50+ Lifestyles

A Naughty Diet: A Healthy Mouth and Body

Main Family Dental Care is one of the older, more established businesses located in the Hilltop Campus Village. It’s right on Main Street, north of Locust. Dr. Lynn Griebahn has been at Main Family Dental for ten years. He is joined by his associates, Dr. Hermes and Dr. Riley, along with a very caring and friendly staff.

Dr. Griebahn is very interested in diet and nutrition, as you will be able to tell from his article below. He has a degree from University of Iowa College of Dentistry and is also an adjunct instructor of operative dentistry there. Dr. Griebahn is a family man. He and his wife Brenda have four children and eight grandchildren. His other personal interests include competitive ballroom dancing with Brenda, Kung Fu and road cycling.

Here is Dr. Griebahn’s article reflecting his opinions on a ‘naughty’ diet and a healthy mouth:

A Naughty Diet – Means a Healthy Mouth

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. “

You may not think of your lips as swallowing up yourself, but when you consider that your oral health may be affecting your overall health, you may think again. I’m the Naughty Dentist, and I’d like to tell you some things about how what you are putting in your mouth may be making you unhealthy. A lot of people may not be aware that what you are hearing about the foods you eat may not be true. We live in a world where we have access to all kinds of information, and I may challenge some of the things you’ve heard. You may think that is “naughty,” but if you see an improvement in your oral and overall health after following some of my recommendations, I think you’ll find that I’m really not naughty, but “nice.”

Oral health and systemic health are related. You cannot be healthy and have poor oral health. The evidence is overwhelming that poor oral health is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, pancreatic cancer, erectile dysfunction, dementia and head and neck cancer. Early treatment of many dental problems can improve your overall health, and a healthy mouth makes eating healthy foods possible. Because most dental diseases are preventable and related to diet, here are some Good and Bad choices that you need to be aware of in your diet:

Good Fats vs. Bad Fats:

Do this: Eat more bacon and eggs. Saturated animal fat is essential and is the preferred fuel for your heart. This fat has no effect on blood sugar or triglycerides, two huge risk factors for CVD. Too low a level of cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and dementia. The over use of statin drugs to reduce cholesterol is responsible for an epidemic of heart failure, dementia and diabetes. Eat more naturally saturated oils like organic coconut oil, butter and olive oil.

Don’t do this: Don’t eat hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, like margarine and some cooking oils. Avoid polyunsaturated oils, especially canola oil. It is promoted as a healthy oil, but was originally engineered to use as a lubricator for machinery.

Good Sweets vs. Bad Sweets:

Do this: Raw honey is great for humans. It is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. If you want something sweet it should be at the top of your list. Cane sugar should be eaten in moderation, and has long been known to cause tooth decay.

Don’t do this: Avoid all artificial sweeteners. Aspartame (NutraSweet) can turn into methanol or embalming fluid in your system and can also disrupt the electrical system of your heart. High fructose corn sweetener (HFCS) is found in many processed foods, and raises blood sugar and triglycerides, a risk factor of CVD. Cut out the soda pop: it is hard on your teeth and bones. Many young girls have osteoporosis similar to 85-year-old women because of the acid consumed in soda.

Good Breakfast vs. Bad Breakfast

Do this: Have those bacon and eggs. Animal fat is also necessary for cholesterol. Cholesterol is essential for good health and brain function along with the production of hormones. Low levels of vital cholesterol can cause depression and lower libido.

Don’t do this: Grains, including cereal, are promoted as a health food, when in fact, they block absorption of minerals, raise blood sugar levels and cause arthritis. Grains contain phytic acid, a mineral blocker that prevents absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc.

Good:

Dairy. Raw dairy is a rich source of conjugated linoleic acid for heart health, and butter and cheese are a rich source of vitamin K2. K2 is only found in animal products and is essential to joint health and clearing arteries of calcium deposits.

Lacto-fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, beets and pickles, are essential for a healthy population of mouth and gut flora. These good bacteria also produce nitric oxide which regulates blood pressure and produce many B
vitamins for health.

Bad:

Soy products, which are loaded with estrogen (bad for men and some women prone to breast cancer) and blocks absorption of many minerals including calcium.

Mouthwash, because the chemicals will kill healthy bacteria in your mouth and your gut, as you always swallow some of the mouth wash. Some of the bacteria you kill are vital gut bacteria that produce nitric oxide which is necessary for normal blood pressure and erectile function.

Main Family Dental Care is located at 1905 N. Main Street, Davenport. Their hours are: Monday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Friday through Sunday.

Dr. Griebahn can be reached at (563) 323-2571, mail@friendlydentist.com or www.mainfamilydentalcare.com.
Dr. Griebahn is availble for speaking to small groups or organizations.