How to Make Pumpkin Spice Loaf

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 cup white sugar 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup canned pumpkin 3/4 cup vegetable oil Recipe Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (Grease a 8-1/2x4-1/2-inch loaf pan. Combine flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Beat eggs, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Beat in pumpkin and oil. Add flour mixture; mix until batter is blended and smooth. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dark brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 70 minutes. Let cool in the pan, about 30 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack and slice it into 1-inch thick slices. This bread freezes perfectly. Simply seal any leftover slices in a resealable plastic bag or wrap them in plastic and pop them into the freezer. To serve, microwave one frozen slice on high for about 45 seconds and it'll taste like it just came out of the oven! Kristine Lundy RDH

Sports Mouth Guards

With the fall/winter season fast approaching so are winter sports like hockey. Mouth guards help minimize the risk of injury to the face, jaw, teeth and head during activities and contact sports. Mouth guards are recommended for anyone participating in aggressive activities or competing in sports. Mouth guards reduce trauma to teeth, gums, jaw bone, TMJ and number of head concussions. If a protective mouth guard is not worn during these activities, you are putting yourself at a high risk for a dental injury including; cuts to the lips, gums, cheeks, and tongue as well as chipped or broken teeth, knocked out teeth and broken jaw. Mouth guards are flexible plastic appliance that fit over rge teeth. Types of Mouth Guards: Custom-fitted: are created from an impression of the person's gums and teeth. They provide the best protection due to their custom fit, comfort and cushioning effect. They are custom made by a dental professional. Boil and Bite:can be purchased at sports stores and molded at home. The sports guard material is softened in boiling water and then formed directly on the upper teeth. They cost less than custom guards but do not fit well and provide limited protection. Ready to Wear:these are also sold in sports stores. These mouth guards come pre-formed and are the least expensive type. They provide the least amount of fit and comfort. Mouth guards should be cleaned after each use with a tooth brush to remove any bacteria and plaque then rinse under cold water and air to dry. Do not chew your mouth guard, as it can change the shape and will be less effective. Mouth guards become less effective over time. They should be replaced when they become loose, too thin or tear.

Women and Oral health

A woman's hormones can fluctuate throughout their life and in turn can have an impact on the oral cavity. Studies have shown that at least 23 per cent of women between 30- 54 years of age and 44 per cent of women 55-90 years of age who have their teeth, have periodontal disease- an advanced stage of gum and bone disease.

Women's hormones fluctuate during: Puberty, Menstruation, Taking oral contraceptive, pregnancy and lactation and menopause. The actual fluctuation of hormones does not cause the periodontal disease, but will cause and exaggerated response to oral irritants like plaque and calculus (tartar). Managing a regular oral care routine and dental hygiene visits will help keep this response under control.

Maintenance and home care to consider:

• Brushing twice a day
• Flossing at least once a day
• Regular hygiene visits recommended by your health care provider
• A well balanced diet
• Mouth wash
• And for patients with dry mouth, saliva substitutes and other alleviating products.

Role of your dental hygienist:
• Provides regular oral screenings for issues
• Reviews medication risks and health history
• Helps develop a custom home care program
• Referrals as needed
• And of course, helps keep oral conditions favorable through regular dental cleaning

Sara Haire RDH

Healthy Back-to-School Snacks

1. English Muffin Pizzas
Top a whole wheat English muffin with tomato sauce or a tomato slice and shredded mozzarella cheese and melt in the oven.

2. Chocolate Dipped Bananas
For a healthy sweet snack, peel a banana, cut in half and insert chopstick for the handle and dip the banana into melted dark chocolate chips and freeze.

3. Apple Slices
Cut apple into wedges and serve with peanut butter or almond butter for a nut free option.

4. Veggies and Dip
Cut fresh veggies and serve with ranch or hummus dip!

5. Pita Chips
For healthy pita chips, cut a whole wheat tortilla wrap into pieces and bake for 5 minutes at 350 degree oven. Serve with dip such as hummus or salsa.

6. Fruit and Yogurt
Cut any fruit of choice into bite size pieces and serve with plain Greek yogurt mixed with a drizzle of honey for dipping.

7. Banana Oat Cookies
Mash 2 ripe bananas into a bowl, mix with 1 cup of oats and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or almond butter then mix in any topping of choice (chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, coconut, etc) Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.

Kristine Lundy RDH

Six Reasons You Need Regular Dental Checkups

Having to visit the dentist every six months may not be the appointment that everyone looks forward to, but it is one of the most important ones to keep. If you have found yourself wondering what the point of having regular dental checkups and cleanings really is, we've got something for you to think about.
1. Oral Cancer Detections

Oral cancer is an extremely serious disease that manifests itself in various ways. Without knowing the signs of its early onset, oral cancer is often not diagnosed and can quickly progress and become life threatening. But thankfully, an early stage oral cancer diagnosis is often easily treatable.
Your dentist is highly trained to recognize these signs and symptoms, and with regular dental checkups every six months the likelihood of catching oral cancer in time is dramatically higher. Recognizing oral cancer in its early stages is key in treating it successfully, and while you may not notice oral abnormalities, your dentist will.
2. Plaque, Tartar, and Cavities
Even with the most diligent daily brushers and flossers, there are still small areas in the mouth that are missed by a regular brushing and flossing. When plaque builds up it becomes more difficult to remove, solidifying and turning into tartar, which is extremely difficult to get rid of without professional help.
Regular dental cleanings prevent tartar from eroding teeth or creating holes in them, which is how cavities are created. Cavities rarely give any warning signs as they form, only resulting in a small ache once the tooth is already decayed. Once the damage has been done, you will have to go back to the dentist to have cavities and other tooth problems filled and fixed. This can all be avoided with regular cleanings that take care of plaque and tartar before it becomes destructive.
A cleaning appointment is also more affordable than getting a filling, so if money's tight you should make sure not to miss the cleanings.
3. Gum Disease

