Healthy Teeth Tips for Halloween

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With Halloween right around the corner, kids are finalizing the perfect costume and making trick or treat plans with friends and family.

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Although Halloween might be many kids’ favorite holiday of the year, it’s also one that puts parents on high alert when it comes to candy consumption.

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Parents might take steps to limit the volume of candy their kids collect, or filter out some of the unhealthiest options in the bag, but at the end of the day (or should we say night), there’s going to be plenty of sugary, tooth-attacking treats left to fret about.

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With that in mind, Consumer Guide to Dentistry has some helpful Halloween candy tips to minimize the potential damage at your kids’ next dental visit.

All Hail Chocolate

Believe it or not, chocolate is actually one of the better candy options when it comes to tooth health.

It’s relatively easy to clean off the teeth after eating, and is usually quite soft, meaning it’s unlikely to chip or crack teeth or damage soft tissue like hard candy.

Dark chocolate is a particularly good option because it has less sugar than milk or white chocolate, and also has a number of other healthful benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants, packed with nutrients and has actually shown to aid brain function.

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So when it comes time for parents to rummage through the Halloween haul and filter out the bad (and the occasional snack for mom and dad), be sure to leave as much chocolate as possible.

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Avoid if Possible

The older your kids get, the harder it’s going to be to filter out too much of their haul. So it’s important that you zero in on the worst offenders when it comes to pinching a few pieces here and there.

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Candies that your kids are going to have in their mouth for a long time are red flags. Lollipops, chewing gum and hard candies like jawbreakers (the name says it all) should be the first to be sacrificed.

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Candies that your kids suck on or chew for long periods of time increase the risk for tooth decay. And hard candies obviously pose a risk of chipping or cracking your kids’ teeth.

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Say “No” to Sour

Kids love to dare each other to eat sour candies, which can make it that much harder to get rid of them without your kids noticing.

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But there’s more to sour candies than just the pucker. Sour candies can be highly acidic, which can spell trouble for tooth enamel, the protective layer against decay. Too much sour candy can be a gateway to decay.

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Lead by Example

You don’t want your kids getting overloaded with sugary, sticky treats this Halloween, so you can do your part by handing out something a bit healthier.

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We’re not suggesting you be “that house” that hands out miniature tubes of toothpaste or a handful of pennies, but maybe think twice about handing out sugary gum or lollipops.

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A selection of dark chocolate and some sugar-free candies could go a long way to helping other parents out whilst still giving your neighborhood trick or treaters something to smile about.

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Timing is Everything

No matter how many steps you take to limit the amount of candy and filter out the really bad stuff, your kids are still going to have a lot of sugary treats they’re anxious to get their mitts on.

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If possible, try and sync up the eating of Halloween candy with meals. Saliva production increases as we eat, which is helpful for washing away bacteria and food particles.

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You can use candy as a motivator for your kids to finish their meal.

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If your kids are eating candy as a treat outside of mealtime, make sure they wash it down with a cup of water (preferably fluoridated).

Replace the Sugary Drinks

When it comes to dealing with the immense amount of candy consumption that comes with Halloween, moderation is everything. In addition to the things you do to filter out the worst types of candy and moderate the timing of when your kids are allowed to eat their candy, it’s important to think about the other foods your kids are eating/drinking during this time and making adjustments accordingly.

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For example, if you let your kids drink soda with dinner, or have a juicebox once a day, consider replacing those sugary beverages with something like water or milk during the Halloween period. These sorts of changes can help mitigate the dental effects and the chaos that comes with the mighty sugar rush.

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And make sure they’re not skipping out on their dental hygiene during this time. Brush, floss, repeat.

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Schedule Dental Visits Accordingly

The ADA recommends twice yearly checkups for optimal dental health.

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Everybody’s schedule is different, but if possible, try scheduling your kids’ appointments after the Halloween period rather than just before.

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If you follow the tips listed above, you can help to minimize any dental damage associated with Halloween candy, but it’s no guarantee.

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Scheduling a trip to the dentist after-the-fact can be the ultimate safeguard to help your kids avoid the dreaded candy cavity.

Courtesy Consumer Guide to Dentistry   

For more information, you can check out our slideshow, Combatting Cavities – 6 Surprising Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay.

 

BIOLASE is a global leader in dental care using the latest technology to keep patient smiles their brightest, and make dental visits comfortable, gentle and pain-free for kids and adults.

They’re experts on how your dental health affects your overall health.

You can find a BIOLASE dentist near you here by entering your zip code:  https://www.biolase.com/find-waterlase-dentist-near-you/

BIOLASE, Global Leadership in Lasers (PRNewsFoto/BIOLASE, Inc.)

Have A Happy Healthy Halloween!

