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Some Healthy Treats May be Harmful

Many people want to eat healthier but may not have the time to prepare healthy snacks so they turn to pre-made, packaged snacks that claim to be healthy.  The problem is, these healthy snacks might not be what they claim. 

While "healthy" versions of snacks such as fruit purees or cereal bars may have less fat or calories than alternatives, they tend to have high sugar content.  The amount of sugar mixed with the acidity level of these snacks create an unhealthy environment in the mouth.  The acidity wears away at the enamel while the sugar invites decay-causing bacteria. 

An example of the high sugar content is the fruit purees that are popular as on-the-go snacks for kids may include up to 11 grams of sugar or more per serving.  Snacks that are labeled "organic with no added sugar" are still high in sugar content.  Fruits contain natural sugars but also contain quite a bit of water which is why they are healthy snacks (the water and fiber from the fruit makes you feel fuller).  When the fruits are pureed or dehydrated, such as raisins, some of the water is removed and the sugars are concentrated.

The high sugar content in these snacks may be detrimental to a child's overall health as well as oral health.  Consuming these snacks once to several times a day may greatly increase the child's overall sugar consumption without parents knowledge.

Doctors and dentists recommend reading food labels before giving a child certain snacks, looking for high sugar or acid content.  Doing research on recommended snacks may be beneficial as well.


Source: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/8643-new-snack-may-be-harmful-to-childrens-dental-health 
Source: http://dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/10648-some-healthy-treats-may-be-harmful


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Dental Did You Know

The History of the Tooth Fairy and Other Tooth Loss Rituals

While the tooth fairy is usually categorized with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and other mythological children's figures, she may not have been around as long as most of us think.  

Cultures around the world have had rituals surrounding what to do when a child looses a tooth but it wasn't until the early 1900's that the tooth fairy was introduced into those rituals.  Previous rituals included:

• Burying the tooth
• Hiding the tooth where animals cannot get it
• Placing it in a mouse hole near a hearth as an offering
• Throwing the tooth into the sun
• Throwing the tooth into a fire
• Throwing the tooth over a house or other building
• Throwing the tooth between the legs
• Placing the tooth in a tree or on a wall

The predominant ritual for when a child looses a tooth was and still is to leave it where a rat or mouse can get to it in hopes of getting money or a treat in exchange for the tooth.  The mouse/rat was chosen due to its powerful teeth and cultures believed giving the baby tooth as an offering to the mouse would ensure the child's adult tooth would be as strong and resilient as the mouse's. 

During the early 1900's, the mouse ritual was combined with the more recent idea of the "good fairy" in Western Europe and the United States.  Researchers believe the fairy replaced the mouse as a way of easing the child through the first scary transition.  While adults may not see losing a tooth as a scary experience, it is arguably the first large rite of passage in a person's life which may be seen as traumatic. 

The tooth fairy may be relatively new to the realm of children's mythological creatures but she has received a warm welcome.  Some researchers record 97% of parents having positive or neutral feelings towards the tooth fairy.

Source: http://www.salon.com/2014/02/09/dont_tell_the_kids_the_real_history_of_the_tooth_fairy/

R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

smilestationdental.com

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Dental Did You Know

CDC: Cigarette Smoking Continues Decline, Prevalence of Other Tobacco Use Stable

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking has declined over the past five years but other forms of tobacco use have not.  The CDC reported that 21.3 percent (one out of five) of U.S. adults use tobacco products "every day" or "some days".  That statistic was increased to 25.2 percent (one out of four) when including the modifier "rarely".  The data was reported from the 2012-2013 National Adult Tobacco Survey.

The "every day" or "some day" cigarette smoking was 18 percent, down from 19.5 percent that was reported during the 2009-2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey. 

That being said, the CDC reported no change in the use of other tobacco products.  The statistics were as follows: cigars, 2 percent; regular pipes, 0.3 percent; hookahs/water pipes, 0.5 percent; e-cigarettes, 1.9 percent; smokeless tobacco, 2.6 percent. 

January 2014 marked the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health that reported an overwhelming majority of deaths caused by tobacco are due to cigarettes and other combusted products. The decline of adult cigarette use is promising but the continuity of other tobacco products is still a cause for concern.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6325a3.htm?s_cid=mm6325a3_w

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Morgan A. Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

smilestationdental.com

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Dental Did You Know

Water Fluoridation

I have previously posted on the importance of water fluoridation for adults and kids here and here but the benefits expand beyond good oral health.  The infographic below outlines the financial benefits of water fluoridation as well as the health benefits.

