Category: Oral Health

E-cigarettes, Teenagers and Oral Health

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e-cigs and teens
More teenagers have tried Electronic Cigarettes than adults, with statistics showing as many as 10% of high school students having tried the latest trend in smoking compared with only 2.7% of adults. E-cig use has exploded in the past few years, and many people claim to have stopped smoking traditional cigarettes because of them.  While many users also believe e-cigarettes to be safer than regular cigarettes, no definitive studies have proven that they are a safe alternative.

When looking at e-cigarettes and oral health, especially in relation to teenagers, it’s important to remember that an e-cigarette is still primarily a nicotine delivery device and there’s little debate as to the effects of nicotine on the body.

What is nicotine?

Nicotine is a stimulant that, when inhaled, is absorbed by the lungs into the blood stream and passed within seconds to the brain.  As a drug, nicotine works by both stimulating the user through low doses and relaxing the user in higher concentrations.   As evidenced by the large number of people addicted to tobacco products, nicotine is seen as one of the most addictive drugs available.  Interestingly, nicotine has a history of use as an insecticide but isn’t commonly used today because of it’s danger to animals and people.

How does nicotine harm oral health?

Nicotine is a chemical compound known for it’s vasoconstrictor properties, which means that it works by narrowing blood vessels and reducing blood flow throughout the body.  When blood flow is frequently reduced to the gums, there is a dramatic increase in the likelihood of periodontal (gum) disease.  Less blood delivered to the gums means less oxygen and fewer nutrients.  This can result in symptoms such as bleeding gums, redness, bad breath and even tooth loss.

Better than cigarettes?

The truth is, no one is completely sure about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes which can make them a particular concern for adolescents.  Many teenagers are smoking e-cigarettes because they feel they are safe or cool.  Regardless of how it’s delivered, however, nicotine is still a highly addictive drug that should be avoided by everyone, especially growing teens.   With few laws banning their use among young people, it’s important to educate your children about the potential hazards of this growing trend.

When Fruit is Bad for Your Teeth

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Fruit bad for your teeth
 

With all of the junk food available to kids and adults, it’s hard to imagine that something as seemingly healthy as fruit could ever be bad for your teeth.  And certainly there are a lot of foods that are high in sugar that would be considered far worse for your overall oral health.  Still, there are times when fruit may not be the best choice.  Here are a few examples when you may want to skip the fruit:

When it’s dried.

Dried fruits have had most of their water removed and what’s left contains a much higher percentage of sugar than fresh fruits.  And because you tend to eat more dried fruit based on the volume, you will consume a much greater amount of sugar when compared to eating fresh fruit.  This doesn’t even take into account the added sugar that most packaged dried fruit contains.  Further, dried fruits like raisins and plums tend to be sticky and often stay stuck to teeth for a long time.  This provides bacteria plenty of what they need to grow.

When it’s canned with syrup.

Most canned fruits are packaged in a thick, high sugar syrup.  Even those labled “light syrup” contain large amounts of added sugar because that description can refer to the consistency of the syrup rather than sugar content.  When eating canned fruits, look for those that have no added sugar or those packed in 100% fruit juice.

When it’s juiced.

First, it’s important to understand that fruit juice can be very good for you when it’s part of a balanced diet.  However, juice can still harm teeth when too much is consumed too frquently.  This is because fruit that is juiced generally has much of the most nurtitious portions of the fruit removed.  When the pulp and fiber is taken away, what’s left is mostly water and sugar.  What’s more, fruit juices like orange juice is often highly acidic and can be tough on enamel over time.

As you can tell, fresh whole fruits are always the best option when eating fruit.  Whatever you eat, however, it’s important to remember that nearly all foods can be enjoyed in moderation.  Be sure to brush and floss regularly.

 

Recognizing Gum Disease and Taking Early Action

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Gum disease in children

Periodontal (gum) disease, affects as many as half of all Americans.  Gum disease can cause minor symptoms like inflamed or bleeding gums to an even more serious loss of soft tissue and bone.  If left untreated, gum disease may mean that teeth are lost or have to be removed.

