Whole Grain Benefits: Corn and Dental Health

Whole grain crops have long been praised because of its excellent nutrients that help your body. One crop that is widely produced in America that contains a lot of dental benefits is corn.

Corns are can be seen in various forms. You can enjoy it as syrup, on a cob or the all-time favorite of movie goers, popcorn. This snack is considered whole grain as its cereal germ, bran and endosperm are intact that contains all the dental health benefits. It is packed with vitamins and minerals more than the usual cereal grains in the market.

Corn can offer you a lot of health benefits. Apart from being a tasty snack, it is a valuable crop packed with a lot of healthy features. The list that follows is among the nutrients found in corn that enhances your dental health.

Wholesome Perks of Whole Grain

Fiber. The dietary fiber found in corn helps maintain the gums and teeth. It can help in taking away plaque formation. Plus boosting production of saliva to wash away the acidity in the mouth. Fiber is an effective way of polishing your teeth and scraping off plaque.

Thiamin. This vitamin helps in tissue maintenance and the sure prevention of irritation of the tongue and other oral tissues. It also aids in boosting the immune system and preventing the odds of gum disease. Together with the other B vitamins, this helps in various organs and body functions in the body.

Phosphorus. This mineral, together with calcium, help you have strong teeth and bones. It aids in absorbing calcium into bones and teeth. This makes your enamel and jaw bones stronger to keep your teeth in place. Phosphorus can help avoid loose teeth and gum diseases.

Vitamin C. Corn can give you a boost in your immune system. This helps your teeth and gums in the attack of bacteria or gum diseases. The deficiency in vitamin C could make you prone to infections and inflammations.

Antioxidants. Corn has zeaxanthin, lutein, anthocyanins and ferulic acid that serve as antioxidants. These ward off cancer cells and other harmful free radicals that cause cancer.

Polyphenols. Corn also has polyphenols that help manage inflammations on tissues. This helps to kill bacteria that cause most cases of periodontal diseases. It will definitely be a great line of defense for your gum health.

Magnesium. This mineral plays a lot of roles in the body. Most of its functions are on the muscles, heart and your immune system. This plays a big role in the bone formation as well as it boosts your immune system to avoid tooth decay and gum diseases.

The health benefits of corn would make you love them even more. Some of which may come as a surprise. This would be a great way of introducing whole grain foods to your diet in addition to other healthy fruits and vegetables to have a balanced diet. Use the power of corn alongside dental care regimen and oral hygiene practices to have healthier teeth and gums.

Of course, do not forget adding on your dental care list the need to visit the dental clinic LA.

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Common Snacks You Thought Were Healthy

There are branded products that carry all the necessary nutrients and vitamins which your body need. The popularity of these healthy foods you like to snack on may deceive you from their true colors. Many snacks that are so-called the healthier choice are not what they claim to be.

Snacks to Ponder

Granola Bars. Mixed oats, nuts, and fruits are all too promising and in fact healthy. But the common granola bar you consume comes with sugar, corn syrup and hydrogenated vegetable oils that make them sweet and tasty. These bars do not differ from candy bars and sodas in the sugar content. And like these sweet treats, granola bars pose a big threat to the health of your teeth. The high fructose corn syrup makes all the difference and makes the supposed healthy ingredients to be unhealthy. Be sure to look at labels and prepare yourself for the sugar loaded content of granola bars. The sugar sticks to your tooth and becomes a feeding ground for the bacteria that cause plaque and tooth decay. Just because the box tells you that it’s whole-wheat and they have fruits added into it don’t mean it comes with a variety of nutrients and minerals. It would be better if you make your own granola bars to make sure you have total control of the sugar content of your snacks.

Good vs Bad Food Choices

Fruit Juices. The common juice boxes can offer you small percentages of vitamins and fiber but aside from that, it can load you up with so much sugar it rivals sodas. The acidity of fruit juices also is a leading cause of tooth erosion making your teeth sensitive to certain temperatures. It’s best to just avoid fruit juices you see on in stores and drink water. If you really can’t stay away from your juice drink, you can use straws to limit the contact of the juice to your teeth.

Frozen yogurt. Yogurts are popular dairy products which most walk in dental offices recommend because of its calcium and other mineral contents. Plus the probiotics that help our teeth and bones stay strong and healthy. This is true for Greek yogurts that are plain and were extracted from cows that were raised without the antibiotics and growth hormones; unlike the cows that the commercialized yogurts are made from. The flavors and sweeteners are staining your teeth and are more harmful than healthful. The toppings of these desserts are also packed with sugar like chocolate and sprinkles. Even the fruit variety is loaded with sugar. If you want to help protect your teeth and enjoy the real benefits of yogurt, be sure to buy the Greek and plain variety. Add this on your favorite fresh fruits for flavor.

You have to watch out for the foods you eat as it will definitely affect the health of your teeth. The main concern of dentists are foods are projected as healthy for your teeth and body but actually aren’t. Always be cautious on labels and sugar portions of your food for healthier teeth.