Best And Worst Foods For Teeth: Top Seven

Here we are into a New Year! Most people make resolutions or at least try to commit to healthier habits. To help you make better food and drink decisions to promote better oral health, here are the top seven best and worst foods and beverages for your teeth:

Best List: Foods that Stimulate Saliva, Neutralize Acids and Provide Vitamins and Minerals

1.      Fruits and Vegetables: Colorful, high fiber fruits and vegetables are “best friends” to our diet and oral health. They stimulate saliva production, neutralize acids, and clean our teeth, and they give us a dose of vitamins and minerals.

2.      Water: Rinsing agent and hydration works to prevent decay.

3.      Dairy Products: Good source of calcium and vitamin D.

4.      Xylitol: This sugarless, plant-derived sweetner fights against bacteria.

5.      Green/Black Tea: Contain polyphenols that suppresses bacteria and plaque build-up

6.      Vitamins/Minerals: A, D and C are great for teeth, but foods that provide other minerals and nutrients include: potatoes, spinach, fish, chicken, beef, beans, grains, tofu and eggs.

7.      Nuts: They contain: Calcium, Vitamin D, Fiber, Folic Acid, Iron, Thiamine, Niacin, Zinc, potassium, magnesium, E and B6.

 Healthy and Unhealthy Choices for Your Teeth

Worst List: Acid and Foods that are High in Sugar, Convert to Sugar or Create Bacteria and

1.      Soda, Carbonated Sugary Drinks: They contain sugar and acids that eat away and erode tooth enamel.

2.      Some Energy/Sports Drinks: They may claim to be healthy, but they can be highly acidic and full of sugar.

3.      Things That Create Cotton/Dry Mouth: Alcoholic beverages, medications, and fluoride rinses can dehydrate the mouth and hurt gums and teeth.

4.      High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sweetners, Sugar and Candy: Sugary, sticky, gooey caramelized foods are high in sugar, damage the surface of teeth and cause cavities.

5.      Dried Fruits: Believe it or not, raisins, prunes and apricots can be like chewy candy, and they can find and trap sugars in and around the teeth.

6.      High Acidic Foods/Drinks: Orange juice, lemons and grapefruits can be good for teeth, but sucking and consuming too much of them without rinsing can break down enamel.

7.      Foods High in Starch: White bread, fries, chips, and processed foods convert to sugar and cause bacteria and a break down in enzymes.

Vitamin D stands for “Defense” Against Dental Cavities

A healthy, balanced diet is important for our teeth and bodies. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, with a healthy dose of quality meats (protein substitutes), cheeses and good carbs are the best combo! Vitamins can certainly help offset any imbalances, too. Recently, several studies have revealed the importance Vitamin D plays in helping to build stronger, healthier teeth in children, and also safeguarding teeth against dental cavities throughout life. 

 

 (Image thanks to SavingDinner.com )

Plenty of research studies point out that vitamin D actually lowers the risk of dental cavities to as much as 50% in 3,000 children who were subjected to these studies from many different places, such as US, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Canada and Great Britain.

The benefits of Vitamin D can help people of any age. Pregnant women or mothers of little children should keep in mind that Vitamin D protects against dental cavities, so they should incorporate the supplement into their everyday diet. Pregnant women should take sufficient doses of Vitamin D to protect themselves and the baby, while parents should administer the recommended daily dose of Vitamin D to their kids. If you have questions, just ask your doctor or pediatrician. 

Here are some Foods Containing Vitamin D:

Shiitake & Button Mushrooms

Sardines, Salmon, and Tuna Fish

Cod Liver Oil

Eggs

Soymilk

Milk

Orange Juice

Sunshine

Baby Drinks For Healthier Teeth

A baby’s oral health is very important, and it gets them on the road to good oral hygiene. Hydration is a catalyst for this, as they need fluids for proper digestive health function to avoid constipation.

Dental Health Magazine posted information on the different fluids babies need for excellent oral and digestive health. They provide immunity for fighting sickness, strong bones, and healthy teeth. 

The first liquid a baby is acquainted with is often breast milk. This is great for building a tough immune system for the barrage of infections and diseases they’ll face in the first few years of their lives. If the baby is unable to drink breast milk, make sure to give them formula that has whey, as whey-based formula has plenty of protein to produce soft, healthy stools. 

Cow milk with full fat is a good source of calcium for babies. Children can start drinking pasteurized cow milk around one year old. Water is very important for babies from the age of six months, as it protects their oral and bodily health. 

