NFD Wellness

The link between insulin resistance and chronic disease, including dental disease.

According to It is estimated that by the year 2020 there will be approximately 250 million people affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus worldwide (1). Although the primary factors causing this disease are unknown, it is clear that insulin resistance plays a major role in its development. Evidence for this comes from (a) the presence of insulin resistance 10–20 years before the onset of the disease (2, 3); (b) cross-sectional studies demonstrating that insulin resistance is a consistent finding in patients with type 2 diabetes (3–6); and (c) prospective studies demonstrating that insulin resistance is the best predictor of whether or not an individual will later become diabetic

Read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC314317/

Dr. By Gerald I. Shulman

Cellular mechanisms of insulin resistance

Sugar is an important – and popular – part of our daily diet but how does it impact overall health and dental health?

Along with starch, it falls within the carbohydrate group as it consists of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms and acts as fuel for the body. In fact, carbohydrates are our main source of energy, converted by the body to power our cells and keep us alive and growing.

However, many of us are overindulging in the white stuff, with the average adult consuming approximately 63 grams (2.2 ounces), nearly 16 teaspoons, of sugar each day. That’s over twice the recommended daily intake.

Sugar and Dental decay are correlated and high amounts of sugar is the most common childhood disease in the U.S. We know that the health of the mouth can tell us a lot about a person’s overall wellness. Kids who have a higher incidence of cavities are at a higher risk of childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Dental problems cause kids to miss 51 million hours at school. For their parents,  this means 25 million hours missed at work every year.

Diets High amounts of sugar do lead to higher rates of cavities in kids but there is more to diets high in sugar.

Inflammation and sugar intake are closely related in kids due to overconsumption of sugar in the average child’s daily diet. Inflammation due to sugar may be responsible for more health problems in our children than we realize. Research is showing that a slew of children’s health problems could be linked to inflammation. These include cavities, allergies, asthma, eczema, behavioral issues, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, premature aging, weight gain, and much more. While inflammation isn’t a bad thing, that’s how we respond to stress and foreign particles. Inflammation that continues long-term, known as chronic inflammation, can, however, cause severe damage. In general, most know that sugar is bad for your child’s teeth. Depending upon calorie consumption, a child should consume no more than 3-8 teaspoons of added sugar daily. Sugar also disturbs the digestive tract which, can lead to a weakened immune system and or GI problems. Sugar feeds harmful bacteria within the mouth predisposing them to cavities. To be metabolized, sugar robs the immune system of essential nutrients such as Vitamin B complex and Zinc. Inflammation also causes children to become prone to cracked skin, acne, and rosacea. Children may also experience cold-like or allergy-like symptoms such as congestion or coughing, and they are often a result of excessive sugar consumption.  Look for hidden sugars. Don’t be fooled by something being “organic.” Sugar comes under many different names such as dextrose, concentrated fruit juice, and rice syrup. Try using substitutes such as sugar-free applesauce when baking, plain Greek yogurt in place of flavored yogurts, and fresh fruit and peanut or almond butter as an alternative to syrup. Avoid sugary drinks such as smoothies and sports drinks. While you won’t be able to avoid sugar altogether, the key is moderation. A consistent diet full of real, unrefined, whole, unprocessed foods means that an occasional cookie or piece of cake is nothing to worry about.

Find out below exactly what sugar does to your body.

Sugar in the body

When we digest sugar, enzymes in the small intestine break it down into glucose. This glucose is then released into the bloodstream, where it is transported to tissue cells in our muscles and organs and converted into energy. Beta cells in the pancreas constantly monitor the amount of glucose in the bloodstream and release insulin to control it. This means that if you consume more sugar than your body needs right away, it can be stored for later to keep your blood sugar levels constant. If your body stops producing any or enough insulin, or if your cells become resistant to it, this can result in diabetes, leaving your blood-sugar levels to rise to dangerous levels.

Sugar on the brain
As humans, we are programmed to love sugar. Our primate ancestors evolved to seek out sweet foods for their high-energy content to increase their chance of survival when food was scarce. Nowadays food is much more readily available, yet we still can’t get enough of the sweet stuff.

The reason for this is all in the brain. When we eat sugar, the brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the hormones that boost your mood, which then stimulate the nucleus accumbens – the area of the brain associated with reward. This is a similar process that leads to drug addiction, which is why we get those sugar cravings. Regular sugar consumption can also inhibit dopamine transporters, which can lead to you needing to eat even more sugar to get the same pleasure-reward as before. In addition, fructose, which is used to sweeten many foods and drinks, doesn’t suppress hunger hormones like glucose does, meaning your body is unable to tell when you’ve eaten enough.

