– by Doreen Marion Gee –
This is the fifth in a six-part series of profiles on some great local businesses that are working to keep us all in good health.
Dr. Mitra Hashemi loves her dental practice but she probably wishes sometimes that she did not have such a jam-packed schedule. She sees many serious problems in her office that could have been prevented in the first place. The dedicated dental professional firmly believes that people need to be educated and proactive about their own dental health and care. This involves looking at the big picture. But paradoxically, there are many small simple preventative measures that also can lead to a “pound of cure.”
At this point in history, preventative strategies and public education about dental health have a new sense of urgency.
Dr. Hashemi of Sidney’s “Coast Dental Care” is concerned that we are back-peddling from years of progress in our society’s overall dental health: “Based on research, more than 25 percent of kids between two and five are getting cavities. There is a reason for that: What is really changing is our diet!” In our fast, processed food culture, the amount of sugars in our diet is alarming. Mitra cites sobering US research: “On average every citizen consumes about 150 pounds of sugar a year, or forty teaspoons a day.” Added white sugar in pop and processed food is only one culprit; dried fruits and juices have a lot of natural sugars that are also harmful to teeth. A small portion of raisins in a lunch box pack has the same sugar wallop as a pile of grapes and boxed juices contain the sugar of a bowl of fruit. Mitra believes that these high doses of sugar in our diets are a major cause of our present higher rates of cavities. Our modern diet is the perfect storm. The sugar in our food is changed by bacteria to acids that dissolve calcium and minerals on our teeth, starting the cavity process. This damage is augmented by acidic pop, coffee, fruit and energy drinks.
The solution lies in education and prevention. Mitra firmly believes that people need to educate themselves about everything that impacts their oral health. She advises her patients to “watch their diet” and consider proper nutrition. Consumers need to read product labels and be informed about the sugars, acids and starches in everything they eat and drink. Mitra provides important information to her patients about oral health and different treatment options: “With more information, people can make informed decisions.” With her gentle supportive approach, Mitra encourages children to have healthy habits.
Proactive prevention is key. As well as brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist, many simple measures are highly effective in preventing cavities. Avoid processed dinners, boxed juices and dry fruit; instead enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits that are high in nutrition and low in sugars and starches. Rinse the mouth with water after coffee, juice or sweets to get rid of the sugars and reduce the acidity. Eat less soft foods that stick to the teeth. “It all works!” claims Mitra. The good dentist recommends chewing gum containing Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol and easy preventative measure. Xylitol has no white sugar, actively fights against cavity formation, lowers acidity in the mouth and increases saliva and its anti-bacterial and mineral-depositing functions. In Mitra’s professional opinion, fluoride is one of the best ways to prevent decay. “The beauty of fluoride is that it will stop cavities.” Fluoride lowers the bacteria count in the mouth and is extremely effective in hardening enamel.
“Preventative dentistry is the goal nowadays – we want to do as much as we can to save teeth. We encourage people to take advantage of this profession and all the technology involved in it to improve their oral health” reflects Mitra. Plus, a few simple measures to maintain a healthy mouth can help keep us well overall, boost our confidence and success, and raise our quality of life. Pretty small ounces. But one doozy of a pound.
Contact: www.coastdentalcare.ca
