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Posts Tagged ‘diet’

Five New Year’s Food Swaps for Healthy Teeth

Thursday, January 18th, 2018

Many people start a new year with plans to embrace healthy eating. Usually, this is linked to improving your health and losing weight, but it can also be hugely beneficial for your dental health. If you’re on a health kick and you’re keen to protect your smile at the same time, here are 5 food swaps to try:

  1. Sugary cereals for porridge: many popular cereals contain a lot of sugar, so keep an eye out when you’re at the supermarket. Even healthy-seeming options like granola and muesli can be laden with sugar. Porridge is an excellent choice because it is naturally low in sugar and high in fibre and it releases energy slowly, so you shouldn’t need to snack. If you have a sweet tooth, add a teaspoon of honey or a handful of berries rather than sprinkling sugar on the top.
  2. Ice cream for yoghurt: ice cream season is over, but the good news is that there’s a tooth-friendly, weather-friendly alternative on offer. Natural yoghurt is a great substitute for ice cream. It is rich in calcium and you can add fresh berries, apple, pear, mango or banana to sweeten it up.
  3. Fizzy drinks for sugar-free cordial: fizzy drinks are among the most harmful products you can buy in terms of your dental health. These drinks are packed with sugar, but they’re also acidic. To cut down your sugar intake and protect your enamel, opt for sugar-free cordial, water or milk instead.
  4. Shop-bought smoothies for homemade creations: smoothies are often marketed as a healthy alternative to fizzy drinks, but if you look at the labels, you’ll find that many products you buy in stores and cafes contain a lot of added sugar. Instead of buying smoothies, make your own at home. This allows you to control the sugar content and you’ll also save money.
  5. Popcorn for almonds: popcorn has become an increasingly popular snack. Marketed as a healthy, low-calorie snack, popcorn isn’t quite as saintly as it may seem. It tends to get stuck in your teeth and the hard kernels can also break and chip the teeth. Instead of snacking on popcorn, indulge in a handful of almonds instead. Almonds contain calcium and they also have low sugar content.

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Three Ways to Protect Your Braces

Friday, October 13th, 2017

If you have braces, it’s important to take good care of them, as well as your teeth. Here are 3 simple tips to help you protect your braces:

  1. Keep your braces clean: it’s essential to keep your braces clean to protect your teeth and gums and ensure your braces are able to function properly. Your dentist will show you how to clean your brace. You can brush as normal or use specially designed instruments to clean around brackets and wires. It’s a good idea to carry a small brush around with you, so that you can remove food debris from your braces after eating.
  2. Store your braces safely: if you have removable braces and you’re taking them out to clean them or before a meal, make sure you store them in a safe place. You don’t want to lose your brace or put it in a place where it may get damaged or broken. It’s best to carry a small container with you.
  3. Watch what you eat: if you have fixed braces, it’s really beneficial to keep an eye on what you eat. Some foods are much easier to eat with braces than others, but there is also a risk that eating certain foods could damage the braces. Try and steer clear of hard foods like boiled sweets and popcorn, as the kernels can be incredibly hard.

If you need any tips to help preserve your braces and prevent damage, we are here to help, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

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Five Ways to Prevent Gum Disease in the Heart of Liverpool

Thursday, August 10th, 2017

At Liverpool Dental Spa, we’re firm believers in the saying, ‘prevention is better than cure.’ Gum disease is the most common cause of adult tooth loss, but it can almost always be prevented. If you’re eager to fend off gum disease, we can help! Here are 5 simple ways to keep your gums healthy:

  1. Brush twice a day: if you don’t already brush your teeth twice a day, now is the time to start. It’s important to clean your teeth before you go to bed and at least one more time per day. Most people brush in the morning and evening. Brushing removes harmful bacteria before it can join forces with saliva and food debris to form plaque. Set a timer to make sure you brush for long enough (at least 2 minutes).
  2. Clean between your teeth: it’s very difficult to clean between your teeth with a normal brush, so use dental floss or inter-dental brushes to achieve a more comprehensive clean.
  3. Book a dental appointment: regular dental appointments can decrease your risk of developing gum disease by up to 60 percent. If you haven’t been to the dentist in the last 9 months, give us a call today. It’s particularly important to get in touch if you’ve noticed warning signs like swollen, sore and bleeding gums.
  4. Watch what you eat: your diet can have a significant influence on your dental health. Try and avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks to reduce your risk of both decay and gum disease.
  5. Avoid smoking: smoking increases the risk of gum disease. If you’d like help with quitting, we can help.

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Top Five Tooth Friendly Summer Foods

Thursday, July 27th, 2017

Summer is a time when many of us try our best to be healthy and get in shape. If you’re keen to keep your smile looking great, as well as working on your beach body this summer, here are 5 tooth-friendly foods to add to your diet:

  1. Yoghurt: yoghurt is rich in calcium and it’s a great substitute for desserts like cheesecake, ice cream and biscuits if you’re looking for a healthier alternative. Stick to natural yoghurt rather than sweetened versions, which can contain a lot of sugar, and add flavour with berries or a spoonful of honey.
  2. Blueberries: blueberries are packed with antioxidants and they are a good source of vitamin C, which is good news for your gums.
  3. Strawberries: strawberries are not just a good source of vitamin C. they can also help to clean and polish your teeth thanks to their rough skin. When you eat strawberries, the dimpled texture scrubs off surface stains, giving you a radiant, glowing smile.
  4. Cheese: cheese is a great addition to salads and cold pasta dishes and a staple picnic snack. Cheese contains calcium, which is important for strong teeth and bones, but it also has a very high pH value, which reduces acidity in the mouth.
  5. Raw vegetables: if you’re searching for a healthy snack idea, don’t reach for crisps or sweets. Instead, peel some carrots or chop up some celery, cucumber or peppers. These foods often have high water content, and chewing on them stimulates your gums and increases saliva production.