Drinks to avoid include retail products with sweeteners because they promote tooth decay. Unsweetened juices promoting themselves as 100% natural often have white sugar, which also damage teeth and erode tooth enamel with their acidity; they can be given once a day in full form or 2-3 times daily when diluted by half with water. You can give your kids freshly-squeezed orange or apple juice without sugar to provide them with a multitude of vitamins.

Command Of Dental Health At Every Age

A smile is a gateway into one’s life. You can determine someone’s health, friendliness and care for their appearance when you see someone’s upturned lips. You can also think about your own health when you examine your smile, as you know how you take care of your teeth. You are the gatekeeper to better dental health and overall well being.

Worldental.org posted an article about assessing dental health. There are various factors to consider, including your age, stage of life, and daily habits. These assessments are key for maintaining good dental and overall health.

People of all ages benefit from good dental health, with periodic professionals check-ups being an essential part. Outside of the dentist chair, parents should be diligent in their care for their kid’s dental health-- babies need regular monitoring for eruptions, and toddlers for discomfort and discoloration. School-age kids should be taught to check their teeth and gums for swelling, bleeding, redness and pain. Puberty brings cosmetic options, as fully-grown teeth can be straightened, whitened, or shaped.

Life stages also influence oral health. Puberty brings hormonal changes, growth spurts and other changes. Reproductive years need extra care for teeth—additional cleanings and check-ups. Those playing sports and participating in athletics should wear protective mouth gear and look out for injuries. Retirement age is synonymous with gum erosion, loosening teeth and bone loss, and poor dental health can be linked to worsening health problems in other areas—not to mention discomfort.

You can ward off poor oral health by maintaining good habits. Proper nutrition (healthy foods, for instance), regular brushing and flossing can prevent cavities and plaque from doing damage to tooth enamel, and it can also foster strong bones and healthy gums. Even if you’re late to practicing good dental health, it is never too late to incorporate new habits to improve your teeth and your bodily health.

Finding the Right Fit: Patients, Treatment Plans and Budgeting

In this economy, money is tight for most families. As dental professionals, our role lies in helping patients make dentistry a priority and to enable them to afford the quality of care that will allow them to achieve optimum oral health. Here are five ways to incentivize treatment plans, and help patients maintain a healthy relationship with your practice and their oral care. 

·         1 – Patient Financing Available

Financing can be a necessity, especially when it comes to configuring medical and dental expenses into your budget. If treatment is too expensive, patients may need credit options, which is why many offices offer financing through CareCredit. Patient financing through CareCredit provides patients with a suspended or reduced interest rate if they can pay it off within a certain amount of time.

·         2 – Make Fee Schedules Available Before Treatment

As healthcare providers, it is always in our best interest to provide fees and terms of payments in advance of treatment. This method “inform before you perform” helps patients prepare financially. It also establishes goals and solidifies the patient/provider relationship. 

·         3 – Provide Multiple Treatment Options

There is usually more than one plan or option to give patients choices when it comes to their treatment plan. Patients like having options. The truth is most patients will have the necessary treatment if they have the funds available for treatment. Often, the only set-back is funds. When patients are asked to spend money, multiple and affordable options help reassure that they are being presented with all of the information available so that they can make informed decisions. Also, it helps them to understand the timeline of a diagnosis and treatments options. For example, it would X to treat a cavity, but if the cavity goes untreated and becomes an abscess, then it would cost XX to treat or extract. This helps patients understand the conditions and consequences if the initial problem is left untreated.  

·         4 – Be Considerate of Patient Readiness

If the diagnosis is not good, patients may not be prepared to hear about the treatment plan or the expense to restore their oral health and smile. This is where dental staff can help build loyalty, by educating patients on the importance of ongoing and treatment, and by partnering and working on short term and long term oral treatment plans to get them back on track and smiling. Keep in mind that the circumstances and budget will vary from patient to patient. 

·         5 –Big Bonus: In-House Membership Programs

Many patients or even their family members are without dental insurance, which is why they are often happy to learn of in-house discount dental plans that make exams, cleanings, and dental treatment more affordable. American Dental Plan offers plans for individuals, couples and families for one low annual fee, and this helps patients save from 30-40 percent. ADP offers value added cost savings for patients as they bundle services into an attractive price, providing peace of mind. 

Regardless of the economy, patients and consumers are looking for affordable alternatives to traditional dental insurance to enable their families to afford the care they know they need. In addition, at a time when patients can download coupons for different dental care needs, and go from one dental office to another, you want them to build loyalty to your practice and to their oral care, short and long term. The best way to build the relationship and loyalty, is by giving them options, and by providing quality care.