Framingham Dental Group Blog

Is Sparkling Water Safe For Your Teeth

September 4, 2017

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 4:18 pm

 

Chances are you or someone you know prefers sparkling water like trendy La Croix over tap or still mineral water. Whether it’s the allure of the fizz or dissatisfaction with the run-of-the-mill beverage, people flock to what’s more exciting.

But does this excitement compromise the safety of your teeth? In short, the answer is no.

That’s according to Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a professor in the University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry. A dentist for more than 35 years, he tells U.S. News when you drink sparkling water, carbon dioxide breaks down in your mouth and becomes carbonic acid. The question then becomes whether the acid is harmful.

Hewlett says the best knowledge available shows no evidence indicating sparkling water harms tooth enamel – the hardest substance in the body though he notes it’s not an area studied intensely.

A study published last year in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that most commercially accessible U.S. beverages “are potentially erosive to the dentition,” aka teeth‘s arrangement or condition.

The study characterized beverages like numerous Gatorade and Powerade drinks as extremely erosive, while other Gatorade and Propel drinks were simply erosive. Comparatively, S. Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water was listed as “erosive,” while Perrier carbonated mineral water was tagged “minimally erosive.” The American Dental Association pointed out the Pellegrino is on the edge of “erosive” and “minimally erosive,” per the data. Its pH could range from 5.05 (minimally erosive) to only 4.87 (erosive).

The Atlantic cited a 2007 study that said, “It would be inappropriate to consider these flavored sparkling waters as a healthy dental alternative to other acidic drinks.”

But Hewlett, also a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association, says that the acidity occurring in sparkling water is less in magnitude than what you might get with citrus juice or many sodas and sports drinks on the market. The more acidic the drink – think carbonated sodas with citric acid or bottled water with fruit derivatives – the greater the risk of tooth erosion with frequent consumption, he says.

So is there risk in drinking sparkling water after all?

“There is a theoretical risk of tooth erosion, but the drinks would have to be consumed over a long period of time,” Damien Walmsley, a professor of dentistry at the University of Birmingham in England, told The Atlantic last year. “My advice is to keep acidic drinks to meal times, and if you have to sip drinks between meals, then plain water is the safest.”

“For an average, healthy person, carbonated, sugar-free beverages are not going to be a main cavity-causing factor,” Andrew Swiatowicz, a dentist in Wilmington, Delaware, told The Atlantic. “If you are at all concerned, you can always dilute the carbonated water with regular water, or even just swish with regular water after.”

There’s something else to keep in mind when drinking potentially erosive beverages. Hewlett says it’s well-known in the dental community that people can have a habit of swishing or holding carbonated beverages in their mouths. Doing this with drinks that have higher erosion potential could evidently increase erosion risk.

One of his students found this out the hard way, seemingly developing tooth erosion from this habit when drinking diet cola beverages.

On a positive note, sparkling water serves as a good source of hydration, which can help temporarily increase saliva flow. This reduces your risk of tooth decay and buffers acid in the mouth as a protective factor.

Hewlett says the best beverage to drink for your oral health is water with fluoride, and head to a professional if you have erosion questions.

“Consulting with your dentist is the best way to address any concerns about erosion and get expert advice on what to do to either prevent it from happening or stop it from happening if it’s already occurring,” he says.

 

 

 

 

Osteoporosis and Gum Disease

August 24, 2017

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 5:35 pm

 

Treatment for osteoporosis may also help prevent gum disease, according to new University at Buffalo research that examined the prevalence of periodontitis in postmenopausal women.

The study revealed that women over the age of 50 treated with estrogen for osteoporosis — a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle from tissue loss — are 44 percent less likely to have severe periodontitis than women who did not receive the treatment.

The lack of estrogen, a natural consequence of menopause, places women at risk of osteoporosis as they age. To counter these effects, some women are prescribed estrogen therapy along with supplements of calcium and vitamin D.

Although previous studies have investigated the relationship between osteoporosis and tooth loss, few have examined the link between estrogen therapy and periodontitis, a disease that can ultimately lead to tooth loss and destruction of the jaw bone.

