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TEETH, FOOD, & HEALTH

What causes TOOTH DECAY?

Best and Worst Foods for Your Teeth

Oral Hygiene

EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE- CAVITE SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

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TEETH,FOOD,

& HEALTHTHIS IS A STUDY OF HOW TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR TEETH. THERE WILL BE POINTS OF WHAT IS

GOOD TO EAT AND WHAT HARMS THE TEETH.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHAT IS TOOTH DECAY? WHAT CAUSES TOOTH DECAY? WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? DECAY- A WORLDWIDE EPIDEMIC; PAINFUL,

COSTLY AND PREVENTABLE EXCESS AMOUNT OF SURE CAN BE HARMFUL TOP 9 FOODS THAT DAMAGES YOU TEETH SUGAR SUBSTITUTES AND SUGAR-FREE

PRODUCTS MYTH OR FACT: TOP TIPS FOR PERFECT TEETH WHAT IS TOOTHPASTE MADE OF? SUPPLEMENTS THAT MAKE YOU SMILE HOW TO KEEP HEALTHY TEETH FOR LIFE

WHAT IS TOOTH DECAY?

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Tooth decay  is damage that occurs when germs

(bacteria) in your mouth make acids that eat away at

a tooth. It can lead to a hol n the tooth, called

a cavity. If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain,

infection, and tooth loss.

A tooth has three layers.

-The hard outer layer is called enamel.

-The middle layer is called dentin.

-The center of the tooth is called the pulp. It contains

nerves and blood vessels.

The more layers that are affected by decay, the worse

the damage.

WHAT CAUSES TOOTH DECAY?Bacteria and food can cause tooth decay. A clear,

sticky substance called plaque is always forming on

your teeth and gums. Plaque contains bacteria that

feed on the sugars in the food you eat.

As the bacteria feed, they make acids. The acids

attack the teeth for 20 minutes or more after you eat.

Over time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, causing

tooth decay.

Things that make you more likely to have tooth decay

include:

-Not brushing

and flossing

your teeth

regularly and

not seeing a

dentist for

check-ups and

cleanings.

-Eating foods that are high in sugar and other

carbohydrates, which feed the bacteria in your

mouth.

-Not getting enough fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent

tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to acids

produced by plaque. Fluoride is added to most public

water supplies.

-Not having enough saliva. Saliva washes away food

and harmful sugars, so it helps protect your teeth

from decay. A dry mouth may be caused by a

condition such as xerostomia or Sjögren's

syndrome, by taking certain medicines, or by

breathing through your mouth. Older adults are more

likely to have a dry mouth.

-Having diabetes.

-Smoking, using spit (smokeless) tobacco, or

breathing second-hand smoke.

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Children, whose teeth are still growing, are more

likely than adults to have tooth decay. This is

because the minerals in new teeth are not very

strong and are easier for acids to eat away.

Even babies can be at risk for tooth decay. Babies

who are put to bed with a bottle can get "bottle

mouthe i

"—tooth decay caused by the sugar in milk, formula,

or juice. Babies aren't born with decay-causing

bacteria in their mouths. But they can get bacteria

from adults who share spoons, forks, or other

utensils with them.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Tooth decay usually doesn't cause symptoms until

you have a cavity or an infected tooth. When this

happens, you may have:

-A toothache, which is the most common symptom.

-Swelling in your gums near a sore tooth. This can be

a sign of severe tooth decay or an abscessed tooth.

-Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.

-White, gray, brown, or black spots on your teeth.

If you have a toothache, see a dentist. Sometimes the

pain will go away for a while, but the tooth decay will

keep growing. If you don't get treatment, your

cavities could get worse and your tooth could die.

DECAY — A WORLD WIDE EPIDEMIC; PAINFUL, COSTLY AND PREVENTABLE

Oral diseases range from cavities to cancer; they cause pain and disability for millions of Americans each year. Even more disturbing — almost all are preventable.

