Lifetime Dental Care - October 2017

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www.eauclairedental.com | (715) 257-4335 LIFETIME PAGES OCT 2017

As with many families, Halloween held a special place in the Butchert household. Thinking back 30 years to when my kids were young, I recall two very different Halloween nights. The first one was a stormy night when my kids were about 8 or 9. As the storm set in that Halloween, temperatures dipped below freezing. There was snow and sleet, but being from the Midwest, we weren’t about to let a little bad weather and freezing temperatures deter us from making the most of Halloween. In costume, the kids bundled up and we went out trick- or-treating. The kids collected their candy and we got it done, though it may have been in record time. Then, a year or so later, the weather threw us another curveball. The weather was perfect. Going into late afternoon and evening, the temperature was in the 70s, and it was sunny and clear. Everyone was getting into the festivities, and I remember a few high school kids who put little to no effort into their costumes coming around to collect candy. Of course, as a parent, once the trick-or-treating had wrapped up and the kids went to bed, it was up to me to check on the candy. I wanted to make sure everything was all right, including the Butterfingers. Or, I should say, especially the Butterfingers. You never want your kids to end up with subpar Butterfingers. The next morning, my kids would come to me thinking some of their candy was missing, but was it really? You can never really tell with these things. These days, with the kids grown and with their own families, Halloween is quieter. But it’s fun to reflect on all the memories we made over the years. Switching gears, I want to talk about a topic that goes hand-in-hand with Halloween: sugar, or more specifically, high fructose corn syrup. And no, this doesn’t have anything to do with cavities. I recently read a report put together by a Stanford researcher who has been studying high fructose corn syrup and its effects on the body. As you may know, high fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, is a type of sugar and additive that is in a lot of processed food, including candy and soft drinks. THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN

Interestingly, the body processes HFCS differently than regular cane sugar. For instance, when you ingest cane sugar, the liver neutralizes about 20 percent of it. The other 80 percent is processed by the body in different ways. Some of it ends up in the blood stream and is used for energy almost immediately. On the other hand, HFCS, and fructose in general, is neutralized by the liver at a much higher rate. In fact, most of the fructose you ingest will be processed by the liver. But what does that mean? When I say “neutralized” it doesn’t mean you’re free and clear. The liver converts that fructose into fat, which is then stored in the body until it’s burned off (usually by way of physical activity and exercise). While most of us, including dentists, point to candy as a source of tooth decay, it also impacts the health of the liver. Sugary foods and drinks, particularly those made with HFCS, can lead to fatty liver. There’s a good chance many of today’s younger people, namely Millennials who grew up with foods loaded with HFCS, will have liver problems as they age. It may be a major health concern in the years to come. There was a time in my life when I resolved not to eat sugar. I had just graduated from dental school and it was my first year as a dentist. That year, I made a New Year’s resolution to remove sugar from my diet for a full year. And I did pretty well. It was challenging, for sure, but I managed. I even managed an awkward situation when I was invited to a friend’s house for dinner. His wife had made a delicious-looking pie and I had to decline. Of course, don’t let me dampen the Halloween holiday spirit! It’s all about moderation. That said, I hope you and your family have a fun and safe Halloween and create memories that last a lifetime. - Dr. Anthony Butchert

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HOW TO DO THE LEAST DAMAGE TO YOUR TEETH THIS HALLOWEEN

Lollipops. When it comes to how bad something is for your teeth, frequency and length of exposure is more harmful than quantity. Theoretically, it’s better for your teeth to eat five candy bars than one sucker (it’s just not as good for your waistline). Lollipops will rest millimeters from your teeth for 10–20 minutes. Gummy worms . Besides being high in sugar, these candies, and really anything sour and gummy, are among the most acidic. Foods with high acidic content wear down the enamel of your teeth, regardless of how much sugar is involved. Anything sticky. We’re looking at you, caramel. Anything you can’t eat with braces is probably too sticky for your teeth. Bit O’ Honeys and Tootsie Rolls are among the worst offenders.

Oil and water. Drinking and driving. Dentists and Halloween. There are some things that do not mix. But, what if we told you that most dentists go trick-or-treating with their kids and even sneak a treat or two from their kids’ buckets?

Dentists know better

than anyone else how unrealistic it is to keep people from eating extra sweets during Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas. But there’s a smart way to do it — a way that will really damage your teeth — namely, eating anything and everything with abandon.

On the other hand, some candies are much easier on your pearly whites:

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Dark chocolate

• Sugarless gum and other sugarless candies made with stevia or other sugar substitutes • Candy bars with nuts

First and foremost, Halloween night might be the most important night of the year to brush your teeth. That should be obvious. Now that we’ve established that, let’s look at two candies that you should partake of sparingly, or just avoid altogether:

So, enjoy yourself, be deliberate about your candy, and remember that Halloween is game time for your toothbrush.

