Lake Oconee Dentistry - July 2019

3 FOODS MADE FOR GRILLING Get More out of Your Grill This Summer

Everyone knows that an excessive amount of sugar isn’t healthy, but many are unaware of why sugar is bad for teeth. It might surprise you to know that sugar itself isn’t what hurts your teeth; it’s what happens after you consume it. THE BATTLE OF THE MOUTH Our mouths are filled with bacteria, but don’t be alarmed because most of them are helpful rather than harmful. However, these helpful bacteria are at constant odds with those looking to destroy your enamel. Harmful oral bacteria feed on sugars, and when they do, they produce acid which strips healthy minerals from your tooth enamel. This process is known as demineralization. Demineralization is continuously butting heads against another process called remineralization, which replaces destroyed minerals and strengthens the teeth. When someone eats a large quantity of sugars or starches, demineralization can happen more quickly and more often, and remineralization can’t keep up. CAVITIES The constant destruction of the enamel by these acids creates a bacterial infection, which can eat away at your tooth until there is a hole, aka a cavity. Cavities can be treated in many ways depending on their severity. If it has just started, using fluoride treatments can During the summer, the backyard grill becomes the place to be. It’s the best site for sharing grilled meat and memories. But as you grill this summer, why not take a step out of your “meat comfort zone?” Whether you prefer gas or charcoal, just about any backyard grill can be transformed into an all-purpose, high-temperature oven. Get ready to kick some of your favorite foods up a notch! Here are three foods that are great for grilling. PIZZA Making your own pizza at home is incredibly easy. You can make your own dough or buy it at the grocery store. Roll it out, add all your favorite toppings, then toss it on the grill. Just make sure your pizza will fit on the grill first! You may need to make smaller personal pizzas if you have a smaller grill. PRO TIP: The hotter you can get your grill, the better. At 500–600 F, it may only take a few minutes to completely cook the pizza, so don’t leave the grill. This is the best time to use a pizza stone (if you have one) to ensure a golden-brown crust, but you can place the pizza directly on the grill. BREAD There’s nothing like making your own artisan bread at home, and you can do it right on the grill. You can create your own flatbread, rolls, or full loaves with just about any bread recipe. It all

comes down to time and temperature

control. 500 F tends to be a safe bet. If it’s too hot, you’ll overbake the outside while the inside remains raw.

SALSA You can kick up the flavor of any homemade

salsa by first grilling each ingredient you want in your salsa, such as tomatoes, jalapeño, onion, or garlic.

This includes salsa with fruit, such as mangoes or peaches. Allow each ingredient to get a light char, but be sure to remove the charred skin of the tomatoes after grilling. Leaving it on can result in a burnt flavor rather than a smoky one.

THE EFFECTS OF SUGAR ON TEETH

And Improving Your Enamel

increase remineralization and build up enamel again. Another option is to receive a filling, which is a common treatment that fills the hole with various materials, such as porcelain or tooth- colored resins. When the cavity isn’t treated, it burrows deeper into the tooth, causing pain and tooth loss. IMPROVING REMINERALIZATION Making sure your teeth are exposed to constant minerals is the best

method to strengthen your enamel. In addition to using fluoride rinses and toothpastes, keep an eye on your diet. Avoiding sugary foods and consuming fruits and vegetables with high fibers, cheeses and yogurts with calcium and phosphates, and black and green teas to repress harmful bacteria are all ways to improve remineralization.

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