February 16, 2006

I can always tell when my elementary-age children hear about health from someone else. They tend to follow the advice.

I think they’ve become “mother deaf.” Imagine that.

Consider toothbrushing, for example. I have been reminding them to brush their teeth twice daily for years. Recently, they had a “reminder session” in school about the importance of brushing and flossing.

Now, without any “prompting,” I’m finding wet toothbrushes on the bathroom countertop and strings of floss in the trash. They’re standing at the bathroom sink for a long time, carefully scrubbing their teeth. They’re also teaching me the “right way” to brush. I’m listening carefully.

February, National Children’s Dental Health Month, is a good time to “brush up” on our knowledge of proper dental care, no matter our age. Taking care of your teeth is the first step to keeping your teeth.

About a fourth of the people in the U.S. more than 65 years old no longer have their own teeth.

Having “good teeth” helps promote a healthy diet with a variety of textures.
Having strong teeth helps us chew without discomfort and plays a major role in good nutrition and enjoyment of food. Try crunching an apple with no teeth or poor-fitting dentures.

Poor oral health appears to be linked with poor overall health. In a study of dental patients more than 80 years old and living in Sweden, researchers found a link between decayed teeth and irregular heart rhythm. Other studies have linked unhealthy gums with heart disease.

Take steps to keep your teeth healthy. Consider your food choices. Sweet, sticky treats can promote dental decay. Bacteria feed on sugar, producing acids that attack tooth enamel. We all have a little room for some “discretionary calories” in our diet. After enjoying some candy or dessert, for example, at minimum rinse your mouth with plain water. Even better, brush your teeth well.

Consider your beverages, too. Regular pop provides a constant source of “food” for bacteria, so dentists recommend limiting soda pop and avoiding “sipping” all day. Diet soda pop is acidic and can promote loss of enamel, too. Consider water as an alternative.

To maintain strong teeth, get your calcium, vitamin D and fluoride. Calcium and vitamin D are found in milk and fortified foods. Read Nutrition Facts labels to learn more about your food choices. Fluoride is commonly added to municipal water supplies, making it important to drink some “tap water” regularly. Most bottled water doesn’t contain this tooth-strengthening mineral.

Keep a healthy smile with these tips from the American Dental Association. For more information, visit www.ada.org.

• Brush your teeth twice a day with an American Dental Association-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Use dental floss to gently clean between teeth. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Visit your dentist regularly for oral exams and professional cleaning.

Here’s a tasty salsa recipe to enjoy with baked tortilla chips.

Black Bean Salsa

1 16-oz. can black beans, drained
1 14-oz. jar chunky salsa (mild, medium or hot)
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro (if desired)
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
2 Tbsp. lime juice

Coarsely chop beans in food processor; don’t puree them. Stir together remaining ingredients.

Makes six servings. Each half-cup serving has 85 calories, 14 grams of carbohydrate, 4 grams of fiber and less than 1 gram of fat.

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Source: Julie Garden-Robinson, (701) 231-7187, jgardenr@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu

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