Where is sugar hiding?

Watch this one:

Sugar comes in many forms but they typically have names ending in –ose. As well as glucose and fructose naturally found in fruit, vegetables, and honey, lactose and galactose can be found in milk and dairy products, and maltose in barley. These natural sugars are fine in moderation as they also come with other nutritional benefits. For example, a piece of fruit will also contain fiber, which helps limit the amount of fructose the body absorbs.

Added sugar, used to improve the taste and textures of foods and drinks, is the type that is considered unhealthy. This usually comes in the form of sucrose, or as a sugar substitute such as sucralose, saccharin, aspartame or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS is artificially produced from corn and used in many processed foods and fizzy drinks. To find out how much sugar is in your food, check the ‘carbohydrates – of which sugars’ value on the label.

You are showing signs of insulin resistance; What does that mean? Will you develop diabetes or can this be reversed?

According to It is estimated that by the year 2020 there will be approximately 250 million people affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus worldwide (1). Although the primary factors causing this disease are unknown, it is clear that insulin resistance plays a major role in its development. Evidence for this comes from (a) the presence of insulin resistance 10–20 years before the onset of the disease (2, 3); (b) cross-sectional studies demonstrating that insulin resistance is a consistent finding in patients with type 2 diabetes (3–6); and (c) prospective studies demonstrating that insulin resistance is the best predictor of whether or not an individual will later become diabetic

Some people are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance while others may have a lifestyle history that has led to insulin resistance. Insulin is the most important hormone in our body when it comes to fat storage and breakdown. Insulin takes the carbohydrates that we eat and converts them into glycogen for energy which is stored in our liver and muscles. Once the glycogen stores in the liver and muscles are filled, the body stores any excess glucose from the carbohydrates as fat. Eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates can lead to excess fat storage on the body. There is evidence that an exaggerated insulin response to sugar is linked to several chronic inflammatory conditions besides type II diabetes like PCOS, high blood pressure, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Genetic Variability

The internet is filled with information with different opinions and advice on insulin resistance and how you can control it. Is there one answer for everyone? No. Everyone has different genetic predispositions to insulin resistance. What works for one person may not work for another. For example, you may know someone who can eat whatever they want, including bread, cake and pasta, yet have perfect lab results and not gain a pound. Other people eat nothing but veggies and fruit, lean protein and exercises daily but still have “abnormal” lab results. Why is this? It is possible that no matter what a person eats, they may be genetically predisposed to metabolic syndrome, a precursor to diabetes. Metabolic syndrome includes five major signs: obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high blood sugar, and low HDL (good cholesterol).

This genetic variability is what keeps so many people working in the healthcare field so busy. Our knowledge about what causes chronic diseases and how we can prevent or reverse them changes every day.

Dr. Peter Attia is a great resource for information on insulin resistance. He is a physician and former surgeon who is passionate about the subject of increasing human longevity.

He compares insulin to gravity. Like gravity, insulin is a constant. It is both within our bodies and acting upon our cells whether or not we realize it. Gravity is something constant in the universe and is always at work, whether or not we realize it, accept it, like it, or care about it. Producing insulin is something that happens naturally, and our job is to control it.

In his article on insulin and gravity, Dr. Attia also posed a very good question asking, “What if our understanding between obesity and diabetes is wrong? Maybe we are fighting the war wrong—fighting obesity rather than insulin resistance?”

Medication vs Lifestyle changes

In many cases, doctors may recommend medications as well as lifestyle changes to manage or treat a condition. In some cases, medication is necessary, but why? Is taking a medication like putting a band-aid on something that we could prevent or reverse with lifestyle changes alone? Being an advocate for yourself, ask your doctor questions about what changes you can make that can enhance your treatment or eventually help you to no longer need the medication can improve the quality of your life and help to reduce the chance of further health complications from side effects.

Aging

As we age our bodies change. We have a change in the production of certain hormones because of stress and less sleep. These changes can play a part in the metabolism of fat.

There seems to be only one proven method for reversing Type 2 diabetes, which is bariatric surgery. This type of surgery may include a lap band, gastric bypass, or a gastric sleeve. It is important to view these options as nothing more than a tool. Even if a patient undergoes one of these procedures, they still must actively play a role in helping their body heal itself and return to an improved state by changing dietary and exercise habits.

“Perfect diet”

There are thousands of posts online about the relationship between dietary carbohydrates and insulin resistance. Some of this information can lead readers to believe that those who eat a very low-carb diet can induce insulin resistance. This is not true. Low-carb diets are not necessarily a bad thing for many people, but it is important to know that it may not work for everyone. People who do high-intensity exercise or who are pregnant require more carbohydrates than those who lead a less-active lifestyle. The important thing to remember is that moderation is the key.

Although pregnant women generally have a slightly higher daily requirement of carbohydrates, if there is consumption of an excess of refined carbohydrates, this can lead to gestational diabetes which is dangerous for both mother and child.

The best sources of dietary carbohydrates for everyone are unprocessed, complex carbs found in potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruit, and rice. Bread, pasta, cookies, and potato chips are not good sources of carbs.

Still confused about what to do? What’s the bottom line about insulin resistance? Can it be reversed?

Conclusion

Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all recipe for good health. We can try to live the healthiest lifestyle possible, but the truth is that some people are just more prone to health problems than others. Remember that even if the health claim you read about online has worked for 10,000 other people, it may not work for you and although it may be difficult to eat the “perfect diet,” it is possible to control insulin resistance by avoiding refined carbohydrates and exercising on a daily basis.

Daily exercise does not have to be intense or difficult. Doing something simple to stay active like taking an evening walk can help release feel-good hormones and reduce stress hormones like cortisol which contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance.

Even if you aren’t inclined to be a total health nut, consistently making good choices will eventually become a habit. If we get in the habit of making good choices like eating fresh fruits and veggies and exercising, it will start to feel as natural as brushing your teeth. Make some of your favorite high-calorie foods like cheesecake or bacon cheeseburger and fries a treat rather than a part of your daily routine. When you indulge, you’ll enjoy them more.

Sticking to a healthy eating plan can seem like a daunting task for many of us who are busy with work, kids and extracurricular activities. Try to plan meals ahead and have plenty of good choices available so that it is just as quick as grabbing a bag of potato chips. It may not be possible to completely “cure” your diabetes, but is possible to control it. Changing your diet and exercising regularly have been shown to help reduce the amount of medication needed (insulin, metformin, etc).

On Dr. Attia’s website, one individual shared that his physician was considering removing his Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. He lost over 140 pounds in 500 days and now has normal lab results. He anticipated that at his next checkup, he and his doctor would review his bloodwork and potentially remove his diabetic diagnosis. How cool is that? Hard work really does pay off!

Remember that what worked for one person may not work for you, but don’t get discouraged. It is most definitely worth trying to be as healthy as possible for the quality and longevity of your life. Hopefully, you will be inspired help control your insulin resistance by making some changes to your diet and exercise habits.

Are you wondering about starting a wellness program in your dental office?  We will share how we started the wellness program in dentistry at our offices.

Wellness is about everything, and not just about working out or eating well. Doing those things are important, but are not enough to stay well. Wellness in a dental office extends to how the schedule is designed, working relationships between teams, and even the sense of appreciation or purpose among team members.

Dentistry as a career has many daily challenges and the same challenges can present at a single or multi-provider office.  The single most valuable asset in any dental practice is the dentist and the dental team. Wellness and work-life balance are essential to the maintenance of each person, on every team. Without this team, the dental practice would cease to exist!

It may be the very same set of challenges for a single dentist or a group of dentists looking to start a wellness program within a dental office.  In this blog, we will outline how we started the wellness program in our dental offices which in turn, has helped promote wellness at the workplace. We hope that this will inspire you to start yours.

Before starting our wellness program in dentistry, we created two simple mission goals to shape our culture.

Nebraska Family Dentistry mission goals:

#1. To become the friendliest dental office in town.

#2. To have a great place for our team members to work.

Wellness program in dentistry and mission goals, how are they connected?  

We believe that defining mission goals is an essential part of building any culture. Starting a wellness program in dentistry was and is, a crucial part of helping Nebraska Family Dentistry accomplish missions goals for both our patients and our teams.

We believe that promoting wellness creates an environment where team members enjoy working, while providing the best experience for patient care. Our wellness program created in 2018, is targeted towards keeping our patients and our team members healthier, happier and hopefully helping them to live longer & better lives.

Wellness program in dentistry and our patients

We recognize that for patients, the dental office is usually not their favorite place to be. When patients come to our offices, we want to give them the very best clinical care possible, while helping them feel at ease during their appointments.

We provide many amenities as well as sedation dentistry for patients to help them have the best possible experience. By creating positive experiences during dental appointments, we hope to help patients reach optimal dental health, leading to an improvement in their overall health and well-being.

We also educate patients and provide tips on how to live healthier lives. We believe that by promoting a healthier lifestyle, we can help patients prevent dental diseases.