Dental decay is a worldwide epidemic, especially among young children. The disease begins early — tooth decay affects more than one-fourth of U.S. children ages 2 to 5 and half of those ages 12 to 15. Low-income children are hardest hit: about half of

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those ages 6 to 19 have had decay. In addition to pain and other dysfunction, untreated cavities can cause absence from school and other social interactions, low weight and poor appearance — problems that may greatly reduce a child's capacity to succeed in life.

Tooth decay is also a problem for U.S. adults, affecting more than ninety percent over age forty. A quarter of adults over age sixty have lost all of their teeth primarily because of decay affecting self-esteem and contributing to nutrition problems by limiting the types of foods that can be eaten.

Excess amounts of sugar can be harmful

Trans. by D.SERGELENMongolian produced baked goods taste extremely sweet, don’t they? Mothers prefer beverages and juices low in sugar for their children to avoid tooth decay and some stores have small sections for sugar-free food. But no one cares about sugar content in baked goods.The Deputy Minister of Health, J.Amarsanaa, appealed to domestic producers to cut the sugar content in beverages and sugar rich foods. If food and beverage producing companies meet their social responsibility and reduce sugar content in food for children’s health and future, it will be contribute to improving the health of children for the next 20 and 30 years, stressed the Deputy Minister of Health.There are 100 million people who have diabetes in China and 80 million people in India. Mongolia is close behind them.Diabetes has increased two times in the few last decades. Aside from producers being aware of their

Did you know that tooth decay is one of the most common of all diseases, second only to

the common colds.

Tooth decay is also a problem for U.S. adults, affecting more than ninety percent over age

forty.

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social responsibility and cutting sugar content, consumers have to make good choices in their food purchases.If people start hesitating to buy sugar rich food, producers will change the ingredients of their food. To make better choices, exact and accurate information about sugar content must be put on labels.Researchers have concluded that changes in the Mongolian lifestyle change have caused more tooth decay. Mongolians had big, white, healthy teeth when they used to consume dairy products in the summer time.Candy, biscuits, sodas, juices, vodka and wine occupy most of the space in shops. But how many shops sell dairy products?The Deputy Minister of Health also warned “Besides children dental disease, Mongolians sugar rich foods consumption will bring negative effects in next 20 to 40 years. If we won’t take any prevention measurements, our society will be covered to diabetes, obesity, and metabolism diseases.”Mongolians know the three white poisons but why are we still consuming them large amounts?Compare the human body’s veins and arteries with plumbing pipes. People say do not pour oil into pipes or they will get clogged. But we pour fat and oil into our bodies without any care. Consequently, the greater consumption of fat and oil leads to thickening of the walls of our arteries and increase

the risk of heart disease. High blood pressure among youth is on the rise.Food producers can’t forget the advice of the Deputy Minister of Health.Specialist in Food, Nutrition, and Food Safety of the Ministry of Health Dr. D.Ganzorig mentioned the number of diseases related to excess sugar consumption.Over 90 percent of Mongolian children have tooth decay and at least three to five teeth of their teeth have cavities.The white poison contributes to diabetes and gastrointestinal cancer in Mongolia and obesity, which has increased by 66 percent in the past seven years.“Some food producing companies add additives with sugar to increase the flavor. We have regulations for them but they usually say they use a sugar substitute, but this is more poisonous than sugar,” added D.Ganzorig.The specialist from the Ministry of Health explains that sugar substitutes are a food additive. After a while, sugar substitutes can negatively influence the human body. Some sugar substitutes are prohibited from consumption. Sugar is a substance that can be addictive. Children like eating candies the same way

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adults like coffee, yogurt and bread with sugar. The producers know this and that is why they add sugar, to make more sales. Source: Udriin Shuudan

Top 9 Foods That Damage Your Teeth

What you eat matters

While these hard candies seem harmless, eat too many and the constant exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth. Hard candies also put your teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they can also trigger a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth. Better alternative? Chew sugarless gum that carries the ADA Seal.

