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8 Dental Tips For a Healthy & Happy Halloween

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Little girl trick-or-treating at a door. Woman answering the door has candy and a mask.

Trick-or-Treat!

Halloween is just around the corner, which for most kids means lots of candy! But the holiday can also present parents with a number of health challenges, especially when it comes to their children’s oral health. Halloween can and should be fun, but it’s important to have a plan so that you and your family don’t overdo it on the sweets. Here are eight tips to help you keep your Halloween as healthy as possible.

1.) Choose wisely.

Believe it or not, some candies are better for your teeth than others. Try and avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long period of time. The length of time sugary candy is in your mouth plays a huge role in tooth decay. Choose candies that dissolve quickly or kinds that are chewable.

2.) Only have candy with meals.

Next, we recommend that you only eat your Halloween candy with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals, which helps to cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth. Additionally, saliva helps to rinse away food particles.

3.) Avoid sticky treats.

Sticky things, especially candy, cling to your teeth. The stickier candies such as taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva. The longer the candy stays on your teeth, the higher the risk is for developing tooth decay. If you do indulge in sticky candy, be sure to brush and floss soon after.

4.) Moderation is key.

Just like everything, too much of anything isn’t a good thing. The same rule applies to candy. Limit your candy intake to a set number of pieces per day. Your teeth AND your body will thank you.

5.) Hydrate with fluoride.

Give your teeth a little boost this Halloween with fluoride.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. It helps to prevent tooth decay by making your teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in your mouth. Additionally, it reverses early tooth decay.

If you drink bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.

6.) Keep it in the candy.

Since you’re going to be eating candy for the next few weeks, it’s important to cut out the sugar from your liquid diet. When your teeth come in contact with beverages that contain sugar, your risk of tooth decay is increased.

This includes soda, sports drinks, and flavored waters. Your teeth are already more vulnerable during the holidays, and by cutting out sugary drinks, you’ll help your body balance things out.

7.) Consider donating.

We know it’s tempting to keep your Halloween candy laying around, but we recommend you have your family pick out their favorites and donate the rest. There are a number of great charities that will gladly take in your unused candy. Operation Gratitude is a favorite organization of ours. They collect and donate sweet treats for our deployed troops and first responders. You’ll be doing something good for yourself and others.

8.) Chew sugar-free gum.

Chewing sugarless gum for at least 20 minutes after mealtime helps to reduce tooth decay. This is because increased saliva flow washes out food and neutralizes the acid produced by bacteria. If you’re craving something sweet, but you’re over your limit on candy for the day– grab a piece of sugar-free gum.

Happy Halloween!!!Cartoon trick or treat jack o' lantern filled with candy

We hope you have a very safe, happy, and healthy Halloween. As a reminder, if it’s been over six months since your last cleaning appointment–you’re due! Make one today.

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

 

Salem White Spot Removal

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Have a smile you can be proud of.

Have you ever felt like covering your mouth while laughing, or trying not to smile because you’re self- conscious about the white spots on your teeth? We understand how you feel about your teeth can have a big impact on your self-esteem. The good news is, now you can achieve a smile that you can be proud of with very little effort and time.

Causes

White spots are actually pretty common and can come from one of three causes.

The first cause is fluorosis, which happens when you have an excess of fluoride in your system. It can occur from over fluoridated water, or from ingesting too much fluoride toothpaste while your teeth are still forming.

The next reason you might have white spots is called enamel hypoplasia. This stems from a number of different medical issues including high fever, malnutrition, or as a side effect of certain medications. There’s also evidence that prenatal smoking can be a contributing factor.

The final cause of white spots is from demineralization. This occurs when your tooth enamel loses minerals including calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions. In addition to white spots, it can also lead to osteoporosis or tooth decay.

The Solution

Teeth before icon (white spots visible.)

Before treatment with icon.

A pair of teeth with no white spots after being treated with icon.

After treatment with icon.

In the past, if you had white spots that you wanted to have removed, the treatment was invasive. That has all changed with Icon. Icon was developed in Europe and has over a decade of success. The process is simple. First, we treat the affected area with a pre-treated special gel. Next, we place another gel on it to dry your tooth. Once your tooth is dry, we’ll apply the Icon resin material. It penetrates the affected area, filling and sealing your tooth. When the treatment is complete, your white spots will be completely gone.

