Dental Health and Your Diet

Sugar is the main cause of dental decay when there are bacteria present. More significant than the amount of sugar you eat is the frequency of consumption.

Probably the worst thing you can do to your teeth is to drink a soda and have a sip every few minutes over a long period of time; the same is true for snacking. It is recommended that if you want to have a snack or soda or juice it is better to have it after food, as dessert, or have it in one sitting. Eating or drinking something sweet over an extended period of time creates a constant supply of sugar for bacteria that causes tooth decay!

It is important to be aware of all the sources of sugar that are out there. It is not just everything that is sweet, but anything that can turn to sugar like pieces of bread. Cutting down your sugar intake is good for cavity prevention, as well as your general health.

But what about when you have to have sugar? The best way to avoid cavities is to prevent the sugar from staying next to your teeth. Brushing after eating sugar, rinsing your mouth with Fluoride mouth wash, or chewing sugarless gum can help. However, nothing has the effect of avoiding sugar!

Is there any kind of food that prevents tooth decay? Well, not really. Some people believed that chewing foods like apples and carrots may have some plaque removal effect, but they still contain some sugar so any advantage is not clear.

Another group of food that causes significant damage to teeth structure is acidic foods. If in frequent contact with teeth, things like lime, lemon, and grapefruit can cause serious irreversible damage (erosion) to your teeth. If you live in or around Petaluma don't hesitate to call us with your oral health questions.

Happy Thanksgiving

Pear Butter with Pear and Gruyere Biscuits

We have a winner!  Our own Dr. Julia Hoang entered this year's Moraga Pear and Wine Festival recipe contest and won first prize for her pear butter with pear and gruyere biscuit.  You can read the entire article at the following link:  http://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue0616/Prize-Pears.html .   Below is her award winning recipe.  Enjoy!


Pear Butter, yields about 4-6 half-pint jars
 
INGREDIENTS
4 lbs D’Anjou pears, roughly chopped, do not peel or core them
1 star anise
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, roughly chopped
1¾ cup water
¼ cup lemon juice
2-3 cups sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon lemon zest

DIRECTIONS
1. Put the chopped pears, star anise and ginger into a large pot. Add the water and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer, cover and cook for about 25-45 minutes until the pears are completely soft. Remove from heat.
2. Remove and discard the star anise. Ladle the entire pear mixture into a chinoise, food mill or fine sieve. Force the mixture through into a large bowl to collect all the liquids and puree. Discard all the remaining solids.
3. Measure the puree and pour into a large, heavy bottom pot. For every cup of puree, add 1 1/2 cups of sugar. Add the brown sugar, cardamom, nutmeg and lemon zest. You may season to taste and adjust if necessary.
4. Cook on medium heat, stirring often. Take care not to allow the puree to stick to the bottom of the pan and burn. Cook between 45 minutes – 2 hours until the mixture is quite thick, the consistency of applesauce.
5. When the pear butter is ready, store into airtight jars and refrigerate, or follow proper canning techniques for longer term storage. 

Pear and Gruyere Biscuits
 
(Yields about one dozen biscuits)
INGREDIENTS
3¾ cups bread flour
1½ tablespoons baking powder
1½ teaspoons baking soda
1¼ teaspoons Kosher salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter: cold, cut into ½ inch cubes, stored
in refrigerator until ready, plus melted butter for brushing
¾ cup grated Gruyere cheese
1 cup diced fresh D’Anjou pears
1¾ cups chilled buttermilk
¼ cup pureed fresh D’Anjou pears

DIRECTIONS
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 425 degrees. Line heavy baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly flour. You may use a food processor or make the dough by hand. If in a processor combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and blend for 5 seconds. If doing by hand, in a large bowl, sift the same ingredients using a fine mesh sieve. Add butter cubes and pulse for 30 seconds or use a handheld pastry blender and cut in the butter until coarse meal forms. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl at this point if you have been using a processor. Add the cheese, pears and toss to blend. Add the buttermilk and pear puree and stir to moisten evenly. Using lightly floured hands, drop entire dough mixture on floured
parchment paper and shape into a rectangle. Use a knife or biscuit cutter to cut into the appropriate portions. Space each biscuit 2 inches apart. Bake until biscuits are golden and tester comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Brush biscuits lightly with melted butter. Serve warm or at room temperature with pear butter.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Von Chan, DDS, Inc.

Invisalign Day

Our Invisalign Day is this Thursday!  Just 3 more days until you or someone you know can enter their name to win an Apple Ipad.  We are very excited to announce the winner at the end of the day on October 11th.  Good Luck everyone!

Thank you, Chiara, for proudly standing on our sponsored box during your cheer leading performances!

Welcome Back Woman Warrior

Becky Jean has made it through Tough Mudder without much of a scratch!  She came back to work on Monday ready to go!  Welcome back woman warrior.

Dental Crowns & Bridges

A crown (cap) is a restoration that is placed on teeth that have lost a lot of their structure. There are various types of crowns, ranging from full porcelain to full metal. Your dentist will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each kind for you. A crown (cap) is a restoration that is placed on teeth that have lost a lot of their structure. There are various types of crowns, ranging from full porcelain to full metal. Your dentist will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each kind for you.

Crowns may also be used to securely attach a bridge if the surrounding teeth by themselves are inadequate to do so. A bridge is a dental appliance that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. They are designed to be cosmetically appealing and also to restore proper occlusion. Like crowns, bridges are fully customizable and made of various materials, including porcelain and metals. Although not as permanent as a cap, bridges are bonded to surrounding teeth and only removable by your dentist.

Both crowns and bridges are created to match the color, height, texture and overall appearance of your teeth. Most crowns and bridges will last for life, eliminating the need to replace them unless they fall out or become loose. You may prolong the durability of your crowns and bridges by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings.