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| Monday, November 10, 2008 |
| Smile! |
I smile a lot. In general, I am a happy person. That’s why I’m glad that I like my smile. My family doesn’t have the best dental history. Everyone has cavities and has had root canal, crowns, periodontal disease, etc. When I realized I was heading down the same road, I knew I had to do something. Being a dietitian, I thought I might be able to improve my teeth through diet changes or supplements. So I did some research and I found it wasn’t that hard. I just made some simple changes and my teeth have been thanking me ever since.
After some research, I decided to buy a mouthwash with fluoride. I found out that fluoride actually helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugars in the mouth. I always knew fluoride was important for children while their teeth are developing, but I found out that it can be beneficial for adults too. I use the mouthwash and I have my dentist do a fluoride treatment every three months.
Secondly, I examined my diet. I eat a pretty healthy diet being a dietitian. However, I realized that even some healthy foods can contribute to cavities. Of course, sugars are the worst when it comes to tooth decay. The American Dental Association even recommends avoiding or limiting table sugar, molasses, honey, corn syrup and beverages made with fructose or dextrose. You can read labels to see if any of these are in your favorite foods.
But did you know that some foods cleanse the teeth naturally? Fresh fruits and vegetables are great at cleansing the teeth. Dried fruits however are not the best because they leave the mouth full of sugar. Lean meats are good since they contain no carbohydrates. Cheese and nuts are two other foods that are good for cleansing the teeth and don’t contribute to tooth decay. So even though I like to snack, I am more careful to bring my toothbrush and toothpaste with me when I know I will have a sweet or sticky snack and I always try to include a cleansing food with my meals.
Lastly, I started looking at certain nutrients that help protect teeth. Coenzyme Q10 has been linked to dental health. After doing some research, I found that it has been linked to improving periodontal disease. My family has a history of periodontal disease so it is something I am concerned about. Food sources of Coenzyme Q10 include: soybean oil, peanut oil, canola oil, spinach, broccoli and wheat germ. You can ask your doctor about coenzyme Q10 for more information.
I also found research that says vitamin C and the B vitamins may be helpful in preventing and improving periodontal disease. Try increasing your intake of oranges, strawberries, papaya, broccoli, red peppers and kiwi to increase your vitamin C intake. To increase your intake of B vitamins try eating lean protein such as fish and lean meats, whole grains, eggs, potatoes, milk and brown rice.
Lastly, calcium can help keep teeth and the bones surrounding them strong. Try eating low fat dairy, broccoli, kale or fortified fruit juices. Remember to aim for variety in your diet to make sure you are getting all of the nutrients needed for dental health.
These few simple steps can really make a difference in your dental health. They worked for me. Hopefully I can keep my teeth bright and healthy for years to come. I have a lot to smile about!
- Jennifer
Labels: Health, healthy eating, Jennifer
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posted by The Sensei Team @ Monday, November 10, 2008   |
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| 1 Comments: |
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Good information, thanks! My teeth - something I don't think about very much (except about a week before I go to the dentist). Talking about dentists - is it weird that my dentist has cookies out in the lobby - free for the taking? All the time...I like it, but...
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Good information, thanks! My teeth - something I don't think about very much (except about a week before I go to the dentist). Talking about dentists - is it weird that my dentist has cookies out in the lobby - free for the taking? All the time...I like it, but...