Watch our presentation and tips we give to patients:

Living Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle and to Have Optimal Dental Health 

Wellness program in dentistry and weekly health tips for our teams and patients.

Every week, we share wellness tips with our teams and patients.

Check out just a few and for more tips follow us on:

• Facebook
• Instagram

Wellness program in dentistry and wellness-oriented blogs

While it is important to have information about preventing cavities and treating periodontal disease among many other dental topics, our wellness oriented writers compose blogs connecting dental health to overall health. Check out the article below on living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle and the importance of making lifestyle changes. Incorporating these changes into your daily routine, can help put periodontal disease into remission or prevent it altogether.

Check out: Living Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle

Wellness program in dentistry, our teams and clean air by IQAir

IQAir assists people in living longer, healthier lives by providing some of the very best air quality products in the world. We are proud to offer clean air to our patients and our teams.

As a part of our wellness program and promoting wellness at the workplace, we have installed an air-filtration system to help reduce the number of harmful aerosols that are created during dental appointments. The air-filtration system helps remove excess mercury vapor that is released into the air during the removal of old amalgam fillings. In addition to this office-wide system, we have individual air-vacuum units at each of our locations. This vacuum helps to pull in more of the vapors near the patient’s face during amalgam removal. Not only does this new system reduce the risk to patients during appointments, but it helps keep our offices safer for all team members reducing the mercury vapors and bacterial aerosols during patient care hours.

We use the IQAir air filtration system. It is the world leader in air purification and provides some of the highest grade air filtration technology on the market. Our filtration is able to capture ultra-fine particles down to .003 microns and clean 90% of the particles through all applications of dentistry. This top of the line air cleaning system has high-efficiency special filters that catch harmful things such as :

• Mercury vapors/gas
• Harmful parts of disinfectants
• Volatile organic compounds used in dental materials

Wellness program in dentistry and healthy snacks for our teams

As a part of our wellness program in dentistry and promoting wellness at the workplace, we have snacks available for our teams.  We try to avoid providing snacks high in sugar and rather, focus on stocking snack shelves with protein and fiber-rich snacks, such as nuts, oranges, and whole wheat crackers.

Wellness program in dentistry and wellness-oriented group activities

Our team at Nebraska Family Dentistry also actively promotes wellness among ourselves. Our team regularly shares wellness tips on our private Facebook group page. Weekly, each team member contributes a tip. We also do group activities that promote wellness. For example we may do group exercise classes, movie nights, and or team lunch & learn events. At these events we may also talk about ways in which we can improve our own wellness as well as share ideas and insight on how we can provide better care to our patients.

As a team, we choose to be warm and positive each day with one another as well as our patients. Using positive language and recognizing and appreciating one another each day with compliments on a job well done or thanking one another for helping out, keeps team morale high.

Team members give out “Recognition Cards” which are a thank-you note for a job well done and helping above what is or may be expected. Those appreciation cards are encouraged to be shared among team members every time someone helps and or goes above and beyond. This type of recognition for team members may seem small, but it helps team members feel appreciated for their efforts. Each team member is thanked quarterly by the doctors with a gift for a job well done with the amount reflecting the number of appreciation cards that team member collected.

Our Appreciation Card as a part of our wellness program in dentistry

It is important to reward team members individually and as a team together. At our offices, we work extra hard every single day to provide exceptional dental care. It is important to have strong teams, who work well together.

Team relationships and wellness program in dentistry

Healthy team relationships are important and critical in order to achieve wellness at the work place. To encourage a healthy team approach, each team has a “Team Fun Fund” where money gets deposited for getting things done that are important for running our dental offices smoothly. We have a list of daily tasks that need to be done. At the end of the day, if those things get completed, money gets deposited to the “Team Fun Fund.”

Those daily things cannot be accomplished by just one person. It always takes a whole team, working together. The amount that gets deposited varies from $5-$10 per day. After the amount builds up, teams can spend their fun fund in any way that they desire. It can be on a group activity, lunch, or even a spa day.

Conclusion about wellness program in dentistry

At Nebraska Family Dentistry, we work very hard to create the best dental offices for all of our patients. We want them to choose us for their dental care. 

Creating our wellness program and promoting wellness at the work place allows us to accomplish our mission goals and to be at our best every day.

Dr. Brad and Dr. Kathryn Alderman

If you have questions or would like to start a wellness program in your dental office, please email us at nebraskafamilydentistry@gmail.com

Your Dentist in Lincoln, NE Explains How Diabetes and (Periodontal) Gum disease connect

Diabetes is known as a systemic disease. Systemic means that it affects the whole body, not just one area. Since our body is one working unit, what goes into our mouth can affect the entire body and vice versa, something systemic that happens in other areas, can indeed affect the mouth. Diabetes may be something that a person is genetically predisposed to or it may be something that develops as a result of lifestyle. It has many diverse complications and can be extremely difficult to control.

