne solutions for patients with full dentures. The consensus, however, based on most studies was that dental implants are a long-term, cost-effective treatment option. For older edentulous patients, they were ok with paying for dental implants. There was also a movement for raising the overall level of quality of life based on oral health, which coincided with lower healthcare costs.
The goal of this study was to put all of the recent information on this matter into one study that could end up being the study of record on this matter. Based on the places in which the study appears, the goal has been achieved.

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Celebrate Healthy Hearts

February is American Heart Month! Recent studies suggest there may be a link between oral health and cardiovascular health. Celebrate heart month by creating a health plan that includes regular visits to Dr. Bob for a check-up and cleaning and making sure you complete all recommended treatment. 

Other ways to take care of your heart include:

Eat a healthy diet. Choosing healthful meal and snack options can help you avoid heart disease and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables—adults should have at least 5 servings each day. Eating foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high cholesterol.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for heart disease.

Exercise regularly. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The Surgeon General recommends that adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. 

Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis. You can check your blood pressure at home, at a pharmacy, or at a doctor's office.

Don't smoke. Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, quit as soon as possible. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.

Limit alcohol use. Avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can increase your blood pressure. Men should stick to no more than two drinks per day, and women to no more than one.

Have your cholesterol checked. Your health care provider should test your cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years. Talk with your doctor about this simple blood test.

Manage your diabetes. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels closely, and talk with your doctor about treatment options.

Take your medicine. If you're taking medication to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Always ask questions if you don't understand something.

Happy Holidays

We wish all of you a happy and peaceful holiday season! As a reminder, our office will be closed for the holidays from December 21 to January 2. If you would like to maximize your insurance benefits before the end of the year, please call us to schedule an appointment at 541-343-8527.

Trick or Treat Time!

We wish all of our patients and friends a Happy Halloween! Remember to brush and floss after enjoying your treats.

Stop by our office on October 31 to see Dr. Stephenson and our office staff step back in time.... we are celebrating the 70's for Halloween this year. We hope you have a great Halloween!

Fluoride

More than 65 years ago - on January 25,1945 - Grand Rapids, Michigan became the world's first city to adjust the level of fluoride in its water supply.  Since that time, fluoridation has dramatically improved the oral health of tens of millions of Americans.  Community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed community water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.  Approximately 72.4% of the U.S. population served by public water systems receive the benefit of optimally fluoridated water. 
Fluoridation of community water supplies is simply the adjustment of the existing, naturally occurring fluoride levels in drinking water to an optimal fluoride level recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service (0.7 - 1.2 parts per million) for the prevention of tooth decay.  Water that has been fortified with fluoride is similar to fortifying milk with Vitamin D, table salt with iodine, and bread and cereals with folic acid.
Studies conducted throughout the past 65 years have consistently shown that fluoridation of community water supplies is safe and effective in preventing dental decay in both children and adults. Simply by drinking water, children and adults can benefit from fluoridation's cavity protection whether they are at home, work or school.
Today, studies prove water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing tooth decay by 20-40%, even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste. 
Fluoridation is one public health program that actually saves money.   An individual can have a lifetime of fluoridated water for less than the cost of one dental filling.
 
The American Dental Association continues to endorse fluoridation of community water supplies as safe and effective for preventing tooth decay.  This support has been the Association's position since policy was first adopted in 1950.  The ADA's policies regarding community water fluoridation are based on the overwhelming weight of peer-reviewed, credible scientific evidence.  The ADA, along with state and local dental societies, continues to work with federal, state and local agencies to increase the number of communities benefiting from water fluoridation.        

Article courtesy of ada.org