Simple & Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes

It seems like the month of November has really flown by! Thanksgiving is just a week away and we’re all looking forward to time with family and friends – not to mention all of the delicious food! 

If you’re looking to add a new side dish or two to your Thanksgiving table this year, we’ve found two contenders that will not only look spectacular but might also become a new favorite for your family. Both of these would be perfect to bring to a potluck meal since they can both be assembled in advance and each takes less than 30 minutes to heat.  

Maple Cranberry Sweet Potatoes

• 4 lbs. sweet potatoes
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
• 3 tbsp. butter
• 1 ½ tsp. salt

Place whole sweet potatoes in a large pot with just enough water to cover and one teaspoon of salt. Heat to a rapid boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered about 30 minutes or just until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat maple syrup to boiling on high. Reduce heat to medium, and boil gently for 10 to 15 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Stir in cranberries, butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook just until cranberries pop, typically about 5 minutes.

When ready to bake:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut cooled sweet potatoes into 1-inch-thick slices and arrange in shallow 3-quart ceramic or glass baking dish, overlapping slices if necessary. Spoon maple-cranberry syrup evenly over potatoes and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until hot.

Green Bean Cheddar Casserole

• 3 lbs. green beans
• 2 cups stale bread
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 3 tbsp. cornstarch
• 2 ½ cups milk
• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Bring a large saucepot of salted water to boil. Add green beans to the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

In a food processor, pulse bread into coarse crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and add olive oil and sliced green onions. Toss to combine and set aside.

In a saucepan, whisk cornstarch and 1/2 cup milk until all cornstarch is dissolved. Add nutmeg and a little salt and pepper. Heat slowly over medium heat, and slowly whisk in remaining 2 cups of milk. Allow sauce to boil for 2 minutes, keep whisking! Reduce heat to low, and add in cheeses one handful at a time, waiting until cheese melts before adding the next handful. Once all cheese has been added and the sauce is smooth, remove from heat. Toss with green beans until well coated with sauce. Transfer mixture to a 3-quart baking dish until ready to bake.

When ready to bake:

Sprinkle reserved breadcrumb mixture over green beans. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Recipe Swaps:

·         To save time, purchase fresh green beans in a microwaveable bag and skip the boiling all together!

·         Use your favorite store-bought breadcrumbs to save additional time in lieu of making them yourself. Panko breadcrumbs are also an excellent substitution, adding even more crunch to the topping of this dish.

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! All of us at Lubbock Periodontics are thankful for each and every patient we’ve had the pleasure of serving. Now, what are you going to make with all of the leftovers?

Four Flavorful Fall Smoothies

With Fall in full swing and with it the hectic holidays just a step further down the road, we thought we’d put together a list of a few fall-themed smoothies that can serve as a great (and easy!) breakfast or snack.

Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
If you’re a pumpkin fan, this smoothie is for you! While pumpkin is a trendy item, especially this time of year, what you might not know is pumpkin has both fiber and protein which makes for a healthy and filling smoothie. Healthy indulgence!

• 2 tablespoons canned pure pumpkin
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• 1 banana, frozen
• ½ teaspoon honey
• ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• ¼ cup ice

Helpful tip: If you’re finding that you have several over ripened bananas that you aren’t able to eat in time, toss them in a freezer bag! Frozen bananas are the perfect addition to smoothies and help make preparation even easier for those hectic weekday mornings. 

Cranberry, Pear, & Orange Smoothie
That’s quite a mouthful, and trust us, you’ll love this nutrient-packed smoothie!  It chocked full of filling fiber from the pear, Vitamin C from the orange, and antioxidants from the cranberries. If you’re using whole fresh cranberries for the first time, this smoothie might be a bit tart! Add a bit of extra honey to tone down the tart zing.

• ¾ cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 pear, core removed & chopped
• 1 small orange
• ½ cup low-fat plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 teaspoon honey

Feeling adventurous? Add in any of the items below to give this smoothie even MORE flavor!

• A handful of fresh spinach
• A frozen or fresh banana
• A few frozen strawberries, blueberries, mango, or pineapple
• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds (help keep yourself full until lunch!)

Caramel Apple Smoothie
This smoothie is a great alternative to the traditional sticky treat and delivers all of the delicious flavor! Smoothie staples Greek yogurt and almond milk add filling protein and frozen banana adds plenty of sweetness.

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 frozen banana
• ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
• ½ cup applesauce
• ¼  tsp caramel extract
• Caramel sauce & cinnamon for topping

Recipe swap: This recipe is very adaptable - the trick is to use what you have! Experiment with different types of milk and yogurt. If you don’t have caramel extract on hand, add a bit of caramel sauce right to the blender! The options are endless, have some fun with it!

