Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA

Making popcorn a guilt-free snack

Dental Team — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:19:48 +0000

Although it’s been tainted by microwave bags that contain way too much salt and butter, popcorn is actually a healthy snack when prepared correctly. It is a whole grain, so it contains fiber. It also has nine percent of your total requirement of phosphorous and magnesium.

To make sure the popcorn you eat is healthy, make it in an air popper. Avoid adding salt and butter. Instead, try balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, or olive oil. Finally, avoid purchasing popcorn at the movie theater, as it contains a lot of extra salt and butter.

Source: livestrong.com/benefits-of-unsalted-popcorn/

The post Making popcorn a guilt-free snack appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.

Vitamin D is essential for overall health

Dental Team — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:21:18 +0000

In Australia alone, studies are showing that 58 percent of people could be vitamin D deficient. As a result, there is a call for annual testing of vitamin D levels in Australians to ensure proper amounts of the vitamin.

While vitamin D is commonly known as an important factor in bone health, there is a growing body of research to demonstrate that it is responsible for much more. It supports the immune system and reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other autoimmune disorders.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/releases/260016.php

The post Vitamin D is essential for overall health appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.

Stop feeling guilty after eating

Dental Team — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:54:25 +0000

While guilt it sometimes useful in helping use modify behaviors, it can also be unhealthy and damaging to your self-esteem. Here are steps you can take to stop feeling guilty after you eat:

Determine the reason behind your guilt. Are you actually overeating or is your guilt irrational?
Track your food intake with a journal so you have a clear picture of your actual eating habits.
Moderate your eating by dishing out smaller portions.
Do some form of exercise each day to control your appetite and boost your mood.
Eat food with nutrients so you have no reason to feel guilty about eating it.

Source: livestrong.com/how-to-stop-feeling-guilty-after-eating/

The post Stop feeling guilty after eating appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.

Fluoride keeps bacteria from sticking to teeth

Dental Team — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:03:47 +0000

Fluoride is in our toothpaste, drinking water, and other dental care products due to the benefits it provides for oral health, but it might surprise you to know that scientists haven’t known exactly why. While previous research found that fluoride hardens the enamel on teeth, new studies show that this hardening effect only occurs on a very thin layer of enamel.

Another one of the newly discovered keys to fluoride is the way it affects bacteria’s ability to stick to teeth. It reduces the adhesion power of bacteria, making it easier for saliva to wash it away.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/releases/259987.php

The post Fluoride keeps bacteria from sticking to teeth appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.

Should you clean your child’s pacifier with your own mouth?

Dental Team — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:14:42 +0000

Despite previous warnings that cleaning your child’s pacifier by sucking on it or sharing utensils with your baby can spread harmful germs, a new study says this isn’t the case. The study found that children whose parents cleaned their pacifiers by sucking on them had fewer allergies than children whose parents boiled or rinsed their pacifiers. The study couldn’t show that sucking on the pacifiers was the direct cause of the decrease in allergies, but researchers speculate that parents who cleaned pacifiers that way were also more laid back about germs and dirt in general. This adds to the evidence that exposure to germs while young strengthens the immune system.

Source: well.blogs.nytimes.com/why-dirty-pacifiers-may-be-your-childs-friend

The post Should you clean your child’s pacifier with your own mouth? appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.

Americans consume way too much sugar

Dental Team — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:04:10 +0000

A report from the CDC shows that roughly 13 percent of the average American’s daily calories come from added sugar and high fructose corn syrup, which is much higher than it should be. While soft drinks are known to contribute to this high sugar intake, the report found that most of the sugar consumed came from food. These numbers only apply to added sugar, not sugar that occurs naturally in foods like fruit.

The American Heart Association urges Americans to cut down on sugar intake because of the studies that have linked it to obesity, diabetes, and increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260083.php

The post Americans consume way too much sugar appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.

Scientists find a cure for gray hair

Dental Team — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:57:02 +0000

We accept gray hair as part of growing old, but that may soon be a thing of the past. Gray hair is caused by a build up of hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicles. This oxidative stress causes the hair to bleach itself.

Researchers found that this process can actually be reversed by a compound known as PC-KUS. The compound was also effective in treating patients with vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes the development of patches of skin that are white due to lack of pigment. Treatment with the compound reversed the condition and caused patients to regain normal skin and hair color.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260089.php

The post Scientists find a cure for gray hair appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.

How to get healthy carbs and limit bad ones

Dental Team — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:56:29 +0000

Low-carb diets may be all the rage, but carbohydrates are still a necessary part of a balanced diet. Fiber, sugar, and starch are the three types of carbs. For the healthiest balance, you should get mostly fiber while limiting your sugar and starch intake. Non-starchy veggies that are high in fiber include green beans, squash, tomatoes, and leafy greens. Fruit, such as berries and melon, also has a high fiber content. The sugar contained in fruit is natural and the nutrients you get make it worthwhile. Finally, limit your intake of starchy foods like white potatoes, bananas, and corn.

Source: livestrong.com/good-ways-to-get-carbs-without-starches/

The post How to get healthy carbs and limit bad ones appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.

Skipping dental care costs more down the road

Dental Team — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:46:48 +0000

Financial times are hard, and one in three Americans are skipping trips to the dentist as a result, according to a new survey. However, any savings gained right now are cancelled out later when more extensive procedures are required due to the damage that results from delaying routine care. It’s better to pay small amounts regularly for preventative treatment than wait until you experience pain and require expensive care. Unfortunately, the respondents in the survey said they knew all of this and still put off dental care.

Source: dentistryiq.com/americans-delaying-dental-care

The post Skipping dental care costs more down the road appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.

Only 1 in 5 Americans exercise enough

Dental Team — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:15:44 +0000

A report by the CDC that includes data from phone surveys found that only one in five of all Americans get the recommended amounts of aerobic and strength training exercise. The aerobic guidelines say that adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity, like walking, each week. If the activity is more vigorous, like jogging, the amount required decreases to 75 minutes. Strength training exercises, like sit-ups or activities that use resistance bands or weights, should be performed two days each week and work each muscle group. When it comes to aerobic activity alone, half of Americans meet the requirements. For strength training, 30 percent of Americans follow the guidelines.

Source: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260026.php

The post Only 1 in 5 Americans exercise enough appeared first on Dental Blog in Arlington, TX - Franklyn Alexander, DDS, PA.