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The human heart truly appreciates it when we eat healthy foods, don’t smoke, and exercise regularly. But there’s something else that can improve your heart’s longevity and you may not know about it: keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top shape.

Bacteria responsible for periodontal disease have been found in the heart region of subjects who suffer artery inflammation, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Studies suggest that oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream through diseased, bleeding gums and abscesses, in extreme situations, can reach from the gums into veins and capillaries that carry blood to and from the heart.

Here are some things we recommend you adopt to make your heart love you for the rest of your life:

1. Follow good oral hygiene and have your teeth professionally cleaned every six months.
2. Avoid eating foods that contain saturated fat (fatty meats, processed meats, pastries, butter).
3. Craving a crunchy snack? Grab a handful of tree nuts: pecans, almonds, walnuts. They’re rich in monounsaturated fats (the “good” kind of fat) as well as vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium.
4. Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast nourishes your heart with a soluble fiber called beta-glucan that can reduce cholesterol and help prevent atherosclerosis.
   
5. Think “fish” the next time you shop for groceries — especially sardines, salmon, fresh tuna, and mackerel. These fish provide omega-3 fatty acids that lower triglycerides and blood pressure, and may help prevent blood clots from forming.
6. Opt for whole grains over processed white breads and cereals.
7. Put that remote control (or computer mouse) down right now and get moving! Walk, swim, ride a bike, plant flowers; your heart likes to pump so give it a reason to!
8. Refresh your brain and improve your heart health with at least eight hours of sleep every night.
9. De-stress your life as much as possible. Relax, stay optimistic, and don’t sweat the petty stuff!
10. Watch your weight and get regular health examinations, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.

Questions about your oral health and how it relates to your heart? Feel free to ask us at your next appointment!

Adapting Your Diet After an Orthodontic Adjustment:

If you have just gotten braces or had them tightened, it may take a few days for your teeth to adjust. During this time, you’ll want to take extra precautions to prevent unnecessary pain and potential damage to your teeth, gums, and appliances. Don’t worry: Any discomfort you experience will soon disappear. And it’ll all be worth it in the end. Your new, beautiful smile will be yours for a lifetime!

Change What You Eat:

Eating inappropriate foods can cause unnecessary pain. Here are some easy ways you can adapt your diet and eating habits after an adjustment. Cut your food into small pieces. Any food that requires chewing can be cut up into bite-sized pieces. This includes sandwiches, pizza, meat, and bread. Eat softer foods. In the first couple of days, stick to soft foods such as yogurt, pudding, and soups. Mashed potatoes and applesauce are good options as well. It’s easy to cook fruits and vegetables to make them softer: just steam them in the microwave! Be gentle with your teeth. Braces give your teeth a workout, so to ease soreness, be gentle with your teeth. Avoid chewy foods that can further irritate already-sore teeth and gums.

Dealing with Discomfort:

Even if you alter your diet and take extra precautions, your mouth may still be sore or irritated. Here are some ways to reduce any lingering discomfort. Eat slowly and carefully. If it hurts to chew something, stop! If chewing is needed, try to use your back teeth as much as possible. Put pain on ice. Try sucking on some small pieces of ice. Don’t chew on the ice; this will make your discomfort worse. You can also use an ice pack or put frozen peas in a bag and apply pressure to the sore areas. Use wax. Put wax on any metal part that irritates your mouth. If you need some, please let us know! Do a salt rinse. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes. Just don’t swallow the salt water. Following these simple tips will get you back to smiling in no time! If you have any questions about your treatment, or how to eat with braces, please give us a call at 845-621-1222, or ask us during your next appointment!

Wednesday May 7th is Invisalign Day in our office!  Thanks to Invisalign, patients will be given a $625 courtesy towards Invisalign treatment if they schedule an initial Invisalign exam with Dr. Rooney for May 7th.  Invisalign impressions must be taken before May 30th 2014.  Tell your family and friends about this special event.  To schedule an appointment or for more information, call our office at (845)-621-1222.

See you then!

If you are wearing braces and are planning a vacation, we would suggest that you be prepared. We put together a list of items that will be handy to have with you at all times while you are out of town. They include:

• Toothpick, flosspick, or other interdental cleaners
• Travel toothbrush
• A water bottle or a mini bottle of mouth rinse
• Orthodontic wax to help with discomfort from protruding wires
• A small mirror for examining any possible issues in your mouth

Putting these items together in a "braces/oral hygiene kit" may be wise. You may even buy pre-made braces kits. Please ask us for more information.

If you happen to be on vacation and experience problems reaching our office, we suggest going online and searching for orthodontic practices in your area. Most orthodontists will lend a helping hand to another orthodontic patient and get him or her out of pain or discomfort.

We also suggest avoiding the following foods to prevent broken brackets and/or wire distortion while you are on vacation:

• Chewy, sticky, or gummy food
• Apples, pears, and other whole fruits (cut fruit into wedges before consuming)
• Bagels and hard rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Hard candies, cookies or pretzels
• All varieties of nuts, including peanuts, almonds, and cashews

Finally, if you are wearing clear aligners and happen to lose your tray, don't worry! Simply put in either the previous tray or the next tray and contact us as soon as you get home!

Follow these tips and you can have a worry-free vacation! Please give us a call if you have any questions!