What are different types of diabetes? Are all forms of diabetes can lead to dental problems? Your dentist in Lincoln, NE answers…

There are many types of diabetes. Most commonly, we know of two; Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes means that a person is insulin dependent and Type 2 means that a person may be able  to control the effects of diabetes with diet and exercise. Thus, possibly even reversing it.

There are also other types of diabetes such as the type that can affect expectant mothers occurring during pregnancy, which is known as gestational diabetes. A person can also be considered “pre-diabetic.” In this case a person will present with slightly elevated. If steps are not taken to bring the blood sugars down to an acceptable level, a person will progress and become diabetic.

All forms of diabetes are connected closely to dental health.  Patients with any form of diabetes tend to have a higher risk for developing cavities, dry mouth and gum disease.

So, why does being diabetic or pre-diabetic affect what happens with my teeth? Your dentist in Lincoln, NE answers…

When you have diabetes, whether insulin resistant or a deficiency in insulin secretion, there is the inability to transport glucose, which then remains within the bloodstream leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). This can then lead to diabetic complications. The most common complications with which we are familiar include neuropathy (weakness, numbness, pain) and delayed wound healing. Many times, diabetics can experience non-healing wounds, especially on their feet where a person who has neuropathy may never even know they bumped their toe. Another complication that is experienced by diabetics is periodontitis, which is inflammation within the tissue surrounding the teeth. Periodontitis can then develop into Periodontal Disease, which is the sixth complication of diabetes. Once Periodontal Disease has set in, a person now has a chronic bacterial infection that will affect the teeth and bone (within the mouth). Certain microorganisms, in particular those that are gram-negative, are in the bacterial plaque and begin adhering to the teeth. Many times, Periodontal Disease is silent and can be present without being noticed up until a person is experiencing tooth mobility (loose teeth) or even worse, tooth loss.

Things that a person with periodontitis might experience are bleeding when brushing or flossing, and possibly even increased sensitivity or pain. If a diabetic develops periodontitis it is very important to seek treatment to help prevention and progression. It is known that a person who has poorly controlled diabetes, is more likely to develop Periodontal Disease over a person who has diabetes, but controls it either with diet and insulin or insulin alone. As diabetes and periodontitis progress together affecting the mouth, it can eventually lead to a loss in social confidence as well as a loss in self-esteem. Thus, possibly leading to poor lifestyle choices.

In a recent study it was determined that there was a definite correlation between Type 2 diabetes and periodontitis. People who presented with Type 2 diabetes and underwent periodontal treatment, showed a decrease in a certain serum (which included inflammatory cytokins).  Overall, once they completed periodontal treatment the inflammation decreased thus resulting in improved glycemic control. The end result, a healthier body with reduced inflammation.

Now that you know there is a correlation between Periodontal Disease and Diabetes, what can you do to help keep both the mouth and diabetes in check? Your dentist in Lincoln, NE answers…

The bottom line is that if you have diabetes, Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, or even if you are pre-diabetic, take care of yourself! Make healthy lifestyle choices and doing all of the right things will help your overall health and inflammation. You’ll feel good about yourself too, knowing you’ve made good choices. That right there is an easy confidence booster.

The following lifestyle choices can decrease the risk of developing periodontal disease and can help keep it in remission in patients who already have it.

• Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, the kinds found in fatty fish (herring, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna,) or fish oil, and flaxseed.
• Avoiding eating processed foods.
• Avoiding eating foods with added sugars, such as fructose. Stopping drinking soda or energy drinks.
• Taking probiotics with multiple strains of beneficial bacteria. Taking Vitamin C and D daily.
• Eliminating foods such as dairy or foods that contain gluten that may be causing sensitivity to as allergies potentially create inflammation in the gut.
• Exercising regularly — it’s a natural anti-inflammatory.
• Practicing deep relaxation like yoga, deep breathing, biofeedback, or massage, as stress worsens the immune response.
• Sleeping at least 7 – 8 hours each night.

Check out this infographic on this topic:
(Click image to enlarge)

This informative blog prepared by Dr.Sullivan, Your Dentist in Lincoln, NE

Dr. Chris Sullivan earned her DDS degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. He’s dedicated to providing patients empathetic care that meets patient’s unique needs, including those with diabetes. To learn how Dr. Chris Sullivan can help you to be at your healthiest schedule online 24/7.

