EATING HEALTHY FOR YOUR HEALTH AND SMILE

Today pre diabetes is becoming rampant in the population.  You do not have full blown diabetes where you need Insulin to survive but your sugar level in your bloodstream is dangerously high.  Why is this?  Well, it’s because most of us eat way too much sugar.  There is sugar in everything but some of our eating choices cause us to ingest way too much.

A good thing is that when you go to the supermarket, food labels now tell you how many grams of sugar are in the products you are buying.  Even healthy foods such as yogurt can contain added sugar.  The worst culprits are sodas.  Looking at the label it’s like pouring a sugar bowl down your throat.  Over time these increased levels of sugar intake cause havoc in your body in addition to enlarging your waist thereby putting increased pressure on your joints and your heart.

As far as your teeth are concerned increased sugar intake can lead to dental cavities and gum disease.  So if you want to watch the amount of sugar you are ingesting and to help your teeth remain healthy here are six things you should make as habits.

When you get up in the morning and before going to bed you need to brush your teeth.  Brushing gets the top, front and back of your teeth but don’t forget in between your teeth.  These surfaces also need to be cleaned.  Here is where dental floss comes in.  This tiny waxed strand can move into the spaces between your teeth and keep these areas clean.

If you are a gum chewer make sure to avoid gums that contain sugar.  There are plenty of sugarless gums now available.  A dry mouth is conducive to dental caries so if your mouth is continually dry, chewing gum helps to produce saliva thereby keeping your mouth wet.

Be careful in consuming sticky foods like caramel and taffy.  These substances have a tendency to stick to your teeth and generally contain large amounts of sugar.  Even dried fruit which seems to be healthy can be loaded with sugar and readily stick to your teeth.

You want to consume nutritious foods such as raw fruits and vegetables which help to support your immune system.

Do you like cheese – good for you!  Cheese contains calcium that breaks down acids in your mouth which can attack your teeth.  Cheese is tasty and enlivens your meals, but don’t go overboard since cheese is high in fat.

Moderate your intake of acidic foods.  No sucking on lemons here when having an ice tea or too many carbonated drinks.  Direct and constant exposure to these substances will wear down the enamel or outer protective coating of your teeth.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets we care about you and your teeth.  With decades of experience we’ve seen it all.  Our vision is to educate you about your dental health, give you alternatives for any treatment you may need and discuss what it will cost before we begin so you may make an educated decision on how to proceed.

We want to instill confidence and create a bond with you while performing your dentistry in a stress free environment.  We realize going to the dentist is not on most people’s top ten list so our goal is to give you more in service value than what you pay for your dentistry.

Call us today at 212 517 9000.  You and your teeth will be glad you did.


Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!

SIMPLE WAYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR TEETH

Maybe you lift weights to build strength, but are you doing things to strengthen your teeth? There are ways to strengthen your teeth. Just like you want to have strong bones, having strong teeth is also advantageous. Having a healthy diet, good oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups is a good start. Tooth enamel is the hard surface of your teeth, which needs to be strong and healthy to prevent dental decay from penetrating into the interior of the tooth leading to dental problems. Enamel can weaken due to genetics, illnesses and/or poor oral hygiene habits. Brushing too strongly with a stiff toothbrush can wear down the enamel surface. Unlike your bones, your teeth do not have regenerative cells so once the enamel is worn down it will not build back up. Fermentable carbohydrates which are found in breakfast cereals, crackers, breads, bananas, soft drinks, candy, cookies and other starchy foods form harmful and dangerous acids on your teeth. When combined with bacteria, those acids will start to break down the enamel. This demineralization process literally eats away at the naturally produced minerals in your enamel. Clearly meaning that highly processed foods and sweet treats will cause demineralization of your tooth enamel over time. Brushing twice per day and flossing once per day is vital if you want to strengthen your teeth. Be careful not to brush too hard and always brush at a forty-five degrees angle with a soft bristled toothbrush using short and decisive strokes. Brush for at least two minutes and don’t forget your tongue as bacteria love to linger in places your toothbrush misses. The saliva that you produce after you brush your teeth can also help prevent demineralization as it contains proteins and minerals that will safeguard the enamel on your teeth. Saliva is constantly washing off the germs on your teeth and helps to maintain the pH of your mouth thereby reducing acid production. Our early ancestors had quite a different diet from us and showed very little signs of weakened tooth enamel. New York City water is fluoridated which helps to keep your enamel strong. A healthy diet includes whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products. So, keep on brushing and may the floss be with you.

At the dental practice of Dr Glenn Reit DDS located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84th and 85th streets we care about you and your teeth.  With decades of experience we’ve seen it all.  Our vision is to educate you about your dental health, give you alternatives for any treatment you may need and discuss what it will cost before we begin so you may make an educated decision on how to proceed.

We want to instill confidence and create a bond with you while performing your dentistry in a stress free environment.  We realize going to the dentist is not on most people’s top ten list so our goal is to give you more in service value than what you pay for your dentistry.

Call us today at 212 517 9000.  You and your teeth will be glad you did.


Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!