There’s nothing so trendy as a new superfood or diet, and the “in vogue” ones change constantly. Older readers may remember the Atkins diets and other fads of the early 2000s, but younger ones may not even remember a time before the paleo diet was a thing — and it’s already almost a thing of the past. Many things we associate with these trends, though, are anything but new. We see this most clearly with the grains we turn to in the name of health. Westerners generally wouldn’t be familiar with quinoa, amaranth, teff, or kamut if it weren’t for their presence in the hippest healthy-eating Instagram feeds. Many of these foods hail from Africa or the Far East, so it’s understandable we don’t know them all — but there’s nothing really new about them. People in the Americas and the Old World have eaten quinoa for 3,000– 5,000 years. Teff, which is technically a grass seed, was one of the first domesticated plants, emerging thousands of years ago in what is now Ethiopia. Alternate sources of protein and fiber show a similar trend. Seaweed — the perennial favorite of Twitter dieters everywhere — has been consumed in China, Korea, and Japan since before recorded history. If you know anything about recorded history in Kale, Seaweed, and Other Not-So-New Superfoods
those regions, then you know that’s a long time! And kale, whose reputation precedes itself, has been cultivated since at least 2,000 B.C. in Greece, Asia Minor, and other parts of the Mediterranean. So, the next time you dig into your favorite health food, take a moment to Google what you are eating. You might be part of a long line of human beings who have turned to that food for sustenance over the millennia!
Fluoride varnish is a medication we paint on the teeth. Fluoride is a natural mineral proven for decades to prevent dental cavities! It adds back all the minerals to our enamel that have been lost from eating and drinking sugary and acidic foods. Fluoride cannot remove decay, but it can prevent it from penetrating the deeper parts of the tooth. Building a nice strong enamel with fluoride treatments every six months at your dentist can drastically help reduce your chance of needing a filling!
FLUORIDE VARNISH: IT’S NOT JUST FOR KIDS!
So why is it important for adults to get a fluoride treatment?
There are several reasons, but the most crucial reason is dry mouth. Dry mouth causes tooth decay because it allows harmful acids, plaque, and food to stay on the teeth . Our saliva helps buffer these acids to a neutral PH and coat and protect our teeth. Without enough saliva, acids left on the teeth as a result of dry mouth can lead to enamel erosion and cavities. Many prescription drugs cause dry mouth. In fact, most do! The average number of American adults on medication is 50%, and of those, at least four drugs are taken per day by the average adult! Fluoride is also excellent for adults who suffer from sensitive teeth and tooth root exposure (receded gums). Tooth roots are highly susceptible to decay, but fluoride treatments will protect the exposed root surfaces and minimize their sensitivity.
Fluoride varnish takes one minute to apply and can be done at your six-month checkup!
-Tiffany Crocker, RDH
2 — SignatureSmilesOH.com
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