What's New on the New Nutrition Labels

The New Nutrition Labels

What's new and what it means for your teeth

The nutrition label on packaged goods is changing to make it easier for people to understand the nutritional value of what they are eating and to be in line with current scientific knowledge.

This change, mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA,) reflects current research on what people actually eat or drink.

Food Serving Sizes Get a Reality Check, source: FDA.gov

For example, because people usually drink a can of sugar-sweetened soda in one sitting, the serving size of soda is being increased from 8 ounces to 12 ounces, the size of the can of soda. Twenty ounce bottles of sugar-sweetened beverages likewise will be considered only one serving. Other serving sizes will decrease. The serving size of yogurt, for instance, will decrease from 8 ounces to 6 ounces because data revealed that 6 ounces is the amount that someone typically eats in one serving. Any package that contains what might be considered one serving and could be eaten in one sitting must list the total amounts per package or have two labels, one per serving and one per package. (No more doing the math!)

Also changing are the nutrients that are listed. Some, like Vitamin A and C are being eliminated, while others, like Vitamin D and Potassium are now required. How fat is being listed is also changing. In addition to total fat, the type of fat is included.

Completely new to the label is a listing of added sugars. 

Obesity is a huge health problem. In the U.S. over 72 million adults and over 12 million children are obese. Not one State is within the national obesity rate health goal of less than 15%

Sugar is a major culprit. 

Added sugars should be no more than 10 percent of total calories. Any more than that prevents people from staying within daily calories limits and getting the valuable nutrients they need. There is no recommended amount of sugar in the diet and certainly no recommended amount of added sugar. Although sugar fuels our cells, our bodies make all that is needed by converting the food we eat into sugar. Additional sugar is simply not necessary in the diet.

Science has long known that the teeth are negatively affected by sugar as well. For good oral health the recommendation remains to eat whole fruits rather than juices and to strictly limit sugar sweetened beverages in the diet. Sugar along with plaque bacteria can cause cavities and sugar causes inflammation in the entire body, including the mouth.

Old label vs. New Label, source: FDA.gov

This change is a great way for everyone to monitor and cut down on sugar in their diets, should they care to do so. But changing the label in and of itself will do nothing unless people take personal responsibility for their own health and also learn how and what they should be eating.

Companies with packaged food and beverage sales over $10 million have until July of 2018 to start using the new labels and rules and smaller companies have an additional year. Be on the look-out for the new labels!

Are you reading nutrition labels to help make healthy food choices?

sources: www.cdc.gov; www.fda.gov

This blog is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or illness. Please see your doctor or dentist for treatment and any health concerns.

And the survey says....

photo: YM

A recent survey of adults in the U.S. shows a knowledge gap when it comes to dental health. The survey, done for the Children’s Dental Health Project, asked 5 questions.

Among the findings, only 7% of adults correctly identified tooth decay as the most common chronic health condition affecting U.S. children and teens. Over 40% of adults felt they had little to no control over getting a cavity and only 18% stated that it was true that the bacteria that causes tooth decay can be transmitted from parents to their children.

While obesity and asthma are common childhood diseases tooth decay is more common, even though it is virtually completely preventable with regular oral hygiene and healthy diet. 

Additionally, 41% marked true that children’s teeth should be brushed starting at age 3 when in fact, baby teeth need to be cleaned from the time the first tooth emerges.

On a positive note, most of the adults surveyed recognized that the health of the mouth is important to the health of the rest of the body.

To view the survey visit the Children's Dental Health Project at: Survey reveals big gaps in the public's knowledge of dental health

				Survey reveals big gaps in the public's knowledge of den... As children’s and health organizations observe Children’s Dental Health Month, a newly released national survey conducted for the Children’s Dental Health Project (...
				View on www.cdhp.org	Preview by Yahoo

Happy National Chewing Gum Day, September 30, 2015

Have a chew! (photo: Y. Mikalopas)

Chew on this….

It took a little web surfing to verify that this is even actually a “national day” and then I figured, even if it's not, why not write about the benefits, and potential detriments, of chewing gum.

1- Hold the sugar

Benefits gained by chewing gum are with “SUGARFREE” or “SUGARLESS” gum only.  These gums contain sugar substitutes such as sorbitol or xylitol (which is becoming very popular these days and being added to lots of “diet” products.) Sugar contributes to the creation of cavities so it is NOT a good idea to chew gum that contains sugar. Ever. Sorry.

Potential detriment: Sugar substitutes can cause stomach upset, so go easy with the amount of gum you chew. If you are sensitive to these types of products, you might want to skip it.

2– Have a chew after meals

According to the American Dental Association website (ada.org), chewing gum for twenty minutes after a meal stimulates saliva.  The more saliva you have, the better for your mouth. Saliva helps to wash away the sugars that the plaque bacteria in your mouth need to live and grow and helps to return your mouth to normal pH levels. Saliva also contains potassium and calcium, which along with fluoride, helps to re-mineralize your teeth.

Caveat: If you have jaw problems or “TMJ” chewing for twenty minutes might not be for you. If you have braces, loose fillings, bridgework or dentures, also not for you. And if you have loose fillings or bridgework, please get yourself to the dentist.

3- Stop smoking and lose weight!

The Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org) suggests that chewing gum can assist with smoking cessation as well as forestall the urge to eat, decreasing your total intake of calories. It’s a win-win and there is research that backs up these assertions.

I don’t see any negatives here. I’d rather see people chewing gum like cows than smoking.

4 – Four-Step Program

Dental hygienists have proposed a four-step process for a healthy mouth: Floss, Brush, Rinse, and…you guessed it – Chew. (Adha.org)

Please note that chewing gum does not allow one to skip the brushing or the flossing. Ever. Sorry.

5- Smarty pants

There have been multiple studies which seem to indicate that chewing gum may increase memory and improve test performance.

Unfortunately, chewing gum in school – kind of frowned upon.  Too many wads wind up stuck under the desk, in carpet, or in hair. But if you’re studying at home, it can’t hurt.

If you’d like to see a list of sugar-free chewing gums that get the stamp of approval from the American Dental Association – yes, the “four out of five dentists” endorsement is a real thing – visit this page on their website:

http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/ada-seal-of-acceptance/ada-seal-products/product-category/?category=Sugar+Free+Chewing+Gum+for+Reducing+Cavities

Finally: Brush, floss, rinse and chew to get those teeth clean and shiny in preparation for World Smile Day, this Friday, October 2, 2015.