Ice i s for chilling, not chewing

You’d be surprised at how many people think ice is good for their teeth. It’s made of water, after all, and doesn’t contain any sugar or other additives. But chewing on hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency and damage enamel. Advice: Break the habit and enjoy water in its liquid form.

Watch your citrus intake

Watch your citrus intake The truth is that frequent exposures to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time. So even though a a squeeze of lemon or lime can turn a simple glass of water into a fun beverage, it's not always the best choice for your mouth. Citric fruits and juices can also irritate mouth sores. Make sure to drink plenty of plain water.

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Who doesn’t love the nice, satisfying crunch of a potato chip? Unfortunately potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in snacks like these, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up.

Not all coffee is good for you

In their natural form, coffee and tea can be healthy beverage choices. Unfortunately too many people can’t resist adding sugar. Caffeinated coffee and tea can also dry out your mouth. Frequent drinks of coffee and tea may also stain your teeth. If you do consume, make sure to drink plenty of water and try to keep the add-ons to a minimum.

Eat for a healthy smileby Amanda Gardner

Prevention is the best medicine for your smile. Although fillings, crowns, and professional whitening can make your teeth stronger and brighter, it's better (and cheaper!) to avoid cavities and stains in the first place, by brushing, flossing, and—last but not least—eating right. As the following guide explains, the food we eat can have a big impact on our teeth. Fortunately, foods like candy that don't always play nice with our teeth are generally harmless in moderation. "It's when we excessively use one thing that [it] can become a problem," says Matthew Messina, an Ohio-based dentist and spokesman for the American Dental Association.

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Sticky foods are your mouth's worst nightmare

When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are sticky. Sticky foods can damage your teeth since they tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating dried fruits or trail mix often, make sure to rinse with water after and to brush and floss carefully.

Beware of things that go "crunch"Who doesn’t love the nice, satisfying crunch of a potato chip? Unfortunately potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in snacks like these, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up.

Swap out soda with water

When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel, the hard surface of your tooth. Most carbonated soft drinks, including diet

soda, are acidic and therefore, bad for your teeth. Caffeinated beverages, such as colas can also dry out your mouth. If you do consume soft drinks, try to drink alongside a cup of water.

Limit alcohol consumption

Alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth. People who drink excessively may find their saliva flow is reduced over time, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections such as gum disease. Heavy alcohol use also increases your risk for mouth cancer.

To prevent cavities and maintain good oral health, your diet -- what you eat and how often you eat -- are important factors. Changes in your mouth start the minute you eat certain foods. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars and carbohydrates from the foods you eat to acids, and it's the acids that begin to attack the enamel on teeth, starting the decay process. The more often you eat and snack, the more frequently you are exposing your teeth to the cycle of decay.

Mouth-Healthy Foods and Drinks

The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts, and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after

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being removed by acids). Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits (for example, apples and pears) and vegetables. These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain, and stimulate the flow of saliva (which helps protect against decay by washing away food particles and buffering acid). Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and lemons, should be eaten as part of a larger meal to minimize the acid from them. Poor food choices include candy -- such as lollipops, hard candies, and mints -- cookies, cakes, pies, breads, muffins, potato chips, pretzels, french fries, bananas, raisins, and other dried fruits. These foods contain large amounts of sugar and/or can stick to teeth, providing a fuel source for bacteria. In addition, cough drops should be used only when necessary as they, like sugary candy, contribute to tooth decay. The best beverage choices include water (especially fluoridated water), milk, and unsweetened tea. Limit your consumption of sugar-containing drinks, including soft drinks, lemonade, and coffee or tea with added sugar. Also, avoid day-long sipping of sugar-containing drinks -- day-long sipping exposes your teeth to constant sugar and, in turn, constant decay-causing acids.

