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Eat Your Fruits and Veggies | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Do you take vitamins? Do you do it to make your body healthy or your teeth? Because believe it or not, there are some vitamins and minerals you should work into your lifestyle because it works. Taking these nutritional building blocks may be essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy while benefiting your entire body at the same time. How’s that for a bonus? Here is a quick rundown of smile-friendly vitamins and minerals.

Calcium. In your mouth, calcium helps harden your enamel and strengthen your jawbone. Milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli and salmon are some known sources of calcium.

Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium while boosting bone mineral density via sunlight, fatty fish, canned tuna and portobello mushrooms.

Potassium. Potassium improves bone mineral density and prevents blood from becoming too acidic. Bananas, lima beans, tomatoes, Swiss chard, potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados and prunes are all great sources.

Phosphorus. Phosphorus supports calcium in building strong bones and teeth, and is found in seafood, soybeans, lentils, pumpkin seeds, beef, pork and cheese.

Vitamin K. This vitamin helps block substances that break down bone. Leafy greens, such as kale, collards, spinach, parsley, broccoli and brussel sprouts all have vitamin K.

Vitamin C. Vitamin C strengthens your gums and protects against gingivitis. Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, but you can also find it in potatoes and leafy greens.

Vitamin A. This vitamin helps keep the gums healthy, prevents dry mouth and helps your mouth heal quickly. Vitamin A is found in fish, egg yolks and liver as well as leafy green vegetables or orange-colored fruits and veggies.

If you would like more information about vitamins & minerals, call Dr. Greg J. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

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The History of the Toothbrush | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Brushing our teeth has long been touted as an important part of oral health. Using a toothbrush, a very simple personal hygiene tool found in every household, we’ve come to make a habit of using it more than twice a day. But have you ever thought about how it came to be? February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, so while you are teaching your little one to brush their teeth, teach them a little history of the toothbrush:

Ancient Egyptians are widely regarded as the first group of people to use a toothbrush, constructing one made of twigs and leaves to clean their teeth. By the 15th century, the Chinese had begun using a toothbrush that closely resembles what we use today. A century later, English noblemen and privileged families began using toothbrushes made out of silver.

William Addis would then go on to invent what’s widely considered as the first modern toothbrush in 1780 while in prison. It’s believed that the idea came about while watching how the floors were swept clean using a brush. He’d then fashion the toothbrush using a bone and bristles he had obtained from
the guard and went on to make a fortune once released.

The design of the toothbrush would then be refined over time and in 1938, soft-bristles toothbrushes were invented. Soon enough, companies such as Oral-B would begin mass producing soft-bristled toothbrushes.

Innovation still has not left toothbrushes and up to this day, the design and the bristles are still being refined to better meet modern needs, including the development of toothbrushes made of recyclable materials.

If you would like more information about pediatric dental hygiene, call Dr. Greg J. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

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Stews and Ciders: It’s Time for Autumn Eats | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

There is just something about the Autumn that makes the world a happier place. It could be the smell of pumpkin spice everywhere we turn or the chilly weather that makes us want to bundle up and crave a piping hot cup of hot chocolate. Not only that, but the autumn season starts the beginning of the holiday season, which means plenty of photo ops. Unfortunately, a lot of our diet consists of teeth-staining foods. Luckily there are plenty of foods that not only keep us healthy, but also brightens our smile for those holiday selfies:

What is more autumn than apples? The crispiness of the apple is what is doing most of the work for your smile. As you bite into an apple, you are strengthening your gums. And the juiciness of the apple produces saliva, which rinses our mouths of cavity-forming bacteria.

Broccoli is a veggie that is present in lots of warm comfort foods, but it is also Mother Nature’s toothbrush. Munching on these little “brushes” will not only supply your body with iron but gives your teeth a quick scrub. Carrots and celery are the next in this line of veggies, so stews are perfect for our smiles and the season. All great vitamins packed inside, and the high-water content is great for saliva production. And if you think about it, celery is like nature’s floss.

Dairy is chockful of calcium, foods like milk, yogurt and cheese strengthen your teeth and gums. The stronger your teeth enamel is, the whiter & healthier they become.

If you would like more information about healthy foods for your smile, call Dr. Greg J. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.