Soda and Illegal Drugs Cause Similar Damage to Teeth: Acids Erode Enamel
Soda is a popular beverage with many people drink daily so it may be hard to hear that consuming soda in large quantities can be as damaging to your teeth as illegal drugs like crack cocaine and methamphetamine.
An article published in General Dentistry in the March/April 2013 issue discussed how abusive intake of soda can cause similar damage to your mouth as illegal drug use, citing the process of tooth erosion as the reason behind it. Tooth erosion occurs when the enamel, the protective layer on the outside of teeth, is worn away by acids. This process makes the teeth more susceptible to decay-causing bacteria.
The study that the General Dentistry article cited involved inspecting the mouths of an admitted meth user, a previous cocaine user, and an excessive diet soda drinker. All three admitted to not keeping regular visits at the dentist and having poor oral health. The researchers found the same type and severity of decay in each of the mouths from tooth erosion.
Citric acid, found in both regular and diet sodas, has already been known to cause tooth erosion. The substance, also found in methamphetamine, can be found in drain cleaner, battery acid, and lantern fuel.
If a person drinks two liters of either diet or regular soda a day for three to five years, the oral damage can be severe. The findings from this study helps support the idea that soda can be damaging to oral health.
It is recommended that patients cut down on soda intake and drink more water. Additionally, chewing sugar-free gum or rinsing the mouth with water after consumption of soda may also reduce your risk of decay related to soda intake. Both of these techniques increase the saliva flow and help return the mouth's pH to a more normal level.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130528122505.htm
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
News You Can Use
Everyday Habits to Help Lengthen the Life of Teeth
While brushing twice daily and flossing are essential to a normal oral health routine, there are a few tips and tricks that can help lengthen the life of your teeth. These rituals are easy and may help save you time and money as well as increase the health of your teeth.
1. Keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in your purse, car, or desk at work. Having it on hand after a snack or lunch helps to get rid of as much decay-causing bacteria as quickly as possible.
2. Choosing water to drink during the day instead of sipping on tea or coffee. Tea and coffee both contain properties that can stain teeth and have negative effects on enamel.
3. Drinking tea, coffee, and other beverages through a straw whenever possible is also a good tip as the straw can keep the staining liquids away from teeth more than without a straw.
4. Finally, try to avoid opening anything with your teeth. Teeth are intended to bite and chew foods and opening other things with teeth can damage enamel and open up teeth to decay-causing bacteria.
Even if it is hard to incorporate all of these into your daily routine, making an effort to add one or two may help lengthen the life of your teeth.
Source: http://bestdentistnews.com/2013/05/everyday-habits-to-help-lengthen-the-life-of-your-teeth/
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
While brushing twice daily and flossing are essential to a normal oral health routine, there are a few tips and tricks that can help lengthen the life of your teeth. These rituals are easy and may help save you time and money as well as increase the health of your teeth.
1. Keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in your purse, car, or desk at work. Having it on hand after a snack or lunch helps to get rid of as much decay-causing bacteria as quickly as possible.
2. Choosing water to drink during the day instead of sipping on tea or coffee. Tea and coffee both contain properties that can stain teeth and have negative effects on enamel.
3. Drinking tea, coffee, and other beverages through a straw whenever possible is also a good tip as the straw can keep the staining liquids away from teeth more than without a straw.
4. Finally, try to avoid opening anything with your teeth. Teeth are intended to bite and chew foods and opening other things with teeth can damage enamel and open up teeth to decay-causing bacteria.
Even if it is hard to incorporate all of these into your daily routine, making an effort to add one or two may help lengthen the life of your teeth.
Source: http://bestdentistnews.com/2013/05/everyday-habits-to-help-lengthen-the-life-of-your-teeth/
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Wednesday, May 8, 2013
News You Can Use
Regular Dental Visits
Scheduling regular dental visits is important for more reasons than just a professional teeth cleaning. So make sure to schedule your visits every 6 months. For more information, follow the link below!
Scheduling regular dental visits is important for more reasons than just a professional teeth cleaning. So make sure to schedule your visits every 6 months. For more information, follow the link below!
R. Eric Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Tuesday, May 7, 2013
News You Can Use
Smoking Linked to Higher Risk for Tooth Loss in Postmenopausal Women
While women tend to be better at brushing, flossing, and getting regular dental checkups, if they are long-time heavy smokers, that may not be enough. A recent study found long-time heavy smokers have a higher risk of tooth loss and periodontal disease as compared to nonsmokers.
