Worst foods and drinks for dental health

Keeping your teeth healthy is vital. Your teeth are very important, you need them to eat. In order to keep your teeth healthy, you should be mindful of the foods and drinks you are eating. These can destroy your teeth.

Foods that are bad for teeth

One thing that is not good for your teeth is sugar. You probably already know how bad sugar is for you and your general health, but what you may not realise, is how bad it is for your teeth. Sugar is normally found in highly refined and processed food. These foods include things like lollies, packaged baked foods such as cakes, biscuits, etc. and soft drinks. The problem is that sugar sits on your teeth and gums. It accumulates and increases your risk for cavities and tooth decay. Snack foods also often cause you problems with your teeth. This is because certain snack foods can get stuck in your teeth. This will increase your risk of bacteria building up. These foods include popcorn, chips and pretzels. Something that you may not have thought would be bad for your teeth is dried fruit. The problem with them is due to the fact that they are sticky and can get caught in your teeth. This again causes issues with bacteria build up. If you are after a fruity snack try swapping out the dried fruit with fresh fruit instead. White bread can also cause problems with your teeth. This is because these types of breads are typically made with refined white flour. This type of flour is usually stripped of most its natural fibre and nutritional value. It is typically higher in sugar content causing stickiness on your teeth. These foods include white bread, bagels, donuts, and white pizza dough. They are also very bad for your gut and can cause a whole list of stomach problems.

Drinks that are bad for your teeth

Not only should you be thinking about the foods you’re eating but also the types of drinks that you are drinking. Alcohol is not great for your teeth. If you are a heavy drinker, you will have a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Alcohol abuse is actually the second most common risk factor for oral cancer. Other drinks that can cause you problems with your teeth include acidic drinks. If you are drinking a lot of citrus juices, soft drinks, Kombucha or coffee and tea you could find you have problems with your teeth. This is because these drinks have high acidity which can wear away the enamel on your teeth and lead to discoloration. While Kombucha offers several health benefits, it is high in sugar and acidity, and may be worse than soft drink. Green tea however, is linked to fewer cavities and better periodontal health.

The only time you shouldn’t brush your teeth is straight after eating or drinking sugary or acidic foods and beverages. You should rinse your mouth with water instead. You should wait at least 30 minutes before you brush because the acid temporarily weakens the tooth enamel.

Also remember to see your dentist at least every 6 months for a check up to make sure your teeth stay strong and healthy. Remember ideally your teeth need to last your for your whole life so look after them.

Slippery Elm – the innocent powder to regulate your body

The medical name for Slippery Elm is Ulmus Rubra. This is a fantastic herb for digestion and the digestive tract and although it may not look great it has amazing qualities. Slippery Elm comes from the inner bark of a certain species of the elm tree. These species are found in Europe and North America. Slippery Elm is called a mucilage because it is able to trap water which then causes it to swell. This is why it looks like a gel when you go to drink it.

 

Health Benefits

 

Slippery Elm is a great nutrient as it contains calcium, iron, Vitamin C, zinc, magnesium and potassium. These nutrients mean it is great for a variety of health issues. One of which is for the treatment of heartburn, also known as acid reflux. It is also a good herbal remedy for gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. This is a chronic disease that causes stomach acid to flow back into oesophagus irritating the lining. It is also good for inflammation and gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastric reflux, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It helps as it forms a physical barrier that protects the esophagus and stomach walls from damage caused by stomach acid and irritating foods. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory.

Slippery Elm creates a soothing action and has fibre content to help with the treatment of diarrhea by slowing down bowel transit time. It is sometimes used when people experience unexplained inflammation of the urinary tract. The powder is known to soothe the lining of the urinary tract. This then helps with the painful symptoms associated with urinary tract infections. It can also help increase the flow of urine and help to eliminate waste from the body.

Slippery Elm contains mucilage. This is a sticky mixture of sugars that our digestive tract cannot break down. It coats the throat. Slippery elm is sometimes found in some brands of throat lozenges.

Slippery Elm can also be used to soothe irritated and inflamed skin conditions, including wounds and burns, it can help to draw out boils and abscesses. It helps with these conditions by forming a protective gel-like layer.

How to use Slippery Elm

You can drink Slippery Elm powder by adding one teaspoon or ½ tsp for children, to one cup of warm or room temperature water and stir well. This mixture should thicken up slightly. To help with the flavour you can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg. Alternatively you can put it in juice – apple is pretty neutral. If you don’t like the taste just put it in less juice or water (like ¼ glass) and stir. Then swallow it while it’s all mixed in. The qualities it has are well worth the somewhat bland, dry taste.

 

If you’re using it for stomach and upper intestinal problems like reflux or stomach ulcers, it is best to take it after meals. However, for lower intestinal/bowel problems it is better to take it 1-2 hours before your meals.

When taking it for a dry cough you can take it up to 3 times per day and it is best taken in-between your meals.

 

Slippery Elm is not known to have any adverse side effects. However, as it coats the digestive tract, it could slow down the absorption of other drugs or herbs. It is best to have it two hours before or after other herbs or medication.

Acid Reflux and natural options to heal

Acid reflux is also known as heartburn, indigestion and pyrosis and it happens when food and stomach acid go back up into the oesophagus. Acid reflux can be very painful, cause burping, vomiting, choking and is dangerous long term as not only can you have a burnt oesophagus but it is believed in some more severe cases there can be chest pains that can feel like you’re having a heart attack. The acid can irritate the oesophagus and also cause scarring, swelling, ulceration and hemorrhaging. Some experts believe frequent acid reflux could lead to oesophageal cancer.

If you are a sufferer you may need to look at your diet and see if there is something that is causing it such as eating too late at night, too heavy meals, over eating, sweet foods like chocolate, coffee etc. Remedies involve foods with live enzymes, alkaline foods and remedies, slippery elm powder (not the tablets, the powder). All these remedies involve a balance of the hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach. By changing regular table salt to Himalayan crystal salt with many trace minerals that are good for you may get some improvement. Also Betaine HCL supplements before meals can help to balance the hydrochloric acid levels, some digestive enzymes and making sure you eat a lot slower.

Changing your diet can be helpful. If you are eating a lot of processed foods or sugars it will imbalance the bacteria in the stomach. Replace wheat and yeast with wheat free/yeast free products, go lactose free or cut out dairy completely and replace packaged foods with fresh fruit and vegetables. Probiotics and prebiotics will help balance stomach bacteria.

Calm your stomach with one tablespoon raw organic apple cider vinegar in water if you are not sensitive to this food as it will help to promotes digestion. Do a sensitivity test to check what foods you are sensitive to and which cause inflammation. Also organic Aloe Vera is good for calming the stomach and supports digestion.

Our clinic assists with changes in diet, healthy eating plans, sensitivity testing and balancing your inflammation levels.