Sugar Substitutes and Sugar-Free Products

Sugar substitutes are available that look and taste like sugar; however, they are not digested the same way as sugar, so they don't "feed" the bacteria in the mouth and therefore don't produce decay-causing acids. They include: erythritol, isomalt, sorbitol, and mannitol. Other sugar substitutes that are available in the U.S. include saccharin, advantame, aspartame (marketed as Equal), acesulfame potassium (marketed as Sunett), Neotame (marketed as Newtame), and sucralose (marketed as Splenda). Sugarless or sugar-free food sometimes simply means that no sugar was added to the foods during processing. However, this does not mean that the foods do not contain other natural sweeteners, such as honey, molasses, evaporated cane sugar, fructose, barley malt, or rice syrup. These natural sweeteners contain the same number of calories as sugar and can be just as harmful to teeth. To determine if the sugarless or sugar-free foods you buy contain natural sweeteners, examine the ingredients label. Words that end in '-ose' (like sucrose and fructose) usually indicate the presence of a natural sweetener. On the label, look under sugars or carbohydrates.

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Healthy Foods: 10 Best Foods for Strong Teeth and Bones

Healthy Food # 1: ApplesStephen D’souza – Dental Student at Terna College says – apple is a natural toothbrush. It helps to stimulate your gums, increases saliva flow in the mouth and prevents cavity buildup as it cleanses the teeth surface. Plus they are loaded with various vitamins and minerals. Try eating a full apple after your dinner to clear the interior part of teeth.

Healthy Food # 2: CeleryCelery is the best weapon you can use to keep bacteria inside your mouth at bay. Celery is loaded with various dental health benefits. As you chew celery, it helps in producing more saliva in your mouth which further prevents plaque production. Eat a piece of celery, once a week if you want to brush your teeth naturally.

Healthy Food # 3: WaterDrink as much water as you can. Water helps to clean your mouth as well as helps to clear toxins in your body which can create tooth decay. Water helps to produce saliva in your mouth which deposits

essential minerals into the teeth. It also keeps your gums very well hydrated and washes away all the

minute left over’s from the teeth. The best way to keep your teeth decay free is by drinking sufficient amount of water after every food intake.

Healthy Food # 4: CheeseCheese is very good choice to make your teeth strong and healthy. Cheese also contains casein, which helps in fortifying your tooth’s surface. Hence, if you are prone to cavity, start chewing a small

piece of cheese to prevent decay.

Healthy Food # 5: CocoaCocoa is actually good for your teeth. It is filled with a substance which helps to reduce gum inflammation and prevents tooth erosion and decay. So start nibbling in a piece of dark chocolate, after a stressful day at work to brighten up your mood and to prevent tooth decay.

Healthy Food # 6: KiwiKiwi a great source of vitamin C. Proper amount of vitamin c in the body helps in maintaining the collagen network in your gums, prevents gum infections, fastens healing and strengthens your gum which further helps in preventing periodontal disease.

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Healthy Food # 7: OnionsThough you may be concerned about your stinky breath after eating a raw onion, but the benefits it offers are simply remarkable. Onions naturally cleanses your body and mouth by eliminating harmful bacteria. This action of kicking bacteria away helps in preventing tooth decay.

Healthy Food # 8: Sugar-free gumsPop in a sugar-free gum after meals, to prevent tooth decay. The sugar alternative in these gums helps in preventing attack by the bacteria which can degrade tooth enamel. Plus, if you keep chewing your chewing-gum for some time you are exercising as well which will strengthen your jaw.

Healthy Food # 9: Sesame seedsThese tiny seeds are rich in calcium, which helps in keeping your teeth healthy and strong. Besides, sesame seeds dissolve the plaque which is formed and builds tooth enamel.

Healthy Food # 10: PearsPears is fibrous in nature, it helps in producing additional saliva in your mouth. It also has a larger acid neutralizing effect on tooth surfaces. Eat a pears daily to keep your tooth surface strong and healthy.

Myth or fact: top tips for perfect teeth10 SEPTEMBER 2014With so many differring reports surrounding dental hygiene, it can be hard to know which advice to follow to achieve that perfect Hollywood smile, just like Cheryl Fernandez-Versini's. From whiteningtoothpastes to flossing and mouthwash, as well as the latest brightening and lightening treatments, what really is the best way to look after our  teeth ? Surprisingly, much of the hype surrounding dental hygiene is actually a myth...

