Say "No" to sodas - "Yes" to good health!

Say "No" to diet soda (make that "No" to all sodas). Here are some interesting reasons: Diet soda may be sugar and calorie free, but it’s tough on teeth. It’s just as acidic as regular soda, which can damage tooth enamel and promote decay. Some studies have found that drinking diet soda regularly may be connected to obesity and Type-2 diabetes. Although scientists are unable to determine the connection, they claim that those who drink three or more of the beverages daily are more than likely to gain weight. And, a major study found that women who consume two or more artificially sweetened sodas daily doubled their risk for kidney function decline. According to the National Institutes of Health, people may be replacing bone-friendly, calcium-rich milk with soda, which may lead to decreased bone mass and increased risk of fractures. Why take chances?  Switch to water, skim milk or diluted 100% fruit juice.

Take The Bite Out Of Dental Erosion ~

Although you take steps to prevent cavities by brushing and flossing your teeth, you're still at risk for dental erosion. This growing problem now affects as many as one in five Americans, according to a series of articles in the Journal of the California Dental Association. Dental erosion is the acidic dissolution of teeth - starting with the softening (demineralization) of the enamel and underlying dentin - and subsequent structural tooth loss. It's caused by acids in food and beverages, as well as regurgitated stomach acid resulting from reflux disease (in contrast, cavities are caused by acid-producing bacteria on the teeth, which feed on sugars). Over-brushing, abrasive toothpaste, tooth grinding and other excessive mechanical wear and tear can dramatically worsen the damage caused by dental erosion. There is a rise in dental erosion, because Americans have been drinking more acidic beverages and have become heavier (obesity increases the risk of reflux disease). Older people are also at risk because many take medications that reduce saliva flow, making their teeth more vulnerable to acid. And ironically, in our zeal to clean and polish our teeth, many of us overdo it and thus abrade them. If you know you have dental erosion, or want to prevent it, take these steps: Limit acidic beverages, such as soda (especially cola and citrus flavors, including diet sodas), energy drinks, sports drinks, citrus juices and wine. Repeated and prolonged exposures, as in sipping or swirling the liquid in your mouth, are most erosive. Sugary acidic drinks are a double whammy, since they also promote cavities ~ Limit acidic foods such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit, sour candies, raisins and vinegary items or at least eat them with other foods, not on their own ~ Rinse with water after consuming acidic foods or beverages. Rinsing with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and/or a fluoride mouthwash can further help ~ Eat dairy products. Their calcium helps reduce the damaging effects of acids; their casein enhances remineralization ~ Chew sugarless gum to increase saliva flow, which helps wash away acids ~ Use a less abrasive toothpaste. Whitening pastes are most abrasive. Those containing baking soda, which is alkaline and nonabrasive, tend to be gentlest on teeth ~ Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, and not too forcefully or for more than a couple of minutes. It's easy to overdo it with an electric toothbrush, since it requires little effort.