Give Thanks to Your Teeth

woman expressing thanksEvery November we take an entire Thursday to give thanks, spend time with friends and family, and eat. And eat, and eat. There’s also a tradition of sharing everything that you’re appreciative of. As you go around the dinner table sharing what you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving, let our Lewisburg dental office give you a few reasons why your teeth should be on that list.

Let’s Eat!

Since we are close to Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving means a lot of delicious food, we wanted to start with a reason you should give thanks to your teeth that relates to the occasion. Our teeth help us chew all of those treats spread across the dinner table. Certain types of teeth even have different purposes. The incisors (the front four teeth on top and front four on the bottom) start the process by biting off bits of food. The canines rip and tear while the molars mash, crush, and chew. Our full set of teeth work together to allow us to enjoy as much Thanksgiving food as we (or our pants) can handle.

Talk It Out

Our teeth not only help us eat, they also aid in helping us speak and pronounce words properly. Teeth allow us to form certain sounds and without them, we’d have a difficult time pronouncing any word that contains an ‘f,’ ‘v,’ ‘s,’ ‘th,’ or countless other sounds. When people have difficulty forming certain words or sounds, they may be helped by their dentist in Lewisburg, orthodontics, and a speech therapist.

Let Me Digest That

The digestion process is crucial in how our bodies function as proper digestion allows you to absorb all the nutrients and energize your body. While many may think digestion begins in the stomach, the truth is it begins in your mouth. While chewing, your mouth releases saliva. This saliva contains enzymes that begins the breakdown of food and starts the digestion process. This means chewing your food properly can aid in proper digestion and healthier body.   

Smile, You’ll Feel Better

Research has supported a strong link between smiling and a boost in mood and reduction in stress. But not just any smile will do. A big smile that activates the muscles around the eyes is key to getting these mood-enhancing effects. If you’re someone who tends to hide your teeth behind a tight lipped grin because you don’t like your smile, consider cosmetic dentistry to transform both your smile and your mood.

Everyone at our dental office in Lewisburg wishes you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!  

Welcoming patients from Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Williamsport.

5 Tips to Help You Avoid The Flu

couple with the fluAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the months of October and November are when influenza activity begins to increase. And although flu season doesn’t tend to peak until December through February, getting ahead of the flu and preparing yourself and your family to avoid it is half of the battle. Our dental office in Lewisburg compiled the top tips to help you prevent the flu this year.

Keep Things Clean & Sanitized

One of the easiest ways to come down with a bug is to touch something that was recently touched by another person who was loaded with germs. Some germs that can make us really sick can live for a long time on surfaces. To protect yourself and your family make sure you clean and sanitize often. Consider areas that are touched a lot like door knobs, toys, toilets, and faucets.  

Wash Your Hands

This is the most common advice given by doctors and mothers alike. And with good reason. Washing your hands goes a long way in removing any germs we may have come in contact with throughout the day. Ideally you should use warm water and soap to clean in between each finger, all over the palms, and even under fingernails. If you won’t have access to a sink and soap, carry an alcohol-based sanitizer.

Don’t Touch Your Face

The CDC sites that a common way germs are transferred from one person to another is by first touching an infected surface then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. These body parts act as a direct route to the rest of your body, and if germs enter one of them, you’re almost guaranteed to get sick. Keep your hands away from your face.

Eat Well

Following a well balanced diet can keep your body performing optimally and in good germ fighting condition. Make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and veggies and enough protein to keep you strong. In fact, research shows a diet with too little protein can lead to a weak immune system.  

Drink Well

Along with eating well, drinking enough fluids, particularly water, keeps your body working the way it’s intended to. A well-hydrated body keeps white blood cells healthy and ready to fight off germs. Plus, it will make your dentist in Lewisburg happy, too.

The team at our Lewisburg dental office hopes you and your loved ones avoid the flu this season, but if you happen to come down with it we encourage you to use sugar-free medications to keep your mouth protected.

Accepting new patients from Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, and Williamsport.