What to look for.

If your gums or those of your child bleed from routine brushing and flossing you should understand that this is not normal.  Bleeding gums result from inflammation caused by bacteria hiding beneath the gum line.  Gums may appear red or swollen.  It’s important not to ignore these early signs of gum disease, called gingivitis.  Regular brushing and flossing is essential to avoiding or helping to correct the earliest signs of gum disease, but a scheduling a dental checkup is the best route to stop gum disease before it gets worse.

What is Periodontis?

When left unchecked, gingivitis can quickly become a more advanced gum disease known as “periodontis”.  When this occurs, small spaces begin to form around the tooth where plaque has hardened.  Not only can this mean a permanent loss of bone, but the toxins that eventually find their way into the rest of the body can have far reaching effects.  Recent studies have even highlighted the relationship between gum disease and heart disease.

Preventing & Treating Gum Disease

If you believe that you or your children may have any stage of gum disease, it’s important to take action.  Aside from maintaining a regular schedule of oral care, be sure to stay active with dental checkups every six months or sooner if there is a potential problem.  You should be aware of other risk factors which may play a role in significantly increasing the likelihood of gum disease.  These include smoking, diabetes, medications causing dry mouth and hormonal changes in young girls and women.

Have more questions?

As always, please feel free to reach out to us if you have concerns about your family’s oral health.  Give us a call or schedule an appointment today!

 

Your Kids Will Love These Tooth Friendly After-School Snacks

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Tooth friendly after school snackThe time when your child’s school serves lunch to when your family eats dinner often means that little tummies need a snack to hold them over.  But snacking doesn’t have to be a health disaster.  In fact, it can be a great opportunity to provide much needed vitamins and minerals to fuel your child’s active schedule.  Below are a few quick ideas we’ve put together.  They’re adventurous and may be a little different from what your kids usually eat.  But these snack ideas are packed with vitamins and minerals for healthy teeth and we guarantee that each one is delicious!

Tooth friendly after school snack
Fruits, Veggies & Peanut Butter Dip

Snack sized fruits and veggies will disappear with this tasty and easy to make peanut butter dip.  We’ve added Greek yogurt which is a dental super food and cinnamon to give it a little added flavor.

¾ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
½ Cup Natural Peanut Butter
½ Teaspoon Cinnamon

Assorted Fruits and Veggies

Tooth friendly after school snack
Watermelon Sandwich Wraps

These may require a small amount of prep, but getting your kids to help can be a terrific way to encourage them to try something they probably have never had. We got this recipe from the Watermelon.org website.  It may seem different, but trust us, it’s yummy!

Wraps – Whole wheat tortilla or pita bread.
Spread – Guacamole (for the more adventurous) or plain Greek yogurt
Meat (optional) – Any sandwich meats or slices.

And of course, watermelon, cut into ½ inch thick spears and as long as your wrap.

Tooth friendly after school snack
Baked Zucchini Slices with Parmesan Cheese

The tooth healthy parmesan cheese is what gives this healthy snack its zing.  Again, having kids help sprinkle on the cheese and lay out the slices will help choosier eaters try something new.

Simply slice zucchini in thin slices (no need to peel) and lay out on a cookie sheet.  Have your children sprinkle them with parmesan cheese on both sides.  Then, place in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes on each side, or until brown.

The Truth About Sports Drinks

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sports drinks and teeth
Kids and teens love sports drinks.  In fact, studies have shown that these “thirst quenchers” are consumed by 62% of adolescents every day.  But are they good for your child’s body or teeth? And are they truly necessary for sports performance?  Here are a few facts:

Sports drinks contain more sugar than you may realize.

After water, the second ingredient in some popular brands of sports drinks is high fructose corn syrup. Some sports drinks contain as much as 19 grams of added sugar which means that bacteria present in your child’s mouth are being given exactly what they need to grow.

The high acidity of sports drinks can damage tooth enamel.

A 2012 study showed that sports drinks often have high acidity.  This acid interferes with the mouth’s ability to regulate a healthy pH and can lead to the wearing away of enamel.  While tooth enamel is literally the hardest substance in the human body, it’s no match for a steady stream of acid.

