Archive | February, 2011

No soda for the kids? What about juice?

By • February 9, 2011 • Preventative Care • Leave a comment

Many parents think that keeping their children from drinking sodas is a great step toward preventing tooth decay, it is. But, what do you replace their favorite beverage with? Most would substitute with fruit juice. Bad idea. Fruit juices, even “no sugar added” are full of sugar. When giving toddlers a sippy cup at bedtime, sugar coats the teeth overnight and can cause a condition called baby bottle tooth decay or “bottle rot”.  Start children out with good bedtime habits like brushing well and only drinking water after brushing. Setting a routine of good habits early in life will result healthy habits, healthy teeth, and healthy lives!

Periodontal Disease: Is It Contagious?

By • February 9, 2011 • Preventative Care • Leave a comment

Periodontal disease is NOT contagious. It is a multi-faceted disease that effects the life span of your teeth and gums. The initiating factors are primarily oral bacteria, which can spread from person to person. So, in that respect, periodontal disease is technically “infectious” because it takes direct contact (person to person, intimate kissing) or sharing a toothbrush. Being in the same room with someone with periodontal disease is not enough contact to contract the disease.

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)- The Damaging Effects

By • February 4, 2011 • Preventative Care • Leave a comment

We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth. When we don’t produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for dry mouth. Unfortunately, many people with this problem are not fully aware of it until Dr. Powell detects the damage it causes to your teeth.

There are many causes of xerostomia. Some medications can cause dry mouth as a side effect, prescription and non-prescription. Common drugs which can cause dry mouth are to treat depression, pain, allergies, colds, asthma, hypertension and more. Some cancer treatments, smoking, dehydration, and nerve damage can cause xerostomia as well. Dr. Powell or your hygienist will consider your medications at your office visit for this possibility.

Dry mouth is a problem because it increases a person’s risk of gingivitis, tooth decay, and mouth infections. Denture wearers also have problems if battling dry mouth. At Asheville Dental Care we have a variety of different products you can try to see which you like best!

Some ways you can overcome dry mouth is :

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Brush with a fluoride toothpaste
  • Use fluoride rinse
  • Maintain regular visits to you dentist
  • Use over the counter saliva replacements (ex:Biotene products)

Popular Energy Drinks Cause Tooth Erosion, Study Shows

By • February 4, 2011 • Random Facts: tooth, insurance, stories • Leave a comment

For more than 10 years, energy drinks in the United States have been on the rise, promising consumers more “oomph” in their day.  While that may be great news for energy drink companies, it could mean a different story for the oral health of consumers who sometimes daily rely on these drinks for that extra boost.

Previous scientific research findings have helped to warn consumers that the pH (potential of hydrogen) levels in beverages such as soda could lead to tooth erosion, the breakdown of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on the teeth that leads to decay. The studies revealed that, whether diet or regular, ice tea or root beer, the acidity level in popular beverages that consumers drink every day contributes to the erosion of enamel.

However, in a recent study, the pH level of soft drinks isn’t the only factor that causes dental erosion. A beverage’s “buffering capacity,” or the ability to neutralize acid, plays a significant role in the cause of dental erosion.

The study examined the acidity levels of five popular beverages on the market. The results proved that popular “high energy” and sports drinks had the highest mean buffering capacity, resulting in the strongest potential for erosion of enamel.

According to the study, the popularity of energy drinks is on the rise, especially among adolescents and young adults. Their permanent teeth are more susceptible to attack from the acids found in soft drinks, due to the porous quality of their immature tooth enamel. As a result, there is high potential for erosion among this age demographic to increase.

In fact, Raymond Martin, DDS, MAGD, AGD spokesperson, says he treats more patients in their teens to 20′s for tooth erosion. “They drink a great deal more sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks,” he says. “The results, if not treated early and if extensive, can lead to very severe dental issues that would require full mouth rehabilitation to correct,” says Dr. Martin.

Drink responsibly for your oral health:

  • Use a straw positioned at the back of the mouth so that the liquid avoids the teeth
  • Rinse the mouth with water after drinking acidic beverages
  • Limit the intake of sodas, sports drinks and energy drinks