Pain-Free

For many people, fear keeps them away from the dentist. In those cases, often what could have been a quick, easy fix becomes much more complicated. Instead of a simple filling, they may end up needing a root canal treatment. But because of past traumatic experiences, they avoid the quick and easy fix.

With Icon, this isn’t an issue.

One of the best things about the procedure is that it’s completely pain-free. There’s no need for numbing since there’s no drilling. To top it all off, it’s all done in just one appointment!

Make an Appointment

If you’re suffering from embarrassing white spots, call our office to schedule an appointment. If you’d prefer, click here to request an appointment online. We look forward to treating you.

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

Pregnancy and Your Oral Health

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Pregnant? Congratulations!

A pregnant bare belly.

Being pregnant can be exciting, but it also brings on a whole new set of challenges. When it comes to your oral health, pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase your chances of developing gum disease. If this occurs, it can have serious effects on your unborn baby. Luckily, there’s a number of things you can do to help reduce the risk. Here are 6 things you need to know about pregnancy and your oral health.

1.) Prenatal Care.

If your pregnancy is planned, one thing you can do for the health of yourself and your baby is to stay on top of your dental health before you get pregnant. That way, your pearly whites can be professionally cleaned, gum tissue can be examined, and any oral health problems can be addressed and treated ahead of time.

2.) Check With Your Doctor.

Routine dental care can be done at any time during your pregnancy, along with anything urgent. But, any elective dental procedures should be done after your baby is born.

According to the American Dental Association, having dental x-rays during your pregnancy is considered safe with appropriate shielding. Just be sure to let us know.

Additionally, before you have your dental appointment, talk to your OBGYN to see if they have any special instructions for you.

3.) Pregnancy Gingivitis.

When you’re pregnant, it’s important to pay even more attention to your teeth and gums. Pregnancy causes changes that put you at an increased risk for gum disease and for tender gums that bleed easily– a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. Pay particular attention to any changes in your gums during pregnancy. If tenderness, bleeding, or gum swelling occurs at any time– contact us as soon as possible.

4.) Morning Sickness.

If morning sickness is keeping you from brushing your teeth, try changing to a bland-tasting toothpaste. In addition, if you suffer from morning sickness and vomit frequently– rinse your mouth out with water or a mouth rinse. If you brush right after, you’ll risk damaging your tooth enamel.

5.) Diet.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet while pregnant is key. Believe it or not, your baby’s first teeth begin to develop about three months into your pregnancy. We highly recommend a healthy diet that contains dairy, since it’s a great source of essential minerals that will help to develop your baby’s teeth, gums, and bones.

For the sake of your own dental health, try and avoid sugary snacks as much as possible. Sweet cravings are common during pregnancy, but it’s important to keep in mind that the more frequently you snack– the greater your chances are of developing tooth decay.

6.) After Birth.

After you’ve had your bundle of joy, soon after delivery you should schedule an appointment to have your entire mouth examined and periodontal health evaluated.

From there, you can resume your normal dental care routine and continue to see us once every six months.

Make an Appointment

If you’re pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or just need a check-up– you can make an appointment here. We look forward to seeing you!

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Burba Dental Partners: Our Other Services

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At Burba Dental Partners, our passion is beautiful, durable dentistry.

Some dental offices only focus on cleanings and other basic, restorative work. While we have these services, we additionally offer a plethora of others. Since Dr. Stanley and Dr. Randy always like to provide their patients with a clear understanding of their care, we wanted to give you a detailed description of some our most popular procedures. Our goal is to give you a smile that looks as good as it feels!

Smile Makeovers

You too can have a stunning smile!

Are you someone who’s unhappy with their smile? Occasionally, our patients come in for a smile makeover knowing exactly what kind of smile they’re looking for. They even provide us with pictures. Other times, all they know is that they want to improve their smile– without knowing exactly how. Either way, we can help you get the smile you’ve always dreamed about.

There are essentially three types of smiles: youthful, sophisticated, and sporty. Within these frameworks, we can do any number of variations in shape, size, and color.

