5 FUN FACTS TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Teeth are a marvel. Each is unique and special, a one-of- a-kind bodily creation that allows us to eat and bite. Their enigmatic beauty points to myriad fun facts about our mouths and dental care in general, such as these. Toothpaste is ancient. Fluoride toothpaste may be relatively new, but toothpaste has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used a paste made of hooves, pumice, and other abrasive materials. They were on to something with the pumice — dentists still use it to clean teeth. Early Romans, Greeks, and Chinese used ground bones to clean their pearly whites. You produce a lot of saliva. Most saliva is recycled, as we’re constantly swallowing and reabsorbing our spit. About 30 milliliters of saliva flow through our mouths every hour, depending on the activity
(chewing, speaking, etc.). To be more illustrative, approximately one wine bottle of saliva flows through our mouths every 24 hours. Over our entire lifetime, that equates to about 20,000 liters! Enamel is tough. Enamel is the hardest substance in your body; it’s even stronger than bone. Its durability comes from its dense structure — calcium and phosphorus bond to form tiny crystallites, creating a powerful protection for our teeth. Unfortunately, enamel is also the only substance in our bodies that doesn’t grow back. Every mouth is full of bacteria. Your mouth is a world of its own. The complex ecosystem hosts more than 200–300 forms of bacteria, with a total population in the millions. The primary nemesis to your dental hygiene is streptococcus mutans, which converts sugar and carbohydrates into acids that erode teeth. Acid is a major dental adversary. Besides sugar, acid is a significant contributor to tooth decay. Acid corrodes and punches holes in the enamel, making your teeth vulnerable to cavities. The most common sources of acid are beverages: This not only includes sugary drinks like soda and juice but also seemingly harmless beverages like lemon water and unsweetened tea. Remember how unique your pearly whites are when you consider pushing off your nightly brush. Remind yourself of how strong yet vulnerable your enamel is and appreciate the incredible composition of your teeth. Better yet, just think of the millions of bacteria in your mouth. Doing so is sure to inspire you to brush more often.
Scallops and Spring Vegetables With Olive-Caper Pan Sauce
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 8 oz sea scallops, tough side muscle removed • Pinch of ground pepper • 8 oz asparagus (1/2 bunch), trimmed • 6 oz baby carrots, halved lengthwise
• 1 medium shallot, minced • 5 pitted green olives, coarsely chopped • 1 tbsp capers, chopped • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1/4 cup dry white wine • 1 tbsp butter • Chopped fresh parsley to garnish
Directions
1. In a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tbsp oil. Pat scallops dry and sprinkle with pepper. Add scallops to pan and cook, flipping once, until browned and just cooked through, 1 1/2–2 minutes per side. Set aside. 2. In the pan, add remaining 1 tbsp oil, asparagus, and carrots and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 2–3 minutes. 3. Add shallot, olives, capers, and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. 4. Add wine and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add butter; stir until melted. 5. Place veggies next to scallops, then drizzle with pan sauce. Serve with parsley if desired.
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