2 HARMFUL HABITS THAT LEAD TO BROKEN TEETH
Do you know when most dental emergencies happen? I’ll give you a hint: “Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus.” That’s right — holiday season. Why is this? Well, the abundance of hard candy and popcorn between October and January wreak havoc on your teeth. Often, when a broken tooth reaches emergency status, it’s actually already been cracked. At that point, all it takes is a piece of hard food for it to reach its breaking point. Fortunately, there are simple ways to improve your tooth health and prevent cracks during the holiday season. First, stop overindulging in sugary foods! Sugar breaks down your enamel, so the more you eat, the weaker your teeth become. Plaque builds up in your mouth whenever you consume food. The bacteria that make up plaque love sugar, and when they consume it, they produce a certain type of acid. This acid wears away healthy tooth enamel and eventually breaks down teeth. Even worse, if you already have a crack (even one you can’t see or feel), sticky, sugary foods will only further irritate the area. And though it might seem like a healthy alternative, dried fruit is on this list of culprits — its dense sugars easily stick to your teeth.
To combat this, make small changes to lower your sugar intake. Replace your daily soda with a cup of tea or sparkling water. Another beneficial change is switching from dried fruits to fresh ones. Sugar aside, you may have another addiction that harms your teeth. Are you a serial fingernail biter or ice chewer? Both habits can lead to cracked and broken teeth. If you aren’t looking to drop a vacation’s worth of dough on your dental visits, consider quitting — and quick. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates habitual nail biters will spend up to $4,000 more in dental bills over their lifetime. Finding a replacement routine for detrimental chewing habits is key to kicking the habit for good. Keep a pack of baby carrots to crunch instead of gnawing on your fingernails. You can also place a rubber band around your wrist and snap it when you’re tempted to nibble a nail. Each painful snap can serve as a reminder to stop your destructive habit. Talk with your dentist about other ways to strengthen your teeth and prevent breakage. After all, you want to spend your holidays in the easy chair, not the dentist’s! BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH SAUSAGE SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES
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Looking for an easy, delicious Thanksgiving side dish? This gem requires only a few ingredients.
Ingredients
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• 1½ pounds Brussels sprouts • ½ cup water • Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil • 3 1/3 ounces fresh, hot Italian sausage
Instructions
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1. Trim sprouts and cut in half. 2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, 3–5 minutes. 3. Add sprouts to skillet. Add ½ cup water. Add salt and pepper. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until just tender. Check them periodically and add a bit more water, if necessary. 4. When sprouts are just about done, remove cover and raise heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring just once or twice, for a couple more minutes. The liquid should evaporate, and the sprouts should start to brown. 5. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot or warm.
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Recipe courtesy of InTheKitchenWithKath.com.
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