Foods that Whiten Teeth

A surprising number of foods in your fridge can counteract dental dinginess and actually whiten your teeth.


One sign of aging is the change in the color of our teeth. The subtle fade from white to not-quite-white clearly bothers millions of us: we spend more than $1 billion per year on tooth whitening strips, and millions more to have dentists do the job for us. After a survey conducted late last year, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) projected no lessening of the demand.


Certain habits can also dim your dazzling smiles. At the top of the threat list is smoking. Beyond that, what we eat and drink can make a big difference. Coffee, tea, grape juice, and wine (white as well as red--the tannins in white wine etch tooth surfaces) have cumulative staining effects. So do most sodas, which contain phosphoric acid that erodes tooth enamel allowing underlying yellowish dentin to show through.


The following are eight common foods that can help white your teeth. One word of caution: don’t be impatient with these home remedies--results may take time to become visible.


10 Ways to Improve Your Smile

Celery, apples, and carrots-
These and other crunchy vegetables and fruits promote saliva production, our in-built dental cleanser. The crunchiness of fruits and veggies also helps by actually scrubbing teeth while you chew.

Broccoli-
Not only is this versatile veggie rich in antioxidants that protect against cancer and heart disease, it also guards your teeth by forming an acid resistant film on them that protects enamel. A Brazilian laboratory study found that a broccoli “bath” cuts in half erosion of enamel due to the acid in sodas.

Oranges and pineapples-
These tart fruits boost saliva production. What’s more, rubbing the white side of an orange peel on your teeth can remove tartar accumulation and give you a slightly brighter smile.

Lemon juice-
We know that lemon juice is a natural lightener (think what it does when you put some on hair and go out in the sun). You can try mixing lemon juice with baking soda or salt to make a paste for brushing or for whitening. Be sure to clean your mouth thoroughly afterward because the acid from the lemon juice can damage enamel.

Strawberries-
Unlike other brightly colored berries, strawberries don’t stain your teeth, they actually scrub them. You can heighten this effect by mixing mashed strawberries with baking powder to make a paste. Put it on your teeth, wait five minutes. Then rinse thoroughly.

Apple cider vinegar-
A great stain remover, this stuff is not exactly a taste treat when swished full strength in your mouth for its whitening effects. If that doesn’t appeal, try this alternative: mix apple cider vinegar with baking soda to form a paste to rub on your teeth.

Shiitake mushrooms-
The secret ingredient here is a sugar called lentinan, which works to prevent bacteria in the mouth from forming dental plaque that leads to decay and erodes tooth enamel.

Sesame seeds-
According to the AACD, these tiny seeds act as scrubbers that can reduce plaque. They also provide calcium, which is needed for good dental health. Nuts such as almonds have the same scrubbing effect.


For stain prevention, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after eating or drinking stain-producing foods and beverages. You can learn how to incorporate tooth-whitening foods into your diet by downloading this AACD booklet of recipes.


Article courtesy of http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/foods-whiten-teeth

1 of my NYR : Wearing BRACES!

Invisalign and Braces: What is Braces Treatment?

Braces or Orthodontics is the process by which misaligned teeth are straightened and corrected. It is normally done in children though more and more adults are also getting their braces done.

Why Braces?
Teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced creates an unsightly smile. It is also difficult to brush and keep clean. Some patients develop unhealthy conditions, including swollen gums, infection, bone loss and decay. Braces straightens your teeth and mouth and can correct your bite.

Advantages of braces include:
Healthier Gums
Reduced Tooth Decay
Improved Chewing and Speech
Lower Risk of Trauma and Abnormal Wear
Normal Growth and Development
Normal Swallowing Patterns
Better Jaw Joint Function
Reduction of Headaches, Migranes, Oral Facial and Neck Pain

How does it work?
Fine wires attached to tiny brackets that are bonded to the teeth apply gentle pressure and guide the teeth into the right position. Fine elastics are also used to provide additional movement.

What is Invisalign?
Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners that are custom-molded to fit you. The virtually invisible aligners gradually re-position your teeth into a smile you'll be proud of.

Why people prefer Invisalign
The convenience and ease of use of the Invisalign system have made it the choice of over half a million people. In fact, Invisalign has been effective in giving hundreds of thousands of people amazing new smiles.
-No unsightly metal bands and wires.
-No metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth, and best of all, most people won't notice you're wearing braces. Invisalign, the clear alternative to braces, has been chosen by over 500,000 people who want amazing smiles.
-Easier Cleanings
Unlike traditional orthodontics or braces, Invisalign has no metal bands or wires to trap food and plaque. Maintaining a good oral hygiene program will also reduce chances of plaque buildup, tooth decay and periodontal disease.

No Braces. Nothing to hold you back.
Research has proven that Invisalign is effective at straightening teeth. Our doctors are trained and accredited to treat using Invisalign so call us for a chat and start smiling more.

Article courtesy of:
http://www.orchardscottsdental.com/services/invisalign-and-braces.php

But guess what? Invisalign cost more or less RM10k and above!
Who's willing to sponsor me some love cash???
Perhaps, I shall just settle with the normal braces???

How to fall asleep.

1. Do crossword puzzles. These can be very taxing on the mind which can make you tired. Any from of cognitive skill puzzle or game will work. In addition to crossword puzzles, try regular puzzles, word finds, Sudoku and card games like Solitaire.
   
   
2. Count your calories. Lie in bed and think back to the fist meal you ate to your last meal of the day. Try to figure out the calorie content of every meal. Then think back to the day before and keep going backwards in time. All of this concentration will tire you out.
   