Blog Contact: maria.dorfner@yahoo.com

New Study: Eating Organic = Less Cancer

We’ve all heard about the benefits of eating organic food when it comes to a healthy diet. I’ve blogged about it here. Now, a new study shows a decrease in risk for certain cancers in those who eat more organic. And it’s a large study.

CG: Dr. Dale Shepard/Cleveland Clinic

“What they found, was that in patients who ate mostly organic foods, there were less cancers, specifically post-menopausal breast cancer and lymphoma.”

The study looked a nearly seventy-thousand people and followed them for about a five-year period. The people were divided into three groups.

1. THOSE WHO NEVER ATE ORGANIC FOODS

     2. THOSE WHO ATE THEM OCCASIONALLY

     3. THOSE WHO ATE ORGANIC MOST OF THE TIME

RESEARCHERS FOUND THOSE WHO ATE ORGANIC FOODS MOST OF THE TIME HAD A REDUCED RISK OF CANCER, ESPECIALLY POST-MENOPAUSAL BREAST CANCERS, LYMPHOMAS, PROSTATE CANCERS, SKINS CANCERS AND COLORECTAL CANCERS.

DOCTOR SHEPARD POINTS OUT PEOPLE WHO EAT ORGANIC FOODS ALSO HAVE THE TENDENCY TO EAT HEALTHIER DIETS AND EXERCISE MORE, WHICH ARE ALSO TRAITS THAT HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED CANCER RISK.

HE SAYS IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO THINK OF WAYS WE CAN TRY TO PREVENT CANCERS.

CG: Dr. Dale Shepard/Cleveland Clinic

“In general, we know that healthier diets are better for you from cancer risk. So, anytime people can incorporate more fruits and vegetables and minimize processed foods; the better.”

DOCTOR SHEPARD  ADDS WHILE MORE RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE TO LOOK AT THE ROLE THAT ORGANIC FOOD MAY PLAY IN CANCER PREVENTION, IT’S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO FOCUS ON RISK FACTORS WITHIN THEIR CONTROL, AND EATING HEALTHY AND DIET ARE THINGS EVERYONE CAN DO.

COMPLETE RESULT OF THE STUDY CAN BE FOUND IN JAMA INTERNAL MEDICINE.

Link to JAMA Study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2707948?utm_campaign=articlePDF&utm_medium=articlePDFlink&utm_source=articlePDF&utm_content=jamainternmed.2018.4357

                                                   Blog Contact: maria.dorfner@yahoo.com

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10 Foods To Detox Your Body

First, let’s explain toxins. Toxins can come from contaminants in food and water, junk food, stress, smog, vehicle emissions, airborne fungal spores, pesticides, and pollution.

We’re exposed to them daily. Add alcohol, smoking, secondhand smoke and more exposure to cell phones and computers and you’re in Toxic City, which is why I prefer being around nature.

It’s healthy and healing. In fact, I get serious nature withdrawals if I don’t see trees or greenery.

Maybe my parents growing up on a farm in Italy is in my DNA. I don’t know, but I love nature.

 

Speaking of, when um, nature calls, it also eliminate toxins. But your liver and kidney need to work overtime when there are too many toxins in your body.

If you need reminding, alcohol is a major toxin as bad as soda. Yes, that includes diet soda. I’ve never been into drinking alcohol and quit drinking diet soda (and coffee) in 2005. Amazing difference in how I feel.

Only thing I drink is alkaline water. And I don’t need coffee to wake up. I wake up naturally with energy. Imagine that.

Healthy drinking is none at all or 1 or 2 glasses of red wine with dinner. More than that and you risk brain damage, addiction, stroke, blurred vision, slurred speech, bleeding throat, breathing difficulties, stomach ulcers, liver disease, liver failure, intestinal cancer, intestinal ulcers, impotence for men, infertility for women and osteoporosis.

Even people who don’t drink can get something called “Fatty Liver Disease” when inadvertently exposed to external toxins. Pharmaceutical medications and over-the-counter medications are also toxic.

Remember, your kidneys and liver were created to naturally help your body detox. Your body is a natural healer.

But when it encounters too many man-made toxins, you could end up with cirrhosis or kidney disease. Help flush them out with daily exercise.

SWEATING through exercise, sauna, steam is great. Taking a hot bath with Epsom salt twice a week helps too.  My favorite is Dr. Teal’s lavender bubble bath epsom salt. Smells nice and bubbles!

You want to avoid sugar as much as you can. Again, avoid soda at all costs.

You also want to avoid foods with refined flour, (breads, rice),  junk food (yes, cakes and cookies), processed starchy (crackers), fast food, coffee, soft drinks, anything with high fructose or artificial sweeteners, saturated and trans fats, dairy and animal products.