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures are the most advanced and effective method of teeth replacement available.

Advantages of Implant-Retained Dentures

–  1  –
Denture Stability

Implant dentures are permanent, so you won’t have to worry about your denture falling out. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about your denture interrupting your ability to chew, talk, or smile.

–  2  –
Prevent Changing Face Shape

Because of the structure of implant-retained dentures, your face will not change shape like traditional dentures often cause. Implant-retained dentures help preserve bone loss, unlike their traditional counterparts. Your face will retain its shape and look more healthy with implant-retained dentures.

–  3  –
Your Teeth Won’t Fall Out

Denture implants allow you to chew without any concern. Once the implant is secured, it will be held in place permanently. No need to avoid your favorite foods anymore with permanent dentures!

–  4  –
Teeth for Life

Denture implants are made out of titanium and will last your whole life. Take care of your dentures and you’ll guarantee a long, happy smile.

–  5  –
More Inexpensive than Other Dental Implants

Surprisingly, denture implants can cost less than other types of dentures. The value of this procedure is high when you compare hybrid prosthesis with other, less efficient methods of placing dentures.

Commonly Asked Questions about Implant Retained Dentures

Best types of dentures?
Implant-retained dentures are the ideal option for dentures. Implants stabilize your dentures and stop bone loss. Ultimately, implant dentures also increase confidence with a bright smile.

Best alternative to a denture?
The best alternative to a denture is a permanent hybrid prosthesis. Hybrid prosthesis uses multiple implants to support bridges over your implant sites. This procedure also gives you a natural-looking smile with implants that permanently act like teeth.

Do dental implants hurt?
Most patients prefer sedation when having implant dentures placed. Pain and discomfort are usually minimal after the procedure, and you can expect to be back to normal in a couple of days. It’s important to note that some experience pain more than others, and our doctors can’t always predict the amount of pain you’ll experience.

The cost of implant dentures?
The dentists at Nebraska Family Dentistry utilize a revolutionary procedure called hybrid prosthesis. The new process replaces all of your teeth in one appointment. Also known as teeth in one day, the procedure is performed by our dentists alongside the oral surgeons at Nebraska Facial and Oral Surgery. The best way to learn about the procedure’s cost is to set up a consultation with any of our partner locations. At your consultation, the dentist will tell you a flat rate price for the procedure which won’t change.

Can smokers have implant-retained dentures?
Dentists usually recommend that patients quit smoking before receiving implant dentures. Smoking makes it difficult for the gums to heal, which often causes the implant to fail.

Nebraska Family Dentistry has multiple locations!
Choose any location convenient for you.

Halloween Candy Buy Back in Lincoln, NE:
Our annual Candy Buy Back is back for the fifth year in a row.

“Kids love candy, but eating a lot of sugar causes dental problems as well as health concerns,” says Dr. Kathryn Alderman. “We are doing a Halloween Candy Buy Back in Lincoln, NE program at all of our locations to help give kids the opportunity to get rid of their extra Halloween candy and earn some money. Kids can still enjoy trick-or-treating while earning some extra money for their piggy-bank at our 2018 Halloween Candy Buy Back in Lincoln, NE.” 

For the fifth consecutive year, all locations of Nebraska Family Dentistry will be hosting an annual candy buy back in Lincoln, NE. Kids can bring their extra Halloween candy to any of our locations and earn $0.50 per lb. 

Nebraska Family Dentistry locations participating in Halloween Candy Buy Back in Lincoln, NE 2018 program:

Halloween Candy Buy Back in Lincoln, NE (East Lincoln Dental Office)
Preserve Family Dentistry

Halloween Candy Buy Back in Lincoln, NE (South Lincoln Dental Office)
Southpointe Dental

Halloween Candy Buy Back in Lincoln, NE (North Lincoln Dental Office)
Northstar Dental

Halloween Candy Buy Back in Lincoln, NE (Central Lincoln Dental Office)
Lincoln Family Dentistry

Halloween Candy Buy Back in Lincoln, NE  (West Lincoln Dental Office)
Coddington Dental

If you are searching for “candy buy-back dental office near me,” Search no further. Nebraska Family Dentistry has locations throughout Lincoln, NE and all are participating in the candy buy-back program for 2018.

Why Do We Have a Candy Buy-Back Every Year?

Dental decay is the most common childhood disease in the U.S. We know that the health of the mouth can tell us a lot about a person’s overall wellness. Kids who have a higher incidence of cavities are at a higher risk of childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Dental problems cause kids to miss 51 million hours at school. For their parents,  this means 25 million hours missed at work every year. At Nebraska Family Dentistry, we care about the well-being of kids. We want to help kids improve their overall wellness by helping them improve their dental health.

