Thankful For A Healthy Smile

I am thankful for my family, my friends and my home...but I'm extra thankful for Turkey and Pumpkin Pie!

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OK...so when you think about Thanksgiving and all of the delicious foods to be had, it’s safe to say you probably don't think that the words Thanksgiving and Healthy go hand in hand. But, believe it or not, we are here to tell you...you’ll have reason to feel less guilty when indulging in the feast this Turkey Day.

There are some added benefits a few of the traditional Thanksgiving foods will have on your teeth. 

Turkey 

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Not only is turkey the main attraction on the table, but it benefits your body and teeth in several ways due to its high protein content. Protein has phosphorus in it and when phosphorus mixes with calcium and vitamin D, it creates strong bones and teeth....just one more reason to keep smiling!  

Cranberries

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Cranberry sauce is rich in nutrients, including vitamins C and A, beta-carotene and potassium. Cranberries also help protect your teeth by interfering with the bacteria in your mouth that causes plaque. 

 

Pumpkin Pie 

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It's pretty clear...pumpkin pie is delicious. But did you know that pumpkin pulp is a good source of Vitamin A, potassium and fiber, all of which help build tooth enamel. And...as if that wasn't enough...pumpkin seeds are a good source of magnesium, a nutrient that can help strengthen your teeth.

So when it’s time to sink your teeth into your holiday meal, go ahead and grab a big helping of turkey and an extra slice of pumpkin pie, as these are great foods in helping you achieve a healthy smile.

Men in Aprons

Calling all men to the kitchen! 

November 5th, is National Men Make Dinner Day. 

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This is the day for men to take charge in the kitchen and cook for their loved ones. Always celebrated on the first Thursday of each November, this day was created by Sandy Sharkey in 2001 for men who don’t know their way around the kitchen, as well as for the women in their lives who need a break. 

Unlike other national holidays you’re familiar with…this holiday has a few rules. So men...pay attention as we cover the most important rules for today.

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Rule #1: The main meal must include a minimum of 4 ingredients and require at least one cooking utensil other than a fork. 

Rule #2: Experienced female cooks may not assist in the meal. The men need to do it all by themselves…including selecting the recipe and shopping for all necessary ingredients. 

Rule #3: Men must use the “clean as you go” rule.  

Rule #4: No take out or prepared foods are allowed. And no Bar-B-Ques. 

Rule #5: After dinner, men must clear the table and load the dishwasher. After which… the men should return to the table for stimulating after-dinner conversation. 

Now, men…don’t get nervous… if you've never cooked before, make it simple. But if you like to cook, make something that might be a little challenging. And remember…you’re not trying to win this season’s MasterChef, you’re just giving the female chefs in your life a break for 1 measly day and celebrating an un-official national holiday, that quite frankly, should be proclaimed super official by Congress and the President as we speak.

 

Now get in the kitchen and cook up a storm! 

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Don't Try This At Home

DIY Orthodontic Treatment

Don’t you just love the internet? Anything you ever wanted to know is available to you online. Need to build a bookshelf? You can find how online. Want to change the oil in your car? There are tons of Do-it-Yourself videos online. Isn't it nice how the internet makes us feel like we can do anything and everything ourselves? 

You may have already seen the new trend that has taken the internet by storm, but unlike other Do-it-Yourself videos available online…we don’t want you trying this one at home. 

DIY Orthodontic Treatment is a new, dangerous trend. And while it's cool to do things on your own, when it comes to the health of your teeth and gums the Do-it-Yourself approach can leave you with very little to smile about. 

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A series of YouTube videos have appeared showing people how to create their own braces. We want you to know that anyone trying this is putting their teeth, gums and jaw bones at risk for serious damage. This quick fix offers rubber bands as a DIY orthodontic solution.  People are being told that simply by putting a rubber band around their teeth the spaces or gaps will close. Because of the known risks, orthodontists consider the unsupervised movement of teeth to be below the standard of care which can result in permanent tooth loss. 

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Your teeth are connected to your gums and your blood supply. Trying to move your teeth without the supervision of an orthodontic specialist puts you at risk for infection, tearing of the gums and damaging the attachment between the tooth and gums so the tooth no longer gets the support it needs. Any time a dental procedure is taken on by an untrained, unsupervised individual there is a substantial risk for irreparable damage. 

For the health and safety of the public, The American Association of Orthodontists is urging anyone considering any type of teeth straightening procedure to see an orthodontic specialist. 

Dr. Mark Lenz is a trained, qualified specialist who can diagnose and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws. If you are seeking orthodontic treatment please contact our office and never consider Do-it-Yourself short cuts. 

If you're concerned about the financial obligation involved in receiving orthodontic care from a qualified specialist like Dr. Mark Lenz…don’t be. At Lenz Orthodontics our goal is to provide you with affordable, high-quality orthodontic treatment that fits within your budget. We offer competitive pricing with a variety of payment options, including no-down-payment, interest-free payment plans, credit card payments and outside financing.

Orthodontic Awareness Month

October is National Orthodontic Awareness Month! 

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National Orthodontic Awareness Month is an awareness campaign created cooperatively by orthodontists and other dental health professionals. During the month of October, our office makes a special effort to promote the importance of orthodontic health to our community. 

If you have never been to an orthodontist before, you might not know what to expect. Meeting with Dr. Lenz and his staff is a great way to find out what kind of people you’ll be seeing during your treatment. This is also a time to get your questions answered and to learn more about what an orthodontist can do for you and your family. 

Dental health is something that affects everyone. Healthy teeth and gums contribute to a healthy smile and a lifetime of comfort and well-being. We look forward to seeing you and your family this October!