Dr Sameer Patel, Clinical Director at award-winning specialist dental and orthodontic practiceElleven, distinguishes myth from fact and thus establishes the 11 steps for a perfect oral hygiene routine. 

1. You should wait to brush your teeth until after breakfast. – MYTH! 

FACT: You should brush your teeth as soon you wake up to brush away the bacteria that has formed in your mouth overnight. Then after you have eaten breakfast, rinse with a fluoride mouthwash. 

2. Rinse your mouth out with water after you have brushed your teeth. – MYTH! 

FACT: Do not rinse after you have brushed your teeth as this washes away the fluoride in the toothpaste which is good for your teeth and helps prevent tooth decay. Just spit out the excess toothpaste.

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3. You should brush your teeth as soon as you have finished eating. – MYTH! 

FACT: You should wait for 30 – 40 minutes to allow saliva to naturally neutralise the low PH in themouth   caused by food and drinks before brushing. If you brush straight away the acid in the mouth gets brushed into the teeth and causes erosion and loss of tooth enamel, making the teeth sensitive and weaker over time.

4. You should brush your teeth after each meal, especially if it is sugary. – MYTH! 

FACT: You should only brush your teeth two to three times a day. Over-brushing may result in gum recession and wear of your teeth. Try and brush after  lunch  if you can, waiting for 30 minutes before you do so or rinse with a fluoride mouthwash.

5. Electric toothbrushes are better than a manual toothbrush. – MYTH! 

FACT: Both electric and manual toothbrushes are fine to use on your teeth, however you need to have the correct manual technique if you opt for the latter. If your technique is not as good manually, then you will see a difference in your oral hygiene if you switch to an electric toothbrush.

6. You should change your toothbrush every 6 months. – MYTH! 

FACT: You need to change your toothbrush every 3 months. After 3 months or so, the bristles start to fray and will not clean teeth or gums adequately. The bristles start to lose their effectiveness when trying to reach tricky parts of the mouth.

7. A hard bristled toothbrush is best to clean away all the food debris stuck between your teeth. – MYTH! 

FACT: You should never use a hard bristled toothbrush; always use a medium-soft bristled toothbrush because it is far kinder to your teeth. Using a hard bristled toothbrush will damage the gums, root surface and protective tooth enamel.

8. You cannot keep your toothbrush in the bathroom as it is unhygienic. – MYTH! 

FACT: It is fine to keep it in the bathroom, but it needs to be covered with a toothbrush cover or kept in a drawer or cupboard so it does not pick up unnecessary germs that will then end up in

your mouth.

9. Brushing alone, twice a day, is sufficient to keeping your teeth clean. – MYTH! 

FACT: Brushing is very important but you need to floss your teeth at least once a day, preferably at night to make sure that bits of food that may be stuck in your teeth are

completely removed before you go to sleep. The bacteria in your mouth multiplies faster at night so your mouth needs to be as clean as possible when you go to sleep to prevent dental problems building up throughout the night.

10. Flossing is good for your teeth and gums no matter how you do it. – MYTH! 

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FACT: Flossing is essential to your daily oral hygiene routine, however there is a particular technique to flossing that you must use to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Pass the floss gently through the contact point between the teeth and then rub the floss up and down the sides of each tooth and each side of the gingival papillae (pink triangle of the gum between the teeth), pull the floss out gently from the space under the gingival papilla or back through the contact points. Never pull the floss backwards and forwards on the gum as this will cause damage. 

11. You must floss after brushing to get out any food left behind in between your teeth. – MYTH! 

FACT: Floss before you brush to loosen any food debris, flossing prior to brushing will act like a pre-wash for the teeth. Then brush your teeth and spit the toothpaste out but don’t rinse with water, this will keep fluoride on the teeth and help prevent the build up of plaque which can lead to cavities.