“I had a very bad experience with the dentist as a child. So, for years, I dreaded going and would avoid it at all costs. I got in with Lifetime, and I sucked it up and went. I was very nervous, but things quickly changed. My hygienist was very nice and did everything she could to make me feel comfortable. Dr. Tony came by after my cleaning, and he was a very energetic, nice guy. I got the work done that I needed, and they talked me through everything that was going on while cracking a few jokes here and there. It was painless and fast. Thanks to the people at Lifetime Dental, I am no longer afraid of the dentist! I would recommend them to anyone.” What Our Patients Are Saying TESTIMONIALS

–AARON D.

“Dr. Tony is the best! He constantly pursues continuing education to provide the highest-quality care. His personality puts you at ease, and you can tell he and his staff really care about their patients.”

–MARIE B.

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ANOTHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT The Hidden Dangers of Sleep Apnea

If you have a bed partner who snores, you’ve likely experienced a few sleepless nights. Maybe you’ve even been forced to seek refuge on the couch. Lack of sleep can certainly have a negative impact on your health, but did you know your partner’s snoring may also be harming their health, too? Unusually loud or erratic snoring, the kind that keeps you up at night, is a common symptom of undiagnosed sleep apnea. Far more than just loud snoring, sleep apnea causes severe oxygen deprivation, and this disorder can wreak havoc on your body. Research shows major health risks increase in patients with undiagnosed sleep apnea. TYPE 2 DIABETES The International Diabetes Federation reports a strong connection between sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea experience increased in glucose and chronic fatigue, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes. Undiagnosed sleep apnea can also make it much harder for patients to safely control their diabetes. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART DISEASE If your airways are obstructed during sleep, your body struggles to take in enough oxygen. This causes extra

strain on your veins. High blood pressure and heart disease are common in patients with undiagnosed sleep apnea, and the American Heart Association warns that individuals with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer a heart attack. INCREASED RISK OF STROKE Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and some researchers suspect sleep apnea may be to blame. The American Stroke Association found individuals with undiagnosed sleep apnea are three times more likely to suffer from a stroke than patients who don’t have or are properly treating their sleep apnea. Snoring isn’t the only sign of sleep apnea. Other common symptoms include morning headaches, dry mouth or sore throat, mood swings, trouble concentrating, and feeling exhausted even after a full night of sleep. If you suspect sleep apnea might be harming your loved

one’s health, don’t ignore it. Dr. Butchert’s Ez Sleep System can help address the causes of sleep apnea. Call 715-257-4335 to get your sleep, and your health, back.

REFRIED BEAN POBLANOS WITH CHEESE

HAVE A LAUGH!

This vegetarian meal comes together in less than 15 minutes. It’s the perfect way to avoid takeout on a busy weeknight.

INGREDIENTS

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1/2 cup picante sauce

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4 medium poblano chilies, halved and seeded 1 (16-ounce) can fat-free refried beans 1 (8.8-ounce) pouch microwaveable cooked long-grain rice

1 cup (4 ounces) pre-shredded reduced- fat 4-cheese Mexican blend

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Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

DIRECTIONS 1. Place chili halves, cut sides up, on a round microwave-safe plate. Cover with wax paper; microwave on high 3 minutes. 2. While chilies cook, combine beans, rice, and picante sauce in a medium bowl, stirring well. Spoon bean mixture into chili halves. Cover with wax paper; microwave on high 2 minutes. 3. Uncover chilies, sprinkle each half with 2 tablespoons cheese, and microwave on high 1–2 minutes or until cheese melts. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.

Recipe courtesy of CookingLight.com

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The Spirit of Halloween 1 2 2 3 3 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Worst Candies for Your Teeth Hear What Our Patients Are Saying Is Snoring a Danger to Your Health Refried Bean Poblanos With Cheese 5 Fascinating Facts About Fall

5 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT FALL

Just because summer is over, that doesn’t signal an end to fun. How about those Halloween parties, sweater weather, and football season? The list goes on and on.

tend to get less sun. It’s another reason to be careful about diet and exercise this season.

4. Autumn is good for the economy. “Leaf peeping,” which is a slang term for fall foliage tourism, is more than just a funny name. It’s

In fact, fall might be the most interesting season of them all. Here are five facts you probably didn’t know about the season.

1. It was originally called “harvest.” The reasons for that should be fairly obvious. In a world that was far more agricultural, the season was defined by the harvesting of crops. It’s also a reference to the harvest moon, which was essential to farmers during the season. The names “autumn” and “fall” have no known origins, but fall is used almost exclusively in America. 2. Fall babies tend to be impressive. Not only does the world’s most common birthday, October 5, land in fall, but those babies have built an impressive resume. The British Department for Education found that they tend to do better in school and also tend to live longer. 3. Weight gain is most common in the fall . It’s not only the Halloween candy or Thanksgiving turkey. Researchers believe it’s primarily caused by lower levels of vitamin D. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, we

also a $3 billion industry in New England alone.

So, if you thought winter and summer were the only seasons that brought along seasonal tourism spikes, you thought wrong.

5. People fall in love more in the fall. Men and women’s testosterone levels tend to spike in the autumn, which makes women even more attractive to men than in the summer months. A data study on Facebook also found that more people change their relationship status from “single” to “in a relationship” during the fall than any other season.