Sports drinks, energy drinks and your teeth May 22, 2013

Have you ever wondered what’s actually in the things you drink?  Unless you’re drinking plain water, the odds are pretty good that citric acid is high on the list of ingredients

The food additive can eat away at your teeth enamel and it’s especially harmful when combined with the sugar in those drinks.

Two of the worst offenders are categories of drinks called sports drinks and energy drinks.  Their acidity is quite high and if not addressed within 30 minutes can start to attack the enamel in your teeth.  How acidic are they?  Well here’s a comparison to both water (which is neutral) and battery acid.  Obviously battery acid isn’t a drink, but it gives you some perspective as to where the acidity of the sports and energy drinks fall.  The chart also shows you the pH of some of the more popular soft drinks:

As you can easily see they are very acidic.  A single sip of any of the highly acidic sodas, sports or energy drinks will reduce the pH of the mouth below the critical 5.5 level – the level at which enamel starts to demineralize.  And that can happen within a period of 15 minutes.

How do you minimize this?  If you can’t brush within that 15 minute window, try to at least drink some water to dilute it’s effects.  For instance, if a sports drink is used to provide athletes with carbohydrates and electrolytes prior to an event, drink water during the event.

But if you can, try to brush as soon afterward as you can.  You can imagine the effects on a person who consumes these types of beverages daily, for weeks on end.

If you have any questions about these drinks or their effects, give us a call.  We’d be glad to review the information with you and how you can prevent or minimize their effect.

Mall of Georgia Dentistry

Diabetes and oral health May 17, 2013

Many Americans have diabetes.  If you are one of them, you know that there are special problems associated with the disease when it comes to oral health.  An increased risk for gum disease is one common problem along with these:

• Slower healing time after dental surgery
• Fungal infections
• Dry mouth
• Cavities

If you suffer from diabetes, there are a number of ways you can minimize the effects of the disease.  Here are some tips:

Taking care of your oral hygiene at home every day is crucial. Make sure you brush at least twice a day and floss once a day.

Antibacterial mouth rinses can also help reduce bacteria that can cause plaque build-up on teeth and gums.

Examine your mouth for inflammation or signs of bleeding gums. If you notice either, let your dentist know as soon as possible.

Experts recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned every six months, or even every three or four months. Step up the professional cleaning schedule if you know you tend to build up plaque or tartar quickly.

Be sure to tell your dentist that you have been diagnosed with diabetes. It will also help your dentist to know the names of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs you take.

Diabetes is a difficult disease, but with proper precautions and regular dental checkups and care, measures can be taken to help slow it’s effects on your oral health.  If you are a diabetic or live with one, please don’t hesitate to call us and discuss what we can do to help you to maintain good oral health.

Mall of Georgia Dentistry

 

 

Toothbrush care and cleaning tips May 14, 2013

One of the most important instruments in your daily oral health care regimen is your toothbrush.  But believe it or not, you can hang on to your toothbrush for too long.

Proper toothbrush care is important to your oral health. Because a worn tooth- brush is less effective in cleaning, the American Dental Association recom- mends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles become frayed. Children’s toothbrushes often need to be replaced more frequently.

Why every three months or so you ask?  Because bacteria, like cold and flu viruses  can implant themselves on the toothbrush bristles and lead to re-infection.  Rule of thumb, if you’ve been sick, you likely need to change your toothbrush.

Here are some “do’s and don’ts” concerning your tooth brush:

-don’t share toothbrushes

-thoroughly rinse the toothbrush with tap water after use to remove any toothpaste and debris

-store the toothbrush in an upright position if possible and allow it to air-dry. When storing more than one brush, keep them separated so that germs are not transferred from one brush to another.

-don’t routinely cover or store toothbrushes in closed containers. A moist environment helps the growth of most germs

-keep it away from the toilet – Each time you flush the toilet, a spray of bacteria shoots out and into the air. You don’t want the toilet spray anywhere near your unprotected brush

Keeping a healthy toothbrush is a key to good oral health and your overall health as well.  If you have any questions about the care of your toothbrush, don’t hesitate to call us.

Mall of Georgia Dentistry

Why Spring is a Good Time to Whiten Your Teeth May 10, 2013

The number one reason is: photography season! There are perhaps even more photo-heavy occasions in the Spring and Summer than there are for the Holiday season! If you are attending any of the many occasions where you’ll be surrounded by cameras, professional and amateur alike (especially when seemingly everyone has an iPhone or Smartphone these days), you may want to make sure your smile is as fresh and happy as it can be. Time for a “brightening treatment”? Go for a whitening treatment! Consider the follow occasions:

• Graduations and Graduation Parties
• Weddings. May and June are considered the peak of wedding season, lasing into the summer
• Family Reunions. The 4th of July is a traditional family reunion time for many
• Vacations and Travel

If your plans this summer include any of the above, be aware that the photo-taking will be plentiful! So now you might be wondering: what are some of the best ways to whiten?