What is toothpaste MADE of? Written by  Flora Stay, DDS

If you’re like millions of consumers, your toothpaste is soft, and when you brush, gives you that minty fresh taste. But if you’ve ever wondered what is in toothpaste and what makes one brand different from another, you’ll find the answers in this article.

You'll find a variety of claims on toothpaste labels, such as gum disease toothpaste, one that fights bad breath, SLS free toothpaste, toothpaste for sensitive

teeth, hydrogen peroxide toothpaste, or natural toothpaste. Toothpastes are typically made of certain ingredients that make it the paste that it is. However, there are many variations, with some more effective than others.

In general, most toothpaste includes abrasives, binders, foaming ingredient, humectants, detergents, flavors, colors, preservatives, fluoride and water. The following is a breakdown to help describe what these ingredients are for.

Ingredients in Toothpaste:

1. Water — toothpaste contain between 20–42 percent water to help keep it from drying out.

2. Abrasives — most brands contain at least 50 percent abrasives. This is one ingredient that helps your teeth get clean. Baking soda, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphates, alumina, and silica are examples of abrasives. High levels of abrasives may not be a good thing, since they can harm your teeth sensitive by weakening enamel. It's preferable to use toothpaste with a gentle abrasive. The right concentration of baking soda works best to clean teeth of stains.

3. Fluorides — most often found active ingredient in toothpaste is fluoride. Toothpaste sold in the United States has 1000 to 1100 parts per million fluoride. Prescription toothpaste contains higher levels. Seawater averages about 1.3 parts per million (ppm). There are three types of fluoride commonly used in toothpaste:• Sodium fluoride (NaF) is the most often type of fluoride used in toothpaste • Stannous fluoride (SnF2) is also used. This type may stain the tooth surface yellow or brown. • Monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F)

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Fluoride has been very controversial from its discovery to help prevent tooth decay. Those for it are convinced that it alone can help prevent tooth decay, while others against fluoride maintain it has too many side effects that outweigh the benefits. The best way to help prevent tooth decay and have a healthy, happy smile is to eat healthy nutritious foods and brush and floss daily. You don’t need fluoride as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and clean your teeth and gums daily.

4. Surfactants — typically sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is used as the surfactant. This is a detergent that also acts as the foaming agent in the toothpaste. It is a harsh ingredient and it's better to find and use SLS free toothpaste.

5. Antibacterial agents — Triclosan is one of the antibacterial medications used in toothpaste. Long-term use of any antibacterial ingredient may cause more problems than benefits by promoting antibiotic resistant bacteria. These days many personal care products are available and marketed as antibacterial. Toothpaste, dish soap, deodorants, hand and body soaps are only a few of them. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), overloading the body with these types of antimicrobial agents is what has lead to MRSA and other dangerous bacteria that are resistant to any form of antibiotics.

6. Flavors — mint is the most common flavor along with peppermint,

spearmint and wintergreen. Natural toothpaste brands often use more exotic flavors made from anise, fennel, lavender, and other plants. These types of essential oils may cause allergies and tissue irritation. Just because it’s “natural” doesn’t mean it’s good for you.

7. Remineralization — some toothpaste are formulated to help strengthen enamel (outer surface of the tooth). Calcium phosphate is typically the ingredient used.

8. Humectants — humectants give toothpaste texture and help to retain moisture to keep it from drying out. Glycerin, sorbitol and water are common humectants. Xylitol is the best type of humectant since it has multiple benefits, including increasing the flow of saliva, which helps prevent dry mouth, and also has been shown in early reports to help prevent tooth decay.

9. Thickeners — carrageenan, cellulose gum, guar gum and xanthan gum are common thickening agents. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity who want to avoid gluten, xanthan gum is a safe alternative. Irritation from this ingredient is rare, with the most common side effect being bloating or gas. This would normally occur by ingesting large quantities of xanthan gum, which would be much higher than what is usually used for toothpaste. Those allergic to soy or corn may want to choose a different type of thickening agent. If inhaled in powder form, xanthan gum can cause respiratory distress.