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Five Foods that Make a Tooth-Friendly Summer Dinner

Monday, June 5th, 2017

It’s summer, and many of us are looking forward to embracing those classic seasonal staples. When you’re planning your summer menu, take a moment to consider how your diet affects your teeth and gums. If you’re hoping to eat well and keep your smile in check, here are five tooth-friendly foods to include in your summer diet:

  1. Strawberries: strawberries are not just packed with vitamin C, which is good for boosting your immunity. They’re also natural stain removers. The rough skin of the strawberry removes surface stains, giving your smile a gorgeous healthy glow.
  2. Raw vegetables: if you’re looking for healthy picnic ideas, look no further than some chopped carrots, cucumber sticks and celery batons. Raw vegetables have high water content, which is good for cleansing the mouth, and when you chew, this also stimulates the gums.
  3. Salad leaves: salad leaves contain water and they’re also rich in fibre, vitamins and nutrients. If you’re eating acidic foods, foods that have high water content can help to neutralise acids.
  4. Cheese: cheese is a staple when it comes to preparing vegetarian barbeque dishes and it can also be added to cold pasta dishes and salads. A cheeseboard is also a popular alternative to sweet desserts. Cheese is a good source of calcium, and it also has high pH value. It’s a great idea to combine wine with cheese if you’re enjoying a drink in the evening, as this will help to neutralise acids in the mouth.
  5. Natural yoghurt: are you looking for a healthier alternative to summer puddings like ice cream, meringues and cheesecake? If so, consider filling a bowl full of natural yoghurt and then adding a spoonful of honey or a sprinkling of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries.

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Five Tooth Friendly Foods

Monday, April 24th, 2017

It’s common to hear dentists talking about foods that are bad for your teeth, but what about the foods that are super for your smile? If you’re hoping to improve your diet, here are 5 tooth-friendly foods:

  1. Cheese: cheese is often one of the first things to be sacrificed when you go on a diet to lose weight, but it’s really good for your teeth. Cheese is rich in calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth, and it’s also alkaline, which helps to reduce acidity in the mouth.
  2. Yoghurt: yoghurt is another great source of calcium, and it’s a much healthier dessert option than cakes, biscuits or chocolate bars. If you are eating yoghurt, make sure you go for natural yoghurt, rather than sweetened, flavoured versions, which are filled with sugar. If you’re keen to liven up your pudding, add a spoonful of honey, a chopped banana or some fresh blueberries or raspberries.
  3. Leafy green vegetables: leafy green vegetables offer a host of health benefits. They contain calcium, which is great news for your teeth, and they’re rich in fibre and sugar-free.
  4. Raw carrots: if you’re in need of a healthy snack, which will benefit your teeth and gums, look no further than raw vegetables like carrots. These foods contain barely any sugar and the chewing motion increases the production of saliva, which reduces acidity in the mouth, and also gives your mouth a good clean.
  5. Eggs: eggs are a really versatile food, which are packed with protein. They also contain phosphorous, which is good for your enamel.

If you need more healthy eating tips, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist.

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Protect Your Smile Against Gum Disease In The Centre Of Liverpool

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

Gum disease is one of the most potent and dangerous threats to a beautiful, healthy smile. However, it is preventable. We actively encourage our patients to take preventative steps to keep gum disease at bay.

Here are some tips for reducing your risk of gum disease:

Oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the best method of defense against gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque, which contains harmful bacteria. Bacteria release acids and these irritate the gums, as well as contributing to enamel wear. When the gums are irritated, they become sore and swollen. We recommend brushing twice a day using fluoride toothpaste for at least 2 minutes each time and flossing on a daily basis to remove plaque and food debris from the tiny gaps between your teeth.

Diet

Your diet has a significant impact on your oral health and knowing what and what not to eat can make a huge difference. Sugary foods cause the bacteria in your mouth to release plaque acids, which cause inflammation and soreness in the gums. Acidic foods are also bad news for the teeth, as they erode away the protective enamel layer of the teeth. It is particularly important to avoid eating or drinking sugary or acidic foods and drinks between meals. This is because your enamel becomes temporarily softer when you eat and it takes time for it re-mineralise and harden again. If you eat constantly during the day, this means that your enamel never has chance to fully recover. It is also important to wait around 60 minutes after eating to brush your teeth, as brushing while the enamel is still soft increases the risk of wear.

Dental checks

Regular dental checks help to reduce the risk of gum disease and enable dentists to spot the early warning signs so that any existing inflammation can be treated as quickly as possible. We recommend check-ups every 6 months for all our patients.

Spot the signs

It’s really useful to be able to spot the signs of gum disease, so that you can get help as quickly as possible. Symptoms to look out for include bleeding gums (especially when you brush your teeth), sore and swollen gums and increased redness in the gums. If you notice these signs, call us and we will book you an appointment.

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Winners for National UK Award

  • > 2009 Best Dental Team

Winners for North West Awards

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Finalists for North West Awards

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Finalist & Highly Commended for

  • > 2007 Best Young Dentist Dr Marius McGovern