Spring has arrived along with America's favorite pastime, baseball! The team at Lakewood Park Orthodontics celebrated opening day by dressing in Boston Red Sox gear and giving away prizes. Each patient who came into the office had the opportunity to spin the prize wheel to win a baseball related prize.
In honor of Women's History Month, we want to celebrate the amazing women who have made in a difference in dentistry.
.
February is a dedicated time to raise awareness about the importance of dental hygiene and oral health in children. The most common dental disease in children is cavities. A cavity is a hole in the tooth that develops from tooth decay. Cavities form when acids in the mouth wear down the tooth enamel. If untreated a cavity can cause pain and infections. Cavities will not go away on their own but are preventable.
Sugar is a leading cause of cavities in children and adults. When sugar is consumed it interacts with the bacteria within the plaque to produce acid. This acid is responsible for tooth decay because it slowly dissolves the enamel creating holes in the tooth, known as a cavity. According to the CDC half the population age two and older consume sugary drinks daily. When looking at the total amount of sugar in food and beverages it is important to remember, there are many names for sweeteners. Some ingredients to look for are corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, honey, syrup and the most common, sugar. It is important to limit the consumption of sugary drinks and snacks. It’s important to encourage children to choose healthier alternatives such as water, fresh fruits and vegetables.Â
For a better idea of how much sugar is in popular beverages refer to chart below.
One of the most effective ways to prevent cavities is by practicing good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least two times a day, more if in braces and flossing daily. Along with regularly visiting the dentist for check-ups and cleanings. By prioritizing regular dental check-ups, you can identify and treat any potential problems before they start.
Prep Time: 35minutes minutes                 Cook Time: 10minutes minutes
Cool: 1hour hour             Total Time: 1hour hour 45minutes minutes
Servings: 30
Ingredients
Pumpkin Cookies
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
1 ½ Tablespoons ground cinnamon
½ Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional (for extra spice)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil, I like to measure just shy of 1 cup
15 ounce can pumpkin puree, (not pie filling)
2 large eggs
Maple Frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup salted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
Instructions
Pumpkin Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and ground nutmeg.
Mixer together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla. Add eggs and mix until combined. Slowly stir in the flour mixture until the batter is smooth.
Using a small cookie scoop, scoop dough onto baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Beat the butter and cream cheese 1 to 2 minutes, or until thick and creamy. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time until combined. Stir in the maple syrup and vanilla smooth.
Place frosting in a gallon-sized zip-top bag and place in the refrigerator 30 minutes.
To assemble the whoopie pies, turn 1/2 the cookies upside down. Snip a small corner from the zip-top bag. Pipe the frosting onto a cookie, being careful not to pipe all the way to the edges or else the frosting will drip over. Place another cookie, flat side down, on top of the frosting and press down slightly. Repeat with remaining cookies.
Store in the refrigerator to firm before serving.