“These results help confirm the findings of previous studies that suggested that estrogen therapy to prevent osteoporosis could also play a role in the prevention of gum disease,” says Frank Scannapieco, DMD, PhD, co-author on the study, and professor and chair of the Department of Oral Biology in the UB School of Dental Medicine.

“By advancing our understanding of how this treatment can impact oral health, we can better work to improve the bone health and quality of life of female patients.”

The study, “Association Between Osteoporosis Treatment and Severe Periodontitis in Postmenopausal Women,” was led by Johelle de S. Passos-Soares, PhD, at the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil, and published in the July issue of Vol. 24 of Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society.

The research examined nearly 500 postmenopausal women who received service at an osteoporosis diagnosis center in Brazil. Of the 356 women who were diagnosed with osteoporosis, 113 chose to receive estrogen therapy.

Each participant was over the age of 50 and postmenopausal for at least one year. They were divided into two categories: women who received estrogen therapy for at least six months and those who never received treatment. Other factors such as race, income and level of education were also recorded.

The researchers found that women receiving osteoporosis treatment had less periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment loss — the amount of space between teeth and surrounding tissue due to bone loss — and less gum bleeding than those who did not receive therapy.

The study also found that higher family income and more frequent consultations with a dentist were associated with a lower prevalence of periodontitis.

Despite the evidence of estrogen playing a significant role in maintaining healthy bones, hormone therapy also has been shown to cause adverse effects, such as increasing the risk of heart disease and breast cancer, says Scannapieco.

Future research is needed to understand if prevention and treatment of osteoporosis may also help to control periodontal disease and tooth loss

Should sugary snacks feature cigarette-style health warnings?

August 1, 2017

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 5:40 pm

 

Since October 2008, cigarette packs in the United Kingdom have been required to display pictorial health warnings highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco. Now, health officials want similar warnings to appear on packages of sweets.

According to the London Evening Standard, the Health Secretary and Food Standards Agency in the UK have been urged to introduce warnings on the packaging of sugary foods in an effort to decrease tooth decay and obesity in children. Members of the British Medical Association North West Regional Council are calling for the warnings, stating that more than 34,000 children ages 9 and under in the UK had teeth extracted in the last two years, and half of those children were under the age of 5. The council says it is dismayed by the current rate of tooth decay, according to the Standard.

Sugar consumption in children has been a hot topic in Britain. In 2015, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) advised the UK government to halve the recommended intake of free sugars to help curb obesity and reduce the risk of tooth decay. The SACN found that high levels of sugar consumption led to a increased risk of tooth decay, weight gain and developing type 2 diabetes.

The officials hope that health warnings on sugary treats may help improve the health of children’s teeth, citing evidence that pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs have increased consumers knowledge about the health risks of tobacco. According to findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey, warnings on cigarette packs that are graphic, large and more comprehensive in content were effective in communicating the health risks of smoking, and that smokers who noticed the warnings were significantly more likely to endorse health risks, including lung cancer and heart disease.

Framingham Dental Group-Teeth Whitening

August 16, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 1:00 pm

Fox News: Charcoal Teeth Whitening Products Do Not Have ADA Seal Of Acceptance.

Fox News (8/15) reports that dentists and other medical professionals are warning against using a DIY teeth whitening method that “involves smearing a charcoal-derived black mixture on teeth.” The method has become more popular since the posting of a YouTube video, that has been watched more than 1.5 million times. The article reports that dentists say using this DIY method “may lead to enamel deterioration and tooth erosion,” noting “the American Dental Association has currently not evaluated or approved any charcoal teeth whitening products.”

MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on teeth whitening. In addition, several whitening toothpastes and a whitening product have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Dr. Tutin-Framingham Dental Group

July 13, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 2:44 pm

While Not Recommended, Nail Biting And Thumb Sucking Reduce Risk Of Developing Allergies, Study Finds.

