Finding a Pennsylvania(PA) orthodontist that is right for you or your child can be challenging. To help aid you in your search for the perfect orthodontist, we have put together the top 10 things you must know before choosing your orthodontist. We invite you to read it over and see if Spark Orthodontics will be a good fit for you!
Are Your Food Choices As Healthy As You Think This Summer? By Your Favorite Allentown, PA Orthodontist
The average American diet is loaded with sugar and a disturbing amount of it is of the processed variety. This does not bode well for our overall health, but of particular concern is the effect large amounts of sugar have on teeth causing tooth decay. The goal of your Allentown, PA orthodontist is to create beautiful healthy smiles that last a lifetime. It would be a shame if all that time devoted to straightening teeth goes to waste because of a sweet tooth that destroys strong healthy teeth.
In order to fight the common sugar addiction, keeping track of the foods you eat every day would be enlightening. You may be surprised at how many foods commonly considered “healthy” are dangerously loaded with sugar. Your orthodontist near Allentown shares examples of 7 foods to avoid, as well as some suggestions to keep your sweet tooth happy and all your teeth well to preserve your beautiful smile.
*Smoothies
The idea of blended fruit and ice is considered a healthy drink, but in many situations may not be the case. Menus at popular national smoothie bar chains often contain over double the recommended daily sugar intake. As you watch them make the drinks, notice few only use fresh or frozen fruit. Most use sugar flavored fruit syrups from a bottle that contain high amounts of sugar.
Tip: Request nutrition information about menu items at your local smoothie bar and opt for the lower carb selections. Making a fresh fruit smoothie at home is usually the better choice.
*Fancy Coffee Drinks
When visiting your barista, don’t order the more decadent selections. Many contain high amounts of sugar and cream.
Tip: Stick to basic coffee or green tea and limit your sweeteners. Both of these options have health benefits in addition to being lower in sugar.
*Beverages masquerading as juice
Just because a drink on your grocer’s shelf has the name of a fruit in its title does not necessarily make it a healthy choice. All too often processed “juices” contain small quantities of actual juice and large amounts of processed sugar.
Tip: Only purchase products containing 100% juice, and definitely stay away from anything containing high fructose corn syrup that causes tooth decay. “Mother Nature” knows best.
*Pre-packaged children’s lunches
Products such as “Lunchables” certainly have much to offer as far as convenience is concerned, but they can be a real dietary nightmare. The varieties that include both a dessert and a drink are double trouble.
Tip: Pack your child’s lunch yourself; the extra time will be worth the peace of mind knowing their sugar consumption is within reasonable limits to promote long term physical and dental health.
*Sugary glazes or sauces
Chinese restaurants often offer healthy foods that become not so healthy when the meat is coated in glaze or sauce made almost entirely of sugar.
Tip: Avoid dishes drenched in sugary sauces, and consider choosing mixed vegetables instead of rice when eating Chinese as a means of further cutting calories.
*Granola and granola cereals
Granola is another prime example of a food that is usually thought of as a healthy choice, when in fact the very opposite is closer to the truth. Although granola does offer useful fiber, any benefit is offset by the overwhelming amount of sugar coating the granola.
Tip: Limit your granola to a small amount mixed with yogurt and choose wheat-based cereals over their granola-sugar laden brother. Read the labels to determine sugar content before you buy.
*Fruit packaged in syrup
Eating plenty of fruit is certainly a desirable method to get your daily allowance of carbohydrates, but take care not to defeat the purpose by choosing canned fruit saturated in sugary syrup.
Tip: Choose fresh or frozen fruits instead, which are healthy choices without all that unwanted syrup.
Be sure to discuss any concerns you have about food this summer with your Allentown orthodontist, Dr. Hartman. Our orthodontic office near Allentown can give you the tools you need to maintain a healthy, radiant smile. What do you think about all the sugar in our diets today? Leave a comment below to share with others.
This information is not meant as medical advice. It is provided solely for education. Our orthodontic office near Allentown would be pleased to discuss your unique circumstances and needs as they relate to these topics.
Meet Spark Orthodontics
Specializing In Oral Health Care– Provider Of Invisalign, Clear Ceramic Braces, Metal Braces & Orthodontics Near Allentown, PA
Spark Orthodontics can help you or your loved one achieve a smile that benefits dental health as much as it increases confidence. However, we want you to feel confident that your choice in an orthodontist in PA, is the right one. Follow the steps below and get that smile you have always dreamed of.
Contact one of our orthodontic offices in Reading, Camp Hill, Harrisburg, Bethlehem, Schnecksville, Schuylkill Haven, Lancaster, York, Danville, Hazleton or Freeland, PA, via our online form.
Finding the orthodontist office in PA that is right for you can be a challenge. To help aid you in your search for the perfect orthodontist office for you, we have put together the top ten most important features to look for in an orthodontic office. We invite you to read it over and see if Spark Orthodontics will be a good fit for you!
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At Spark Orthodontics, we accept virtually all insurances. We also help with paperwork submissions and filing. Additionally, we offer many financing options with no money down and flexible terms.
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Finding an orthodontist in PA you like, trust, and ultimately feel comfortable with can be challenging. For this reason, we invite you to take advantage of our Spark Smile Assessment at no charge and no obligation! The assessment includes a comprehensive initial exam, digital x-rays, consultation and analysis, a $249 value - yours for free!
As orthodontists, we get many questions from parents just like you, who are not sure if their child needs braces, if they should see an orthodontist, as well as many other questions. We invite you to download this free report to help answer these questions.
Our award-winning orthodontist in Reading, Bethlehem, Schnecksville, Pottsville, Lancaster, York, Danville, and Hazleton, PA, offers the most advanced braces for children, braces for teens and braces for adults. These types of braces include metal braces, clear braces, and Invisalign. We can even help you get straight teeth up to 50% faster with AcceleDent!
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Call (610) 223-7777 today for a free consultation for braces at one of our orthodontic offices in Reading, PA, Camp Hill, PA, Harrisburg, PA, Bethlehem, PA, Schnecksville, PA, Pottsville, PA, Lancaster, PA, York, PA, West Hazleton, PA, or Danville, PA.