November 3, 2003 Hello! "CHICAGO, February
2003 -- Children's health and welfare should be primary discussion
points when decisions are made regarding exclusive vendor contracts
(sometimes referred to as 'pouring rights') in schools, the American
Dental Association (ADA) believes. 'Specific brand endorsements
and marketing strategies, often found in exclusive soft drink contracts,
may influence children's sugary beverage consumption patterns and
increase the risk for decay,' the ADA says....The dentists' group
opposes targeting children in promoting and advertising foods and
beverages low in nutritional value and high in tooth decay-enhancing
carbohydrates. Contracts that influence consumption patterns and
promote increased access to soft drinks for children 'inevitably
include the promotion of sugar-containing products,' the ADA observes." When you think about a
healthy diet, do you take into consideration what you are drinking? "BERLIN (Reuters Health)
- If you rush to brush your teeth right after drinking soda, think
again. Doing so may actually do more harm than good, and it's better
to wait 30 or 60 minutes before brushing, according to new research.
Because carbonated drinks are highly acidic and have the potential
to damage a tooth's enamel, dentists at Goettingen University, Germany,
conducted a study to determine the best time to brush after drinking
such beverages. They found that later -- rather than immediate --
brushing is between three and five times more effective at protecting
enamel from the erosive effects of carbonated drinks." What else can you do to
have healthy teeth? How do you know if your mouth is healthy? "Have you been programmed
to crave cereals and snacks packed with sugar, sweet carbonated
soft drinks, and other junk foods? Advertisers may have also convinced
you that you need to buy gum, breath mints, and mouth sprays to
have nice breath. But fresh breath doesn't necessarily give
you a healthy mouth and teeth. So how exactly should you take care
of your teeth?...According to dentists, the most important part
of tooth care happens at home. Brushing and flossing properly, along
with regular dental check-ups, can help prevent tooth decay and
gum disease." You know what you eat.
You know how often you brush and floss. What else can you do? "Eating sugar, as
you probably already know, is a major cause of tooth decay. When
and how often you eat sugar may be more important than how much
you eat. When you eat sugary foods or drink sodas frequently throughout
the day, the enamel that protects your teeth is constantly exposed
to acids. Hard candies, cough drops, and breath mints are especially
harmful because they dissolve slowly in your mouth." Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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