August 2013: Tips, eNews and More!     We hope you are enjoying the relaxed pace of the summer, and at the same time getting out and taking advantage of the activities that the season brings. Have you been involved in a group sport this summer? With the season winding down, now is the time to look for an indoor activity for the fall. If your choice of sport involves contact or strength and balance, talk to us about a custom fitted mouth guard. Above and beyond the benefits of safety and protecting your smile, some mouth guards have been shown to improve your overall sports performance. Are you or a family member headed off to school in September? Many post secondary institutions offer health plans that include dental coverage. If you are enrolled in a post secondary program, remember to look into the coverage offered to you. Your new school schedule may keep you busy, remember to make your oral health a priority. Enjoy the rest of your summer, Dr. Charles Weingarten and Team Are You Putting Your Smile Under Pressure? Watching a thrilling movie or the championship game can be a 'nail biting' experience. The excitement has us sitting at the edge of seats, our hearts pounding... and some of us even taking the 'nail biting' aspect literally. How does nail biting affect your teeth? The primary issue with nail biting is the pressure it puts on your front teeth. These teeth are not built to withstand the same amount of pressure that your molars are. Nail biting can cause the enamel protecting your teeth to fracture as well as wearing down and chipping the edges. Despite being the hardest substance in your body, enamel is by no means invincible. Chewing your nails creates rough edges which can cut the tissue in your mouth. Complicating this is the presence of bacteria and fungi that are on your fingers and under your nails. When you bite your nails you put yourself at an increased risk of infection, by giving these bacteria a new way to access your mouth and even your bloodstream. Conversely, the mouth has many bacteria that can infect your finger tips. If you have braces, nail biting adds an extra level of stress to your teeth. Braces already put pressure on your roots as they reposition your teeth. With the added pressure of nail biting the roots can be shortened. In extreme cases this shortening can reach a point where the teeth are significantly weakened. Click here to continue reading. Is Your Family Getting Enough Greens? Leafy green vegetables are one of nature's richest sources of a full spectrum of nutrients. So look beyond spinach and broccoli and get familiar with kale, collards, swiss chard, arugula, bok choy and other greens you can find at your grocery store, specialty stores and of course farmer's markets depending on the season. Regardless of your diet, greens should be an essential component of your day. Depending on your taste, there are many ways to get more green veggies into your diet. Through different preparations and by the very nature of vegetables, greens offer a very unique flavours and textures. From side dishes to mains and even in smoothies and juices there are endless ways to add more leafy green vegetables into your family's diet. It is very common to get overwhelmed when it comes to greens. My suggestion is to start basic. Pick one new green to "play" with until you have found a way for you and your family to enjoy it. Try smoothies, sauces, chickpea stew, chunky vegetable soup, grain dishes or simply dressed with olive oil and sea salt for example. Sure, greens can be bitter or odd, especially if they are new to your palette, however once you find a way to get them into a meal there is no turning back. Greens can help increase your energy, aid in weight loss and offer your family many health benefits that are well worth the time to experiment with. Let's take a closer look at a leafy green that has made its way into the spotlight over the past few years. Kale is a nutrient packed hearty dark green leaf that can be readily found at most major supermarkets. Benefits of kale include: Click here.