November 2012: Tips, eNews & More!

This past weekend I was walking through a mall and, believe it or not, I heard my first holiday song of the season. While winter does not officially start until next month, the holiday season seems to come earlier each year. I must admit, the cheeriness in the song did lighten the mood of the day. It also reminded me that it's time to finish the fall chores around the house and bring the warmer wardrobe out of storage (this year I'm not waiting until the last minute to search for a hat and pair of gloves).

November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Did you know that there is a connection between diabetes and gum disease? Patients with diabetes have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. This risk increases if the diabetes is poorly managed. A combination of high levels of glucose in the saliva and weakened bones and gums (caused by affected blood vessels) compounds the likelihood of infections. If you or someone you know has diabetes, we encourage you to speak to us about routinely monitoring your oral health.

Is it time for a cleaning or to have unfinished dental work completed? If your dental benefits are based on the calendar year, your maximums may not roll over into the New Year. Our calendar fills up quickly this time of year, so we encourage you to call today if you need an appointment before the New Year.

We hope that you have adapted to the time change, and the shorter amount of sunlight in the evenings that comes with it. It's a good time to add vitamin D to your regimen. It is also a great time to remember to check your smoke detector batteries and expiry dates. This year we would like to add your carbon monoxide detectors to this list as well. Many CO detectors plug into your electrical sockets, but remember, they have an expiry date. Replace any expired detectors around your home and protect your family, especially if you have a gas furnace (which has likely been running for weeks now).

Have a safe and healthy month.

Dr. Tsang and Team

Gum Disease and Diabetes

Gum disease is an infection in the gum, bone and tissues. Gum disease may eventually result in unstable base for your teeth, which then become mobile and may fall out or have to be removed.

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a primary cause of tooth loss, and is often linked to diabetes. Diabetes slows blood circulation, which can contribute to the onset of infections of gum tissues. High saliva sugar levels associated with diabetes contribute to the growth of bacteria which causes gum disease.

Smoking and poor oral hygiene for people with diabetes significantly heightens the incidence of gum disease.

What are the signs of gum disease?

Click here to see what you can do!

Split Pea Soup Thickened with Cauliflower

With the colder days upon us, heavier, heartier foods that warm you from the inside seem appropriate for our recipe section. Peas seem to be in abundance at the local supermarket and make for a wonderful soup. The option of green or yellow peas will let you decide on the colour of your soup (depending on your mood).

While green peas have a very distinct flavour and yellow peas are a bit mellower, they both go well with fresh and dried herbs. If you can't find fresh peas when you go to try this recipe, dried split peas will work well (as an added bonus they don't need to be soaked before cooking like other legumes and beans).

To help this recipe in the "hearty department", we are going to suggest thickening it up with cauliflower. That's right cauliflower can replace potato, flour or any other thickener that would typically be used in a soup. Cut up cauliflower florets make the perfect addition to any soup that you are going to blend up or puree. They add a healthy dose of fiber, antioxidants and vitamin C, rather than empty calories or simply starch.

Split Pea Soup Thickened with Cauliflower (or Sweet Potatoes)

Click here for the recipe.

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