Airy spun sugar, cotton candy—AKA Fairy floss—is a pink, fluffy cloud that kids’ dreams are made of. But who invented cotton candy? Surprisingly, the inventor of cotton candy was actually a dentist! In 1897 William Morrison teamed up with Tennessee candy maker, John Wharton, to create the concoction. The duo premiered cotton candy in 1908 […]

Could Sugar, Soda Taxes Improve Public Dental Health?
Want a sugar rush? Plan on ponying up the cash. Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages are on the rise, which could bring sugar highs to an all-time low. Nationally, Congress considered the “SWEET” Act in 2014, which could have added a 1 cent tax per every 4.2 grams of added sugar in beverages. Although the U.S. hasn’t […]

Holiday Sugar Shock
Almost everyone figures that the holidays are a time to loosen up a bit about what you eat, and there’s nothing wrong with reasonably partaking in some sweets. Nobody’s going to gain a pant size or develop a cavity because of the occasional holiday indulgence. However, you might be surprised by how much sugar is […]

Treat Yourself: It’s National Chocolate Day
Everything’s better with chocolate, especially on National Chocolate Day! Not only is chocolate delicious, it’s one of the best sweets for your teeth. Chocolate dissolves quickly in the mouth and can be eaten easily, which decreases the amount of time sugar stays in contact with teeth. Plus, the calcium in the chocolate could help protect […]

2 Fun Treats to Make With Your Kids For a Healthy Halloween
I love Halloween! I hate Halloween! I love decorating the house, discussing and planning costume options with my 7-year old daughter, carving pumpkins together and planning what we can hand out to the little neighborhood trick-or-treaters. After Halloween, I hate fussing with my daughter over limiting her Halloween candy. It’s not punitive; it’s about what’s […]

Mouth Healthy Recipe: Sugar-free Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients 1 large egg 1 cup Splenda (or other artificial sweetener) 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp vanilla extract 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter 1 tsp water Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use an electric mixer to beat the egg, Splenda, baking powder, and vanilla together for about a minute. Add peanut butter and […]

Mouth Healthy Recipe: Dark Chocolate Kiwi Pops
These delicious kiwi popsicles are a healthy way to indulge your sweet tooth on a hot Arizona day! Ingredients 6 large kiwis, peeled and cut into rounds that are ⅓” to ½” thick 1 cup dark chocolate chips ¼ cup coconut oil Lollipop sticks Directions Insert a lollipop stick through the edge of each kiwi […]

Follow the Path to a Healthy Smile in 2014
If you are like 40% of Americans, chances are you have a list of New Year’s resolutions you intend to adhere to in 2014. It may be to lose weight or to spend more time with family and friends, but have you considered resolving to care for your smile? After all, eHarmony recently conducted a […]

Tricky Treats: Dentist’s Candy of Choice
Halloween sure is a scary holiday – and not just because of the ghosts and goblins seen traipsing around your neighborhood. It’s a scary holiday because of the terrifying treats we hand out to all the children. Now I know what you are thinking – it’s only one day, candy is not so bad, or […]

Sugar Shock: How Much Sugar Are You Really Eating?
If you are like most Americans, you probably don’t check every nutrition label as you’re shopping. There are a lot of numbers and truthfully, they can be hard to read. But what if I told you the “healthy” fruit cup in your kid’s lunchbox was equivalent to 4 packets of sugar? Just because a food […]