Every year, we do a Halloween candy buy back Lincoln, NE program to help bring awareness to the community about health risks of diets high in processed sugars.

Sugar and overall health connection.

Inflammation is our body’s natural response to stress, infection or bacteria and protects us from getting sick. Unfortunately, when a person’s inflammatory response remains activated, over time this causes chronic health problems.

A high level of sugar intake can increase inflammation in the body. Inflammation from sugar can cause many health problems for children. Health problems like asthma, eczema, behavioral problems, diabetes, and weight gain can be linked to the over-consumption of sugar.

Eating excess sugar can lead to cavities as well by feeding the bacteria that are normally present in the mouth. This creates an acidic environment in the mouth that leads to the breakdown of tooth structure.

Unfortunately, many “health” foods that are labeled organic or all-natural often contain added sugars like dextrose and rice syrup. When kids reach for sugary foods, they are less likely to be hungry for wholesome, nutrient-dense foods. Often times they are then unable to meet basic daily vitamin and mineral requirements.

Many parents ask us to explain the risks of eating too much sugar to their kids. By answering those common questions, you can discuss the risks of eating too much sugar for overall health with your kids. Giving kids a solution like a candy buy-back in Lincoln, NE helps them be a part of the decision to reduce their sugar intake.

How can we talk to kids about sugar?

The first question is, “what is sugar?”There are several forms of sugar that can be added to foods and do not occur naturally in our foods. White table sugar, honey, maple syrup and brown sugar are all processed sugars that are added to other foods to sweeten them. Some other sugars that are found in our foods are lactose, which is in milk, fructose which is from fruit, and starches from bread and pasta. Lactose, fructose and starches are naturally occurring within the food and not added later. These naturally occurring sugars are better fuel for our bodies. This is because they are combined with fiber and nutrients that our body can use efficiently for fuel. The processed forms of sugar are not used the same way by the body.

In our ten reasons why sugar is bad for us, we explain how our body tries to use processed sugar and why this type of fuel is not ideal to help us grow strong and healthy.

It is important to explain: “All Food is Fuel” concept

Kids should know how important it is for us to fuel our bodies with good nutrition. It can be helpful to use the analogy of our bodies being like a car. If we do not put the right kind of fuel into our car, it will not be able to drive. The same is true of our bodies. By giving our bodies wholesome nutrition like rice, nuts, seeds, beans, pasta, healthy fats and lean proteins, they will be able to grow strong, stay healthy and feel good. Cookies or candy are okay sometimes. We should however try to only eat them after we have given ourselves good, whole foods that we eat every day.

It is good for kids to understand that not all sugar is bad for them. Be sure they are aware of how much and how often they eat foods with added sugars. It is possible for kids to be healthy and occasionally have a sweet treat, after they have given their body the good food it needs to thrive. Kids should know it is okay for them to enjoy some of their Halloween candy, but if they have a lot left over, it’s great to do a Halloween candy buy back in Lincoln, NE to reduce the amount they eat.

How Much Sugar Is Too Much?

So how much-added sugar can a child eat in a day to avoid health problems? The World Health Organization recommends that no more than 10 percent of our daily intake of food come from added sugars, although less than 10% is a better target for most of us.

For example, for a moderately active 55 lb five-year-old child, that is around 6-12 tsp of added sugar a day. It is easy to exceed the daily recommended limit of sugar with a few common foods kids eat.

A Quaker Maple and Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal Packet contains 29 grams of sugar, which is equal to about 7.25 tsp of sugar. At the first meal of the day, a child could meet or exceed their daily recommendation of added sugar. If they add an 8 oz glass of Tropicana orange juice, this is another 22 grams or 5 ½ tsp of sugar. Fruit juices are tricky because although they come from fruit, they often contain added sugars. Additionally, fruit juice has been extracted from the whole fruit, leaving the end product devoid of fiber. It is critical to consume fruit sugar in the whole fruit form to avoid the same insulin spike that is caused by consuming refined sugars.

Kids should know that juice and packaged foods usually have sweeteners in them that can easily add up to a large serving of sugar. Talk to your child about making better choices like an apple with peanut butter or regular oatmeal sweetened with fruit and cinnamon. By helping kids to get rid of excess candy by doing a candy buy back in Lincoln, NE they will be less tempted to make unhealthy choices.

Can Eating Too Much Sugar Make Me Sick?

