Having been bombarded with questions about the breaking news that the government advice to eat 5 portions of fruit and veg a day is causing damage to the nation’s teeth, I thought it would be useful to clarify the situation

Firstly fruits and veg are very good for you, that is a given.

Your 5 a day

Antioxidants help the body renew itself and fight all sorts of diseases such as cancer. I am often asked if supplements are a good idea, eg there is an antioxidant called CoenzymeQ that has been linked with improving the health of your gums. My answer is always to increase your uptake of nature’s antioxidants far better than any man made one BUT there is a problem.

Acid and sugar are like a Molotov cocktail for teeth. The acid dissolves the enamel of your teeth, making them more vunerable and the sugar feed the bacteria which release toxins to cause even more damage, a vicious cycle. This makes sense to most people if you are eating candy but not when dealing with fruit (more…)

I started writing a blog about a very common problem, bad breath a couple of  weeks ago and in and a real case of the ‘twilight zone’ the independant on sunday called me as they were writing a piece about it.  It was published in the magazine today….Enjoy

In mint condition: Can you cure halitosis in the sweet shop?

We all know it’s a fact…don’t eat sugar, it’s bad for your teeth right? Good that’s out of the way and a slam dunk.  BUT what do you do when you have a craving and consume a huge bag of cinema sweet popcorn like I did last week?  Yes even dentists do become human late at night….but don’t tell anyone!

How does sugar cause the damage?  Basically the bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar to create an acidic environment that softens the enamel of your teeth (The posh term for this is demineralisation) They can then burrow deeper and deeper into the tooth, causing damage as they go resulting in cavities and pain

SO I thought I would share some tips for damage limitation

1. Eat it all in one go…yup you read that right!  It takes about an hour for your mouth to neutralise the effect of any sugar attack.  So the more you graze, the more likely the cavities.

Eating the whole bag in 10mins like I did is actually better than picking at it for hours!

2. Protect your enamel beforehand.  Ideally brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste before eating anything sweet.  I know it seems premeditated, but you wouldn’t go into battle without putting on your armour and combat gear first

3. An alternative is to use a fluoride mouthwash instead or even smearing toothpaste over your teeth then spitting out instead of rinsing it.  The fluoride will help coat the enamel surface

4. Munch on sugar free gum, it increases the saliva in your mouth so helps neutralise the acid the bacteria produce.  Only chew for about 10mins or until the flavour goes or you start a new set of problems as overchewing can cause cracks and breakage of teeth and even Joint problems

5.DO NOT brush your teeth straight after eating anything sweet…ever!  The enamel is soft and vulnerable and you would be in effect brushing it away.  Do everything suggested above instead

6. Go see your dentist regularly so they can spot any problem early and advise you

7. Eating anything sweet as part of your main meal is ok because you are producing lots of saliva…but I know it’s the ‘inbetween’ snacking that’s usually the problem!

Above all, enjoy…..those teeth were made for eating, smiling and anything else that makes you happy  So look after them!

What a Difference a Smile Makes

“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight” – Phyllis Diller

It only takes 22 muscles to smile, however it takes 37 to frown.

Mark Stibich Ph.D gives us 10 top health reasons to smile:

1. Smiling Makes us Attractive
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away – but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling is Contagious
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the mood of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent against the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes then take a reading. Now smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Did you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger
The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day – you’ll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted and are more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When we smile, our body is sending everyone else a message that “Life is Good!” Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

Give it a go: smile to yourself. If nothing else, other people will be curious about what you have been doing.

Many thanks to Jane Lelean a business coach, who published this on her newsletter.  Go find out what other useful tips she has on her website  www.healthyandwealthy.co.uk

New research from Mintel has confirmed what we all already know

1. Stained yellow teeth are the top aesthetic concerns for consumers

2. 4/10 of us Brits are more concerned about the colour of our teeth than health issues such as cavities or gum disease

“Alongside wrinkles, teeth are another key indicator of age. Agelessness is one of the major social issues which has been gathering pace over the past decade. Whilst kids are getting older younger, older adults are refusing to accept their age,” This was a comment by the Senior analyst at Mintel.

I am often bemused by the panic of such stories and why people are suprised by the results.  It is as old as time.  Why do  we have to hide medicine in ‘nice food’ or drinks to get kids to swallow it?  The same reason why I have many smokers that know all about the fact it can kill them but won’t quit.  Suddenly they decide they want whiter teeth for a special event or birthday and this motivates them to quit.  Is it vanity?  Are they choosing beauty over life? Do I care?  Absolutely not, I’m for whatever works!

So going back to the Mintel story I know for a fact that anyone who has had their smile fixed no longer needs to be told to brush, floss see the hygienist etc They love the way they look, take pride in themselves and so are motivated to look after their teeth and their oral health improves drastically.

That’s what we should focus on, finding solutions that motivate so it is a win win for everyone.  Now if I could invent a floss that whitens teeth, flossing would no longer be the ‘F” word!