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Do You Take Milk in Your Tea? | Ottawa Dentist

There are loads of reasons to enjoy a cup of tea. To warm (or cool) your insides, to gather with friends, to even get a good night’s sleep. No matter your reason, tea has become a favorite for people around the world. The problem is one similar to other dark drinks – they can stain your teeth over time. But it still doesn’t matter – tea is going to be a staple in everyone’s lives. So, to celebrate International Tea Day, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of our beloved leafy beverages…

First, let’s take a look at the pros: Black and green tea contain fluoride, which we all know helps ward off tooth decay while preventing cavities by controlling bacteria and reducing acid in your mouth. After all, saliva production is key to washing bacteria from inside our mouths. In fact, when making tea, use tap water for an extra fluoride boost!

Tea also contains polyphenols, which are micronutrients from plant-based foods that reduce gum inflammation and disease. Polyphenols are killing bacteria, while combatting bad breath better than a mint. If that’s not enough, tea is great for our overall health as it’s antioxidant-rich option that can even help slow the growth of certain kinds of cancer, including oral cancer.

And while this healthy drink can tinge our teeth, it isn’t a permanent feature. After your cuppa, why not give your teeth a quick brush? Not only will a teeth-whitening session improve your smile, but daily dental hygiene is the best way to slow down the staining process.

Do keep in mind that sugar and acidic add-ins can erode your teeth and make you more prone to cavities. So, try to limit the lemon, sugar and honey.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Your Asthma May Be Giving You Dental Issues | Ottawa Dentist

Do you suffer from asthma? Don’t worry – this isn’t a judgement. Asthma is very common. It’s so common that roughly 339 million people worldwide suffer from this inflammatory disease that narrows and inflames your airways to the point that it is difficult to breath. But did you know that asthma can also lead to future dental problems? It’s true. And this is why you need to pay extra special attention to your dental health if you suffer from this affliction. Patients with asthma can experience a number of triggers, from weather conditions to airborne irritants like pollen and pet dander. When it causes issues breathing, it is likely you will use an inhaler. These inhalers are repressing salivary glands and limiting saliva production, causing you to experience dry mouth. Dry mouth allows for damaging bacteria to remain in our mouths and cause damage, like plaque build-up – and plaque is the beginning stages of bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Don’t worry – asthma isn’t the end of your great smile. But it is the beginning of an improvement to your daily dental hygiene routine. After you use your inhaler, rinse your mouth out with water. Not only will you kickstart saliva production, but you will rinse away any sugar your inhaler may be sweetened with to make it easier to use. In fact, drinking enough water and snacking on fruits like apples are great for increasing saliva production and reducing dry mouth. But above all else, keep up with your dental hygiene. Brush for two minutes, floss and rinse with fluoride mouthwash daily, but most importantly, keep your dental appointments. They are the only ones that can ensure you’re doing a good job. If you would like more information about the effects of asthma, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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The Apple of My Eye | Ottawa Dentist

It’s one of the first solid foods we get to try as a baby. It is one of our favorite juices as a child and it is notorious for helping us dodge doctor appointments. Yes, the apple is one sweet treat that we have our entire lives, in all of its various forms. Originally from Central Asia and with 7,500 varieties available around the world, apples have become world-renowned as a go-to fruit. So much so, this Saturday (September 19) is International Eat an Apple Day. But it isn’t just the sweet snack that has captured our hearts – apples also have loads of health benefits that range from our bones to our heart, but it also greatly improves our smile. It’s true – this crispy fruit is fantastic for producing saliva, which is our natural way of keeping our mouths clean and bacteria free. Additionally, the fibers within the apple play an added role in cleaning our teeth in a way similar to a toothbrush. Now, it’s not a substitute… Apples are a healthy snack but shouldn’t replace your daily dental hygiene routine. These are just natural ways that you can improve your smile while enjoying a tasty treat. So, how do you celebrate International Eat an Apple Day? By enjoying this delicious fruit in all of its autumnal glory. Snack on an apple with a bit of peanut butter or a slice of apple pie. In fact, because this fruit is international, why not try some German apple cake or Polish apple pancakes? Even the French and the English got in on the fun by making a popular fermented drink called cider. So, have yourself an apple party, spin a globe and take an appley trip! If you would like more information about the benefits of apples, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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Improve Your Smile with a Picnic | Ottawa Dentist

