How many of us parents live on the 'Do as I say, not as I do' statement? I am sure there are a number of us for certain rules we set for our kids. I think it defines us as the parent and not the child when it comes to certain things, like I can sleep late but my children need to sleep early. That example makes sens,but not when it's things like junk food, chocolate, fizzy drinks etc...now we are just being naughty...hahahah
Food is definitely where we use that alot! And this time I have decided to show YOU the parent, what certain foods do to YOUR teeth. By doing this, you will be more cautious of what YOU eat, and thus what you give your children...this sounds quite simple but clever to me!! hahah
It is so important to know what you are eating, benefits of that type of food, and the effects on our teeth. I think we all need a dental pack in our handbags like you carry make up, because you just need to keep brushing!
Anyway here is a summary of what I found...enjoy and I hope you learn something:
What foods may be bad for your mouth?
- Carbohydrates: Chips, bread, pasta, or crackers can be as harmful to the teeth as candy.
- Sticky, chewy foods: Raisins, granola bars, jelly beans, caramel, honey and syrup stick to teeth and make it difficult to wash the sugar away.
- Sugary snacks: Cookies, cakes or other desserts contain a high amount of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.
- Gum and candy: When chewing gum and eating candy, the sugar coats teeth, which can lead to cavities.
- Carbonated soft drinks: Regular and diet sodas contain phosphorous and carbonation, which wears away the enamel on teeth.
- Fruit or vegetable juices: These beverages tend to be high in sugar, which can damage tooth enamel and lead to decay.
Choose
foods from the five major food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads and cereals,
milk and dairy products and meat, chicken, fish or beans. Avoid fad diets that
limit or eliminate entire food groups, which usually result in vitamin or
mineral deficiencies.
Always
keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water. Saliva protects both hard and
soft oral tissues. If you have a dry mouth, supplement your diet with sugarless
candy or gum to stimulate saliva.
Foods
that cling to your teeth promote tooth decay. So when you snack, avoid soft,
sweet, sticky foods such as cakes, candy and dried fruits. Instead, choose
dentally healthy foods such as nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese and
sugarless gum or candy.
When
you eat fermentable carbohydrates, such as crackers, cookies and chips, eat
them as part of your meal, instead of by themselves. Combinations of foods
neutralize acids in the mouth and inhibit tooth decay. For example, enjoy
cheese with your crackers. Your snack will be just as satisfying and better for
your dental health. One caution: malnutrition (bad nutrition) can result from
too much nourishment as easily as too little. Each time you eat, you create an
environment for oral bacteria to develop. Additionally, studies are showing
that dental disease is just as related to overeating as heart disease, obesity,
diabetes and hypertension. So making a habit of eating too much of just about
anything, too frequently, should be avoided.
Here are just some of
the minerals and nutrients your body needs to stay healthy:
- Calcium. Your teeth and jaws are made mostly of calcium. Without enough calcium in your diet, you risk developing gum disease and tooth decay. Calcium is found in many foods and liquids, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, beans, and oysters.
- Iron. Iron deficiency can cause your tongue to become inflamed, and sores can form inside your mouth. Iron is found in many foods, including liver and red meat. Other iron-rich foods include bran cereals, some nuts, and spices.
- Vitamin B3 (niacin). A lack of vitamin B3 can cause bad breath and canker sores in the mouth. To boost your B3 levels, eat chicken and fish.
- Vitamins B12 and B2 (riboflavin). You also can develop mouth sores when you do not consume enough of the vitamins B12 and B2. Red meat, chicken, liver, pork, fish, as well as dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese, are good sources of vitamin B12. Vitamin B2 is found in foods like pasta, bagels, spinach, and almonds.
- Vitamin C. Too little vitamin C will lead to bleeding gums and loose teeth. Sweet potatoes, raw red peppers, and oranges are great sources of vitamin C.
- Vitamin D. It is very important to consume enough vitamin D because it helps your body absorb calcium. A diet lacking or low in vitamin D will cause burning mouth syndrome. Symptoms of this condition include a burning mouth sensation, a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth, and dry mouth. Drink milk, and eat egg yolks and fish to increase your vitamin D intake
'An apple a day keeps the doctor away', right? How? Here is what I found:
How Is An
Apple Good For Your Teeth?
An apple
helps both your teeth and your all-around oral hygiene. Think of it as a
natural toothbrush. The fruit, that’s rich in fleshy fiber, helps scrub your
teeth, gums, and tongue. The skin of the apple especially, which is extremely
high in fiber, can scrub against your teeth and help remove stains and fight
plaque.
Furthermore,
Apples are great for getting rid of bad breath. That natural fiber helps remove
the traces of plaque and residue that harbor in the back of your tongue and
throat that create the bad breath. The acidity of the apple helps kill any bad
bacteria that may cause the bad breath as well.
How Is An
Apple Bad For Your Teeth
How is an
Apple Bad for Your Teeth?
The Toronto
Star claims from a study published by UK’s Journal of Dentistry, that an
apple’s acidic structure can be harmful to your teeth. This is true; foods high
in acidity can damage the dentine in your mouth. Dentine is the layer of tooth
just under the enamel. The acidity of an apple can eat away at your dentine and
damage your teeth.
As well,
apples have high sugar content, and we all know how bad sugar can be for your
teeth. Furthermore, apple juice, along with most fruit juices, is highly acidic
as well and can be harmful to that dentine.
Don’t Stop Eating Apples!
However,
though apples can hurt your teeth, their benefits greatly outweigh the risk.
Not only can apples help our teeth, they can help regulate our blood sugar, are
low in calories and are a great source of dietary fiber. The negative effects
of apples are easily preventable and mostly depend on your apple eating habits.
If you want the good benefits of apples without the negative impact,
follow these steps:
1. Eat your apple in a single sitting. Don’t graze an apple. The longer
the acidic elements are in your mouth, the more harm they can do.
2. Eat apples with other snacks. Munching on a piece of cheese, milk, or some bread
can help neutralize the apple’s acidity. Especially if its a food high in
calcium.
3. When finished with an apple, swish your mouth with water. This will help release and flush
away the acidic elements that are hiding between your teeth.
4. Wait about 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating an
apple. If you
brush too soon after, the sugars from the apple will scrub off your enamel. Use
water to flush as much out before brushing.
(source: watertowerdentalcare.com)
I hope you have learnt something new and can apply it to your kids
Till Next Monday
Stay Blessed
#beingaparent
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