Ghosts, Goblins, and a Ghoulish Halloween Recipe! From Dr. Baruffi

Trick-Or-Treat! October is National Orthodontic Health Month! In honor of Halloween, the American Association of Orthodontists has provided trick-or-treaters with some tips and treats for a ghoulishly good time!

Dr. Baruffi thought he'd pass on this braces-friendly Halloween recipe:

Frightfully Fabulous Cupcake Sandwiches

Ingredients:
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup warm water
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup superfine sugar
2 cups cake flour, sifted
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 can of chocolate frosting or store-bought chocolate mousse
1 container of whipped topping

Assorted “braces-friendly” candy pieces such as chopped peanut butter cups, chocolate bars and melt-in-your-mouth candies.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Fill a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners and set aside.

Combine cocoa powder, water, and mix until smooth. Fold in mayonnaise. (Make sure cocoa mixture is not to hot to prevent breaking of mayonnaise). Add vanilla and whisk until smooth.

In mixer, combine sugar, cake flour, baking soda and salt and mix slowly until well incorporated. Add wet cocoa mixture, mix on medium-high until well blended. Scrape down the sides and blend for 30 seconds.

Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 way full of batter. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack.

Slice each cupcake in half, horizontally, and serve the halves with chocolate mousse or frosting, whipped topping, and assorted candy pieces. Kids build the sandwiches by spreading one-half of a cupcake with mousse/frosting or whipped topping, sprinkling on candy pieces and placing the other half of cupcake on top.

Halloween Safety Tips

•Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
•Carry a flashlight
•Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
•Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
•Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in

And be sure to have a happy and safe Halloween! From Dr. Baruffi and team.

Regular Checkups are Important

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great; but, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit Southcenter Dental every six months in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health.

Dr. Baruffi can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam Dr. Baruffi can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, give us a call at 206.973.8211 to schedule an appointment!

Dental Sealants for Adults

Your molars have many tiny grooves all along their surface; and, while brushing and flossing will help to clean your teeth and remove plaque from off the top of your teeth, you won’t always be able to get deep down inside these grooves to clean your teeth. Sealants are able to protect these vulnerable areas of your teeth from tooth decay by “sealing” off grooves and preventing plaque and bacteria from being stuck.

While many people consider sealants to be something you get only once as a child, adults can also benefit from resealing their teeth later in life. Whether you have never had a cavity, or are prone to small areas of decay, you should ask Dr. Baruffi about resealing your teeth at your next dental checkup. Resealing your teeth is just one way that you can help protect your smile and prevent tooth decay and extra visits to the dentist!

Sealants only take a few minutes to apply, and here’s how it’s done:

• We will thoroughly clean and dry your teeth.
• An acid solution is then used to make the top part of your teeth seem rough (this helps the sealant bond stronger onto the teeth).
• We will then once again clean and dry your teeth.
• Sealant is painted onto the tooth’s surface where it bonds and hardens, filling in the tiny grooves, and helping to protect your teeth from cavities and decay.

Do you already have sealants? If so, we’d love to know how they have benefitted you, and what made you choose to reseal your teeth. If you have any questions about sealants, or would like to find out if this procedure is covered by your insurance, please contact our practice at 206.973.8211. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and schedule your next dental appointment!

--Southcenter Dental

National Dental Hygiene Month

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? Fall is here, and Halloween is coming soon, but now it is more important than ever to maintain good oral hygiene.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats can damage your teeth and braces too! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! After eating these candies, be sure to wash your mouth out with water, drink milk or eat a few slices of cheese. These will help neutralize the acid in your mouth (wait at least one hour before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, as this can actually increase the effects of acid on your teeth)

Besides cavities and tooth decay, many people do not realize that good oral health and hygiene are important to your overall health too! Research is discovering the connection between periodontal disease and other major health concerns, such as heart disease! Therefore, it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine: see Dr. Baruffi every six months, brush and floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash.

Make a resolution to improve your oral health for October, the National Dental Hygiene Month!
--Southcenter Dental