Plaque and tartar buildup not only cause tooth decay but can also erode the mouth's gum tissues. This happens when tartar buildup causes an infection where the gum is connected to the tooth, making the gum pull away from the tooth. This infection is known as gingivitis and as it progresses the tissue that attaches gums to the teeth breaks down.
Once it reaches this point it is officially gum disease, and only at this point will there likely be any swelling, bleeding, or soreness in the mouth. Along with the breakdown of gum tissue, gum disease also causes a breakdown of the bone that holds teeth in place. At this point it is common to see teeth loosening or falling out altogether and drastic treatment methods will have to be taken by a dental specialist.
Not only do specialists require more appointments and likely a blow to your wallet, but treatment of gum disease, depending on the severity, can include surgery, extremely deep cleaning, and medication. To avoid all of this, regular dental cleanings are essential in catching and addressing gingivitis before it gets out of hand.
4. Keeping Bad Habits in Check
There are many bad habits that can have a negative impact on your oral health, some of which you may not even realize are causing issues. Some of these habits include chewing ice, biting your nails, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, eating particularly sticky or hard sweets, brushing your teeth too hard, drinking coffee and red wine, and of course smoking.
When you go for regular dental checkups, your dentist can check for any oral damage caused by these or other habits which you may otherwise not have noticed. Being informed about specific destructive habits allows you to change or alter your lifestyle choice to prevent further damage. Visiting the dentist allows you to fix the damage that has already been done, and help your oral health be the best it can be.
5. Find Problems Under the Surface With X-Rays

A crucial part of visiting your dentist every six months is getting your teeth and jaw bone x-rayed. X-ray images allow dental professionals to see what is happening beneath the surfaces of your mouth, and can find and diagnose issues that may be invisible to the naked eye. Problems like this can include impacted teeth, which are growing teeth that are blocked from pushing through the gum line, as often seen in wisdom teeth.
Damage to the jawbone can also be pinpointed as well as any bone decay, swelling, cysts, or tumours, all of which are impossible to actually see without x-ray imaging. Finding these or any other major oral issues as soon as possible is critical in order to properly treat them.
Especially with destructive diseases that show little to no symptoms but progress quickly, up-to-date x-rays and bi-annual checkups are the best way to keep on top of your health.
6. Head, Neck, and Lymph Node Checks
In addition to checking your mouth, gums, and tongue for signs or oral cancer, your dentist will also check your neck, jaw, and lymph nodes, located just below your jawline, for any swelling, lumps, or other abnormalities. If an abnormality is found it could be a sign of a major health issue, and your dentist will alert you to it and refer you the appropriate medical professional.
Swollen lymph nodes are a particular area that do not necessarily hurt or seem out of the ordinary but when identified properly by a professional could be a sign of certain kinds of cancer or other diseases that require immediate attention. Not having regular dental checkups drastically cuts down how often your neck and thyroid glands are checked. So while looking for abnormalities only takes your dentist a minute, it could mean an extremely serious disease is identified early enough to make a huge difference.
So, Are Dental Checkups Worth the Effort?
Dentists and dental professionals are not only concerned with fixing teeth. They professionally clean your teeth, aim to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy, and check for abnormalities that may otherwise go unnoticed and could be a sign of larger health issues. Dental professionals make sure that your bones are strong, and will help you correct any habits that may be sabotaging your oral health, among other things.
Skipping dental appointments may not seem like a big deal, but oral issues can develop and progress extremely quickly whether or not you notice it. By keeping on top of your dental cleanings and checkups you're doing yourself a big favour in the long run!

Kim Thompson Practice Manager

Oral Cancer Facts and Prevention

Thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with life threatening oral cancer every year. If detected early, oral cancer has an estimated 80% survival rate. Being able to recognize abnormal conditions in your own mouth is important in early detection and could save your life.

Oral cancer can develop on the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, under the tongue, roof of the mouth, back of the mouth, throat, and tonsils.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Red or white patches in the mouth.
• Mouth sore that bleeds or will not heal.
• Teeth that suddenly become loose.
• Dentures that do not fit anymore.
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking.
• Lumps or swelling.
• Enlarged/hard lymph nodes.
• Persistent earache.

The course of healing in the mouth is two weeks. If you are experiencing the above problems beyond two weeks you should contact a dental professional or medical physician.

Risk Factors:

• Tobacco use (smoking and chewing tobacco).
• Excessive amounts of alcohol consumption
• HPV
• Too much exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays.
• Lack of vegetables and fruit.

Performing a monthly self examination will help detect oral cancer early. Looking in a mirror check for the following: both sides of your face and neck are the same, feel both sides of your neck and face for any bumps or sore spots, your Adam's apple should move up and down freely when swallowing, check your lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, under the tongue, roof of the mouth, back of the mouth, throat and tonsils for any colour changes, lumps, or tenderness.

Your Dentist and Dental Hygienist perform routine oral cancer examinations to help with early oral cancer detection. They can also provide you with valuable information on quitting smoking, nutrition counseling, and more oral cancer information.

Until next month, keep smiling,

Kristine Lundy, RDH