Once you’ve decided on the basic framework of your smile, we’ll work out other details, including the exact color. Take a look at some of the gorgeous smiles we’ve created! We know you’ll be happy with the result because we guarantee all of our smiles.

Dental Implants

Another common procedure we perform is placing dental implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that supports a crown. It’s made of titanium and surgically placed into your jawbone to replace your missing tooth root. Once your custom-made crown is placed on the implant, it’ll function just like a natural tooth. You’ll be able to eat with the same efficiency, and no special dental hygiene procedures are needed.

The implants are placed in a two-step process. First, the root form is surgically implanted in your jawbone, just below your gumline. Then, bone grows in tightly around the implant during a process called osseointegration, which anchors it to the jawbone.

The final step is placing a crown on the implant– which completes the tooth restoration.

Invisalign

Finally, there’s a new option in orthodontics. No longer do you need bulky, uncomfortable metal brackets filling your mouth in order to straighten your teeth. With Invisalign, you can have a beautiful, straight smile in half the time of traditional braces.

First, Dr. Burba will take a detailed impression of your teeth. Three-dimensional images of the impressions are programmed into a computer that will manufacture a set of aligners designed specifically for you. When you get your first set of aligners they’ll feel like they don’t fit– which is intentional. The aligners are gently moving your teeth into a new position. After about two weeks, they’ll fit naturally. Then, it’s time for the next set of aligners. This process continues until your teeth are perfectly straight.

This new computerized method is much more accurate than other orthodontics. Because of that, Invisalign works in about six months to a year– which is half the time of traditional braces!

Make an Appointment

 

If it’s been over six months since your last cleaning– you’re due!

Keep in mind, these are just some of the things we offer. To see a full list, please visit our website. If you’d like to know if you’re a candidate for any of our services, but you aren’t ready to schedule an exam– we’d be happy to have you come in for a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors. Just give us a call, or visit our appointment page. We can’t wait to meet you!

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! In his free time, he often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

 

Make This Halloween Tooth Friendly

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Happy Halloween!

Trick-or-Treat.

Just thinking about Halloween candy and its effect on your children’s teeth is enough to make you want to avoid the holiday all together. But don’t fret, your kids CAN eat candy, and trick-or-treat with their friends– and still be healthy.

Tooth Decay in Children

More than half of all children have cavities by the second grade.

The U.S. Surgeon General recognizes oral health as critical to overall well-being. Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, cavities are a chronic disease that’s five times more common than asthma among our nation’s children.

The majority of tooth decay occurs from eating foods that contain sugars or starches that enable bacteria in dental plaque to produce acids. If the acids remain in their mouth for longer than 20 minutes, it can lead to a loss of tooth minerals and eventually– cavities.

Making Better Choices

The kind of candy they eat makes a difference.

Choosing the right kinds of candies and snacks this Halloween is a crucial part to keeping your kiddos teeth healthy.

Try and avoid lollipops or any hard candies that will allow large amounts of sugar to sit in their mouth for long periods of time. If your child licks a piece of hard candy every few minutes, they’ll be more susceptible to tooth decay, because long-lasting snacks create an acid attack the entire time they’re in the mouth. Therefore, one approach would be to allow your little witches and goblins to indulge in their Halloween candy at mealtimes– instead of as a snack.

In addition, avoid sour candies, since they’re highly acidic, and taffy– because it can get stuck in their teeth.

Don’t worry– we aren’t making you avoid all of the good stuff this holiday. Grab some dark chocolate! Its antioxidant properties will help to keep your kid’s hearts healthy.

Furthermore, sugar-free hard candies can stimulate saliva and prevent dry mouth.

Finally, chewing sugar-free gum after meals helps to prevent cavities, by aiding in removing food particles in teeth left behind that cause decay.

We’ll Buy Back Your Candy!

Donate your candy to this wonderful cause.

We’re having an awesome event that we’d love for you to participate in. This Halloween, if you have leftover candy, or candy that you don’t want your children to eat– donate it!  On November 2nd, we’ll buy back your unwanted candy and donate it to servicemen and women overseas. It’s a great way to teach your kids about our military and giving back to the community. Plus, they get a little cash incentive. It’s a win-win.

