At Hardin Dental in Mason, Ohio we care about your Diet and Dental Health

Summer is almost here and all of us are trying to get in shape. Let’s try to get our mouths in shape this summer too. Good health begins in our mouth.

I’m not talking about toning up, dieting or anything else that is so ambitious. What I suggest is that you observe your diet over these summer months.

Here is the project I propose. Take the next three summer months and keep a food/beverage journal. Simply make a log of what you eat and drink and when you consume it. This usually gives people a pretty good insight into areas they might be able to improve nutritionally.

In terms of your dental health, you may want to evaluate when you eat and drink certain items. It is commonly known that sugar causes tooth decay. So, you should know that a good habit is to brush within 20 minutes of eating a big sugary snack and always before bedtime. Your mouth dries out during rest and this is the time acid erodes your teeth. Acids caused by sugar breaking down attack the teeth for up to 20 minutes. Keeping a food journal will help you track your diet and show you when you are most susceptible to tooth decay.

Also, watch for soda intake. Soda causes a lot more harm to teeth if you sip it several times throughout the day. It is the number of times that you drink from it that increases your risk for tooth decay. So if you want to drink a soda choose diet or drink it within minutes rather than sipping it throughout the day. Better yet, drink water. Water helps wash foods from the mouth, thus diluting the effect of sugars on the teeth. This will help hydrate you and keep you feeling full and away from sugary snacks. Staying away from soda will be one of the best ways to lose some extra pounds for the summer. You will learn more about yourself if you try this summer journal. No need to be perfect. Just give it a try and I would be happy to review it at your next hygiene visit. Let’s give it a try for the summer.

Hardin Dental participates in second dental makeover

As many people in Cincinnati, Ohio know, Hardin Dental was the participating dental team in the first Head-to-toe Extreme makeover. It was such an exciting event that we had individuals from all over the country apply. We are so excited to announce our second makeover. This will solely be a dental makeover. Patients will register through our website: http://www.hardindental.com/. Registering for the extreme dental makeover will be available in the next couple weeks. New details regarding the makeover will be in the next issue of Dear Doctor magazine. Please make sure you get a copy so you can learn more.

We are so very excited to get started on our second makeover. Patients will be selected by the dental magazine Dear Doctor. Once the selection has been made, the lucky individual will have their smile made over by either Dr. Tara Hardin or Dr. Gary Hardin. We look forward to creating another beautiful smile in Cincinnati, Ohio.