From Baby Bottle to Cup
Tooth decay can occur as soon as a baby’s teeth appear. One of the risk factors for early childhood caries (sometimes called “baby bottle tooth decay”) is frequent and prolonged exposure of a baby’s teeth to liquids containing sugar – including milk, formula, and fruit juice.
Because decay can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child, parents should encourage their children to drink from a cup by their first birthday.
I Heard It Through The Grapevine…
We’ve all heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But, have you ever heard about raisins helping to keep the dentist away?
Raisins have been shown to provide many overall health benefits. They can help maintain blood sugar levels in athletes, and the high fiber content can help regulate intestinal function. Also, antioxidants are present to reduce cancer risks, and the potassium content can help maintain blood pressure. If that’s not enough, the small, convenient packages can be excellent at controlling hunger.
But what are the effects on teeth? With all the sugar and stickiness, they must be toward the top of the dentist’s no no list…right? Not so fast my friend.
To read the rest of this article, click here.
The Best Source of Caffeine for Your Oral Health
Can you live without caffeine? I know I can’t. I patient recently asked me what the best “source” of caffeine was based on oral health. A great question!
My aunt started a new diet, which refrained her from caffeine…and she claimed she lost 6 friends! As Americans, we are all addicted to caffeine, in one way or another. Ninety percent of all Americans will ingest caffeine in some form each day. This fact makes caffeine the most popular drug in America, and one of the most addictive. Caffeine gives you energy, makes you feel awake, and makes you feel happy.
The most common delivery methods are via sodas, chocolate, coffee, tea, and energy drinks. But, which one is best for your teeth? With our caffeine-crazed society, we’ll explore the good and the bad for the most popular caffeine-containing foods and drinks. Areas evaluated will be focused on amounts of caffeine, sugar content, teeth staining potential, and erosiveness.
During pregnancy, there are many unique physiologic changes that can have a detrimental effect on oral health.
Hormonal changes, morning sickness, poor diet, and an increased gag reflex are obstacles that can put the expectant mother at risk for tooth decay and gingivitis. Becoming knowledgeable regarding the causes of dental disease and adopting good oral hygiene practices are even more necessary at this time.
Don’t tell the school teachers, but YES!
Two ways chewing gum can aid in the cleaning of teeth: 1) Gum actually mechanically cleans teeth as you chew, and 2) Gum acts to promote saliva which can decrease the bacteria, decrease acidity, and remineralize teeth.
So, let me back up – Bacteria in the mouth produces lactic acid which causes a demineralization (cavity) of enamel – and gum helps fight all three!
Several people have informed me that they periodically suffer from bad breath but have never been instructed on how to treat it. Bad breath, or halitosis, can cause self-esteem and self-confidence issues, and many are embarrassed to discuss the matter at their regular dental visits. It’s a sore subject, but the good news is that the condition is not permanent and totally treatable!
Here are a few easy tips to bring back the “freshness”:
Research posted in the Journal of the American Dental Association claims sour candy can erode teeth more due to a higher level of acidic ingredients. Tests were conducted on candy with a sour counterpart: Jolly Ranchers, Life Savers, Mike and Ikes, and Twizzlers using extracted human teeth. Results showed an increase in acidic erosion with the sour Jolly Ranchers, Life Savers, and Mike and Ikes.