R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
 Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd., Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Chewing Ice

One of the most common habits that people do without even realizing it is chewing ice, especially during the warm summer months.  While it may seem harmless, chewing ice can be very detrimental to your teeth and overall oral health. 

Chewing ice can wear down tooth enamel, or the hard outer layer on teeth.  Once tooth enamel is worn down, it cannot be replaced and leaves teeth open to fracture or decay.  Additionally, chewing ice may increase the risk of having issues with restorations such as fillings.  The exposure to variations of hot and cold temperatures in the mouth cause the filling to expand and contract which may damage it and/or shorten the lifespan of the filling. The action of chewing ice may also damage gums as ice may have sharp edges that puncture or scratch. 

There are several healthier alternatives to chewing ice depending on the chewer's reasons for chewing ice.  If the chewer is seeking refreshment, smaller ice slivers are recommended whereas if the crunch is what the chewer seeks, replacing ice with apples or carrots may help. 

If a patient has a hard time not chewing ice or craves it, he/she should inform their dentist as this may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia.


Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ADA/2006/article/ADA-07-Chew-On-This.cvsp


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Retainer Care

Retainers are often utilized after removing orthodontic braces to help in reducing teeth movement after treatment. They typically are a clear plastic material or the traditional acrylic and wire Hawley retainer.  Both retainers are effective if worn according to directions but, because they are removable, they may be easy to misplace.  Here are some tips for keeping them clean and safe from misplacement.

      1. Keep the retainer case near for easy storage when the retainers are not  
          being used.  If you wear retainers only at night, try keeping the case in
          the bathroom or near your bed.  If you wear retainers all the time except
          for when eating or brushing your teeth, carry your retainer case for easy
          storage of the retainers.

      2. Do not wrap the retainers in a tissue or napkin.  They may be thrown
          away if wrapped up as such.

      3. Do not put them in your pocket as they could be easily broken

      4. Keep retainers from direct sunlight as the heat may warp the retainer

      5. To clean retainers, brush with a toothbrush (a separate one than the one
          used on your teeth) and a small amount of toothpaste.  Denture cleaners
          or cleaners specifically designed for retainers can also be used. Do not
          put in boiling water as the high heat may warp the retainer as well.


Source: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Popular-Topics/Orthodontics/article/Wearing-and-Caring-for-Your-Retainer.cvsp


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Endurance Sports and Tooth Decay

Runners and other endurance athletes tend to be in excellent shape... with the exception of their mouths.  Those who participate in endurance sports are more likely to suffer from tooth decay than the rest of the population. 

I previously blogged on the phenomenon studied during the last Olympics, namely the higher instances of tooth decay in Olympic athletes, but recent research has suggested that long distance runners are also at risk but the elevated risk is mainly due to side effects of the sport itself.

Distance runners and other endurance athletes have two aspects working against them in regards to their oral health... sports drinks and dry mouth.

Sports Drinks
Many endurance athletes drink sports drinks such as Gatorade and PowerAde help replace electrolytes that are depleted during training.  Those drinks also full of sugar, which is an excellent source of energy for tired muscles but is hard on teeth. 

To make oral health matters worse, the sports drinks also include phosphoric or citric acid which erode tooth enamel.  The combination of acid and sugar greatly increase chances of tooth decay, gingivitis, plaque, and other dental issues.

Dry Mouth
Runners are heavy breathers and have a tendency to breath primarily with their mouth open. The open mouth allows runners to take in more oxygen but also dries out the mouth, reducing saliva flow and enabling bacteria to thrive.  If you add in the sugary, acidic sports drink to a dry mouth, conditions are ideal for bacteria to flourish and create tooth decay.

Preventing Tooth Decay
Runners and other endurance athletes can utilize several tips to aid in the reduction of dental decay:

1. Brush and floss regularly while consuming a healthy diet.
2. Chew gum to neutralize the bacteria and increase saliva flow, specifically gum with xylitol.
3. Swish with water after drinking sports drinks, energy bars, or gels. This will help reduce the sugar and acid left on the teeth.
4. Ask your dentist about sealants and fluoride treatments, even if you are over the age of 18. Preventative aids such as these may help reduce the effects of dry mouth and sports drinks.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-saltmarsh/health-and-fitness_b_5412685.html


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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