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Preservatives — to help prevent microorganisms from growing in toothpaste, certain preservatives are added. These may include sodium benzoate, methyl paraben, and ethyl paraben. Between the three common preservatives, sodium benzoate is the safest. Some “natural” toothpaste use citric acid. Too much citric acid may cause side effects such as stomach cramps,

Supplements That Make You Smile

10. diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

11. Sweeteners—to improve the taste of toothpaste, especially those containing the horrible taste of sodium lauryl sulfate, such sweeteners as saccharin, stevia or xylitol are added. The best form is xylitol, since it does have many benefits for a healthy mouth, as stated earlier.

12. Coloring agents — artificial dyes and coloring agents are not uncommon in most commercial toothpaste. Titanium dioxide may also be used to make toothpaste white. It’s best to avoid toothpaste with artificial dyes and colorings.

Most people don’t give much thought to what toothpaste is made of. Toothpaste has come a long way, from the cavemen using tree resin to ground fish bones, pumice, and sand, to toothpaste, as we know it today.

Don’t be fooled by label claims, but read the ingredients and decide for yourself which toothpaste

is best for you. Ultimately it’s the action of the toothbrush that helps remove the plaque, that yucky film that builds on the teeth and gums every day. But choosing the perfect safe toothpaste with flavor that you like can definitely put a smile on your face.

Written by  Flora Stay, DDS

Vitamins and minerals are essential for your body, which of course, includes your teeth and gums. Oral health disease may be prevented when vital nutrients are not deficient in your body. That being said, it’s not unusual to find consumers who misuse supplements, believing that just by taking a supplement or herb, they can cure tooth decay or even systemic disease. However, there are benefits to taking supplements for oral health.

Calcium—Setting the FoundationCalcium supplements are important for prevention of osteoporosis, which has also been associated with tooth loss. Calcium is needed for healthy bones, teeth, and muscle contraction. It stands to reason that calcium would help not only osteoporosis but also preventing tooth loss through gum disease.

Pre and post-menopausal women are among those that are at high risk for osteoporosis and gum disease. Other situations that bring about gum disease and could lead to tooth loss include smoking or chewing tobacco, certain chronic illness such as diabetes, stress, poor oral hygiene, and heredity. Evidently, calcium is a good solution to help prevent

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gum disease, even if you were born with not the best dental genes.

You can get calcium from food or in supplement form. Calcium rich foods include milk, yogurt, and dark green vegetables. Women at risk of osteoporosis should take a minimum of 1200 mg of calcium per day.

What Type Of Calcium Should You Take?There are several types of calcium that are sold in supplement form. The type you take is important since some dissolve and can be used by the body, while others require extra stomach acid for absorption, or may not be absorbed at all. The different types of calcium include citrate, carbonate, dolomite, coral, gluconate and lactate.

Calcium citrate is the best and easiest to absorb. You can take it anytime including on an empty stomach since it doesn't require high amounts of stomach acid to dissolve. However, you may need more of it to get enough “elemental calcium.”

Some prefer the natural form through dolomite. However, you should know that this type can be hazardous. A study published from University of Alberta found it is insoluble in stomach acid and is eliminated before it can be absorbed and used by the body. Also, dolomite may contain toxic elements including lead. Coral calcium should be avoided. Many health claims have been made about it, but not established as fact.

Antioxidants for Oral HealthAntioxidants have specific actions and act to help

neutralize harmful free radicals. In 2005, researchers at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry determined that antioxidants were able to minimize the harmful effects of free radicals released from smoking, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.

Vitamins A, D, and E are the antioxidants that are available and most commonly taken in supplement form. Vitamin C is particularly important if you have bleeding gums. It helps with collagen building, which is a component of tissues. Ubiquinol or Coenzyme Q10 is another powerful antioxidant that has promise in preliminary studies towards heart health and healthy gums.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and A are found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamin E is available in vegetable oils. Coenzyme Q10 is made in our bodies, however, supplementation has been found to be important for especially heart health.