• At home with bleaching gels and trays custom-made to fit your teeth
• At home with whitening strips
• In-office with dental professional service

The preferred option for many is at-home whitening with custom-made bleaching trays and a quality carbamide-peroxide gel. Whitening strips work well also, but their much lower strength means it takes far longer than trays to get the same results. In-office whitening treatments are the fastest, lightening teeth several shades in just one office visit, and that’s a great choice if you are short on time and/or happen to be the lucky bride, groom, graduate or center of attention in practically every photograph taken.

A bad idea? So-called “whitening” toothpaste. They mostly contain abrasives like baking soda and hydrated silica. Those things are not effective because they can only remove surface stains from enamel but the color of your tooth is actually determined by the color of the pulp underneath, not the enamel. And while those product do not whiten the pulp they do harm the enamel over time by slowly but surely wearing it away. Avoid them, and choose one of the options mentioned in the previous paragraph for real results and better treatment of your tooth enamel.

All the above whitening methods are available at our office. And of course, Mall of Georgia Dentistry is happy to help with all your whitening needs and answer any questions. Happy whitening!

Taking care of baby’s teeth May 7, 2013

Have you ever wondered when it is appropriate to begin caring for your baby’s teeth?  Well, in fact, you can begin to care for your baby’s oral health even before your child’s teeth appear:

You can start caring for your baby’s gums right away. But at first, the care won’t involve a toothbrush and toothpaste. Instead, take these steps:

• Get a soft, moistened washcloth or piece of gauze.
• Gently wipe down your baby’s gums at least twice a day.
• Especially wipe your baby’s gums after feedings and before bedtime.

This will wash off bacteria and prevent them from clinging to your baby’s gums. Bacteria can leave behind a sticky plaque that damages infant teeth as they erupt.

When the first baby teeth start to pop up, you can graduate to a toothbrush.

Choose one with a:

• soft brush
• small head
• large handle

At first, just wet the toothbrush. At around age 1, you can start using a pea-sized amount of a non-fluoridated toothpaste. Wait to introduce fluoride toothpaste until your child is at least 2 years old. Brush gently all around your child’s baby teeth — front and back.

Also, be on the lookout for cavities.  If you experience no problems, you should still begin seeing a pediatric dentist by after your child’s first birthday:

Even if there isn’t a problem, your child should go for his or her first pediatric dentist visit by age 1. The dentist can give you advice about:

• baby tooth care

• teething

• fluoride

• thumb sucking

If you have any questions about pediatric dental care or your child’s oral health, please call us.  We do pediatric dentistry and would be pleased to make an appointment and discuss your child’s dental and oral health needs with you at your convenience.

Mall of Georgia Dentistry

Oral Cancer risks May 3, 2013

We covered oral cancer screening and oral cancer symptoms below.  But what sort of risks can increase the possibility of oral cancer?  Below are the leading risks associated with it.  Most are likely not very surprising:

• Smoking Cigarette, cigar, or pipe smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancers.
• Smokeless tobacco users. Users of dip, snuff, or chewing tobacco products are 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the cheek, gums, and lining of the lips.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol. Oral cancers are about six times more common in drinkers than in nondrinkers.
• Family history of cancer.
• Excessive sun exposure, especially at a young age.

Remember, those sorts of behaviors or conditions increase the chance of oral cancer but also remember 25% of all oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and who only drink alcohol occasionally.

That’s why it is important to lower the risk factors, know the symptoms and do periodic screenings for the disease.

If we can answer any further questions about oral cancer, don’t hesitate to call us.  We’ll be glad to discuss it and attempt to answer any of your questions.

Mall of Georgia Dentistry

Oral cancer symptoms April 30, 2013

As we wrap up Oral Cancer Awareness month, we would like to remind you that we offer oral cancer screening as a part of our services.

We thought we’d also take a moment and acquaint you with some of the most common symptoms of oral cancer include:

• Swellings/thickenings, lumps or bumps, rough spots/crusts/or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth
• The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck
• Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within 2 weeks
• A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
• Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice
• Ear pain
• A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together
• Dramatic weight loss

If you notice any of these changes, contact your dentist or health care professional immediately.  If you have any doubts or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.   We’ll be glad to discuss any of your concerns with you.

Mall of Georgia Dentistry