Green Monster Smoothie
When you are ready to move on from using spinach in your green smoothies, Swiss chard is a great next step. Swiss chard has a delicate flavor and softer leaves that blend well in most blenders. It is actually in the same family (amaranthaceae) as spinach and beets!

• 2-3 cups Swiss chard, destemmed and roughly chopped 
• 2-3 ripe bananas, fresh or frozen
• 1 tart green apple, chopped
• 1 medium whole grapefruit, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup white cranberry juice or water
• 2 cups ice

This recipe makes plenty, so freeze individual portions for those extra hectic mornings!

What does bone grafting treatment involve?

Bone grafting is a fairly simple procedure which may be performed under local anesthetic; however if large amounts of bone area need to be grafted, general anesthetic may be required. 

Initially, the grafting material needs to either be harvested or prepared for insertion. A small incision is made in the gum tissue and then gently separated from the bone. The bone grafting material is then placed at the affected site.

The bone regeneration process may be aided by:

Gum/bone tissue regeneration – A thin barrier (membrane) is placed below the gum line over the grafting material. This barrier creates enough space for healthy tissue to grow and separates the faster growing gum tissue from the slower growing fibers. This means that bone cells can migrate to the protected area and grow naturally.

Tissue stimulating proteins – Enamel matrix proteins occur during natural tooth development. Emdogain is a matrix protein product which is usually placed on the affected site before the gum is sutured. It mediates the formation of accellular cementum on the tooth which provides a foundation to allow periodontal attachment to occur. Tissue stimulating proteins help to create lost support in areas affected by periodontal defects.

Platelet-rich growth factors – A high platelet concentration liquid can be used to create a blood clot at the site of a wound. It has recently been discovered that PRGF also stimulates bone growth – meaning a denser graft in a shorter time period.

The gum is sutured in place and a follow up appointment will need to be made within 10 days to assess progress. Bone grafting is a highly successful treatment and a good base for further periodontal restorations.

Prevent Gum Recession

Your teeth may go through a lot throughout the years, but they are meant to last a lifetime and can look and function properly well into your senior years. Enamel is the hardest substance in your body making teeth resilient; along with the help of your gums. Your gums don't just provide an aesthetically pleasing smile, they protect the dentin and roots below the enamel covering too.

With time, gums recede from their normal place due to a number of reasons. This does not only look unattractive, but it can expose your teeth to disease and cause sensitivity to biting pressure or temperature changes.

Though there are causes for gum recession that are out of your control, there are also causes for this problem that you can control. Below are some things you can do to help prevent gum recession.

• Avoid over-aggressive brushing
• Daily brushing and flossing
• Visit your dentist for cleanings and check-ups
• Consider orthodontic treatment for malocclusion

If you begin to see signs of gum problems such as swelling, bleeding or pain, schedule an appointment at Lubbock Periodontics for an examination and treatment. The first step to correcting gum issues is early detection of the problem and proper treatment. If you would like more information on the treatment and prevention of gum disease, please visit our website or give us a call at 806-794-8365.

Periodontal Disease & Diabetes

It has been proven that people that have diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease thanpeople without diabetes. Diabetes occurs when blood sugar is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. But too much glucose in the blood isn't good for your health. Those with diabetes are also more susceptible to contracting infections, which why they are more likely to develop periodontal disease.

Here are ways in which diabetes and periodontal disease are linked: 

• Increased blood sugar – Moderate and severe periodontal disease elevates sugar levels in the body, increasing the amount of time the body has to function with high blood sugar. This is why diabetics with periodontitis have difficulty keeping control of their blood sugar. In addition, the higher sugar levels found in the mouth of diabetics provide food for the very bacteria that worsen periodontal infections. 

• Blood vessel thickening – The thickening of the blood vessels is one of the other major concerns for diabetes sufferers. The blood vessels normally serve a vital function for tissues by delivering nutrients and removing waste products. With diabetes, the blood vessels become too thick for these exchanges to occur. This means that harmful waste is left in the mouth and can weaken the resistance of gum tissue, which can lead to infection and gum disease. 

• Smoking – Tobacco use does a great deal of damage in the oral region. Not only does tobacco use slow the healing process, it also vastly increases the chances of an individual developing periodontal disease. For diabetics who smoke, the risk is exponentially greater. In fact, diabetic smokers aged 45 and over are twenty times more likely to develop periodontal disease. 

• Poor oral hygiene – It is essential for diabetics to maintain excellent levels of oral health. When daily brushing and flossing does not occur, the harmful oral bacteria can ingest the excess sugar between the teeth and colonize more freely below the gum line. This exacerbates the metabolic problems that diabetes sufferers experience.

It is important that people suffering from any type of diabetes to see the dentist at least twice yearly for checkups and professional cleanings. For those who have diabetes and contract periodontal disease we do have treatment options available. For more information on periodontal disease and diabetes visit our site lubbockperiodontics.com 

Brush Plaque and Tartar Away

Periodontal disease is a serious, progressive condition which can cause tooth loss, gum recession and jawbone recession. Periodontal disease is caused by the toxins found in plaque, and can lead to serious health problems in other parts of the body. Removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the tooth using a toothbrush.