   
3. Eat some tryptophan. You are probably familiar with the Thanksgiving crash you get after eating turkey. That is because of a substance in it called tryptophan. Eat some turkey with a warm glass of milk or cup of yogurt. The calcium will help your brain process the tryptophan better.Tryptophan also comes in supplement form as well.
   
   
4. Take some valerian. Valerian root is an herbal formula that comes in either capsule or tincture form. It helps relax the muscles and nerves of the body.
   
   
5. Use some L-theanine. This is a substance that raises the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, in the brain. This is a chemical that induces relaxation. It is also found in green tea.
   

6. Use melatonin. This is a substance that works on the internal clock of the body. Take melatonin to reset your body's natural tendency to go to sleep and wake up.

Article from http://www.ehow.com/how_4867935_make-yourself-sleepy.html

More at http://www.wikihow.com/Fall-Asleep

Perhaps only 50% works for me.
ZZZzzzzzz

Papaya found to halt breast cancer

Scientists studied 14 plant foods commonly consumed in Mexico to determine their ability to halt breast cancer cell growth. These included avocado, black sapote, fuava, mango,prickly pear cactus (nopal), pineapple, grapes, tomato, and papaya. They also evaluated beta-carotene, total plant phenolics, and gallic acid contents and antioxidant capacity. They found that only papaya had a significant effect on stopping breast cancer cell growth. (International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, May)

Papaya is a store-house of cancer fighting lycopene

The intense orangey-pink color of papaya means it is chock full of cancer fighting carotenoids. Not only beta carotene, but lycopene is found in abundance. The construction of lycopene makes it highly reactive toward oxygen and free radicals.

Scientists at the University of Illinois think this anti-oxidant activity contributes to its effectiveness as a cancer fighting agent. Epidemiological studies have indicated an inverse relationship between lycopene intake and prostate cancer risk. They showed that oral lycopene is highly bioavailable, accumulates in prostate tissue, and is localized in the nucleus of prostate epithelial cells.

In addition to antioxidant activity, other experiments have indicated that lycopene induces cancer cell death, anti-metastatic activity, and the up-regulation of protective enzymes. Phase I and II studies have established the safety of lycopene supplementation. (Cancer Letter, October 8, 2008)

Prostate cancer was the subject of a study in Australia that looked at 130 prostate cancer patients and 274 hospitalized controls. The scientists found that men who consumed the most lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables such as papaya were 82% less likely to have prostate cancer. In this study, green tea also exerted a powerful anti-cancer effect. When lycopene-rich foods were consumed with green tea, the combination was even more effective, an outcome the researchers credited to their synergy. ( Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007)

Isothiocyanates found in papaya restore the cell cycle to eliminate cancer

Organo-sulfur compounds called isothiocyanates are found in papaya. In animal experiments, isothiocyanates protected against cancers of the breast, lung, colon pancreas, and prostate, as well as leukemia, and they have the potential to prevent cancer in humans. Isothiocyanates have shown themselves capable of inhibiting both the formation and development of cancer cellsthrough multiple pathways and mechanisms. (International Journal of Oncology), October, 2008)

Researchers in Japan clarified the mechanisms of action in a type of isothiocyanate found in papaya known as BITC, that underlies the relationship between cell cycle regulation and appropriate cell death. When cancerouscells die on schedule, they are no longer a problem. The researchers established that BITC exerted cancer cell killing effects that were greater in the proliferating cells than in the quiescent cells. Cancer cells that are proliferating are much more dangerous than cancer cells that are in a state of dormancy. (Forum of Nutrition, 2009)

Enzymes from papaya digest proteins including those that protect tumors

The fruit and other parts of the papaya tree, also known as thepaw paw tree, contain papain and chymopapain, powerfulproteolytic enzymes that facilitate chemical reactions in the body. They promote digestion by helping to break down proteins from food into amino acids that can be recombined to produce protein useable by humans. Proteolytic enzymes protect the body from inflammation and help heal burns. They do a good job of digesting unwanted scar tissue both on the skin and under its surface.

Research has shown that the physical and mental health of people is highly dependent on their ability to produce proteins they can use effectively. However, as people age, they produce less of the enzymes needed to effectively digest proteins from food and free needed amino acids. They are left with excessive amounts of undigested protein which can lead to overgrowth of unwanted bacteria in the intestinal tract, and a lack of available amino acids.

Eating papaya after a meal promotes digestion, and helps prevent bloating, gas production, and indigestion. It is quite helpful after antibiotic use to replenish friendly intestinal bacteria that were the casualties in the war against the unwanted bacteria. When the intestinal tract is well populated with friendly bacteria, the immune system is strengthened, and can better protect against flu and cancer.

Being a proteolytic enzyme, papain is able to destroy intestinal parasites, which are composed mostly of protein. To rid the body of intestinal parasites, half a cup of papaya juice can be alternated each hour for twelve consecutive hours with the same amount of cucumber or green bean juice.

Papaya contains fibrin, another useful compound not readily found in the plant kingdom. Fibrin reduces the risk of blood clots and improves the quality of blood cells, optimizing the ability of blood to flow through thecirculatory system. Fibrin is also important in preventing strokes. Proteolytic enzymes containing fibrin are a good idea for long plane rides to minimize the potential of blood clots in the legs. People who sit at a desk all day might want to use proteolytic enzymes too.

Proteolytic enzymes are able to digest and destroy the defense shields of viruses, tumors, allergens, yeasts, and various forms of fungus. Once the shield is destroyed, tumors and invading organisms are extremely vulnerable and easily taken care of by the immune system.


Undigested proteins can penetrate the gut and wind up in the bloodstream where they are treated by the immune system as invaders. If too many undigested proteins are floating around, the immune system becomes overburdened and unable to attend to the other tasks it was meant to do. Proteolytic enzymes can digest these rogue proteins, freeing up the immune system.