Happy Fourth of July!! Grilling this weekend?  

Some spices may play role in reduced cancer risk!!

     Most people aren't aware that when you cook meat (whether it's grilled, broiled, or seared) there are carcinogenic compounds that can form called HCA's (heterocyclic amines).  There is a tasty solution so you can still enjoy your grilled meat with less risk!

 From the Washington Post:   Marinades Help Keep Grilled Meat Safe
By Amanda Gardner  HealthDay Reporter  Friday, August 22, 2008; 12:00 AM
You can have your steak and eat it, too, without producing harmful cancer-causing compounds, new
research shows.  As a matter of fact, marinating meat in antioxidant-rich spice blends can reduce the risk of these heterocyclic amines (HCAs) forming by more than 80 percent.

   "If you are concerned about carcinogens, marinating a product, and this would be any kind of
muscle food product, is a good way to dramatically reduce the formation of HCAs," said study
author J. Scott Smith, a professor of food science at Kansas State University. His research was
 published in the current issue of the Journal of Food Science. "The marinades would have to be
rich in spices," Smith added.
   
   Of all those investigated, rosemary came out on top as the strongest protector against HCA.  The authors suggested that consumers integrate these spices into their menus when appropriate, noting that some, such as rosemary, come in an extract form that has demonstrated HCA inhibition of 61% to 79%.  They pointed out that spicing allows for the sort of high-temperature cooking (above 352 degrees Farenheit) that is typically recommended for safe grilling, while at the same time blocking the increased HCA production that is known to occur when the flames intensify.
 Marinating meats for at least several hours beforehand in liquid mixtures that contain rosemary and other herbs/spices can dramatically help to reduce the HCA's.  It seems the highly potent antioxidants in these herbs help prevent HCA formation.
  Rosemary and thyme were specifically cited in studies at being powerful inhibitors of HCA formation when grilling meats.  Other spices such as garlic, oregano, and others can help to prevent HCA formation as well, so add some of your favorites to your rosemary and thyme marinade and soak -- it will  tastes great, I'm sure. 


PS -- Rare, medium-rare, or medium are healthier choices than well-done -- the longer it's grilled, the more HCAs are created.


Here's to a Healthier Fourth of July!!
 Dr. Natalie Amann

I'm going to try to pass on more healthy or useful tips and ideas as I find them.  I hope this helps.

 

What’s on your reading list?

With the school year close to winding down for a lot of our patients at Dr. Amann's office, we wanted to remind all our patients about the importance of reading. Sure it’s easy to keep putting off reading this time of year, but reading is a vital step in brain development and literacy. And if you needed any more reason to read, May marks “Get Caught Reading Month.”

Today, we thought we’d ask: What's on YOUR reading list? What are some of your all-time favorites? Out of ideas for great reads? Ask us for suggestions, and Dr. Amann and our team would be happy to provide a few. You may also ask a local librarian for some ideas on what to read next!

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your book picks or your all-time favorite novels or literature on our Facebook page!

Flossing with Dr. Amann

We hope you and your child are not a part of the 51 percent of Americans who don’t floss every day. And we definitely hope you're not part of the 10 percent who never floss at all. Dr. Amann and our staff will always tell you that proper flossing is just as important for your dental health as brushing regularly. Flossing, you see, cleans food and plaque that build up between teeth and below the gumline, key areas that brushing simply cannot reach.

Flossing 3-to-5 minutes each day is recommended, but even 60 seconds of flossing has a great benefit over not flossing at all. Also, make sure to always brush your teeth after you floss, and to rinse with water or mouthwash. When you begin flossing you may experience gum pain or bleeding, but with daily flossing and brushing this should stop within a week or so.

Lastly, has it been at least six months since your child's last checkup with Dr. Amann? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to schedule an appointment!

Taking steps to reduce our environmental impact

We are living in an age with a renewed commitment to conservation, and are frequently reminded to recycle, reduce and reuse. Earth Day is today, April 22nd, and we thought this would be a great time to discuss everything that Natalie Ann Amann, DDS does to conserve our natural resources and the environment.

Did you know that we offer patients account access 24 hours a day, seven days a week? We offer convenient and secure online services with our patient login system. You can view all of your account information, and even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages. Since this information is submitted electronically, we eliminate the use of large amounts of paper and printing materials.

Dr. Amann and our team would love to hear how you minimize your impact on the environment. Leave us a comment below or you can also visit our Facebook page and post something on our wall.

Happy Earth Day!

Ask Dr. Amann: Is tooth decay preventable?

Good question - yes, in fact, tooth decay is totally preventable! Tooth decay, which is caused by sugars left in your mouth, can turn into an acid, which in turn can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

You should visit Natalie Ann Amann, DDS every six months (or as recommended) for regular dental cleanings and checkups. For children, Dr. Amann recommends fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.

Lastly, we encourage you to check out this helpful article about kids and tooth decay, courtesy of our friends at KidsHealth.

Let us know if you have any questions - we want to hear from you on Facebook as well!

Dr. Natalie Amann supports Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Visiting Dr. Amann regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved. Since April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Amann would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our patients about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

As a dentist, Dr. Amann is specifically trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Please let us now if you have any questions about your oral health during your next appointment. Take care of your teeth!

How important is your smile? From Dr. Amann

It is both a privilege and pleasure for Dr. Amann to have the opportunity to provide you with dental care, and to advise you personally about your individual care choices. fter all, we know your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

And speaking of smiling, in a new poll conducted by Glamour Magazine, people were asked, “If you had to pick between having perfect teeth, eyesight or hair, which would you choose?

Well, 44 percent of folks out there are choosing teeth! In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or AACD, conducted a study and found that 99.7 percent of those polled believed a smile is an important social asset. Respondents said straightness, whiteness, cleanliness, as well as the sincerity and sparkle of a person’s smile were all important factors not only socially, but career-wise as well.

Please contact our practice to schedule an appointment, and let us take care of you and your smile for many healthy, happy years to come.