Easy Gemstone Homemade Soaps

What you will need:

• Ultra Clear Glycerin Soap Base
• Gemstone/Jewel Silicone Mold
• Soap Colorant
• Fragrance Oil
• Crystal Mica Glitter Powder (optional)
• Pyrex Measuring Cup

Here's what you'll do:

Work with about 1/4 of the 2 lb. block of soap base at a time, which makes one batch of soaps. slice the soap base into cubes (it cuts easily with a kitchen knife), place them inside a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup, and melt in the microwave in 20-30 second increments, stirring well after each microwave session to ensure that the soap is completely melted. For 1 lb of soap, microwave for 30 seconds, stir, microwave for another 30 seconds, stir once again, and microwave a final time for 20 seconds.

When the soap base is completely melted, add in the desired soap colorant (add one drop at a time until desired color is reached) and fragrance oil (about 8-10 drops). You can also add crystal glitter mica powder at this time if desired. Stir until well mixed, and pour into the silicone soap mold.

Allow the soap molds to sit undisturbed until completely cool (about 30-90 minutes depending on temperature/humidity). Unmold your pretty new soaps, and repeat the process for each new color. Trust me, you're going to want to make ALL of the colors!

Kristine Lundy RDH

Taste and tell......

Non Alcoholic Sangria

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bottle sparkling apple juice or 1L apple/grape juice
• 1 can soda water/7up/sprite (I used sprite)
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
• 1 lime, sliced into rounds
• 1 red apple, cored and sliced
• 1 green apple, cored and sliced
• 100g strawberries or raspberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine apple juice, sprite, and all the fruits in a large pitcher.
2. Refrigerate until chilled or for at least 30 minutes to 4 hours.
3. Serve over ice.

Garlic Feta Dip

INGREDIENTS

• 6 oz. (1 + 1/3 cup) feta cheese, crumbled
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• Pinch of dried dill
• Pinch of dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 Roma tomato, diced
• Chopped parsley, to garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. In a food processor, combine the feta, cream cheese, greek yogurt, garlic, dill, oregano, and lemon juice.
2. Once combined thoroughly, scoop into a serving bowl and top with top with tomato, parsley, and black pepper.
3. Serve with crackers, pita chips, pretzels, french bread, or veggies!

Jennifer Bergeron Dental Hygienist

Dental Sealants

A dental sealant is a strong, plastic, white or tooth-coloured coating that a dental hygienist applies to the grooves within the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars). These grooves are called pit and fissures. A sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the enamel from bacterial plaque in these cavity-prone areas.

Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. The pits and fissures are extremely difficult places to clean. Toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the grooves to remove food and plaque completely. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" plaque and food.

The application of a sealant is easy, quick, and painless. No freezing or drilling is required. Sealants also cost less then having a cavity filled.

How sealants are applied:

• Teeth must be kept dry throughout the procedure. If the pits and fissures are wet, the sealant material may not adhere properly.
• After the teeth are cleaned and dried, the sealant is painted into the grooves.
• The sealant material is then hardened with a blue curing light.
• If too much material is added into the grooves, the excess can be polished away.

Sara Haire Dental Hygienist

A Message From Our Office

In the last six months, I have been using platelet rich plasma to help accelerate healing. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is obtained by drawing the patient's own blood. The blood is then place in a centrifuge (which spins the blood at 3000rpm) for 10 minutes. After which time, the PRP is extracted from the patient's blood.

The platelets are key in blood clotting for the body. But, the platelets also contain hundreds of proteins and growth factors which are important in healing. PRP is a concentration of their proteins and growth factors. By using the patient's own blood, we can accelerate this healing.

PRP is used in medicine to help with healing in dermatology, sports injury, arthritis and other fields of medicine.

In dentistry, PRP is used after extraction to decreased infection and help with healing; post wisdom teeth extraction to decrease chances of dry socket; and with bone/tissue grafts. PRP is also used to help with implant treatment.

Until next month, keep smiling

Dr. Ian Gray and Staff

Kids Corner

What you will need:

• Old muffin tins or pie pans. (they should not be used for food after this project)
• A tub of beads.
• A dill with a small drill bit for drilling a hole in the sun catcher for hanging.
• Fishing line.

Here's what you'll do:

• Separate the beads into bowls according to color (it makes them easier to work with)
• Arrange the beads in the muffin tin or pie pan in the pattern you'd like your sun catcher to be.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes (Make sure you raise a few windows and if you can, go outside - the smell is bad and I'm sure it is not good for your lungs, but the smell goes away fast with the windows open)
• Allow to cool.  You will probably hear a popping noise from the pans.  This is the sun catcher cooling off.
• After cooling, they should pop right out of the pan easily.
• Then drill a small hole at the top of the sun catcher and hang with fishing line.
• Enjoy!

Kristine Lundy RDH

Taste and tell……

Broccoli is considered a "super food" try these ideas to incorporate more into your diet!

Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli
Broccoli florets are roasted after being tossed in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and minced garlic. A squeeze of lemon juice before serving seals the deal.
Broccoli and Pepper Stir-Fry

INGREDIENTS

1. 1 tablespoon canola oil
2. 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
3. 1 bell pepper, chopped
4. 1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets (6 cups)
5. 1 bunch scallions, sliced
6. 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
7. 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.
2. Add the bell pepper, broccoli, and scallions and cook, tossing often, until the broccoli is crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Add the hoisin sauce and ¼ cup water and cook, tossing, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds

Creamy Summer Slaw
Raw broccoli is made for slaw. It's sweet and crunchy—and can be dressed hours in advance.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small bunch broccoli (about 12 oz.)
• 1/2 medium Napa cabbage, thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 8 oz. sugar snap peas, thinly sliced
• 4 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives, divided
• 2/3 cup buttermilk

DIRECTIONS
Combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, and lemon juice in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper and whisk to combine. Set buttermilk dressing aside.
Using a vegetable peeler, peel broccoli stalk if skin is thick. Halve broccoli lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise, starting at crown. Toss broccoli, cabbage, scallions, sugar snap peas, 2 Tbsp. chives, and reserved buttermilk dressing in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Serve slaw topped with remaining 2 Tbsp. chives.

Kim Thompson Practice Manager

What's New at the Office

Summer Is A Great Time To Clean Up Your Diet; Here Are Some Tips For Healthy Food Choices:

The best foods and beverages for your dental health are very much the same foods encouraged for an overall healthy body. While you can still enjoy the occasional treat, following these simple tips is good for your health.

• Eat a balanced diet including calcium rich foods, dairy, lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, crunchy fruits and vegetables.
• Limit sugar. Bacteria feed on sugars in your mouth. Watch for hidden sugars in foods, be aware of the amount of sugar you add to foods and drinks, and limit candies/sweets to mealtimes (when the saliva levels are high).
• Avoid sticky foods. While you may know caramels and licorice are not the best choices for your teeth, other healthier foods, such as granola bars, dried fruit or fruit leather can also stick to your teeth.
• Choose more natural foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins are better options than pre-packaged, processed alternatives.
• Read the labels. Know what's in your food. Look for foods with a high fiber and protein content and less sugar and salt.
• Think about what you drink. Choose water more often, especially between meals. Be aware that even healthier options, such as fruit juice and milk, contain sugar. Every teaspoon of sugar added to coffee or tea also adds up.
• Limit snacking. Grazing throughout the day, especially on sugary treats and drinks, leaves your mouth constantly bathed in sugar - a perfect environment for bacteria. If you do need a snack choose tooth friendly foods more often such as cheese, nuts, a whole piece of fruit, or raw vegetables.

Kim Thompson Practice Manager