An Ounce a Day…To prevent tooth loss, brush with toothpaste that contains xylitol and baking soda to help neutralize acids in the mouth and take calcium supplements, preferably the citrate form. Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and you’ll keep smiling with happy teeth. If you are not able to eat nutritiously rich food, then consider supp

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How to keep healthy teeth for life

Healthy teeth are not only a sign of how well we take care of them, but also a “companion” for life. This is why we should take care of our teeth on a daily basis.

Life-long dental care begins while we are still babies

The correct care begins with the first baby tooth. It may seem to you to be a bit of an exaggeration to be brushing baby teeth, but the truth is that the sooner the babies get used to it, the more natural it will seem to them later in life. Parents should remember that preventive checks are recommended from the age of one and baby teeth should be checked twice each year.

With the smallest babies, the first teeth are brushed with a special brush attached to a finger. Approximately at the age when the baby has 8 baby teeth (usually four at the top and four at the bottom), roughly around 9 months of their life, the first real brush is used. “It should have several qualities: it has to have the smallest brush head possible, the fibers should be cut straight and soft. Some brushes have protectors to make sure the parent does not accidently slide the brush into the baby’s throat”, explains our stomatologists MDDr. Zdeněk William Pelc.

When children are in kindergarten, they learn to brush their teeth by themselves, ideally by imitating their parents, who show them how they brush their teeth. Toothpaste should not be used until the children learn to correctly spit it out, alternatively using toothpastes that do

not include fluoride. It is important to help the children clean their teeth if necessary – ensuring that they clean their teeth for at least two minutes – this applies to children prior to going to school, but also to small school children (further cleaning by parents is recommended until the age of eight or nine).

 What about sweets and tooth decay (dental caries, cavities) in children?

“As far as sweets are concerned, it does not matter whether a child eats one piece of chocolate or the entire chocolate bar. If the child eats the chocolate within 15 minutes and then washes the mouth followed by brushing the teeth, the teeth will remain healthy. However, when consumption takes place throughout the day, the pH of the mouth remains low. The saliva will be unable to balance it out and the teeth will be prone to decay” explains CMC’s MDDr. Zdeněk William Pelc.

How to correctly brush the teeth between age 6 to 18

The brush fibers are not applied directly to the tooth, but at a 45% angle. Half the fibers should be cleaning the tooth and the other half the gum groove, massaging it at the same time. With small children, we recommend cleaning the teeth in a circular motion. With older children and adults, we recommend a vibrating motion around the gum followed by a smear motion – with bottom teeth from the pink to the white (upwards) and with the top teeth from the pink to the white (downwards). Ideally, each cleaning should take three minutes and should be systematic – for example beginning at the top-right

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each time from the inside and continuing towards the left, then from the front left, followed by doing the same towards the right, etc. The teeth should be brushed in the morning and night using toothpaste. Children should use dental floss each night as well. Adults however, should use both dental floss and interdental brushes, possibly even brushing after each meal (without toothpaste).

How to correctly brush teeth in adulthood

The rules are the same as with older children: adults should brush their teeth twice a day with toothpaste, possibly after each meal without toothpaste. They should visit dentists regularly two times a year and undergo dental hygiene if possible. It is also important to clean the teeth with dental floss and interdental brushes every evening. Eating habits may also need to be amended. The rule of thumb here is as follows: the smaller the amount of carbohydrates (sugars) and sour foods, the better for the teeth. 

A good relationship with your dentist is the foundation of healthy teeth and gums. When you visit your dentist for cleanings and checkups, the dentist can monitor any changes and identify symptoms of oral diseases in their earliest stages. It’s easier to treat these conditions before they’ve advanced.

Practicing healthy oral hygiene will maintain your smile along with visiting your dentist regularly, and taking care of your teeth and gums between checkups. Clark Dental Group would like to ensure that you receive the most out of your time with us and that your teeth stay healthy for life! We'll work with you

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lements.