Our Blog

Craving Sugar? Check your Sleep Pattern!

February 20th, 2020

Craving something sweet constantly? Surprisingly, your sleep pattern may be the reason why. According to a study conducted this month in the Journal of the American Heart Association, lack of sleep may play a role in shaping your diet by stimulating cravings for sugar and unhealthy fats. The study performed by researchers at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center focused on sleep quality and diets of approximately 500 women aged between 20 and 76 years old for a period of one year. It was found that the women who reported less sleep also consumed more added sugars and fats within their diets. The participants of the study averaged less than 7 hours of sleep each night, which is lower than the recommended 8 or more hours of sleep. Those who reported not sleeping well averaged an additional 500-800 calories, in addition to exceeding the recommended daily amounts of total and saturated fat, added sugars, and caffeine. They also lacked healthy food group items including fiber and grains in their diets. Our diets can significantly increase the risk of developing certain health problems, including obesity, heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and even sleep disorders.

Sleep can often times get put on the back burner, especially when we have a lot of work to accomplish. However, good quality and amount of sleep is necessary for our overall health, and can even be important for helping to prevent heart disease, particularly for women. Sleep deprivation is believed to both stimulate hunger and mask hormone signals that tell the body that it is full. Kicking the bad habit of eating junk food might just begin with a good night's rest! Plus, it goes both ways; a healthier diet may also improve your sleep.

If you're having trouble sleeping, talk with your primary care physician and dentist to help determine the cause.

Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Derek, and Dr. Emad is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr. Stephens would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns.

References:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/17/health/poor-sleep-quality-unhealthy-diet-wellness/index.html

secrets-for-better-sleep.jpg

how-sugar-affects-your-sleep--696x337.jpg

Tags: Wellesley Dental Group, Dental, Boston, children, dentist, dentistry, Dr. Abdallah, Dr. Ali, Dr. Ejaz, Dr. Emad, Dr. Femina Ali, Drs. Ali and Ali, Ejaz Ali, Femina Ali, gum disease, health, healthy, kids, metro-west, Needham, oral health, patients, pediatric, smile teeth, tips, toothbrushing, tooth decay, cavities, caries, Wellesley, Wellesley dentist, Wellesley Hills, Dr. Derek, Dr. Stephens, Dr. Zarah, Dr. Zarah Ali, Dr. Singh, diet, sugar, sleep apnea, heart disease, obesity, Junk food, foods, sleep, caffeine, type-2 diabetes, sleep disorders, cravings, Journal of the American Heart Association, Columbia University's Irving Medical Center

Posted in Blogs, Blogs | No Comments

Reminder: Take Good Care of your Heart!

February 12th, 2020

It's hearts all over the world each month of February, especially with Valentine's Day right around the corner. But, this month isn't just about the cards and candy, it's also American Heart Month, where the importance of heart health is advocated by communities across the world. Heart disease is sadly the number 1 killer of Americans, killing more people than all forms of cancer! Both heart disease and stroke are the cause of approximately 2,300 deaths each day. This year, it is the 56th consecutive American Heart Month, which was first implemented by President Lyndon B. Johnson in February 1964. Organizations such as the American Heart Association promote the importance of heart disease awareness.

Over the years, rising obesity rates in children and adults have contributed to the progression of heart disease in America. Luckily, heart disease can be prevented with the right healthy life-style choices. From being more physically active, to eating healthier diets, and tracking your heart health by regularly checking your blood pressure and weight. Most people also don't realize that managing your stress and sleep schedule plays a role in your heart health. Lack of sleep can increase your risk for developing chronic health problems because your body needs the rest in order to keep your mental and physical health regulated.

Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease and can lead to heart attacks. People are at a higher risk of developing heart disease if they have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, preeclampsia during pregnancy, or prediabetes or diabetes. In addition, people who smoke cigarettes, are over age of 55 for women or 45 for men, or people with a family history of heart disease are also at a higher risk for having heart disease. Although some risk factors cannot be change, most others are modifiable! It is important to make conscious choices to eat healthy and stay active.

