It’s National French Fry Day! Don’t forget to add a side of fries today to celebrate!
Can Strawberries Whiten Your Teeth?
July 7th is National Strawberry Sundae Day. Although this delicious treat has many flavorful variations, all strawberry sundaes are topped with a bountiful helping of sliced, whole, or chopped strawberries.
Fun facts: Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside and are a member of the rose family.
We would like to take this opportunity to talk about the dental benefits of strawberries. Strawberries are loaded with vitamin C, which helps your body make collagen for healthy gums. Strawberries also contain xylitol, which prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to your teeth. Read more about the Nutritional Benefits of the Strawberry.
Finally, this leaves us with the big question… Can Strawberries Whiten Your Teeth?
Yes! Strawberries contain the tooth-whitening enzyme called malic acid, which can brighten up a dull smile. Remember that berries are very acidic and using this home remedy too frequently could damage the enamel on your teeth.
There are only two ingredients in this strawberry whitening recipe:
- 1 Strawberry
- 1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
Follow these simple instructions to get your whiter smile using the strawberry / baking soda mix method:
- Puree or crush one strawberry.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix well.
- Dip your toothbrush into the mixture.
- Coat your teeth well.
- Let the mixture sit on your teeth for about 5 minutes.
- Brush your teeth with regular toothpaste and floss right away.
Of course, nothing is as effective as a professional whitening treatment. However, there are whitening toothpastes and natural whitening methods that can be used in moderation to help maintain your bright, stain-free smile. Always remember to brush as soon as possible after eating acidic and sugary foods.
Don’t forget dental checkups and cleanings should be done every 6 months to maintain your healthy smile. Contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560 to make your next appointment. Our friendly staff will find a day and time that works best with your busy schedule. We have appointment times before and after work hours 7 am to 7 pm for your convenience. We look forward to hearing from you!
It’s a special day to spend with your furry friend. Today is National Take Your Dog to Work Day! Don’t forget the treats!
Protect Your Smile During Summer Air Travel
Many families utilize summer time months for their family vacations, which may include some air travel. Although flights can be fun and exciting, when you reach a certain altitude the pressure may cause some pain or discomfort. If you have any dental conditions that you are not aware of, such as a cavity or infection, your flight can become a very unpleasant experience. If you are planning air travel this summer, there are some simple steps you can take for you and your family to ensure a painless and worry-free family adventure.
You can protect your smile during summer air travel by:
- Staying on top of your routine dental checkups – Make an appointment with South Tampa Smiles prior to your air travel. This will alleviate the possibility of any undiscovered dental problems that can cause discomfort during your flight. Also make your dental checkup far enough in advance to allow enough time to have any restorative work completed that may be found during your dental exam.
- Packing the right oral health care essentials pre-flight – If you are bringing carry-on bags, packing travel-size toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss can be quite helpful. Having a pain reliever on hand if you have concerns of potential discomfort once you are in the air is also a good idea. Pressure can sometimes cause a certain amount of discomfort even if your oral health is in check.
At South Tampa Smiles, we love sharing helpful tips so you can be prepared at worry-free on your next vacation. Protect your smile during summer air travel and give us a call to schedule your next dental checkup. This will help ward off any potential issues that cause a “less than favorable” flight. We look forward to hearing from you!
South Tampa Smiles
(813) 289 – 0560
Dental Care for an Expecting Mother
The discovery of a new pregnancy is a beautiful blessing that brings the expecting parents much joy and excitement. Taking the right steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy is important and becomes every woman’s focus over the course of the next nine months. Continuous prenatal care along with a healthy diet and exercise plan, help your body acclimate to the many changes you are experiencing. We would like to share a few tips focusing on dental care for an expecting mother.
The changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy also have an impact on her state of oral health. Proper dental care is extremely important due to the fact that dental problems can increase the risk of complications. Pregnancy and your changing body can sometimes lead to dental conditions that you normally wouldn’t be prone to experiencing. Keeping informed about dental health problems due to pregnancy will help with your overall health throughout the nine months and further into your recovery period afterwards.
Common Concerns that Affect Dental Care for an Expecting Mother Include:
- Swollen Gums – Pregnancy Gingivitis affects about 50% of pregnant women. Your gums may become tender, swollen and cause some bleeding.
- Vomiting – Gastric reflux associated with morning sickness can coat your teeth with strong stomach acids that can damage tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.
- Food Cravings – Sometimes those cravings can be harmful on your teeth. Cravings for acidic foods, such as pickles or sugary foods such as ice cream, can erode enamel and lead to tooth decay.
- Hormonal Changes – Fluctuations in hormone levels can increase the blood flow to the gums, which can increase plaque bacteria, cause gum disease and promote tooth decay.
Along with your regular gynecology appointments, make sure to schedule your regular dental checkups to ensure overall health throughout your entire pregnancy experience.
Schedule a preventative appointment with us at South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560.
Happy Motherhood!
For further Reading on dental health for an expecting mother, visit BetterHealth.
Protect Your Lips from the Sun
Summertime is here! It’s time to get out there and enjoy some of your favorite “fun in-the-sun” activities, but remember to use sunscreen to protect your skin from those harmful rays. However, one commonly forgotten body part that also needs UV protection is our lips. The skin on the lips is thinner and more vulnerable than the rest of our bodies. Sun exposure destroys collagen, so it thins the lips even more over time.
Use Lip Balm to Protect Your Lips
Just the same as applying regular sunscreen prevents future sagging and aging of the skin on your face and body, sunscreen should be applied to the lips as well. Use a good lip balm with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to help protect your lips from the sun’s damaging rays.
Choose a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 (preferably 30+) and apply it about 30 minutes before you go out in the sun. Keep it on hand and reapply every 2 to three hours, or even more frequently when swimming. Keep in mind that shiny lip-gloss attracts light, which increases exposure and increases the chance of developing skin cancer.
Sunburned Lip Care
If you do happen to get sunburned on your lips, apply petroleum jelly to keep them moist and keep sun exposure to a minimum until your lips are completely healed. It only takes a few simple steps to ensure protection and care for your skin and lips. By doing so, you will still be able to enjoy some of your favorite outdoor activities through the summer months without worrying about any negative effects.
As always, stay on top of your dental exams and cleanings. South Tampa Smiles provides complete exams, which includes oral cancer screening. Give us a call for your next dental visit at (813) 289 – 0560. We look forward to hearing from you!
