Everyday actions make a difference. Say thank you a lot and use kind words often.
by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
Glenn Mollette
America’s continued national success is dependent on all of us-the American people. Our American people are what makes America a great nation. We have a beautiful land. We have plenty of natural resources and we have a great heritage but it’s our everyday actions that make America great.
Everyday actions make a difference. For example, don’t randomly beep your car horn at people. You never know what someone is dealing with in front of you. Possibly, they are not in as big a hurry as you. Maybe they are trying to obey the speed limit. Maybe they are elderly and they have slowed down a bit in life. Riding their bumper and beeping your horn never makes the situation better. You will not advance yourself any faster plus you will only frustrate the driver in front of you and yourself. Lay back, relax and wait for an opportunity to safely pass the car.
Don’t fight with people at the restaurant buffet. Buffets typically have more than enough. I seldom have seen a skinny person filling his or her plate at the buffet. There is no need to rush in front of people to get a spoonful of mashed potatoes. Bide your time, be patient in line and your opportunity to select your chicken or ribs will come. I found myself in a buffet line on a cruise ship not long ago. I began to think that David surely wrote Psalm 23 while navigating a cruise ship’s dessert section.
Treat people the way you like be treated.
Open the door for people but stand and wait for someone to open one for you. Be the one who opens the door and encourage the person close by to go ahead of you. Pushing ahead of someone often prompts them to push forward and there is nothing gained by everyone trying to push forward ahead of the other, except ill will.
Say thank you a lot and use kind words often. We all have the ability to complain and sometimes we have to complain or nothing gets done. When there is a big pot hole in your road then kindly ask the highway department to fix it. Try kindness, speaking respectfully and writing kind letters. Be very nice. You can always get ticked off and angry if there is no other alternative. However, usually there is higher road that we can take and in the end we will feel better if a positive result was met without having to act crazy.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is a good Bible rule that works well in all aspects of life. Treat people the way you like be treated. If we, the American people, will do so, our country will run more smoothly, peacefully and happily.
About the author ~
Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.
The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.
Hot and delicious, your morning pick me gets you ready for another day of work or play. Love coffee but worried about your teeth? Coffee lovers, rejoice! Here's the truth about stains, enamel erosion, and how to enjoy your daily brew.
Photo: Timothy Barlin/Unsplash
A cup of coffee is a great way to wake up in the morning and great to have for an afternoon pick-me-up.
by Casey Cartwright Contributor Writer
You love your morning cup of coffee. That rich aroma, the warm comfort, the energy boost that gets you through the day—hard to beat, right? Despite these amazing benefits, you probably have heard that this caffeinated beverage can damage your teeth, primarily through staining. But then again, you’ve probably also heard many people dispute this.
What’s the truth? What does the science say? While coffee does present certain risks to your oral health, the complete picture includes both potential benefits and drawbacks that every coffee lover should understand. This article is all about revealing the facts about whether coffee is actually bad for your teeth.
We’re going to start with the most pervasive claim, which is that it stains. Well, this is true. The dark compounds in coffee, called tannins, can indeed discolor your enamel. These polyphenolic compounds easily stick to tooth enamel and accumulate over time.
Tannins on your teeth work similarly to how they stain fabric. They bind to the porous surface of your enamel, creating discoloration that becomes more pronounced with repeated exposure. The longer coffee stays in contact with your teeth, the more opportunity these compounds have to create lasting stains.
Now, surface stains are one thing, but deeper staining can occur when enamel becomes weakened by acid exposure. Once tannins penetrate beyond the surface, professional dental treatment may be needed to restore your teeth’s natural color.
Speaking of acid exposure, that leads us to the next big concern that coffee drinkers should know about: enamel erosion. Most coffee has a pH level between 4.5 and 5.5, making it one of the foods that can harm your enamel. When you sip coffee, the acid interacts with the minerals in your enamel. This process, called demineralization, weakens the protective outer layer of your teeth. Your saliva naturally works to restore these minerals, but frequent exposure to acidic beverages can overwhelm this natural defense system. The temperature of your coffee also matters. Hot beverages can make your teeth more susceptible to staining.
