10 super foods - for your teeth!

During recent years, health food has become somewhat of an eating trend; it seems everyone’s juicing, or eating more super salads and soups, or ‘eating clean’. Whilst this diet revamp is doing wonders for many, some of these ‘healthier’ lifestyle switch ups can be both good and bad for you, especially when it comes to the health of your teeth and increased intake of fruits, for example, which can lead to increased enamel damage and decay, as they are generally high in sugar and acidic.

Here’s a list of the ten foods you could incorporate into your diet more to ensure that you’re protecting the precious tools that help you eat in the first place!

1. Almonds

Almonds are a fantastic source of protein and calcium, whilst being low in sugar. Add them to your granola or porridge, or sprinkled on salads, or have a handful as a mid morning snack

2. Yoghurt

Yoghurt, a good source of essential calcium, helps strengthen the teeth. Be sure to pick a product with no added sugar (so avoid any that are marketed as "low fat" or "fat free" as these are HIGH is sugar!). The probiotics in yoghurt benefit your gums and keep them healthy by replacing the bad acid producing bacteria.

 

 

3.  Celery

A good source of vitamins A and C which aid the health of gums, and acts as a natural toothbrush, scraping food particles away from the nooks and crannies of your teeth - nature’s floss!

 

 

4.  Black tea and green tea

These teas contain Polyphenols, which are understood to reduce toxins and fight bacteria in he mouth, as well as being rich in fluoride which is essential for healthy teeth. Just avoid adding sugar!

 

 

5.  Pears

Unlike other fruits, raw pears actually neutralize acids in your mouth, instead of adding to the acid levels

 

 

6. Apples

The act of chewing an apple produces saliva, and the fibre of the apple stimulates the gums, giving you mouth a good scrub, and clearing away some stuck food particles. Just make sure you’re brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, which will help protect the enamel on your teeth from the sugars and acids that occur naturally in fruits. Although it is recommended not to consume too many sugary fruits, apples are high in fibre and water content.

 

 

7.  Water

Ok, not technically food, but this is one people often don’t think about - water washes away food particles and keeps the levels of saliva in your mouth high, protecting your teeth from acids and sugars, and also contains naturally minerals and proteins that combat plaque

 

 

8.  Garlic

A real superfood, Garlic fights periodontal disease and tooth decay, due to its antimicrobial  properties

 

9.  Gum

Sugar free gum boosts production of saliva, which protects our mouth. Just make sure you pick the sugar free variety (and don’t actually eat it either, it’s not so good for your intestines!)

 

 

10.  Carrots

Crunchy and full of fibre, carrots, like apples and celery, can help scrub out stuck food particles, and are packed full of vitamins when eaten raw

 

 

What is tooth wear and how to avoid it.

My husband has today had his Dental Health Assessment with Rhodri John and been told that he has signs of wear on the left hand side of his teeth. As with many patients suffering the same condition, he was unaware of the problem as he has no symptoms.

A large proportion of the population suffer with wear on their teeth, and many don't understand how it happens, so I thought this weeks blog should look at the causes of accelerated tooth wear in healthy patients - you might be able to identify with one or more of the risk factors:

Teeth are naturally strong and durable — if we can prevent or control dental disease like tooth decay or gum disease, they can last a lifetime. Still, teeth do wear gradually as we age, a fact we must factor into our dental care as we grow older.

Sometimes, though, the wear rate can accelerate and lead to problems much earlier — even tooth loss. There are generally four ways this abnormal wear can occur.

Tooth to tooth contact. Attrition usually results from habitual teeth grinding or clenching that are well beyond normal tooth contact. Also known as bruxism, these habits may occur unconsciously, often while you sleep. Treatments for bruxism include an occlusal guard worn to prevent tooth to tooth contact, orthodontic treatment, medication, biofeedback or psychological counseling to improve stress coping skills.

Teeth and hard material contact. Bruxism causes abrasion when our teeth regularly bite on hard materials such as pencils, nails, or bobby pins. The constant contact with these and other abrasive surfaces will cause the enamel to erode. Again, learning to cope with stress and breaking the bruxism habit will help preserve the remaining enamel.

Chronic acid. A high level of acid from foods we eat or drink can erode tooth enamel. Saliva naturally neutralizes this acid and restores the mouth to a neutral pH, usually within thirty minutes to an hour after eating. But if you’re constantly snacking on acidic foods and beverages, saliva’s buffering ability can’t keep up. To avoid this situation, refrain from constant snacking and limit acidic beverages like sodas or sports drinks to mealtimes. Extreme cases of gastric reflux disease may also disrupt your mouth’s pH — seek treatment from your medical doctor if you’re having related symptoms.

Enamel loss at the gumline. Also known as abfraction, this enamel loss is often caused by receding gums that expose more of the tooth below the enamel, which can lead to its erosion. Preventing and treating gum disease (the leading cause of receding gums) and proper oral hygiene will lower your risks of receding gums and protect tooth enamel.

If you would like more information on tooth wear, please contact us  for a consultation.

The epidemic of childhood tooth decay

Tooth decay is now considered an epidemic by many. We strive on a daily basis to pass on the very best help and advice we can, often sounding repetitive, however, professionally we feel it our duty to continue.

The number of children in England having their teeth removed because of tooth decay has risen for the fourth year in a row.

 

The BBC released figures earlier this year that 33,781 cases of extractions due to decay in children under 10.

Children in England drink more sugary drink than anywhere else in Europe, this sugar diet is to blame for the rise in decay. Every day I pass children starting or finishing their school day carrying cups belonging to high street coffee chains. More than a third of the drinks these companies produce contain the same amount of sugar as a can of coke. Whilst I consider the decay implications, I also remind myself of the increased heart rate these young people get after the huge hit of sugar, and the possible future problems from diabetes (another "epidemic" that is all of our own making).

If we cannot get the message across now in an era when communication is at the forefront of every teenagers agenda, will we ever be able to?

 

Will the sugar tax help? We are told this tax will raise £520 million that will be put back into sports facilities in schools. I suppose we will all have to wait and see. I personally feel the fight will continue.....

Global Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Winners - here in Kingsbridge!

Global Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Announces Winners of the 2016 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards… and they are in Kingsbridge

Global Healthcare  and Pharmaceutical has announced the winners of the 2016 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards and Absolute Dental of Kingsbridge won not only one but two of these coveted awards.

The healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry is as diverse as the individuals and organisations operating within it, and as such documenting and rewarding those who are striving to deliver excellence is a daunting task.

As such the 2016 Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals Awards seek to chronical the individuals, departments and organisations, both corporate and public that are working tirelessly throughout the industry.

This year Absolute Dental won both the titles of Best Dental Healthcare Practice 2016 - Devon & Recognised Leaders in Dental Implants - West Country

 

 

 

Speaking about the awards, Coordinator Naomi Douglas commented: “The healthcare and pharmaceuticals market is the lifeblood of our society, and therefore it is a true honour to put the spotlight on our deserving winners and I would like to wish them every success in the future.”

GHP prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.

Rhodri John, clinical director at Absolute described the wins as “ a true team effort” He explained “ Much of the care and treatment we deliver in the practice goes much further than the provision of clinical dentistry, therefore acknowledgement of this from the leaders in the healthcare industry is always very positive for all concerned”.  “It keeps Kingsbridge very much on the map as we, like many others in the town are also a small business and the care and treatment we deliver brings people to our town from far and wide”