CANADA TRAVEL TIME: Sunshine Meadows Hike, Banff National Park

By Karen McDowell

If you haven’t booked up your summer already, treat yourself to a magical day of wildflowers and mountain hiking at Sunshine Meadows in Banff National Park. The spectacular peak alpine flowering season in Banff is from mid-July to mid-August. 

From the lookout at Standish Viewing Deck, a carpet of wildflowers greets you in every direction with a network of trails weaving through the Meadows. The trail options may seem overwhelming at first, but the Park Ranger at Standish was helpful in recommending trails to match our time and energy. Choose anything from short and sweet to longer and more rigorous loops. You can even straddle the Great Divide - with one foot in the province of Alberta and another in British Columbia! If you are feeling up for big adventures, you can use Sunshine Meadows as the launching pad for bigger day hikes like Citadel Pass and Healy Pass (18km+) that allow you to wander for miles through alpine bliss. 

We chose the popular lake walk as we heard those had the best wildflower views. Our loop took us about 3 hours, including frequent stops for photos! It was fun to walk the same trails we’ve skied so many times in the winter.

My sister and I brought along my teenagers who enjoyed the adventure with minimal complaint. Lots of Instagram-worthy photo ops helped! We did see many other families with small children as well as older hikers with walking sticks. Check the website for accessibility if you have concerns. 

If you want to stay overnight on the mountain to enjoy the views for longer, stay at Sunshine Mountain Lodge at the base of Standish chair lift - the ONLY high-alpine hotel in beautiful Banff National Park. The luxurious rooms, fine dining, and hot tub with spectacular mountain views will ease your sore muscles and energize you for another gorgeous day of mountain walking. We have stayed here before during ski season and loved it. 

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Do you have a little-known place, activity or event in Canada you’d like to share with CAS members? Send an article of no more then 250 words and a couple of photos to info@canadians.org.sg

ASK THE DENTIST: Are sugar-free drinks safe for teeth?

As more people adopt a healthy lifestyle, healthier food and beverage options such as sugar-free drinks are becoming more popular. While consuming diet or less sugary drinks is a healthier choice and poses a lower risk of tooth decay, it does not remove the risk entirely. Like sugary drinks, many sugar-free drinks are also high in citric acid and phosphoric acid, which can wear down the teeth's protective enamel and form cavities.

In the early stages of tooth erosion, the protective layers of tooth enamel are stripped away. As it progresses, it can expose the softer dentine or pulp of the tooth. Teeth with weaker enamel may become more sensitive to temperature and susceptible to cracks and stains. That said, every individual's susceptibility to tooth decay and enamel loss varies according to their dental hygiene habits, lifestyle and diet.

If you enjoy sugar-free or sugary drinks, the best time to have them is with your meals. Continuous sipping throughout the day will cause more damage to your enamel as acid is constantly re-exposed. With that, your saliva does not have enough time to neutralize your mouth's pH. Wait about 30 minutes to an hour before brushing your teeth. Alternatively, while waiting, you may gargle your mouth with water first to wash out the remaining acid.

Other ways you can adapt to protect your teeth by:

• Using a straw to minimize contact with damaging acids and sugars

• Having dairy and other calcium-rich food to help neutralize acids

• Avoid acidic and sugary drinks before bed

• Consuming acidic and sugary beverages in moderation

• Maintaining good dental hygiene habits
  
  

Besides taking diligent care of your oral hygiene, remember to visit your dentist or dental specialist for regular checkups to ensure healthy teeth.

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Dr Steven Soo is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics with Specialist Dental Group^®. He was formerly a Clinical Lecturer at the Eastman Dental Institute and Clinical Teacher at the GKT Dental Institute, both of which are affiliated with the University of London. Dr Soo has a special interest in prosthetic and implant restorative dentistry.
www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883