The Proper Way to Brush

The teeth should be brushed at least twice a day; ideally in the morning and before bed. The perfect toothbrush is small in size with soft, rounded-end bristles and no more than three months old. The head of the brush needs to be small enough to access all areas of the mouth, and the bristles should be soft enough so as not to cause undue damage to the gum tissue. The American Dental Association (ADA) has given electric toothbrushes their seal of approval; stating that those with rotating or oscillating heads are more effective than other toothbrushes.

Here is a basic guide to proper brushing:

1. Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet. 

2. Use small circular motions to gently brush the gum line and teeth. 

3. Do not scrub or apply too much pressure to the teeth, as this can damage the gums and tooth enamel. 

4. Brush every surface of every tooth, cheek-side, tongue-side, and chewing surfaces. Place special emphasis on the surfaces of the back teeth. 

5. Use back and forth strokes to brush the chewing surfaces. 

6. Brush the tongue to remove fungi, food and debris. 

What Is Bone Grafting?

A great smile requires more than just healthy teeth. It also requires healthy gums and a healthy jaw bone.

The jaw bones hold the teeth in place. If a tooth is missing either due to periodontal (gum) disease or caries (decay), the jaw bone will begin to recede. Why is that a problem? You need the jaw bone intact to replace the missing tooth or teeth with a dental implant, a denture, or a partial.

Bone grafting is the common procedure that reconstructs the bone so that you can fill the extracted socket from the missing tooth in order to maintain the width and the height of the alveolar ridge. The alveolar ridge is also known as the gum ridge and is one of the two jaw ridges either on the roof of the mouth between the upper teeth and the hard palate or on the bottom of the mouth behind the lower teeth.

Bone grafting is a highly successful treatment and a good base for further periodontal restorations.For more information on bone grafting at Lubbock Periodontics, contact us at (806) 794-8365 or click here to visit our website.

When To Visit Lubbock Periodontics About Your Dental Implants

Dental implants are permanent fixtures that help to restore your smile and help you chew your food properly. According to the American Dental Association, implants are sturdy tooth replacements. However, it is essential to watch for problems that can develop. Here are certain signs that you should visit Lubbock Periodontics.

Pain During Meals

Dental implants should not cause pain when you eat food. If you begin to feel discomfort at mealtime or while snacking, a problem may be developing. Your periodontist will examine your mouth and uncover the problem so that you can return to a pleasant eating experience.

Inflamed Gums

Dental implants affect the health of your gums. Just like with real teeth, your gums will surround the implants. If they suddenly become red or swollen, peri-implant disease may be beginning. If not treated early, you may end up losing your new implants. It is essential to take proper care of your gums so that your mouth remains healthy. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth each day will guard against gum problems.

Shifting Positions

A dental implant is aligned perfectly from the start so that your bite lines up and your jaw is in the proper position. Over time, you may develop periodontal disease, which will make your teeth move out of place. This may occur with an implant as well. If you start to see that your implant is no longer standing straight or that it has shifted along the gum line, it may be best to visit your Lubbock Periodontics.

At Lubbock Periodontics, the dental health of our patients is our top priority. If you have any questions about the implant procedure or want to learn tips to keep your implants in top condition, call our office today.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Have you ever feared going to the dentist for a routine checkup? Well believe it or not, a large number of Americans experience this and don’t visit the dentist regularly because of dental anxiety.

At Lubbock Periodontics, we offer a solution for those who are afraid of dentist visits, sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry provides an opportunity for us to make our patients who struggle with dental anxiety feel more at ease, as it allows a safe way to rid the nerves at your dental appointment. Many have a misunderstanding about sedatives and define them as an induced sleep; however, this is incorrect. The reality is several of our patients who opt for sedation dentistry often stay awake during the procedure. 

Some advantages that come with sedation dentistry are as follows:

• Anxiety is alleviated. 
• Few side effects. 
• More can be accomplished during each visit. 
• No needles. 
• No pain. 
• Perfectly safe. 
• Procedures seem to take less time.

Click here to visit our website for more information, or give us a call at 806-794-8365.

Healthy Super Bowl Snacks

Are you ready for some football? With the Super Bowl around the corner, many of you will be hosting or attending fun parties that demand super snacks, but they don't have to be at the expense of your teeth. That’s why Lubbock Periodontics put together a few tasty game day snacking ideas with healthy ingredients. Of course, these are snacks, and none of them are perfect. Regardless of what you eat, don’t forget to brush! Just click the name of the snack for the complete recipe!

Hummus and Cucumber Bites

Healthy 7 Layer Dip

Dark Chocolate Greek Yogurt Dip