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Thanksgiving is almost here! Working on last minute menu planning for tomorrow? Our team has a couple fantastic, tried-and-true recipes we’d like to share with you today!

Pumpkin Bread
From the kitchen of: Janet

Ingredients:
5 eggs
1 1/4 c. canola oil
15-16 oz. solid-pack pumpkin
2 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. sugar
6 oz. vanilla pudding mix (instant or cook)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/16 tsp. nutmeg

Directions:
In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add oil and pumpkin; beat till smooth. Combine remaining ingredients; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture. Bake at 325 F until toothpick comes out clean (approx. 75 min.). Makes two 8x4x2 loaves.

Persimmon Pudding
From the kitchen of: Arnetta

Ingredients:
1 egg
1 c. sugar
2 c. persimmon pulp
1 c. milk
3 Tbsp. butter
1 1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:
Beat egg until creamy; add sugar, pulp, and softened butter. Sift flour with baking soda, baking powder, and spices. Add to creamed mixture with milk. Bake in a 9x13 baking dish at 300 F for 1 hour.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Thanksgiving marks the start to the holidays; a season filled with feasting, indulging, and spending time with family and friends are always special. Thanksgiving is a holiday meant for giving thanks, and while this may seem like such a natural celebration, the United States is only one of a handful of countries to officially celebrate with a holiday.

Unlike many holidays, Thanksgiving is a secular holiday, and it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States. In Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October, which is, oddly enough, much closer to a time when harvests were likely gathered. In addition to the different dates, the origins of the celebration also share different roots.

Thanksgiving in the United States

Giving thanks for a bountiful harvest are not new, but the modern day holiday in the US can be traced to a celebration at Plymouth in Massachusetts in 1621. This feast of thanksgiving was inspired by a good harvest, and the tradition was simply continued on. At first, the colony at Plymouth didn't have enough food to feed everyone present, but the Native Americans helped by providing seeds and teaching them how to fish, and they soon began to be able to hold a feast worthy of the name. The tradition spread, and by the 1660s, most of New England was hosting a Thanksgiving feast in honor of the harvest.

Canadian Thanksgiving

An explorer of early Canada named Martin Frobisher is accredited for the first Canadian Thanksgiving. He survived the arduous journey from England through harsh weather conditions and rough terrain, and after his last voyage from Europe to present-day Nunavut, he held a formal ceremony to give thanks for his survival and good fortune. As time passed and more settlers arrived, a feast was added to what quickly became a yearly tradition. Another explorer, Samuel de Champlain, is linked to the first actual Thanksgiving celebration in honor of a successful harvest; settlers who arrived with him in New France celebrated the harvest with a bountiful feast.

A Modern Thanksgiving

Today, Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated with the best of Americana. From feasts and football games to getting ready for the start of the Christmas shopping season, Thanksgiving means roasted turkey, pumpkin pie, and green bean casserole. No matter how you celebrate this momentous day, pause for a moment to give thanks for your friends, family, and all the bounties you’ve received. Happy Thanksgiving from Thomas W. Watkins, DDS!

Yes, indeed! While brushing, flossing, and regular visits to Thomas W. Watkins, DDS are all key to maintaining a healthy smile and mouth, Dr. Thomas Watkins and our team want you to know the state of your oral health has a significant effect on your overall health.

Our mouths are full of bacteria—some good, and some harmful. Some types of bad bacteria can cause cavities, gingivitis and even periodontal (gum) disease. Without proper oral care and hygiene, these harmful types of bacteria are capable of entering your blood stream through inflamed gums, when inhaled through the mouth or through saliva.

Gum disease, in turn, has been linked to a number of health problems, researchers have found. These include:

• Heart disease: Gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease. Gum disease also is believed to worsen existing heart disease.
• Stroke: Gum disease may increase the risk of the type of stroke caused by blocked arteries.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes and periodontal disease may be more likely to have trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetics with healthy gums.
• Premature birth: Women who suffer from gum disease during pregnancy may be more likely deliver their baby early, and it is likely her infant may be of low birth weight.

Dr. Thomas Watkins and our team at Thomas W. Watkins, DDS are experts in identifying and treating periodontal disease. Give us a call today at our convenient Bloomington, IN office to schedule an appointment to improve your oral health and your overall health, too!

A dental sealant is a liquid that is applied to the teeth. The sealant hardens and provides a protective coating that is designed to reduce cavities and create a smoother tooth surface. Dental sealants are clear or white; they do not take away from the appearance of teeth. You can think about this treatment as being similar to varnish that protects a wood floor.

Sealants are not the same as fluoride treatments. The application is similar, but sealants are a semi-permanent protective coating. Dr. Thomas Watkins and our staff recommend that sealant applications for children begin soon after molars erupt, first molars around the age of six, and second molars around the age of 12.

Simple Application

Having sealants applied is not uncomfortable at all. First, your child's teeth will be cleaned and dried. A gel is applied, which helps the sealant adhere to the tooth, and then is rinsed away. Your child's teeth are dried again and the sealant is applied. A few seconds of exposure to a light source may be used to cure the sealant and make it semi-permanent. Sealants should last for a long time, normally between five and ten years.

Sealant Benefits

The coating on the surface of your child's teeth reduces the amount of acid contact. Normal acids in foods that are consumed can eat away at the surface of teeth. Bacteria also react to plaque formation and create more acid in the mouth. These small pits or weakened areas are prone to caries or cavity formation. Preventing cavities is a much better choice than drilling and filling damaged teeth.

A sealant also helps to smooth the chewing surfaces of your childn't teeth. The smoother surface is not as likely to retain small particles of food and bacteria. Your child's mouth stays cleaner and food is not left behind to form acids. The protective application can also be used on other teeth that have a rough surface, to protect the grooves or pits from decay.

After the sealant is applied, your child still needs to take proper care of his or her teeth. Regular brushing and flossing is required. Dr. Thomas Watkins may recommend fluoride treatments to strengthen and protect your child's teeth further.

If you have any concerns about sealants, please discuss them with during your child's next appointment at Thomas W. Watkins, DDS. We want your little one's teeth to stay healthy for life.