It is lunch time, and you didn’t have a chance for breakfast. Your stomach was rumbling so loudly in the mid-morning office meeting that three people looked at you and laughed. You are starving. You can’t wait to join your co-workers at the restaurant up the street where you can order a burger so big, you can barely fit your mouth around it. Today, you’re just hungry enough to devour the whole thing. You open your mouth wide to take that first juicy bite and you feel a shooting pain in your jaw. Your Shelburne, MA dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, will tell you why you should be careful not to allow your eyes (and mouth) to be bigger than your stomach.

Super Size Your Dental Needs

Our society is definitely wired for “bigger is better.” Why order the small sandwich, when the large one is only a dollar more? Why eat a normal sized corn dog at the fair when they’re selling some that are four times as large? Well, one answer is that taking a bite that’s bigger than the size of your mouth can simply cause damage to your jaw. So be cautious, even if your friends are cheering you on to take the challenge at a restaurant and eat the 20 pound steak. While that might make for a great picture on Facebook, over-extending your jaw in such a way can lead to problems with your TMJs (temporomandibular joints). (more…)

You may expect to hear about dental based studies on various foods or extracts that can stop gum disease or tooth decay. Research on general health is an expected element of modern science. Studies on smiling might sound more frivolous. After all, a smile is just an involuntary reaction to happiness, isn’t it? Well, there might be more to the effects of smiling than we think, which is why there has been various science-based studies on the way we contort the muscles in our face, and how that might predict anything from career success to relationship success. Your Deerfield, MA dentists will tell you more.

Smiling Research in the UK

A British study recently focused on the therapeutic properties of smiling. One single smile was compared to the same endorphin release that has been pin-pointed from the consumption of chocolate. If you’re a chocolate lover, you know the (more…)

We’re continuing a focus on the heart for February’s National Heart Month. You also may have noticed all of those delicious looking candy choices for another heart-centric February event – Valentine’s Day. Naturally, no dentist is going to suggest that you eat all the candy you want. Sugar contributes to cavities, plain and simple, and while good oral hygiene can help, limiting sucrose in your diet will be all the better for your teeth. Your heart will benefit from a better diet, as well. Your Greenfield general dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda will describe some of these heart healthy foods.

Whole Foods for a Healthy Heart

When you go grocery shopping, consider sticking to the perimeters. The outer aisles are generally where the foods that are best for your heart are kept. Inner aisles boast more pre-packaged or “junk” foods that rely on preservatives and chemicals and high sodium for longer shelf lives. While you may have trouble transitioning back to healthy food when you’ve gotten used to the over-processed types, you can retrain your taste buds with will-power and diligence. Besides, when you experience how much better your body wiIl feel, you’ll have more of an incentive to keep up the good dietary work. (more…)

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In fact, on average, one in every three deaths is a result of heart disease and stroke. Many people suffering from disorders of the heart don’t realize they may require special care when undergoing even routine dental procedures. February is American Heart Month, which is why your Greenfield family dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, are using today’s blog to discuss the dental care needs of our patients with heart conditions.

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The first week of December is National Handwashing Awareness Week. Why is that a concern of your dentist? Because, most dental professionals are concerned with more than just the health of your teeth and gums. They want your entire body to be healthy. As we enter cold and flu season, they are especially concerned with respiratory illnesses that can be gotten through the mouth. Your Greenfield dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, celebrate Handwashing Awareness Week by offering these tips and suggestions for your hands to help you avoid getting sick this winter.

Wash Your Hands

Since childhood, you’ve probably been told to constantly wash your hands—before meals, after using the restroom, and whenever they get dirty. Even for adults, that is excellent advice. Bacteria can easily transfer onto your hands when you touch anything contaminated, such as doorknobs, computer keyboards, and other people’s hands. The bacteria can also transfer off your hands onto whatever you are holding—including your food. To avoid transferring bacteria to your food, make sure you wash your hands with hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.

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