Take a look at this list of food groups that should regularly be included in your diet:

Vegetables such as leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, kale, cabbage), broccoli, and carrots
Fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, pears, grapes, and prunes
Whole grains such as plain oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-grain bread or tortillas
Fat-free or low-fat dairy foods such as milk, cheese, or yogurt
Protein-rich foods:
- Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, and trout)
- Lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef or pork tenderloin or skinless chicken or turkey
- Eggs
- Nuts, seeds, and soy products (tofu)
- Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans
Oils and foods high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats:
- Canola, corn, olive, safflower, sesame, sunflower, and soybean oils (not coconut or palm oil)
- Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts
- Nut and seed butters
- Salmon and trout
- Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, or flax)
- Avocados
- Tofu

It is important to limit sodium (salt), saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and alcohol. Reading food labels can be tedious but could also save your life! Sweetened drinks and desserts have a lot of added sugars which can not only impact your oral health but also your heart health.

References:

https://www.heart.org/en/around-the-aha/february-marks-56th-consecutive-american-heart-month

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/heart-month

shutterstock_1140436319RESIZE.jpg

nm-heart-month-feature.jpg

Tags: Wellesley Dental Group, Dental, Boston, children, dentist, dentistry, Dr. Abdallah, Dr. Ali, Dr. Ejaz, Dr. Emad, Dr. Femina Ali, Drs. Ali and Ali, Ejaz Ali, Femina Ali, gum disease, health, healthy, kids, metro-west, Needham, oral health, patients, pediatric, smile teeth, tips, toothbrushing, tooth decay, cavities, caries, Wellesley, Wellesley dentist, Wellesley Hills, Dr. Derek, Dr. Stephens, Dr. Zarah, Dr. Zarah Ali, Dr. Singh, diet, candy, pregnancy, Valentine's Day, stress, cancer, diabetes, healthy foods, cigarettes, smoking, heart disease, stroke, obesity, american heart month, sleep, AHA, heart

Posted in Blogs, Blogs | No Comments

Celebrating Children's Dental Health Month

February 4th, 2020

This month we are brought together with countless dental professionals, educators, healthcare providers, and the community at-large to celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month! The goal of this annual campaign from the American Dental Association (ADA) is to promote and teach good oral hygiene and habits to children and their village. Each year a new theme is released in celebration. The 2020 slogan focuses on the benefits of Fluoride for the health of children's teeth in honor of 75 years of water fluoridation: “Fluoride in water prevents cavities! Get it from the tap”!

Throughout the years research has consistently shown that ideal levels of fluoride in community water is both safe and effective. It has been found to help lower the risk of tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), community water fluoridation is considered one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century!

Dating back to the 1930's it was found that Fluoride, a natural occurring mineral, played an important role in cavity prevention. Water fluoridation was first introduced on January 25, 1945 and started first in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

It is important to instill healthy habits early to ensure a lifelong smile! Children should receive their first dental exam no later than their first birthday, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Tell your dentist if your notice your child doing certain habits, including thumb-sucking.

Check out the National Children’s Dental Health Month website, ADA.org/ncdhm, for free flyers, resources for good oral health, and fun activities for children. Sometimes it can feel like pulling teeth trying to get your child to brush and floss regularly. But not to worry, here are some tips to get your child excited about perfecting their oral health: Help show your child that brushing can be fun! Get into a routine and make it a habit to brush. Sing songs that last two minutes to help them get into the rhythm of brushing effectivley. Let them know the importance of brushing to help eliminate "sugar bugs," or bacteria, which lead to tooth decay. Your child may also be excited to brush when they pick out their favorite toothbrush and toothpaste. Teach them how to floss early in life so that they can develop it as a lifelong habit. In addition, promote a healthy diet by limiting the amounts of sugary beverages and snacks. Most importantly, don't give up! Teaching children about good oral hygiene habits is necessary for their overall health.