Sports drinks are full of salt.

Some sports drinks contain up to 200 milligrams of sodium per serving.  Keep in mind that a “serving” is usually 8 ounces, which means that a large bottle of the leading sports drink can have more sodium than a bag of potato chips.

Sports drinks can be high in calories.

Even though they generally contain fewer calories than soda, sports drinks can still be high in calories due to their serving sizes and the large amount that many kids drink.  Sports drinks make up 10-15% of the daily caloric intake of most teens and aside from their intended purpose, these beverages aren’t always consumed in conjunction with sports.

Sports drinks are best suited for intense physical activity.

If your child is participating in an intense game with constant movement and an elevated heart rate, a small serving of sports drinks may come in handy from time to time.  But most youth sports don’t involve that level of activity.  Fluoridated water is almost always a better choice.

The bottom line is that most kids don’t really need sports drinks.  Consuming what amounts to sugar water simply isn’t necessary for the majority of sports or outdoor activities.  We encourage you to read labels and be aware of everything your child drinks.  Keep your child hydrated and make certain that you child is drinking plenty of water.

 

Brushing Right After Eating May Harm Your Teeth

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Brushing after meals can harm teeth
 

One of the most surprising facts of caring for your teeth is that you should actually wait at least an hour after eating before brushing.  In fact, brushing right after a meal may actually do more damage than good.

Here’s why you shouldn’t brush your teeth immediately after eating.

Your tooth enamel, the hardest substance in your body, works to protect your teeth.  But acids created by food can wear away that protective enamel.  During meals, that acid level gets elevated and your teeth are at their weakest state.

Your body has a natural way to correct the high acid levels in your mouth and return it to a proper pH level.  It’s the work of saliva to naturally wash away food particles and give your enamel the balance it needs to continue its protective work.

Brushing right after meals can mean that you are actually attacking your teeth! Even soft-bristled toothbrushes can be highly abrasive when enamel is already weakened by high acid levels.  It’s best to let saliva do its job after you eat.  You can help the process along by rinsing your mouth with water or chewing sugarless gum which will help to increase the amount of saliva in your mouth even more.

But don’t forget to brush!

Wait at least an hour for your mouth to recover from the acid assault.  And don’t forget to brush at least two times a day and for two minutes each time.

Chewing Gum: Facts, Fun and Your Teeth

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Chewing ghum and your teeth
 

The History of Chewing Gum

Chewing gum has a long and fascinating history.  For 5,000 years humans have enjoyed chewing on bark tar, resin from the mastic tree and other plants and grasses.  American Indians made a form of gum from spruce tree sap.  But for most of our history, we have used chicle, a natural gum made from trees in a similar way that natural rubber is produced.  Political reform in Guatemala during the 1950’s meant that big chewing gum companies like Wrigley no longer had access to chicle, so by the mid 1960’s most gum was produced from a butadiene-based synthetic rubber.

Will swallowed gum harm me?

Gum made from synthetic rubber may not sound too appetizing, however gum is generally harmless to your body.  Have you ever heard people claim that swallowed gum will stay in your stomach for “seven years” or that it will “stick to your lungs”? While it is usually a good idea to simply spit out used gum, only a very large quantity of gum or gum that is swallowed with food or foreign objects poses any risk to blocking your intestinal tract.  Your teeth, however, may be another story.

Gum and your teeth.

Because many types of gum contain sugar as a primary ingredient, frequent gum use can be harmful to your teeth.  Sugar feeds the bacteria that cause plaque, which in turn hammers away at the enamel on your teeth.  A lot of sugary gum means that bacteria are getting a lot of food to grow which can lead to a lot more plaque.  Additionally, while many people chew gum for fresh breath, the end result of extra bacteria (caused by the extra sugar) is even more bad breath.

What about sugar-free gum?