Photo: Navy Medicine/Unsplash
Regular professional cleanings are the best option for removing coffee stains that brushing can’t.
By now, you might be thinking that it’s true; coffee is actually bad for your teeth. But research has revealed some unexpected ways coffee might, in fact, support your oral health. For instance, coffee contains antibacterial properties that could help fight certain harmful bacteria in your mouth.
Coffee also contains antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in your gums. These compounds, including chlorogenic acids, have anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially benefit your overall oral health.
The key factor here is black coffee. Adding sugar, cream, or other sweeteners eliminates these potential benefits and introduces new risks for tooth decay. Sugar feeds the harmful bacteria in your mouth, creating an environment where tooth decay can flourish. Each time you sip a sweetened coffee drink, you’re essentially giving these bacteria a meal, and they produce acid as a by-product.
You should know that flavored coffee drinks from popular chains probably contain shocking amounts of sugar. A single large flavored coffee beverage can contain 25 grams of sugar or more. This amount of sugar, combined with the natural acidity of coffee, creates a perfect storm for dental problems.
So what should you do? Is it possible to reap the benefits of coffee drinking without the harm? We’re here to tell you that you don’t have to give up your beloved coffee to protect your teeth. Making a few simple adjustments to your coffee routine can dramatically reduce its potential impact on your oral health.
Limit how much sugar and cream you use in your daily cup of Joe.
For one, drink your coffee within a shorter timeframe rather than sipping it slowly throughout the morning. This limits the duration of acid exposure to your teeth. Your saliva has a better chance to neutralize acids and begin remineralization when you’re not constantly reintroducing acidic substances.
Next, try to use a straw when possible, especially for iced coffee drinks. This helps the liquid bypass your teeth, thereby reducing direct contact between the coffee and your enamel.
Another tip is to sip water after drinking coffee, taking care to swish it around over your teeth. This simple step helps wash away acids and tannins before they have a chance to cause damage. Additionally, wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth, as brushing immediately after acid exposure can harm softened enamel.
And lastly, limit how much sugar and cream you use in your daily cup of Joe. As we mentioned, the best way to take it is black. However, a bit of cream and sugar won’t hurt you if you’re smart with your other dental care practices. Keep in mind that you can also use sugar-free sweeteners if you like the taste. These aren’t necessarily good for your teeth, but they don’t feed your mouth bacteria like real sugar does.
That’s what we have to say about personal dental care, but these practices are not a replacement for professional treatment. Rather, regular dental checkups become even more important when you’re a daily coffee drinker, even if you do everything “right” at home. Your dentist can monitor any changes in your enamel and catch potential problems early.
These simple steps allow you to enjoy your daily coffee
Moreover, professional cleanings can remove coffee stains that regular brushing can’t eliminate. Your dental hygienist has specialized tools and techniques that can safely remove surface stains without damaging your enamel.
So make sure to discuss your coffee habits honestly with your dental team. They can provide personalized advice based on your individual oral health needs and risk factors.
In the end, coffee isn’t inherently bad for your teeth. In fact, the research shows that moderate coffee consumption, particularly black coffee, may even offer some oral health benefits. But how you consume it and how you care for your dental health play a big role in how much damage the beverage can do.
The key is being mindful of your habits. Choose black coffee when possible, drink it within a reasonable timeframe, maintain excellent oral hygiene, and schedule your semiannual dentist visits. These simple steps allow you to enjoy your daily coffee while protecting your dental health. Now go enjoy your next cup of coffee in peace!
Casey is a passionate copyeditor highly motivated to provide compelling SEO content in the digital marketing space. Her expertise includes a vast range of industries from highly technical, consumer, and lifestyle-based, with an emphasis on attention to detail and readability.
by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