CBS News (7/11) reports on its website and during a broadcast that “children who bite their nails and suck their thumbs are about one-third less likely to develop certain allergies,” according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. “Cat, grass, house dust mite, and dog [allergies] – those were reduced, some significantly, some borderline,” said study author Malcolm Sears, a researcher for the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at McMaster University School of Medicine, in Ontario, Canada. “When they suck their thumbs or bite their nails they’re exposing themselves to additional microbes or dirt which is stimulating the immune system.” CBS News adds that the findings do not imply parents should encourage their kids to bite their nails or suck their thumb, noting “the American Dental Association advises that while thumb- or finger-sucking is a natural reflex in young children, intense sucking can cause problems with a child’s tooth alignment.”

 

Tooth Pain-Framingham Dental Group

May 21, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 7:51 am

Tooth Pain May Indicate Bruxism And Should Not Be Ignored.

Woman’s Day (5/12, Brody) identified seven “seemingly trivial pains” a person “should never ignore,” including tooth pain that causes waking during the night. The article stated that experiencing tooth pain may be a sign of bruxism, which is sometimes brought on by stress. “Call your dentist so he or she can figure out the problem,” the article stated, adding that a dentist may recommend a mouth guard.

MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on bruxism

Framingham Dental Group-Power Toothpaste

January 20, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 8:21 am

Inventor Creates Caffeinated Toothpaste.

Business Insider (1/19, Price) states in continuing coverage that Dan Meropol invented Power Toothpaste, a caffeinated toothpaste that provides about “80mg of caffeine per brushing.” The toothpaste is “launching on Indiegogo on Tuesday, starting at $12 per tube.”

Dr Tutin-Medical/Dental Connection

November 28, 2015

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 8:06 am

Dentist, Physician Collaborate On Raising Awareness Of Importance Of Oral Health.

The Harvard School of Public Health (MA) (11/24, Reiss) reports on a collaboration between dentist Romesh Nalliah, director of clinical education at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and physician William Anderson III, associate dean for clinical affairs and chief medical officer at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, both of whom are students in the part-time, nonresidential master in health care management (MHCM) program at Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health. The two coauthored a paper published in the Journal of Family Practice entitled “Oral Lesions You Can’t Afford to Miss.” The article includes photos to help physicians “identify conditions in the mouth that can lead to serious systemic problems if not treated.” Anderson noted that since “many people” have medical benefits, but not dental benefits, physicians can be important in identifying “oral health issues.”

Framingham Dental Group- Habits

November 21, 2015

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 8:14 am

Dentist: Nail Biting, Teeth Grinding May Impact Teeth.

According to the Los Angeles Times (11/15, Dwass, 3.6M), “Nail biting is probably the most common nervous habit,” but people also “gnaw on things like pens, pencils and ice.” In addition, some bite on “the inside of the cheek, as well as nonstop teeth clenching and grinding, all anxiety related, says USC dentist Saravanan Ram, an expert in orofacial pain.” Teeth grinding and clenching may increase with SSRI medications, typically given for depression and AD/HD. These “long-term chewing habits can cause wear and tear of teeth, as well as jaw clicking and pain.” To stop these habits, Ram suggests chewing sugarless gum or candy instead. In addition, “teeth clenching and grinding may require wearing a dental appliance, which, Ram says, should be made by a dentist.”

Dr Tutin- Teeth Bleaching

October 21, 2015

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_tutin @ 12:06 pm

ADA Spokesperson Discusses Teeth Whiteners.

The New York Times (10/20, Weintraub) “Well” blog considers whether teeth whitening strips cause damage, stating that while some whiteners may case short-term pain in sensitive teeth, American Dental Association spokesperson Dr. Edmond Hewlett said sensitivity should go away after the whitening is stopped. In addition, “there would also be no biological reason for whitening strips or the tooth-whitening trays used by dentists to cause any harm in the long-term when used properly, he said,” recommending people see their dentist if they have concerns about the color of their teeth to discuss product options and to ensure tooth decay is not the cause of the discoloration.

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