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YOU MAY NOT THINK of gelatin as a health food. Yet, homemade natural jello is one of the best things you can eat for healthy gums.

Gelatin And Gum Tissue

Gelatin is made of collagen. The collagen of natural jello gives your body the amino acids glycine and proline, which are important for new collagen synthesis in your gums. New collagen produced in your gums helps make your periodontal tissue firm and strong. Some components of the collagen in gelatin have been shown to help repair gum tissue and can also be beneficial in your body’s wound healing.

Gelatin’s Other Benefits

Not only is natural gelatin good for your gums, it is also good for your bones, teeth, cartilage, joints, and digestive tract. Gelatin can help reduce wrinkles. How great is that? Gelatin can also give you healthier skin and hair. It can even reduce cellulite! In addition, gelatin has been found to improve sleep and relieve stress.

Homemade Gelatin

To make your own healthy gelatin at home that is low in sugar and free of artificial coloring, try the recipe below:

• 4 Tbs gelatin power
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups fruit juice
• fruit
• shredded coconut

Mix ingredients together, then chill in refrigerator.

Enjoy Your Gum-Healthy Gelatin Treats!

With all these health benefits, why wouldn't we all eat gelatin? Make some gelatin for your gums. Gelatin can be acquired either in a powdered form for your recipes or from bone broth.

Here’s to your dental health!

Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, Orthodontist, 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, Antioch, California (925) 757-9000

Top image by Flickr user Andrew Mager used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

AT GORCZYCA ORTHODONTICS, you and your patient experience are our highest priority. We want you and your children to look forward to coming to your next orthodontic appointment and to leave happier than you came.

In addition to clinical excellence and outstanding customer service, we strive to make your orthodontic appointments a great experience and just plain FUN! We know it’s the little things that make you and your kids happy. That’s why we have upgraded our three reception area play stations.

Check Out Our Arcade!

At Gorczyca Orthodontics, we now have 267 Sega Genesis and Atari games in the reception play area. So, pull up a bean bag and have some fun! Some games are classics that even Dad will enjoy playing. Some games will be new to you and your whole family.

Come early to your next appointment and allow time to take the Atari Sega challenge. Have some fun with your kids. Or, have your child bring a friend for a few game matches.

New Patient? We Can Answer Your Questions!

If you are new to Gorczyca Orthodontics, welcome! Find us at 5201 Deer Valley Road, Suite 1A, in Antioch, CA (right behind Deer Valley High School). Visit us for a free orthodontic exam. Find us at www.clubbraces.com to learn more about board certified orthodontist Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca, the excellent quality of our care, the history of Gorczyca Orthodontics, our outstanding customer service, and our amazing team of orthodontic professionals. We can’t wait to see you!

There’s something for everyone at Gorczyca Orthodontics. Come a little early and make yourself at home. We love seeing you, your family, and your smiles. Be our guest, have your teeth straightened and bite corrected, and have some fun at the same time.

We’re looking forward to seeing you. See you soon at Gorczyca Orthodontics! (925) 757-9000

IN THE WORLD of dental health, the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is absolutely true, particularly when it comes to gum disease. A major factor in helping our patients avoid gum disease before, during, and after their orthodontic treatment is making sure they’re well informed on the subject, and that means it’s time to debunk a few common gum disease myths.

Myth #1: Bleeding Gums Are Normal

One of the most popular dental health myths is that a little pink in the sink is perfectly normal. The truth is, bleeding gums are the first sign of gum disease. Gums swell, bleed, and become tender when plaque accumulates on the teeth and around the gum line. Keep your gums healthy by removing plaque and food debris with daily brushing and flossing, and make sure to use a soft-bristled brush.

Myth #2: Poor Dental Hygiene Causes Gum Disease

While neglecting good oral hygiene habits definitely contributes to the development of gum disease, there can be many other factors involved. Tobacco use, stress, a bad diet, genetics, pregnancy, and illnesses such as diabetes can all increase your risk of developing gum disease.

Because of the wide variety of risk factors, maintaining great oral hygiene habits doesn’t always prevent gum disease. In the earliest stages, it can be painless and have no symptoms, so many people don’t even know they have it. That’s why proper oral hygiene and twice-yearly visits to your dentist are essential for your oral health, even if you don’t have a cavity!

Myth #3: Gum Disease Is Irreversible

In the early stages (gingivitis), gum disease can be reversed! The earlier gingivitis is caught, the easier it is to eliminate before it advances to full-blown periodontitis. Finding out you have gingivitis can be worrisome, but here’s the good news: good oral hygiene habits and professional cleanings can, in most cases, rid you of gingivitis and stop gum disease in its tracks.

Myth #4: Only Adults Can Get Gum Disease

Gum disease is much more prevalent in adults, but that doesn’t mean children are immune. Genetics, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes can leave children susceptible to gum disease. Even puberty, with all its hormonal changes, can put your child at risk. Their best defense against any dental disease–gum disease and tooth decay included–is to take care of their teeth at home and visit the dentist on a regular basis.

Myth #5: Everyone With Diabetes Has Gum Disease

Diabetes is definitely risk factor for a gum disease, but that just makes regular dental visits and a rigorous oral hygiene regimen that much more essential. Keeping your gums healthy will actually make your diabetes easier to manage, and vice versa!

Gum Disease Myths…Busted!

Now that you know more about gum disease, keep up the good work maintaining healthy gums! Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

As always, thank you for supporting our practice.

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

WE ALL KNOW it’s possible to catch a cold from someone who’s under the weather. Did you know cavity-causing bacteria can be passed from person to person too?

Bacteria Is At The Root Of Cavities

While sugary treats often take the blame for causing cavities, the real culprits for tooth decay are bacteria. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are bacteria which stick to our teeth and eat food particles left behind from our last meal, producing acids which threaten gum health and cause tooth decay. And just like cold-causing bacteria, these bacteria like to travel.

Bacteria Travels From Person To Person

Whether it’s through sharing a drink or kissing a loved one, cavity-causing bacteria can be passed from person to person the same way many other bacterial infections can. Studies have shown that “catching a cavity” is not only possible, it happens far more often than you might think.

One of the most common transmissions is from parent and child. Cavity-causing bacteria is commonly passed along to a child when a mother or father tastes food to ensure it’s not too hot or when he or she “cleans” a pacifier by sucking on it before handing it over.

Take Simple Steps To Stop The Spread Of Bacteria

What can you do to reduce your risk of transmitting these cavity-causing bacterias to someone else?

• Floss and brush frequently.
• Chew sugar-free gum—this promotes saliva production and washes away plaque and bacteria).
• Be mindful of drinks and eating utensils you’re sharing and the risks that are involved.
• Be aware of other behaviors which may spread these bacteria.

Trust Our Practice For Solutions

Nobody wants to inadvertently “catch a cavity.” Our practice is committed to providing you with the best information possible to help you create a healthy and resilient smile. If you have any questions about this, be sure to ask us! We love visiting about your orthodontic health. You can also comment below and reach out to us on social media.

Visit us at Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch California for a free oral exam and orthodontic evaluation. Call us at (925) 757-9000. Find us at the Deer Valley Dental Professional Center, 5201 Deer Valley Road, right behind Deer Valley High School.

Your smile is our inspiration.

Top image by Flickr user bigbirdz used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.