The study looked at the health histories and dental records of about 1,100 postmenopausal women. Along with a comprehensive oral exam and an extensive smoking history questionnaire, they found that women who smoked about a pack a day for 26 years were twice as likely to have reported tooth loss and six times as likely to report periodontal disease than nonsmoking postmenopausal women.
The authors of this study also reported that cigarette smoke accelerates periodontal disease while the chemicals in the smoke increase plaque forming bacteria while reducing the antioxidative ability of saliva. Nicotine from cigarettes has also been linked to a reduction in bone density which not only effects the teeth but may have detrimental overall health effects as well. Finally, the study found that women who smoke had lower estrogen levels than those who do not smoke.
Periodontal disease and tooth loss is a significant problem for postmenopausal women as they report having more tooth loss then men of the same age. This tooth loss can cause dietary issues as well as aesthetic concerns and a reduced overall quality of life making this study even more important.
Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2013/article/ADA-03-Smoking-linked-to-higher-risk-of-tooth-loss-in-postmenopausal-women.cvsp
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
While women tend to be better at brushing, flossing, and getting regular dental checkups, if they are long-time heavy smokers, that may not be enough. A recent study found long-time heavy smokers have a higher risk of tooth loss and periodontal disease as compared to nonsmokers.
The study looked at the health histories and dental records of about 1,100 postmenopausal women. Along with a comprehensive oral exam and an extensive smoking history questionnaire, they found that women who smoked about a pack a day for 26 years were twice as likely to have reported tooth loss and six times as likely to report periodontal disease than nonsmoking postmenopausal women.
The authors of this study also reported that cigarette smoke accelerates periodontal disease while the chemicals in the smoke increase plaque forming bacteria while reducing the antioxidative ability of saliva. Nicotine from cigarettes has also been linked to a reduction in bone density which not only effects the teeth but may have detrimental overall health effects as well. Finally, the study found that women who smoke had lower estrogen levels than those who do not smoke.
Periodontal disease and tooth loss is a significant problem for postmenopausal women as they report having more tooth loss then men of the same age. This tooth loss can cause dietary issues as well as aesthetic concerns and a reduced overall quality of life making this study even more important.
Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2013/article/ADA-03-Smoking-linked-to-higher-risk-of-tooth-loss-in-postmenopausal-women.cvsp
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Dental Did You Know
Toothpaste Breakdown
Ancient Toothpastes
Toothpaste has been around for centuries. Evidence of its use has even been found all the way back to the Egyptians, about 5000 years ago, which was even before the toothbrush was invented! Ancient people were concerned with a lot of the same things modern humans worry about when it comes to teeth: removing debris and freshening breath. Ancient toothpastes included crushed bones, oyster shells, salt, and herbal mints to achieve this effect.
Toothpaste Ingredients
Many modern toothpastes include elements that address the same issues by including ingredients that remove decay causing bacteria and freshen breath. Some of the common ingredients include:
Ancient Toothpastes
Toothpaste has been around for centuries. Evidence of its use has even been found all the way back to the Egyptians, about 5000 years ago, which was even before the toothbrush was invented! Ancient people were concerned with a lot of the same things modern humans worry about when it comes to teeth: removing debris and freshening breath. Ancient toothpastes included crushed bones, oyster shells, salt, and herbal mints to achieve this effect.
Toothpaste Ingredients
Many modern toothpastes include elements that address the same issues by including ingredients that remove decay causing bacteria and freshen breath. Some of the common ingredients include:
- Fluoride: In small amounts, it has been proven to remineralize enamel while also fighting decay. Only a small, pea-sized drop of toothpaste is necessary though to prevent overexposure that many people worry about.
- Detergents: Added to create the foaming effect that many people find pleasing.
- Abrasives: Gritty substances that help remove stains and plaque. Be aware, though, that brushing too hard and too often as many people do nowadays can be damaging to tooth surfaces and actually create scratches that attract more stains. Smile Station Dental offers an electronic toothbrush that signals when you may be brushing too hard. For more information, click here.
- Humectants: Agents such as glycerine, sorbitol, and water that help keep the toothpaste an actual paste instead of a dried-up powder.
- Flavoring Agents: Flavors added for an appealing taste such as peppermint, cinnamon, citrus, and even chocolate
Toothpaste is so important, even ancient peoples knew and used its cleaning and freshening properties. If you are unsure about which toothpaste to use, call the office or consult with your hygienist/dentist during your next visit.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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