Ask your kids how they feel after they’ve eaten lots of sugary treats at a birthday party. How do they feel an hour later? It is a good idea to talk to your kids about whether this made them feel positive and cheerful or tired, grouchy and lethargic. Kids should understand the link these feelings have to the food they have eaten so they recognize how over-consuming sugar affects them. If you as a parent have health problems, it is a good idea to talk to your kids about what overeating sugar has done to your own health in the past or present. For example, does eating too much sugar make you feel lethargic and unable to exercise and stay active? Does it affect your mood?

Can Eating Sugar Make Me Fat?

Handle this subject with care when speaking to kids. It is a good idea to explain this in a way that demonstrates how eating too much food with a high sugar content can cause them to be less healthy. This can make it difficult for them to enjoy activities like playing at the park, running or climbing. It is best to avoid discussing the concept of being “fat” with young children, because this can cause negative perceptions of themselves and others. Discuss the subject of body image in terms of being strong and fit, being able to play and enjoy life. It is best to avoid creating the concept of “bad” foods versus “good” or “safe” foods.

Food is food, and is not inherently good or evil. It is helpful to discuss foods in terms of what is quality fuel for our body that makes us strong and what type of fuel is not.

Kids can feel like they are taking some initiative on their own health by doing a candy buy back in Lincoln, NE. Here they choose to trade candy for cash, reducing the amount of sugar they consume and earning extra money.

Top 10 Reasons Sugar is Bad

• It causes our bodies to become inflamed.
  Whenever we get sick from a cold, or get hurt on the playground, our body sends fighter cells in our blood to help us get better. This is a process called inflammation. It is one of the ways our body protects itself and keeps itself healthy. With lots of good food and vitamins, our body is able to fight off germs and help heal us faster. When we fuel our body with lots of sugar, it helps the germs grow and makes our body have to work even harder to fight them off. We stay sick longer when we eat too much sugar.
• Sugar makes it hard for us to keep our bodies at a healthy weight.
  Whenever we eat healthy foods, our brain tells us we are full after we eat enough food to fuel it. When we eat sugar, it stops our brain from telling us we are full, so we still feel hungry even though we already ate a lot of food with sugar. This makes it easy for our body to store the extra sugar that we have eaten on our body to use later, causing us to gain weight.
• There are no vitamins or minerals in sugar.
  The kind of sugar that comes from fruit (fructose) is not bad for us because the fruit has lots of vitamins and minerals and fiber which are all healthy fuels for our bodies and help us grow and stay healthy. When we eat added sugars, they have no vitamins or minerals that can help us in any way. Our body isn’t able to use added sugars to fuel us to play and grow and fight off germs. Instead, it stores the sugar in our body rather than using it to give us lots of energy like healthy foods.
• Sugar is addictive.
  Just like taking drugs, sugar makes our brain feel happy right after we eat it, and also gives us an instant “sugar high.” We think the sugar has given us energy, but this energy doesn’t last long. The good feeling our brain gets from eating sugar makes us addicted to the sugar.  This leaves us wanting to eat more and more of it.
  
• It causes cavities.
  Sugar feeds the bacteria that live in our mouths. The bacteria make our mouth a very acidic place. Thus, creating a perfect place and soft spots for the bacteria to get inside the tooth and make a cavity.
• Too much sugar can cause liver disease.
  Just like when people drink too much alcohol it causes liver damage, eating too much sugar overloads the liver. When the liver can’t process the sugar, it causes the liver to turn the sugar into fat. The liver becomes fatty just like how a person who drinks too much alcohol gets liver disease. When this happens, it makes us very sick.
• Sugar feeds cancer.
  Sugar can actually help cancer cells to grow. Cancer cells that are already in our body but not harmful to us begin to grow and spread very quickly if we eat too much sugar.
• Sugar causes our brains to age faster.
  Having high levels of sugar in our blood has been linked to premature aging of the brain.
• Sugar causes cravings.
  Whenever we eat sugar, our insulin levels spike, and our body tries to balance the insulin level. The liver stores the sugar as fat when insulin is released. This process lowers your blood sugar quickly, making you feel hungry for more sugar. So you eat again, and stay stuck in this vicious cycle of sugar cravings.
• Sugar affects your mood. Eating too much sugar can make kids feel cranky and is linked to ADHD, anxiety, headaches and behavioral problems.

It can be very difficult to avoid sugar completely, so the key is moderation. The less we eat it, the more we will enjoy it when we do. With Halloween just around the corner, remember to save a few pieces back that you can have a “treat.” As for the rest, let us help you put money in the bank! Participate in our program called Halloween candy buy back in Lincoln, NE.