As more people turn to bottled water and away from the tap, they may be missing out on one important ingredient that most brands of bottled water fail to include: fluoride! Because fluoride helps strengthen teeth, it is an important component of maintaining good oral health. Our friends at the American Dental Association have endorsed both community water fluoridation and the use of fluoride-containing products as a safe means of preventing tooth decay.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also warned that “bottled water may not have a sufficient amount of fluoride, which is important for preventing tooth decay and promoting oral health.” If you are avoiding fluoridated tap water in favor of ever-more-popular bottled water, you could be missing out on the levels of fluoride necessary to make a difference in your oral health. One 2012 study in the Journal of Pediatric Dentistry found that more than 65 percent of parents using bottled water did not know what levels of fluoride it contained.
If bottled water happens to be your or your children’s beverage of choice, check the label to make sure your brand contains fluoride. Of course, simply drinking fluoridated water is not a magic ticket to perfect teeth. To keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape, it’s important to brush and floss daily and avoid sugary sweets, in addition to maintaining your fluoride intake.
Questions about fluoride? Give us a call at our convenient Simsbury, CT office! We look forward to hearing from you!
It's almost game day and you're wondering what to put on the menu for your guests. Most snacks are typically highly processed and unhealthy. Why not mix it up this year and opt for some snacks that promote good oral health? Here are some of Dr. Maryam Azadpur favorites!
Apples, carrots, celery, and cucumbers: These foods and other crispy, fibrous, fruits and vegetables are an excellent choice for the big game. Not only are they rich in vitamins and minerals which your body and mouth need, they are also known as detergent foods because of the cleaning effect they have on the teeth and gums. Try apples wedges spread with peanut butter and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Beans: Beans are filling because they are packed with fiber and that keeps you from opting for sugary or fatty snacks. Along with fruits and vegetables, beans should be one of the stars of your game-day snack lineup. How about some hearty chickpea hummus with cucumber chips?
Nuts like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and cashews: Nuts abound in the minerals that help keep your teeth and gums strong like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Put out a bowl of raw or roasted nuts for your guests as a crunchy, satisfying alternative to chips or crackers. Recent research even shows that the polyunsaturated fatty acids in nuts may help prevent gum disease. But remember not to eat the whole bowl! Nuts are very high in calories and a little goes a long way. Enjoy and handful or two along with your other healthy snacks.
Dark chocolate: This one may be hard to believe at first, but research shows chocolate can be great for your teeth and help prevent decay! Now don't run off and start stocking your pantry with a bunch of that super sweet stuff, because these benefits come mainly from the tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids present in the cacao bean. Dark chocolate is the least processed variety of chocolate and the closest to the cacao bean, so make sure you purchase a variety that is listed as 70% cocoa or more for these benefits. Like with nuts, chocolate is easy to overdo — aim to eat two or three squares.
Is your child nervous about visiting Dr. Maryam Azadpur and our team at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry? Today, we put together some tips to help ensure your little one relaxes before his or her next dental checkup!
Start early. The earlier your child visits our Simsbury, CT office, the better. This will provide your child with a familiarity and ensure that he or she is comfortable with our team, office, and surroundings, whether it’s for a preventive visit or an emergency. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child first visit the dentist at age one or when the first tooth is visible.
Choose your words wisely. When preparing for a visit, go easy on the details. Over-explaining and adding more information about treatment such as a filling will lead to more questions as well as add unnecessary alarm. Remember to keep a positive attitude!
Bring a distraction to your child’s appointment. Bringing along music is a great idea. Just plug in those earphones, have your child close his or her eyes, and get lost in the tunes. Listening to music can also be a pain killer.
Consider a “pretend visit.” Before your child’s appointment, try role playing with him or her—you be the doctor and your child is the patient. All you'll need is a toothbrush. The key is getting your child familiar with the routine so that he or she is more relaxed once it’s time for the real visit with Dr. Maryam Azadpur.
Stress the importance of good oral health. Instill in your child that visiting the dentist is a necessity, not a choice, and that visiting the dentist will lead to a lifetime of smiles.
We hope this helps! For more on dental anxieties, ask us during your next visit to Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry! Or, ask us on Facebook!
It is crucial for individuals to prioritize their oral health even while on vacation or traveling. Imagine being in another country and experiencing an unexpected toothache due to lack of oral hygiene. What would you do? Where would you get help? Will your insurance cover the out of network expenses? Will you be able to enjoy the rest of your trip?
Not only will you be miserable on vacation, but you might also not be able to find dental care quickly, which could lead to the condition worsening. By taking good care of your teeth while away from home, you should be able to have a great time and come home with wonderful memories and pictures.
Apart from the essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, it is wise to include additional items in your travel kit. Always carry your dental and medical insurance cards for emergencies and consider packing mouthwash and xylitol gum to freshen your breath when brushing may not be convenient, such as during flights. If you happen to forget these oral health accessories or lose your luggage, don’t worry. Find a drug store or supermarket in the area. Most of what you will need to replace what was lost can be found there. In the meantime, stay hydrated, avoid sugary foods, and stick to a dental routine until you can restock your supplies.
When traveling, adhere to oral health best practices by drinking bottled water, brushing your teeth twice daily, and flossing at least once a day. It is advisable to pack your oral health essentials in your carry-on luggage to ensure accessibility, especially in the event of baggage mishaps. Remember to comply with TSA regulations, particularly concerning liquids, to prevent any issues at security checkpoints. By following these guidelines, you can safeguard your oral health and enjoy a worry-free journey wherever your adventures take you.
Happy Dental Assistant Week (March 3-9) to Lilly and Shy, our wonderful Dental Assistants and happy Dentist Day (March 6) to our amazing Dr. Azadpur! And while we don't have any March specials, be sure to grab some St. Patrick's Day beads from us in the week leading up to March 17 for a touch of festive cheer!