As the world slowly begins to open up again and we are delving into the warm summer months, it is a good idea to grab a blanket and head outside to soak in some vitamin D. Not only does the sunshine improve your overall health but having a bit of a picnic while soaking it all in can also improve your smile. After all, June 18th is International Picnic Day – why not celebrate with a healthy smile? Here are just a few of the picnic foods you can enjoy that will simultaneously brighten your smile: Traditional. If you are going for a more family-friendly option, there are lots of choices that can benefit your dental health. Cheeses and proteins can help strengthen your teeth, fruits and veggies can help scrub them and encourage saliva production, which is key to rinsing cavity-causing bacteria while you eat. Wine and cheese. If you have a more sophisticated palette, you may opt for a nice wine and cheese pairing. Well, you’re in luck – cheese is full of calcium, which strengthens your teeth enamel, and red wine also had dental benefits. But be careful – too much acidic red wine will begin to break down your tooth enamel and begin to stain your teeth. When you’re out and about, it is important to maintain some type of hydration at all times so make sure to pack plenty of water in your picnic basket. And while you may not have a toothbrush handy, popping a piece of sugar-free gum after your snacks will also help keep your mouth clean while you bask in the warm summer sunshine. Enjoy your picnic! If you would like more information about improving your smile, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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Should You Follow the Trends? | Ottawa Dentist

Everyone does their best to try and stay healthy as much as we can. Our lives are busy, and it feels like the world never stops for a second. And when a new trend develops, especially when it comes to our health, we will contemplate giving it a go. One of the latest trends coming down the pipe is flavored water. You know the ones – it seems like everyone is on a water-drinking kick these days and brands like La Croix are heading the revolution. But are these drinks really better for us? Depends on how you look at it… We know that drinking water is essential to keeping our bodies hydrated and working properly. It isn’t the most delicious option available, but we need to drink it. So, drinking these fizzy cans of delightful tasting water is perfect! Not quite. Yes, it is better than say, a regular soda. No sugar to develop into cavities. In fact, there is no sweetener involved at all. But it is still fizzy. And it’s the fizz that is at the root of the problem. The carbonation and flavoring are acidic, which will begin to break down your tooth enamel. And as that enamel breaks down, your teeth are susceptible to cavities. Now, there is no need to fret too much – the fact that you are minimizing your sugar intake and drinking more water is going to be great for your overall health. Just don’t make carbonated water the substitute for the real thing. Drink in moderation and you should be A-OK. If you would like more information about carbonated beverages, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.
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Let’s Celebrate International Eat an Apple Day! | Ottawa Dentist

Have you ever given your teacher an apple? Have you ever heard of the Welsh proverb, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Apples aren’t just randomly chosen to represent a teacher’s pet or a deterrent for going to the doctor, but there are actual health benefits that are bringing this delicious fruit to the forefront of healthy snack options. But did you know that these shiny apples are also helping you keep a health and shiny smile in the process? It’s true. Apples are not only healthy for our overall health, but also helps our mouths stay healthy in the process.

Apples are fantastic on a couple of levels – they are a delicious hand-held snack on the go and they help prevent lots of health issues. What kind of health issues? Believe it or not, apples can lend a hand with various stages of dementia and cancers, help lower cholesterol, aid in the symptoms of diabetes and of course helps when working on weight loss. And that’s not even including your smile!

When it comes to our smiles, the apple will have a dual line of defense against dental issues. Because apples are delightfully crispy, every bite you take gets into the places between your teeth a regular scrub can’t quite get to effectively. Apples also contain malic acid, which acts as a quick scrub on your teeth as you consume the juicy fruit. Speaking of juicy fruit, eating an apple will increase saliva production, and saliva helps naturally rinse our mouth of cavity-causing bacteria.

On September 17th we celebrate International Eat an Apple Day, so go ahead and snack on the greatest natural snack around. Don’t forget your teacher!

If you would like more information about the benefits of apples, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com.

Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.