Have Fun

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

It’s okay to let your children have Halloween treats– just make sure they do it in moderation. Depriving your kids of all candy will only make them want it more. Remember, good dental health depends on more than just their diet.

Practice good oral hygiene by making sure your kiddos brush and floss every day, use fluoride toothpaste, and visit us regularly. If it’s been over six months since they’ve been in to see us, make an appointment today.

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Why Are Visits To The Dentist So Important?

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Twice A Year

We’ll make you comfortable.

There’s a major reason why the American Dental Association, and your dentist, recommend that you come in for a cleaning/exam every six months. Regular dental visits are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If you need additional help, we may even suggest you come in and see us even more frequently, until we can get your issue under control. In addition, in-between your exams, it’s important for you to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as you can.

What To Expect

Cleanings don’t hurt, so there’s no need to be nervous.

At a typical checkup and cleaning appointment, we’ll perform an examination of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Dr. Burba will be looking for any signs of gum disease, loose, broken or cracked teeth, a damaged filling, or tooth decay. He will also look for any signs of oral cancer.

Once a year you’ll need X-rays taken, and if you’ve been experiencing any pain– we’ll examine your head and neck, your bite, and the movement of your jaw.

Finally, we clean, polish, and floss your teeth– leaving them fresh and beautiful.

Benefits

Taking care of your oral health means taking care of your overall health.

There’s a number of benefits that come along with seeing us regularly. Since there’s a strong correlation between your oral health and your overall health, taking good care of your mouth means taking care of your entire body.

For example, gum disease can increase your risk of serious health problems including heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes– just to name a few.

Deep Cleaning

We clean the places you can’t reach with just a toothbrush and floss.

You might think you don’t need regular cleanings, but we have specifically designed tools to clean your teeth much better than you’re able to at home. During your cleaning, we’ll remove plaque from hard to reach areas, and get rid of any buildup that has occurred since your last cleaning.

Prevent Gum Disease

We can catch gum disease before it spreads.

Regular visits to see us can help to prevent the onset of gum disease. Gum disease doesn’t just harm your oral health– it can affect your entire body. One of the biggest reasons you might develop periodontal disease, is by neglecting your oral health, and missing dental visits. The good news is, even if you’re more susceptible to gum disease than others– we can usually help you prevent it through regular cleanings and proper oral hygiene.

Detect Oral Cancer

Your visits could be life saving.

By seeing us twice a year, you’re giving yourself the best shot at catching the early warning signs of oral cancer. If we do detect any symptoms of the disease, we’ll recommend you begin treatment immediately to improve your chances of beating it quicker. If oral cancer is detected early, it’s curable.

Save Money

Regular check-ups save you time and money in the future.

In addition to their health benefits, regular checkups can even be good for your wallet. Finding and treating minor problems like cavities, can spare you the expense of future complicated procedures including extractions, crowns, or root canals.

Cure Side Effects

Knocking out one problem can fix another.

Sometimes dental problems have side effects, and Dr. Burba will be able to correct more than one issue at a time. For example, bacteria in your mouth can not only cause tooth decay, but it’s also responsible for bad breath. Conquering tooth decay will help you get rid of your mouth odor as well.

Make An Appointment

Don’t forget to schedule a cleaning every 6 months!

By visiting us twice a year, and practicing good oral hygiene daily, you’ll keep your teeth and gums healthy, and prevent diseases.

If it’s been over six months since your last appointment, request one today!

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Sugar and Your Teeth

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Sugar, Sugar

We know it’s tasty, but it hurts your pearly whites.

Everyone knows eating too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, but many aren’t exactly aware of how and why it happens. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in your mouth that uses sugar from foods and drinks to produce acids that dissolve and do damage to your teeth. Each acid attack lasts for around 20 minutes, but the good news is– it’s avoidable.

What Are The Effects?

According to the American Dental Association, your mouth is full of hundreds of bacteria. Some are helpful, but others can actually feed on the sugars you eat, and create acids that destroy your enamel. Tooth enamel is the shiny, protective outer layer of your teeth that keeps them healthy. Cavities are a bacterial infection created by acids that cause a hole in your teeth. Without proper treatment, cavities can progress past the enamel and into the deeper layers of your tooth, causing pain and even eventual tooth loss.