Feel free to contact Drs. Ali & Ali and the caring team at Wellesley Dental Group if you have any thoughts or concerns; they will be happy to answer your questions! Contact us today at 781-237-9071 or smile@wellesleydentalgroup.com to set up an appointment.Your little ones and teens are welcome to visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Derek, and Dr. Emad is happy to help with your TMJ and orthodontic needs. For wisdom teeth extractions or any other oral surgery needs, Dr. Stephens would love to help, and our gum-specialist Dr. Singh can help with your gum-related concerns.

References:

https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2019-archive/october/national-childrens-dental-health-month-to-celebrate-water-fluoridation-in-2020

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/fluoride/fluoride-varnish-toddlers

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/fluoride/why-use-fluoride-for-children-0813

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/life-stages/infant-kids/national-childrens-dental-health-month-five-ways-to-celebrate-0214

https://www.apha.org/fluoridation

Childrens-dental-month-1920x1920.jpg

600600p646EDNmainFeb-2018-FB-Ad-01172018-(1).jpg

Tags: Wellesley Dental Group, Dental, Boston, children, dentist, dentistry, Dr. Abdallah, Dr. Ali, Dr. Ejaz, Dr. Emad, Dr. Femina Ali, Drs. Ali and Ali, Ejaz Ali, Femina Ali, gum disease, health, healthy, kids, metro-west, Needham, oral health, patients, pediatric, smile teeth, tips, toothbrushing, tooth decay, cavities, caries, Wellesley, Wellesley dentist, Wellesley Hills, Dr. Derek, Dr. Stephens, Dr. Zarah, Dr. Zarah Ali, Dr. Singh, fluoride, floss, AAPD, National Children's Dental Health Month, ada, american dental association, Thumb sucking, cdc, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, centers for disease control and prevention, cavity prevention, water fluoridation

Posted in Blogs, Blogs | No Comments

Gain Wisdom on your 3rd Molars

January 25th, 2020

Many people seek to gain wisdom throughout life, but some may not realize that they might already have some towards the back of their mouth...their wisdom teeth! Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are typically the last teeth in the mouth to erupt, and are the last molars present on the upper and lower jaw. Since they are the last permanent teeth to erupt (usually between the ages of 17 and 25), sometimes there is not enough space for them, which can lead to impacted wisdom teeth. If your dentist tells you that you have an impacted wisdom tooth, this means that your tooth may have only partially erupted, or stayed buried underneath the gum tissue.

When this occurs, symptoms including swelling, infection, pain, or tenderness may develop. Some people however, may not experience any problems with their wisdom teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that people between ages 16 and 19 be evaluated by their dentist to see if they need to be removed. This age range is preferred by dentists because the roots of the wisdom teeth are usually not fully formed yet and are easier to remove than in older patients. Also, the risk of developing greater problems is lowered the earlier they are removed, including damage to the major nerve on the lower jaw, the inferior alveolar nerve. People receiving braces may also be recommended to remove their wisdom teeth to avoid their eruption altering the alignment of their teeth.

If it is determined by your dentist or dental specialist that your wisdom teeth need to be extracted, they will recommend either local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia depending on the multiple factors of each case. After the extraction, you may be asked to bite softly on a piece of gauze for approximately 30 minutes to limit any bleeding. Bleeding, swelling and tenderness post-extraction are common and may last normally for a few days. However, if it is to continue past a few days, it is important to contact your dentist.

It is recommended not to brush, rinse, or spit within the first 24 hours after the extraction to allow proper healing of the extraction site. Staying hydrated and eating is important following the extraction for your recovery. It is important not to drink through a straw however, as this can lead to dry socket. Dry socket is a possible complication of wisdom tooth removal, which can occur during the first five days after extraction. This happens when the blood clot that formed a seal after the extraction begins to break down and exposes the bone and nerves of the tooth. Only approximately 2 to 5% of people will develop a dry socket. According to a study published in the Journal of Oral Health and Dental Management, dry socket was more common in people who smoke and more likely to occur in the lower jaw. Dry socket can be very painful and may present with an unpleasant smell or taste, but can be treated by your dentist. The site will be cleaned of all debris and covered with a medication until it heals.

If your wisdom teeth are still present and healthy within your mouth, be sure that you are still brushing and flossing them, as these teeth can still develop tooth decay.