Studies have shown that sugar-free chewing gum is actually good for your teeth.  When you chew, saliva is produced that helps to wash away food particles.  In fact, saliva is your body’s first natural defense against the bacteria in your mouth.  Further, some sugar free gum is made with a natural sugar substitute called xylitol that has been shown to reduce cavities and protect teeth.   Even with xylitol, however, chewing gum can never replace brushing and flossing.  Sugar-free gum can be a good alternative for people who love to chew gum but also want to protect their teeth.

Ideas For A Candy Free Halloween

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What if you want to hand out tooth friendly Halloween treats but don’t want to get on the “trick” list?  We believe that a candy free Halloween can be even more fun than one coated in sugar.  Here are 5 ideas to help you be the most popular house on the street while saving tiny teeth from cavities one trick-or-treater at a time.­

Candy Free Halloween Treats

Give a “prize” instead of a treat.

Retailers that sell party favors and supplies are a great place to find prizes that you can hand out to kids.  These small trinkets last long after the candy has been eaten and will be remembered much longer as well.

 

Candy Free Halloween Play Dough

Help kids get creative with clay!

Multi-packs of mini play dough containers are available to purchase or you can even make your own.  You could put small batches of homemade play dough in plastic baggies with a quick note explaining that the dough is for play and not food.

 

Candy Free Halloween Ideas Glow Sticks

Keep kids safe with glow sticks!

Glow sticks are available at really low prices at craft and discount stores.  Kids love glow sticks (and so do we!)

 

Candy Free Halloween Stickers

Give fun Halloween stickers.

Who doesn’t love a cool sticker?  If you have a variety, you can let kids choose their own design that they can then save for later or wear while trick-or-treating.

 

candy_free_halloween Pinterest Ideas

 

Get awesome ideas on Pinterest.

A quick search on Pinterest reveals a TON of ideas for a candy free Halloween.  You can find craft ideas, inexpensive gifts and handouts that will make every child who comes to your door smile.  While your at it, check out our Pinterest boards for even more dental health ideas!

 

Have more ideas?  We would love to hear from you.  Leave us a comment below!

 

Why Do Pirates Have Bad Teeth? ­­­­

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Pirates and Bad Teeth
 

Have you ever noticed that pirates all seem to have bad teeth?  Have you ever wondered why? Probably not, but in honor of “International Speak Like a Pirate Day” we thought we would share why pirates have such a poor reputation for terrible chompers!  And the answers might also give us some helpful ideas for taking care of our own oral health.

Scurvy was a serious problem.

Scurvy is more than just a pirate insult.  It’s a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C and it can cause severely weakened and receding gums.  Pirates were often the victims of scurvy because they spent months at a time on the open seas with no access to fresh fruits and vegetables.  It wasn’t uncommon for pirates to have missing teeth due to poor gums.   What does this mean for us?  Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can help us avoid looking like scurvy pirates!

They didn’t brush their teeth.

It wasn’t until 1938 that the modern toothbrush was invented.  Until then, if pirates cleaned their teeth at all it would have been with a “chew stick” which was less than effective at keeping teeth clean and plaque at bay.  Thankfully, today we have a lot of tooth-brushing options, the best being soft bristled and made to fit the size of your particular mouth.  Brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day can help you keep your teeth ship-shape.

Cavities were left untreated.

It’s hard to make oral care a priority when you’re sailing the ocean and looking for innocent ships to plunder!  Modern technology has made a tremendous difference in early cavity detection, but pirates would have had to rely on pain as an indicator that something was wrong with their teeth.  By the time a cavity is severely hurting, however, it means that tooth decay has grown so severe that enamel and dentin have been worn away exposing sensitive nerves located in the pulp of your tooth.  While we may not be able to enjoy the thrills of the open sea, we’re pretty thankful that regular dental visits can keep bacterial invaders at bay.

There were no real dentists!

In times past, dental services were practiced by people who had many trades.  A pirate “dentist” may very well have also served as the ship’s cook, boatswain or master gunner.  And while they may have tried their best at helping with dental care, being good with a cutlass doesn’t necessarily mean a pirate would make a good dentist!   We love what we do, and we’re focused on proving the best dental care possible in a caring and relaxed environment.  Pirates may not have had access to professional dental care, but you do, and we hope to see you soon, matey!

 

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