Avoid Sugary Drinks

That’s a lot of sugar for one drink!

 

Sugary drinks, including fruit drinks, sports drinks, sweetened waters, sugary teas, energy drinks, and sodas, have been recognized as the primary source of added sugars in American diets. Sugary drinks don’t make you feel full, so you eat the same amount of food as before– but with a lot of extra sugar calories on the side.

When you have a craving for one of these drinks, try choosing a healthy alternative, like water, milk, or 100% fruit juice with no added sugars.

The Remedy

To avoid having a mouth filled with cavities, we have several tips to prevent them.

Stimulate Saliva Flow

Make sure it’s sugar free!

In addition to cutting down on sugar, stimulating saliva flow is recommended. Chewing sugarless gum, and incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet that are high in fiber, are great ways to accomplish this. Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products also contain calcium and phosphates that strengthen your teeth, and they’re much better choices than something high in sugar or starch.

Brush and Floss

Always brush after you eat or drink something with lots of sugar.

It’s important that you stay on top of your oral health by brushing and flossing twice a day. It’s even more crucial to brush after you consume sugar. Whenever you eat or drink something sweet, make sure you brush your teeth right when you’re finished. However, if whatever you have is acidic– wait at least a half hour before brushing or flossing.

Use Fluoride

Let fluoride do the work for you.

According to The American Dental Association, you should be using an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that has been proven to not only prevent tooth decay caused by too much sugar, but also reverses it in its early stages. The ADA also recommends professional fluoride treatments from a dentist.

In addition, you should try and introduce tap water into your routine. Fluoride is added to your tap water source and it doesn’t affect the appearance, smell or taste of your drinking water, but it does give you the benefit of helping to prevent cavities.

Finally, rinse your brush off before you add your toothpaste to avoid washing away the added fluoride.

Stay On Top Of It

Vigilance is the key to preventing the negative effects of sugar on your teeth. Limit your sugar intake, and always brush after eating anything with a high sugar content. Choose healthy foods and drinks that strengthen, instead of damage your teeth. Include regular appointments to see us and you’ll keep your teeth healthy and strong for a lifetime.

 

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

8 Tips To Get Your Child To Eat Healthy

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When Bribing Them Isn’t Enough

Do you have a hard time getting your kids to eat healthy?

Do you have a hard time getting your kids to eat healthy?

Unless you’re one of the lucky ones, chances are your kiddos aren’t eating as healthy as they should be. It’s hard to get children to eat certain foods no matter how much we– as parents– beg, plead and bribe them. We’ve gathered a list of 8 tips to help you transform your child’s diet.

Mix It Up

They might even try sushi!

They might even try sushi!

Do you have taco Tuesdays, pizza every Friday, etc..? If so, you’re not doing your kids any favors. Variety is the spice of life, and the same goes for your food. Opening up your children to new foods will make them more likely to try other things as they get older. Buy small amounts of different types of foods for your kids to try. You’ll quickly be surprised by some of the things they discover they like when you change things up.

Prepare Their Food A Different Way

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Cook your foods differently.

If you always serve mashed potatoes, next time– why not try making a baked potato? If you usually scramble their eggs, try making them sunny side up. Showing your kids that a certain food can taste different, depending on how it’s prepared, will motivate them to re-try foods they might not have liked before.

Let Them Help

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Engage your children.

Your children are much more likely to eat something that they helped prepare. If they can see and feel the ingredients, and help make it– they get a sense of accomplishment and are more likely to eat it. This is also a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your kiddos.

Only Serve Water With Meals

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No soda or juice with meals.

It’s tempting to serve juice or soda with meals, but by doing this, it can make your kids feel full before they actually are. This prevents them from finishing their meal, and leads to snacking later on. By only serving them water, they’ll be able to eat more of what you give them. If they want juice or soda, they can have it with a snack or on special occasions.

Make Your Kids Eat What You Eat

 

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The entire family should eat the same meal.

