Page 12 - KZN Business Sense 7.3 Hameed Noormahomed-EBOOK

WHAT WE EAT AND DRINK IMPACTS TEETH

f we are what we eat, that’s even vegetables such as apples, When you drink and eat
more true for the health of our carrots and celery are especially starchy or sugary foods you
Iteeth and gums. Healthy eating beneficial. Chewing helps to clean are also feeding the bacteria
patterns and food choices can help teeth by removing leftover food that can cause tooth decay and
prevent tooth decay. particles, washing away sugars, gum disease in your mouth.
“We advise our patients that their and rubbing off plaque. Even sugar-free biscuits and
dental health impacts their overall Eating food items which potato chips contain refined
well-being, and that diet can affect stimulate the production of saliva carbohydrates, which break down
dental health,” says Dr Fareed also helps you keep your teeth into sugars that can get stuck
Amod of Crown Dental Studio. clean and neutralise the acids in between your teeth, creating a
Plaque is the thin, invisible the mouth. Chewy food, such as source for bacteria.
film of sticky bacteria and other nuts, and leafy greens (e.g., kale, Hard sweets not only leave
materials covering the surfaces lettuce and spinach) which are sugar in your mouth if you suck
of your teeth. When the sugars high in calcium, folic acid and them and which is easily trapped
or starches in your mouth come vitamin Bs aid in saliva production between the fine grooves in teeth,
in contact with plaque, acids and help strengthen your teeth. but also pose a risk of chipping Dr Fareed Amod of Crown Dental Studio
form. These acids can break down The calcium and phosphates a tooth if you take a bite. If you Green and black teas contain rinse, or a fluoride gel for
the hard enamel on the surface in dairy products help replace eat sweets, rather choose those polyphenols that either kill or brushing your teeth if required.
of teeth which results in tooth minerals your teeth might have that can be eaten quickly. Some limit the production of bacteria.
decay. The bacteria in plaque can lost and help rebuild tooth studies have shown chocolate is However, coffee and tea can “A regular dental appointment
cause an inflammatory response, enamel. In addition, calcium in better than other sugary treats. stain teeth enamel, and if you for an oral evaluation is essential.
resulting in the breakdown of the all food types is good for bones, As your mouth makes more drink them with added sugar, This allows any potential
gums, bone, and other supporting including your jaw, which is saliva during meals, eating sugary problems to be identified as early
structures of your teeth. an essential part of your dental foods with meals is preferable. you are increasing the damage as possible. Dentists ensure that
health. Protein is also important to your teeth. your mouth, teeth and gums
Choose healthy food for strong teeth and is found in This helps to reduce the effect Fizzy drinks such as coke and are healthy, and will check for
In order to counter the build lean meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, as of acid production and to rinse sprite, contain a lot of sugar as abnormalities, which also could
pieces of food from the mouth.
up of plaque, eating firm, coarse, well as in vegetables such as beans well as phosphoric and citric be a sign of larger health issues,”
watery, and fibrous fruits and and lentils. Limiting in-between meal acids that wear away tooth concluded Dr Amod.
snacks is an important part of enamel. Many fruit juices and
dental health. Chewing sugarless energy drinks are also high in Crown Dental Studio is one
gum after snacks or meals will sugar and acid. of the few truly 24-hour dental
also increase saliva flow and wash practises in Durban as this is not
out food and acid. Alcohol such as wine and limited to emergency dentistry
beer are high in sugar, are often treatment. 
Drink water acidic, and can lead to a dry
Water remains one of the mouth, which means a less clean T: +27(0) 81 207 8621
healthiest drinks for your teeth, mouth and potential tooth decay E: info@dramod.co.za
W: www.dramod.co.za
particularly if it contains fluoride. over time. Drink plenty of water
Fluoride strengthens tooth if you are drinking alcohol and
enamel which can help prevent limit your consumption.
tooth decay. If you choose bottled Many medicines can also cause
water, check the label for the a dry mouth. Consult with your
fluoride content. dentist about using a fluoride

NORMALISING DISABILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE

Rajan Naidoo, Managing Director of 1. Commitment from the top that you can upskill your future company is to empower and who have a job to do. It’s about
EduPower Skills Academy PWDs and their inclusion in PWDs at zero cost. encourage all your people to ability, not disability.
the workplace are now part of champion the change. The Including PWDs and
ccording to Rajan Naidoo, the business agenda. Disability 3. Think flexibly about individual more awareness and teamwork accommodating their disability-
managing director of inclusion however needs top-level needs there is in supporting policy, related needs are important
AEduPower Skills Academy, backing to become a company You will need to prepare the the better the morale, wellbeing
the topic of disability is still norm. Prove you’re committed to work environment by making and productivity of all your moves for companies in terms
fraught with stigma and shame, disability inclusion by making it reasonable adjustments to employees. Your people may be of talent resourcing and
particularly in the workplace. a company policy. This can be a accommodate your PWDs needs. apprehensive about someone in compliance with legislation.
He believes that companies have specific policy or the inclusion of These could include modifying a wheelchair or who’s partially Inclusion however is everyone’s
to change this mindset, and this disability as part of more general floorplans and equipment or the sighted in the office simply responsibility and with
starts with creating a culture that policies on anti-discrimination, content of the job itself. You may because of the stigma this carries your team’s commitment to
embraces diversity and promotes diversity or human rights. also need to adjust working hours, in society. But guaranteed, eliminating the misconceptions
disability inclusion. work organisation and the work when they start working worked and biases that hold PWDs back,
“Disability inclusion is about 2. Skills Development environment. together, the disability won’t everything is possible. 
far more than hiring people By recruiting PWDs, you will 4. Remove recruitment barriers be an issue. It’s about simply
with disabilities. An inclusive not gain real skills, you will be Analyse every step of your accepting each other as people W: www.edupower.co.za
workplace values all employees able to support national policy and recruitment process to make
for their strengths and abilities. It legislation such as employment sure there are no barriers for
offers employees with disabilities equity and B-BBEE targets. In PWDs. Adverts for jobs and
an equal opportunity to succeed, the skills development space, learnerships should make it clear
to learn, to be compensated fairly you can use learnerships to train that you’ll provide reasonable
and to advance. True inclusion PWDs in the skills required by accommodation for interviews
is about embracing difference,” the business, preparing them and the job itself if needed.
Rajan explains. for the world of work while also When it comes to the interview
But how do companies achieve using the 12-month learnership process, remember that your
this? As more than 80% of its as a screening process. You can PWD candidates bring creativity,
learners are People with Disabilities claim back the majority of the innovation, problem solving and
(PWD), EduPower is a leader spend through the higher tax commitment.
and enabler of skills development rebates for PWD learnerships and
for PWDs. Based on actual provided you are paying your skills 5. Make your people ‘champions
experiences, Rajan shares five development levy; you can claim of change’
actions that companies can apply to the mandatory grant too. In many The most effective way to
create a truly inclusive workforce: cases, the rebates available mean promote inclusivity in your

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