O'Fallon Family & Cosmetic Dentist

It’s the perfect time of year for this recipe as strawberries and spinach are in season.

Ingredients

10 ounces fresh spinach torn into smaller pieces

1 quart sliced strawberries

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Dressing Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 Tbl sesame seeds

1 Tbl minced onions

1 tsp minced garlic

Layer spinach and strawberries on individual plates.  Whisk the dressing ingredients together.  Drizzle dressing over spinach and strawberries.  Top with slivered almonds.

I was looking for some spring activities in my area and found some fun events that are happening soon.

Friday, March 26th

Adult Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt – Civic Park in O’Fallon, MO.  Visit www.renaudspiritcenter.com before Thursday to register. Tickets are $12/$17

Saturday, March 27th -

Breakfast with the Bunny at O’Fallon’s Civic Hall. 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.  Call 636-474-2732 for details.

Easter Eggstravaganza – Morning Star Church – 1600 Feise Road, O’Fallon, MO - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Free event featuring an egg hunt, crafts, snacks and a scavenger hunt. Visit their website at www.mscwired.org/eggstravaganza or call 636-561-5680 for more details.

Easter Egg Hunt – Rotary Park – 2755 W. Meyer Road, Foristell, MO – 9:30 a.m. – Hunt for plastic eggs filled with candy and prizes.  Ages 1 – 10 years old.  Visit www.wentzvillemo.org for more information.

April 17th – O’Fallon Farmers’ and Artists’ Market opens for the season. Located in the parking lot of TR Hughes Ball Park – 900 T.R. Hughes Blvd., O’Fallon, MO 63366.  Open on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon  from April 17 – October 16 and Wednesdays from 3:00 – 7:00 from June 16 – September 1.   For more information visit www.ofallonfarmersmarket.com.

Comment or let me know if you know of other local activities that should be shared here.

     For millions of people, sensitive teeth can make life miserable.  The pain and discomfort make even favorite cold drinks and foods impossible to enjoy.  Pain is often felt more acutely in winter when cold air can cause problems in already sensitive spots.  Tooth sensitivity typically first presents as temporary discomfort when eating cold food or drinks or breathing cold air.  If decay is ruled out as the culprit of sensitive teeth, many people believe there are no good options for treating their pain.  However, in many cases tooth sensitivity can be treated quickly and successfully.

     When tooth decay is not leading to tooth sensitivity, gum recession is often the cause of the problem.  The gums cover the roots of teeth like a protective blanket, but when gums recede the underlying roots may be exposed.  The three most common causes of gum recession are brushing teeth too hard, poor dental hygiene and the aging process.  It has been estimated that over half of people brush their teeth with too much pressure which can remove significant gum tissue, thereby exposing the tooth roots.  We recommend using a soft bristled toothbrush and brushing gently at the gum line.

      If gum recession is due to brushing too hard, a small amount of the same material used in tooth colored fillings can be placed to fill in areas where the gum has receded.  These bonding agents close the pores of the tooth root.  This simple treatment effectively eliminates sensitivity to cold or hot liquids immediately, pain-free and without the need for anesthetic or the dental drill.  If you have been plagued by tooth sensitivity with no underlying decay issues, this simple bonding procedure may end your discomfort.

     Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque build-up around teeth and gums.  Over time this plaque hardens into tartar.  Bacteria in this tartar is responsible for gingivitis and periodontal disease that causes gum recession.  The exposed roots contain small pores which lead directly to the nerve of the tooth.  Pain, pressure and cold stimuli can travel down the pores and trigger pain in the tooth nerve.  Often this pain makes it uncomfortable to brush or floss this area of the mouth which can exarcerbate the problem.  When oral hygiene is the cause of sensitivity, a person may need a more frequent schedule of thorough cleanings and periodontal health check-ups.  Often this can relieve pain and sensitivity that have caused problems for years.

Tooth color is effected by many factors, including your genes and the aging process.  While you cannot control your genetic make-up or stop yourself from aging, there are several steps you can take to keep your teeth their whitest.

1.  Eliminate tobacco use.

2.  Limit your intake of coffee, tea and soda.  It is common for people to sip these beverages throughout their entire day exposing teeth to these stain causing agents for hours at a time.  A better practice is to drink one or two servings and then brush afterwards rather than exposing your teeth to these beverages throughout the day.  Cold liquids can be sipped through a straw to better protect teeth’s exposure.

3.  Brush after eating dark berries, soy sauce and curry.  Dark berries like blueberries are wonderful for your overall health so I would not advise eliminating these foods. 

4.  Limit your intake of wine.  Red wine is a known culprit of teeth staining, but recent studies have shown that white wine can also effect tooth color by wearing down the enamel.

5.  Brush your teeth after every meal and after consuming stain causing foods.

6.  Floss your teeth daily.  Teeth can display a great deal of staining at their edges where teeth meet.  This is due to a build-up of plaque that can be avoided by flossing between teeth.

7.  Have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year.

8.  If you are concerned about the color of your teeth, talk to your dentist about safe and effective teeth whitening options.

I just found a source for several different variations of charts to keep track of children’s toothbrushing.  These charts could be created on your own or modified to include flossing once a day as well.  Children who are old enough to brush their teeth on their own usually do not spend enough time brushing.  It might be helpful to use a watch timer or a sand hourglass timer found in one of your childrens’ games to help remind them how long they need to brush.  Encourage your children to brush every surface of every tooth, including the outer, inner and biting surfaces.  They will need to pay special attention to the biting surface of their back teeth (molars) as these are the most likely teeth to harbor harmful bacteria due to their pitted surface.  Placing sealants on these teeth can help to prevent the development of cavities.