Are you one of those parents who makes a separate dish for their picky kids? We’re here to tell you to stop it. If you have a picky eater, most likely– you’ve made them that way. If you want to reverse the cycle you’ll have to make them eat what you serve. As with anything worth doing in life, it will be hard at first– but we promise it will pay off down the line. Eventually, your children will learn to eat with the family. How much easier will that make mealtimes for everyone?

Stick To It

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Be consistent

Consistency is key. If one night you make your kids eat dinner with the family, and the next night, you make them mac n’ cheese instead– you won’t make any progress. Each time you do this, you take a step backwards. Stay consistent and see how things can change over time.

Choose One Night To Serve Dessert

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We know dessert is tempting, but you shouldn’t have it everyday.

Who doesn’t love dessert? It’s a wonderful treat but it needs to stay just that: a treat. It shouldn’t be something you have after every meal, or even after dinner every night. Pick a day of the week for your kids to have dessert. You can make it even more special by making it a family outing to an ice cream parlor, or a trip to the candy store. They won’t miss everyday desserts as much if they have this to look forward to.

Make Fruits and Vegetabes Fun

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Add veggies to their favorite foods.

The next time you make pizza, add vegetables. Instead of a milkshake, get a smoothie. Giving kids fruits and veggies in their foods is a lot more effective than just eating them plain. They’ll get the nutritional value either way, so adding it to their foods is the perfect solution for kids who don’t love fruits and veggies.

Keep It Up!

It’s going to be a struggle at first, but use these tips for one month and we guarantee you’ll see a big change. Don’t let tears deter you. You want your kids to eat healthier, so they stay healthy. It’s important to remember to be their parent, and not their friend. You set the example so if your kids see you eating badly, chances are they’ll mimic that. Good Luck!

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

15 Of The Friendliest Foods For Your Teeth

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Your Diet Matters

What you eat matters!

What you eat matters!

Did you know the foods you eat, and how often you eat them, can greatly affect your general health– as well as the health of your teeth and gums? It’s not just about healthy food for your body– your mouth matters too.

Eat this, not that

There are so many foods that can benefit both your body and mouth. It’s very important to eat foods that are high in Vitamin C and D, and foods that contain polyphenals. Polyphenals slow the growth of bacteria leading to plaque– preventing gum disease, bad breath, and even cavities.

In addition, you should also eat foods containing anthocyanins. These are thought to fight oral cancer, and prevent the attachment of plaque on your teeth. Let’s take a look at 15 of the best food choices that benefit your oral health the most.

1- Cranberries

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Cranberries contain lots of polyphenals, which keep plaque away. Fresh cranberries are even better at effectively disrupting the process of plaque formation.

The next time you have a sweet tooth, grab some cranberries and eat up!

2- Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are high in calcium, and great for scrubbing plaque off your teeth while you chew them. They’re an awesome snack for when you aren’t starving, but want something to hold you over until your next meal.

3- Gum

Chewing sugar free gum can help to eliminate bad the bacteria that causes bad breath.

Always chew sugar free.

Gum isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of oral health. However, gum is good for your mouth because it removes food particles that can become stuck in hard to reach places. Always choose a sugar free gum, since too much sugar will rot your teeth.

4- Sweet Potatoes

If you want perfect teeth, eat sweet potatoes! They’re filled with vitamin A, which will work wonders for your enamel and gums.

5- Raisins

While it’s true that raisins are sticky and can become stuck in between your teeth, they’re also a wonderful source of phytochemicals like oleanolic, which can kill cavity causing bacterias. They’re also rich in antioxidants, which makes them very good for you. Make sure to brush and floss thoroughly after snacking on raisins.

6- Strawberries

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Strawberries are one of our favorite snacks! They have Vitamin C, antioxidants and also malic acid, which works as a natural teeth whitener.

7- Yogurt

Yogurt has tons of calcium and probiotics. These help to protect your teeth and gums against bad breath, cavities, and even gum disease.

8- Carrots

Carrots have some of the best vitamins and minerals for your mouth, and they come highly recommended by dental proffesionals.

9- Apples

apple

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but how about the dentist? You’ll still need to see us twice a year, but your teeth will be healthier. Apples have a plethora of vitamins and nutrients that your body and mouth need.

