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

Oral Cancer Self Screening

Thousands of Canadians are diagnosed every year with life-threatening oral cancer. On a positive note, when detected early, this disease has an estimated 80 per cent survival rate. Learning to recognize abnormal conditions in your mouth and performing a routine self examination is an important survival guide.

Most oral cancers begin in the cells on the surface of the tissue of the mouth. They are shallow but over time penetrate deeper into the tissue and potentially the bone.

Oral cancer may develop in any of the following areas:

• Lips
• Oral cavity (tongue, gums, inside the cheeks, under the tongue, roof of the mouth)
• Oropharynx (back of the mouth, throat and tonsils).

Signs and Symptoms to watch for:

The normal course of healing is an average of two weeks. Anyone experiencing the following problems beyond this timeframe should consult a dental professional or family medical doctor:

• White or red patches anywhere in the mouth
• Mouth sores that bleeds easily and/or won’t heal
• A color change in the oral tissues
• Teeth that suddenly become loose
• Dentures that stop fitting or become ill fitting
• Pain or difficulty swallowing/speaking
• Swelling or lumps
• A color change in the oral tissues
• Indented areas in the oral cavity
• Enlarged and/or hard lymph nodes or glands
• Persistent earaches

How to do your at home examination: (Should be done monthly)

• Looking in the mirror, your face should look the same on both sides
• Check your skin for any lumps, sores, discolorations or bumps
• Feel your neck with finger tips for any lumps, bumps or sore spots
• Gently place your finger over your “Adam’s Apple” and swallow. It should move up and down, not to the side. Report any hoarseness that doesn’t clear up within two weeks.
• Check the inside of your mouth with a flashlight to check for any discolorations or lumps. Feel the roof of your mouth with your finger for any changes.
• Examine your tongue by pulling it out with a piece of gauze, checking all upper, lower and each side for abnormalities.
• Check gum color and make note of any redness, white spots, or sores that are not healing well.
• Pull upper lip up and lower lip down, squeeze gently for any lumps, bumps or sore spots. Do the same for cheek areas as well.

If any abnormal areas are found, document and contact your dentist or family doctor to have a proper examination.

Sara Haire Dental Hygienist

A Message From Our Office

A few years ago I wrote an article on wisdom teeth. Generally speaking, over the last decades/centuries, the jaw size of humans has decreased therefore: most people cannot accommodate their wisdom teeth (otherwise known as third molars).

If left untreated, they can abscess or form a cyst later in life. Plus, the wisdom teeth, due to pressure, can negatively affect the second molar (in front of them). I have seen patients loose both the second molar and the wisdom tooth.

As we age, the extraction of wisdom teeth usually becomes more difficult, because the roots are larger and the bone denser.

Ideally, wisdom teeth should be removed as a teenager. At this age, the roots aren't fully formed, making the extraction less traumatic, hence less painful and easier recovery. I often give the comparison of taking down a tree as a sappling as opposed to a thirty year old mature tree. The other advantage to early removal of the wisdom teeth is less chance of nerve damage. (On lower wisdom teeth, the nerve that supplies sensation to your lower lip lies under these teeth).

Normally, most patients have four wisdom teeth and it's best to get them all removed at once – one recovery. This is usually done under IV sedation by a dental anesthesiologist.

Until next month, keep smiling

Dr. Ian Gray and Staff