Happy Thanksgiving! Smile Central!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! One of our absolute favorite holidays of the year. A time to spend with great family and great food - what could be better? We hope your dinners are delicious and that everyone you're spending the holiday with is happy and healthy. There's really so much to be thankful for, and so smile to smile about.  

Speaking of, let's talk about smiling! We expect you'll be doing a lot of it today. According to the article is Spark People, smiling has great benefits for you and everyone around you. Here are the top 5 reasons to keep smiling...

1. Smiling can make you happy, even when you're not! 

By smiling, your body is sending a message to your brain that you're happy, and your brain in turn starts signaling endorphins to be released. Endorphins do actually make you happy. So the simple act of smiling really starts the chain reaction. 

Image source: http://smallearthvintage.blogspot.com/2011/11/street-style.html

2. Smiling makes you better looking!

Don't believe it? Well, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96% of adults in America believe that an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to the opposite sex. Ever think about why we smile in pictures? It's because that's when we look our best and our happiest.

3. De-stress with a smile. 

Next time you're feeling anxious, try taking a few deep breaths and smiling. It's just that easy. Smiling can help reduce symptoms associated with anxiety by sending a message to your brain that slows your heart rate and breathing. 

Image source: http://www.goodeyeblog.com/2011/02/christy-evans-yoga-teacher-portrait-photography/

4. Smile to make others happy!

Research shows that smiling is contagious. When someone smiles at you, it's really hard not to smile back. Sometimes you do so without even being aware of it!

5. It just feels good.

Smiling just feels right, and natural. Give it a try right now and you'll see what we mean :) 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! 

Germ Pop-Quiz!

We loved this Web MD quiz about the amount of germs that live in your mouth. It's a fun way to find out about your mouth and just how many germs are in there - and here's a little hint, there are a TON! Answer the 12 questions and we bet you'll be surprised by some of the results. 

Here's one giveaway, there's actually no such thing as the 5 second rule! The truth is, the longer your food is on the floor the more germs it will pick up, however, the second that food does touch the ground it starts to collect germs. 

So give the quiz a go and remember no cheating! :)

The Coldness is Coming!

It's getting colder outside, and it really feels like winter is almost here! As much as we all love the seasons changing, you're not along if you can't help but long for those warm summer months. Especially if you experience discomfort in your teeth from the cold air. It's actually a very common occurrence, and something we'll discuss today. 

(source: http://iloverainandcoffee.tumblr.com/post/19698092661)

If the feeling of discomfort or pain in your teeth sets in when you take a sip of something very cold or breathe in through your mouth on a chilly day - you likely suffer from tooth sensitivity. Don't worry! You are not alone, and there are many common reasons why this could be happening.

(source: http://indulgy.com/post/o4PMae1zb1/neon)

For instance, this could be caused by brushing too hard. Brushing vigorously is never a good idea. It can wear away at your natural tooth enamel and push your gums back, causing gum recession. However, there is also gum recession that simply occurs naturally, which cannot be helped. Other reasons are teeth grinding or drinking very acidic beverages on a regular basis Sodas, juices, wine and other acidic drinks can be the cause. What is actually happening to your teeth is that the roots are becoming exposed from the gum line. As a result, your teeth become very sensitive to extreme temperatures. 

(source: http://www.meetpenny.com/2011/01/batch-cooking-freezing-options/)

In certain circumstances, we can bond your teeth and that can help the situation. But we generally recommend using a toothpaste like Sensodyne, and brushing softly with a soft bristled brush. If the discomfort is persistent, especially with winter approaching, be sure to come in and let us take a look.