10- Raw Onions

If you want perfect teeth, eat onions! When eaten raw, onions have amazingly powerful antibacterial properties that work to fight against the bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities.

11- Pears

Most fruits are pretty acidic, but that’s not the case with pears. They work well to neutralize acids, so the next time you’re craving some fruit– reach for the pears.

12- Shiitake mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are fighters! They contain lentinan, which is a natural sugar that interrupts the formation of plaque on your teeth. Anything that can help fight plaque naturally is always recommended.

13- Garlic

Garlic contains strong antimicrobial properties. In other words, by eating garlic– you fight tooth decay and periodontal disease. Just be sure to brush your teeth after you eat it, so you don’t have bad breath.

14- Whole Grains

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Studies show that eating whole grains can have a tremendous impact on your oral health. This is because they lower the risk of gum disease. Try oatmeal or brown rice for the biggest impact.

15- Kiwis

Kiwis are good for you since they have one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C. This makes them a perfect snack at any time– day or night.

Eat up!

Keep your smile looking healthy and beautiful by eating the right foods.

Keep your smile looking healthy and beautiful by eating the right foods.

We hope you’ve found some snacks on this list that you enjoy. Cooking your foods in different way helps to mix things up a little. For example, if you always eat your carrots raw, try steaming them. Keeping things new and different prevents you from getting tired of certain foods.

Not only will your oral health be better, you may be able to prevent two of the most common diseases: tooth decay and periodontal disease– simply by improving your diet!

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Relieve Stress In 7 Simple Steps

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I’m Stressed!!!

Are you stressed?

Are you stressed?

You might think it’s normal to be dealing with stress. You’re stressed, and most people you know are stressed– so you should just live with it. Right? Wrong.

It’s true that 3/4ths of the population suffers from regular stress– and the working population is particularly subject to emotional, physical, and mental stress.

The good news is, there’s ways to get over stress–and eliminate it as much as possible.

1.) Laugh

It's good for you soul

It’s good for your soul.

We’ve all heard the phrase “laughter is the best medicine”. It turns out, it’s the truth! Laughing lowers stress levels of cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine– and it releases feel good hormones. Laughing tricks your nervous system into making you happy.

We suggest finding your favorite comedy, get some friends together and laugh the day away.

2.) Chew sugar free gum

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Chewing gum eases not only the jaw, but studies have shown it reduces stress as well. Make sure the gum you choose is sugar free, since sugar is terrible for your pearly whites.

3.) Exercise

Work on your fitness

Work on your fitness.

Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are hormones that fight off stress.

Whether it’s yoga, bicycling, sports, or just hitting the gym– exercise is one thing that always makes your body and mind feel good. Make time in your day for yourself, and get that work out in.

4.) Eat this, not that!

Blueberries are a great choice.

Blueberries are a great choice.

Who knew what we ate could make such a difference in our mood?

When we’re overwhelmed, we often forget to eat well and resort to using sugary, fatty snack foods as a substitution. Try to avoid unhealthy snacks and plan ahead.

Super foods can reduce anxiety. Check out this list from health.com to find out what foods you should be eating to help lower your stress and anxiety.

5.) Music

Music is calming.

Music is calming.

Playing calm music has a positive effect on your brain and body, can lower blood pressure, and reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to stress. Grab some headphones and sooth your soul.

6.) Get your ZZZsss…….

Get some rest!

Get some rest!

Whatever you need to do to make sure you are getting the right amount of sleep, do it. Go to bed earlier, use aromatherapy, and give yourself time to relax before going to bed. Lack of sleep does a number on our bodies, and is directly related to our stress levels.

7.) Just say no

Don't ignore these signs of oral cancer

Do you feel like you’re stretched too thin? Are you homeroom mom/dad, a sister/brother, a friend, and a husband/wife? Don’t become so busy doing things for others, that you forget to take care of yourself. This creates more stress, and destroys relationships. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you can’t nurture other relationships in your life. Be selfish, and do something for yourself at least once a week.

Bye Bye Bye

 

Your days of stressing out are behind you.

Your days of stressing out are behind you.

Probably the most important thing to remember is you’re in charge of your life. Don’t let stress get the best of you.

Follow these tips, and soon enough– stress will be just a distant memory.

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.