You’re thinking OMG, nothing is left. Yes, there is…

What remains is dark green vegetables and you can toss olive oil with garlic in a pan and make string beans, Brussel sprouts, spinach, mushrooms or any veggie taste delicious.

Add a pinch of sea salt and you have a nice big heaping serving of deliciousness.

Photo above has iceberg lettuce. It’s worth noting you want to go for DARK, LEAFY, GREEN LETTUCE. That one has nutrients, not white iceberg.

Wild caught salmon and fish high in Omega 3 are healthy and real easy to cook too.

Healthy food keeps you satisfied and feeling good. No cravings. No anxiety. No depression. Junk food makes you whine about aches, pains, anxiety and cravings.

 

Tip: Stock your pantry and refrigerator with healthy foods, water and snacks.

Whenever I blog about favorite brands they fly off shelves and I regret it.

So, I reluctantly tell you I’m a big fan of Veggie Straws and Veggie Stix with Sea Salt. They’re so cute and look like French fries.

Hollow inside, so dip (I use Hummus) goes all the way through; clever design. Check them out at: http://www.goodhealthsnacks.com

Again, drink lots of alkaline water daily.  You can search how much water you should drink daily based on your height, weight and activity level. I highly recommend alkaline water.

I have two brands I rave about. Carlsbad Alkaline Water on west coast and Essentia on east coast.

Dr. Edward Group recommends the following in terms of detoxing through food:

“When it comes to detoxing your body, there are many techniques you can follow and supplements you can take. One plan, in particular, is to eat detoxifying foods. Here is a list of 10 detox foods that are a great addition to anyone’s diet.”

1. Fruit

Fruit is high in liquid-content which helps the body wash out toxins.^[1]

Fruit is also easy to digest and is high in antioxidants, nutrients, fiber, and important vitamins.

2. Green Foods

Fill your refrigerator with blue-green algae, barley, wheatgrass, kale, spinach, spirulina, alfalfa, chard, arugula, and other organic leafy greens to give your digestive tract a detoxifying boost of chlorophyll.^[2]

Chlorophyll rids the body of harmful environmental toxins from toxic metals, herbicides, cleaning products, and pesticides.^[3]

They also aid the liver in detoxification.

3. Lemons, Oranges, and Limes

Citrus fruit aids the body by flushing out toxins and jump-starting the digestive tract with enzymatic processes.^[4]

Lemon juice supports the liver and kidneys in their cleansing processes.^[5]

To increase detoxification, start each morning with a warm glass of lemon water.

4. Garlic

Garlic is one of the best detoxing foods out there. It stimulates the liver into producing detoxification enzymes that filter toxic residues from the digestive system.^[6] I recommend adding sliced or cooked garlic to a suitable dish, as it will help any detox diet.

5. Broccoli Sprouts

Extremely high in antioxidants, the ability for broccoli sprouts to stimulate detoxification enzymes at the cellular level is unparalleled.^[7]

The sprouts are even better than the fully-grown vegetable.

6. Green Tea

Packed with antioxidants, green tea washes toxins from the system via its liquid content.

It also contains a special type of antioxidant called catechins, which are known to increase liver function.^[8]

7. Mung Beans

The mighty mung bean has been used by Ayurvedic doctors for thousands of years. It is incredibly easy to digest and absorbs toxic residue from the intestinal walls.^[9]

8. Raw Vegetables

Whether juiced or eaten raw, onions, carrots, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, garlic, beet, turmeric, and oregano provide a great foundation for a healthy diet.

The combination of these foods will help your liver purge toxins during the cleansing process.

They are also high in naturally occurring sulfur and glutathione—sulfur helps the liver detoxify harmful chemicals.^{[9, 10,11]}

9. Seeds and Nuts

Incorporate more easily digestible seeds and nuts into your diet. Flax seed, pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, Siberian cedar nuts, and sunflower seeds are all excellent options.

While detoxing, avoid nut butter with added sugar.

10. Omega-3 Oils

Use hemp, avocado, olive, or flaxseed oil while detoxing to help lubricate the intestinal walls. This allows toxins to be absorbed by the oil and eliminated by the body.^[8

There is no way to completely avoid toxins. There are simply too many sources, as previously mentioned, such as contaminants in food and water, junk food, stress, smog, secondhand smoke, vehicle emissions, airborne fungal spores, pesticides, and pollution.

Maintaining a diet high in detox foods is one of the best ways to maintain overall health.

What are your favorite detox foods? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Remember, even if Covid-19 vanishes, you will be ready if something else pops up out of nowhere.

 

Be proactive about your own health.

by Guest Author, Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM, Global Healing Center

The views and nutritional advice expressed by Global Healing Center are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, always see your physician.

Blog Contact:  maria.dorfner@yahoo.com