The Nine Worst Foods and Drinks for Staining Your Teeth – You Are Probably Consuming Number Nine Right Now!

Many common brightly colored foods and drinks can wreak havoc on your white teeth.  While some of the foods and drinks seem like obvious “offenders” – others are very healthy yet still cause staining. 

Even so, it is nearly impossible to avoid all of these foods all of the time.

But don’t despair – along with each food we are providing a tip to help minimize the negative staining effective they might have on your pearly whites.

1)    Tea and Coffee – These dark colored beverages are often sipped slowly, allowing for more damage to be done.
TIP: Lighten up your morning beverage with some milk or cream and enjoy while hot!

2)    Soda and Sports Drinks – Both are loaded with sugar and highly acidic which make teeth more prone to staining.
TIP: Limit your consumption and try not to sip throughout the day. Using a straw is another great way to protect your teeth from over exposure.

3)    Berries – These antioxidant-rich super foods are less than stellar for keeping your smile white.
TIP: Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after enjoying these healthy fruits.

4)    Sauces – Soy, marinara, and curry are some of the most common, and worst offenders.
TIP:  Eating dark leafy greens prior to consuming these sauces can help to protect teeth.

 

5)    Juices – Most juices are high in sugar, which breaks down tooth enamel making them more susceptible to staining from the brightly colored juices.
TIP: Choose juice that has no added sugar and sip sparingly.

6)    Balsamic Vinegar – While high in cancer-fighting antioxidants, this Italian-fare staple also has as sticky consistency, which makes it extra damaging.
TIP: Luckily, balsamic vinegar is most often used as a salad dressing alternative and eating it with leafy greens will minimize its staining power.

7)    Hard Candy – Lollipops, lifesavers, and caramels all consist of pure sugar which has been hardened.  Sucking on them for long amounts of time over expose teeth to stains.
TIP: Save these treats for special occasions only.

8)    Popsicles – This sugary summer treat also packs a double whammy since the cold makes teeth more susceptible to staining from all the brightly colored dyes.
TIP: Cool off with an ice water or frozen yogurt instead.

9)    Wine: It’s sad but true – the same tannins that make wine so delicious are terrible for your teeth. Plus, the traditional practices of swishing and swirling the wine to enhance flavors, mean extra coating of the teeth.
TIP: While imbibing, also have a glass of water nearby and every few sips be sure to swirl and swish with the water as well.

Learn more about keeping your teeth white or call us today at (908) 998-4698 to schedule an appointment!

We’re Moving Next Month!

Our big move is happening next month! In October, Roselle Park Dental and Little Smiles of Roselle Park will have a new home – just minutes from our current location. We will continue to offer the same friendly, top-quality service with the same convenient hours. Our brand new, state-of-the art office will allow us to offer an even more efficient and enjoyable dental experience.

Located next door to Manuela’s Bridal Boutique, we will have plenty of free parking reserved just for our patients! Our new office will be located at 205 Westfield Avenue West in Roselle Park.

The building crew is hard at work putting together all of the final touches at our new office! We will let you know our specific moving date when the time gets closer.

We will also be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony and a photo contest at the new location – stay tuned …

If you have any questions, please call us at (908) 245-1745 – our phone number will stay the same – or e-mail us at roselleparkdental@gmail.com.

Like us on Facebook to see updates on the new office!

Your Child’s Back-To-School Checklist – 3 Things You Should Never Forget …

As summer winds to an official close and the kids head back to school, you are no doubt busy scheduling physicals, buying school supplies, and securing this year’s must-have wardrobe essentials for your little ones. While you are at it, don’t forget to include these important healthy teeth to-dos on your list:

Regular Dental Checkups
While it’s common to visit the pediatrician at this time of year, dental checkups often get pushed to the back burner. However, since tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), scheduling twice annual preventive checkups for your kids can help to avoid issues that can lead to missed school days later on.

Make it Part of the Routine
As you are establishing a new fall schedule, be sure to include time for daily brushing and flossing. While brushing in the morning and again at night are ideal, providing your child with a travel toothbrush and toothpaste can facilitate mid-day brushing after lunch or snacks. And be sure to make the at-home sessions a family affair so you can supervise and assist brushing and flossing techniques for younger children.

Additionally, take advantage of back-to-school shopping as a convenient time to stock up on toothbrushes. Start the new school year with a fresh brush and then swap it out for a new one when each report card arrives!

Healthy Bites
Good nutrition is of the utmost importance for your kids’ overall optimal health. By packing them healthy, well-balanced lunches and snacks every day, you can ensure they are getting the energy and nutrients they need to stay active and, and also making good choice for their teeth!  Stick with whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and lots of fresh fruits and veggies, such as turkey sandwiches on whole grain bread with lettuce and tomato, low-fat plain yogurt with fresh berries mixed in, and fresh carrot and cucumber sticks.

And to prevent after school visits to the vending machine, which are home to the worst foods for their teeth, including chewy candy and surgery sodas, provide them with extra snack, such as low-fat string cheese and whole wheat crackers, or apple slices with peanut butter.

Learn more about protecting your children's teeth or call us today call us at (908) 998-4698 to schedule an appointment!

Parents – Four Simple Tricks to Ensure Your Children Don't Fear The Dentist!

It’s easy to see why visiting the dentist can be an anxiety provoking experience for little ones – many grownups feel the same way! However, as a parent alleviating your child’s negative associations with visiting the dentist will help set them up for a future of strong and healthy teeth.

Start Early
Familiarizing your child with the space, people, and activities that will be part of a dental visit can help them feel more at ease. At home, start routine teeth brushing before your baby’s teeth have even erupted. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first dental visit when teeth first start to appear or by a child’s first birthday. Prior to the visit, stop by the dentist’s office so your child can meet the staff and look around.

Practice Makes Perfect
A great way to help your child prepare for his or her first dental visit is by “practicing” at home. First, you can play the part of the dentist and brush and count their teeth. Then, allow them to play doctor to a stuffed animal. Reading books about visiting the dentist and good oral hygiene habits is another great way to prep your little one.

Don’t Project
A child looks to his mom, dad, and other caregivers for guidance and reassurance, so it is super important that when talking about the dentist we don’t use words that can cause fear, such as “pain” or “shot”. It is actually best to avoid discussing dental procedures at all, since doing so will spark questions that might be difficult to answer. Simply tell your child that the dentist will be checking their smile and counting their teeth – and leave the more in-depth explanations to the medical professionals. If you have a lot of anxiety about visiting the dentist yourself, you may consider asking another family member to take them to their first visit, since your child may sense your feelings of anxiety.

Make it Fun
Last but certainly not least, as with everything if it’s fun then your child will be excited and willing to participate. Visiting a pediatric dentist is the best option, since they will have fun games and other activities at the office to engage your child. Bring along your child’s favorite stuffed animal or toy that they can hold onto during their visit to help them feel more secure. While fussing and crying is probably inevitable especially at very young ages, be sure to stay calm and comforting during the visit and afterwards praise your child for how brave they were and well they behaved.

To learn more, visit our Website or call us at (908) 998-4698 to schedule an appointment!