November 2011 - eNews, Tips, and More!
|
|
The days are getting shorter and the air crisper and dryer. Even though it comes every year, the first cold snap of winter can come as a complete surprise. Take a deep breath, relax and use November as a transition month. The Air Conditioner should be covered, and water to exterior taps shut-off. Move winter jackets and sweaters to the front of the closet instead of digging past summer clothes for a pair of gloves and a scarf when the winter takes hold.
Did you test the smoke detectors around your house for the winter season. First check to see if the battery is still strong (if you can't remember when you last changed it, CHANGE IT NOW). Secondly check to see if the actual detector is still good, smoke detectors are generally good for about 10 years (look for the expiry date on the side or by the battery panel of the actual smoke detector).
Is it time for a cleaning or to have your dental work completed?
If your dental benefits are based on the calendar year, your maximums may not roll over into the New Year. If you don't use them they will go to waste.
Call us today or click here to request an appointment and we will find a time that fits your schedule.
Have a safe and healthy month,
Dr.MIlligan and High Park Dental team
|
The Importance of Regular Dental Examinations
Why does your dentist want to schedule another appointment with you so soon - even if today's oral examination was perfect?
Regular dental visits are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. For maximum benefit, a good home care regimen must be supplemented with an examination at least every six months. Depending on the status of your oral health, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits.
Several months after cleaning, teeth can have plaque build-up as well as stains from food, beverages, tobacco, etc. Over time, plaque build-up can harden into tartar (or calculus) formation.
Click here to read on.
|
Energy Granola Bar
| |
|
During a fast paced day many of us turn to cereal or energy bars as a quick snack to help push back or even replace a meal. Through marketing and often misleading packaging, these 'energy bars' lead us to believe that they are a healthy alternative. While some may be what they claim, others are not even made from foods at all, rather composed of synthetic derivatives from poor-quality sources. Here is some advice on what to look for as a warning sign to stay away or perhaps think of them as good for you as a candy bar.
Common Ingredients of Store Bought 'Energy Bars':
- High-fructose corn syrup: Added as an inexpensive sweetener.
- Soy isolate: Used to add texture and protein content.
- Whey protein: Used to increase protein content.
- Natural flavour: Can come from far too many sources.
- Fractioned palm oil: A cheap oil used for its high heat stability.
- Maltodextrine (corn): Genetically modified cheap sweetener.
- Artificial sweeteners (malitol, sucralose): Genetically modified sweeteners
Things to Look for in a more Nutritious 'Energy Bar':
- Natural protein source (nuts, seeds, quinoa, brown rice protein, hemp protein)
- Natural sweeteners (brown rice syrup, honey, maple syrup, stevia)
- An understandable, short ingredient list
- It doesn't double as a candy bar (containing 24 grams of sugar, which is the same amount found in chocolate bars!)
- As few processed ingredients as possible.
You can also make your own whole-food energy bars instead. Click here for this month's healthy recipe "Energy Granola Bars"
|
|
.jpg)