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In the desert southwest, the tiny chili pepper is mighty in flavor and cultural significance. From packing heat into salsa and sauces to hanging decoratively on the walls of homes and restaurants, these bright, shiny-skinned peppers are the spice of life in Arizona.

Part of the plant genus Capsicum, the chili pepper is a flowering plant in the nightshade family. Some common varieties include ancho peppers, banana peppers, bell peppers, cayenne peppers, jalapenos, ghost peppers, and habaneros. While they vary in size and color, the heat of each pepper is determined by one shared chemical component: capsaicin.

Whether you prefer your food scorching or subdued, the burning feeling you get from chowing down on your favorite spicy Mexican dish is good for you.

Nutrients in Hot Peppers Are Good for Your Mouth

Chili peppers are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Specifically, chilis contain Vitamin A, which protects your bones and teeth. Vitamin A also helps reduce inflammation and infection in the tissues of your gums. Some other beneficial vitamins include:

• Vitamin K1: Essential for healthy bones and kidneys
• Potassium: Improves bone mineral density
• Vitamin C: Strengthens gums and soft tissues in the mouth. It can protect against gingivitis.

Other Benefits of Eating Hot Peppers

• Boosts metabolism. When you pop a hot pepper into your mouth, your brain sends signals to your body to remove the hot substance, this results in increased circulation, helping to boost your metabolism. And, there is some evidence to suggest that capsaicin can promote weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing fat burning.
• Cools the body. Eating spicy foods can cool you down on a hot day. When you eat spicy foods, it raises your internal temperature to match the temperature outside. Your blood circulation increases, you start sweating and once that sweat evaporates, your body cools down.
• Pain relief. Eating high amounts of chili peppers may desensitize your pain receptors over time. Also, when capsaicin is used in a lotion or cream, nerves in the hands and feet can grow accustomed to the feeling of heat and lower the body’s ability to process pain.
• Release endorphins. If you’ve ever felt a bit buzzed when eating spicy food, science says there’s a reason for it. When eating spicy foods, the compounds in the spice send a message to your brain to make it think it’s in pain. As a response to this perceived pain, your brain releases endorphins and dopamine to block the pain signals.

Arnold, Jessica, “Are Spicy Foods Good for You: The Oral Health Benefits of Hot Peppers”. Delta Dental.

http://deltadentalazblog.com/are-spicy-foods-good-for-you-the-oral-health-benefits-of-hot-peppers/

Scientific literature continues to highlight the connection between the health of our mouths and the health of our bodies. For example, there has been extensive research on the profound impact that oral health can have on health risks such as heart disease.

It’s all about balance

Your mouth and the rest of your body are inextricably connected, which means what happens in the mouth can influence every other part of your body as well.  Each person is really an entire ecosystem of microbes and human cells engaged in a beautiful genetic dance. In order to thrive, we must be good stewards of the various microbes that make up our bodies, and not allow them to become out of balance.

What does this have to do with cleaning the tongue?

The mouth is home to many microbes- they live on and between our teeth, as well as on our tongue. These microbes are a healthy and normal thing. However, microbes also make up plaque, and can cause cavities and bad breath. 

If we allow plaque (biofilms of microbes) to stay on our teeth and tongue, they mature and get thicker. And that’s where the trouble starts.

While it’s normal and healthy to have small amounts of microbes living in our mouths, thick biofilms that sit on our teeth and tongue become anaerobic (low-oxygen) environments, and this change allows other, pathogenic (disease-causing) microbes to flourish. These anaerobic microbes can cause an inflammatory cascade in our immune system, affecting areas of our body far beyond our mouth.

How could tongue cleaning lower the risk of heart disease (and other inflammatory conditions)?

The tongue plays a vital role in introducing new material into our entire GI tract (our digestive system). So, maintaining a thin biofilm on the tongue is important if we want to avoid continuously harboring and swallowing inflammation-causing microbes. This means we need to regularly clean our tongue and make sure the biofilm there does not thicken and begin to cause negative effects like inflammation.

Why brushing the tongue isn’t cleaning the tongue

Brushing the tongue is somewhat helpful, but it’s just not as thorough as cleaning (scraping) the tongue. Scraping the tongue is more effective in removing the harmful bacteria from the mouth.

Causes of bad breath.

The tongue is home to the majority of microbes that cause bad breath.

So, by cleaning your tongue daily, not only will you support both your ‘in-the-mouth’ and ‘whole-body’ health, but you’ll also naturally freshen your breath. 

“Can cleaning your tongue help reduce the risk of heart disease, arthritis, and other inflammatory issues?”, Ora Wellness. https://orawellness.com/can-cleaning-your-tongue-help-reduce-heart-disease/

Our mouths contain bacteria that use sugars in the foods we eat and the beverages we drink, to produce an acid that harms our teeth. 

Fluoride protects our teeth and is an important mineral, especially for children. However, too much fluoride can cause something called dental fluorosis which can harm our teeth. 

Dental fluorosis results in a slight change in the look of the teeth, usually in the form of very faint white markings. Typically, the fluorosis seen in the US is a mild form that does not cause pain and does not affect the health or function of teeth. Fluorosis only occurs when fluoride is consumed before the age of 8, while permanent teeth are still forming under the gums. 

When we help our children brush their teeth, it’s important to use toothpaste with fluoride to help protect their teeth, but it’s also important that they spit out the toothpaste, rather than swallow it. Make sure to read the directions on all children’s toothpaste products to know how much toothpaste to put on their toothbrush. A good general rule is children under three should use a thin smear, and children over 3 should use an amount the size of a pea. Young children should not use mouthwash or mouth rinse.

There are many conflicting theories around dental fluorosis and that’s why you need to turn to trusted voices to help you determine what you need to know for yourself and your family. This is where your family dentist plays an important role. Start regular dentist visits for your child by their first birthday. Children who consume a typical diet, drink fluoridated water, and use fluoridated dental products properly will get the fluoride they need for healthy teeth and are no more at risk of fluorosis now than children were 20 years ago.

“What You Need to Know About Fluorosis Today”, Campaign for Dental Health.

Thumbsucking is a natural reflex for children. Babies feel secure and happy while sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, or other objects as this may help them to learn and explore about the world around them. Young children may also suck their thumb to soothe themselves and help them fall asleep.

How can My Child’s Teeth be affected by Thumbsucking?

Thumbsucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth, after the permanent teeth have come in. It may also cause changes in the roof of the mouth.

Pacifiers can also affect the teeth the same way as sucking fingers and thumbs, however it is an easier habit to break.

The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Some aggressive thumb-suckers may develop problems with their primary (baby) teeth.

When Do Children Stop Sucking Their Thumbs?

Children usually stop sucking by the time permanent front teeth are ready to erupt and this could be between the ages of two and four years. If you notice changes in your child’s primary teeth or are concerned about your child’s thumbsucking, consult your dentist.

How Can I Help My Child Stop Thumbsucking?

• Praise your child for not sucking the thumb.
• Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child. Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. 
• Your dentist can explain to your child what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking. Your child might trust information from you, your dentist, or other trusted adults differently, so convey a consistent message.

“Thumbsucking and Pacifier Use”, Mouth Healthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/thumbsucking