March & Nutrition: The Dental Connection!

March is the month that the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics asks everyone to pay special attention to what goes into our bodies.  The Academy has designated the month of March for focusing the public's awareness on what they eat.

The foods that you eat have a direct effect on the health of your teeth and specifically on tooth decay. Bacteria rely on carbohydrates to thrive.  Although cutting back on both candy and sweets, which consist of simple sugars that feed the bacteria in your mouth and enhance tooth decay, is important, it's the hidden sugars that can cost you.  One of the best ways to identify the hidden sugars is to make a habit of reading labels on food and looking for products with added sugar.  This includes any ingredients that end with the suffix "ose."  When it comes to nutrition, these foods offer little value beyond satisfying that sweet tooth.

Turning to foods that not only taste good but are good for your teeth, like dairy products, provide the body with nutritional items that support tooth enamel.  Foods that are high in protein feature phosphorus, a nutrient that is also critical to oral health.

Although you really can't go wrong by adding color to your diet like fruits and vegetables to increase the overall nutritional value of your diet, use some caution with acidic fruits like oranges or even tomatoes, because the acid can erode tooth enamel.  It is better to include these foods in a meal instead of eating them by themselves.

Finally, good nutrition is something to consider all year long, not just when celebrating National Nutrition Month! March just serves as a reminder that eating right is a proactive step in managing your dental health.  If you have any other questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Dairy: Your Children's Dental Connection!

Healthy eating, combined with regular physical activity, play a vital role in your child's health and well-being.  Dairy foods are naturally nutritious, packed with ten essential nutrients that help your child feel good for life.  But did you know that dairy is also great for your child's dental health?  In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, dairy products also help fight cavities!  Dairy products have a specific role to play in dental health as they contain a unique combination of special anti-decay nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and the protein, casein.  Cheese is especially useful, as eating a small piece of cheese after consuming sugary foods or drinks can help protect teeth and reduce the risk of tooth decay.

If you have any questions about the importance of dairy products in the role of dental health or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Good Grades: The Dental Connection!

As a parent, you want the best for your children, and that includes doing their best in school.  You can support them by taking an interest in their activities, being enthusiastic about attendance, and helping them with homework.  There may also be one more way that you can help your children succeed at school.  Surprisingly, research now suggests that children with better oral health are likely to do better in school!

A study in North Carolina looked at risk factors for poor school performance among school-aged children and found that, as expected, poor performance was linked to low socioeconomic status, low parental education and poor overall health.  However, it also found a strong link between poor oral health and poor school performance, with children classified as having poor oral health 40 percent more likely to struggle in school. Furthermore, dental conditions account for a loss of 51 million school hours among school children each year!

To help your child improve oral health and do better in school, be sure that your child's homework is complete, as well as their dental home care routine is consistently completed, which includes two minute twice daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental check ups!

If you have additional questions about the dental connection to school performance or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

History: The Dental Connection!

Although seeing your local dentist for your regular cleanings and exams may yet be just another routine to fit into your hectic life, there are many historical figures, past and present, that have achieved acclaim and celebrity coming from a profession that is not typically associated with such regard! Take a look...

Doc Holliday

Perhaps most famous for his gun at the O.K. Coral alongside his buddy, Wyatt Earp, but "Doc" also had a day job as a dentist.  He was trained in Pennsylvania and later opened a thriving dental practice near Atlanta.  He had to close his dental practice and move west due to an illness, and we all know the rest of the story!

Mark Spitz

Known around the world as a champion swimmer, Spitz was actually accepted into dental school before he became an Olympic gold medalist.  While he ultimately decided not to attend school in favor of pursuing his swimming career, he successfully amassed seven gold medals!

Paul Revere

The most famous dentist to come out of the American Revolution.  Besides being known for warning the colonies of the impending British troops attack, he was also a silversmith and a dentist. More specifically, he specialized in making false teeth for people in need!

Doc Severinsen

The most famous band leader of Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show Band, was nicknamed "Doc" because his father was a dentist. Although "Carl" was not a dentist, his father, Dr. Severinsen, DDS, was credited for allowing his son to become the accomplished trumpet player that he became.  For the younger generation that may not know, The Tonight Show, is the same show that is currently hosted by Jimmy Fallen!

Miles Davis, Jr.

Yet another famous musician that had a dentist for a father.  Dr. Davis, Sr. had a thriving dental practice that financially supported his son's musical aspirations, allowing Miles Davis, Jr. to become one of the most acclaimed and influential jazz musicians of all times!

Although our team may not have any celebrity connections, our desire is to treat each patient in a caring manner that provides you excellent care!

God Bless,
DRT

Valentine Chocolates: The Dental Connection!

From a student handing out sweets for her classmates to an older married couple exchanging boxes of candy, Valentine's Day is the time of year when people like to show affection by gifting sugary treats to their loved ones.  Whether you are on the giving or receiving end of Valentine's Day candy, you can celebrate the holiday in a healthier way by making dark chocolate your confection of choice.

According to clinical studies, cocoa beans used to make chocolate contain flavonoids, which can help protect the body against damage from various toxins.  Flavonoids may also help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart and the brain.  Dark chocolates typically contain a higher amount of flavonoids than other types, making them a great choice for chocolate lovers.

Although candy can contribute to the formation of tooth decay,  one study has shown that chocolate could actually benefit your teeth.  The tannins that are present in cocoa beans may actually help prevent cavities by interfering with the bacteria's harmful interaction with teeth.  Just like flavonoids, tannins have been found to be present more often in dark chocolates, rather then milk chocolates, giving you another great reason to choose the richer, sweet varieties.

One more benefit of choosing chocolate over other candies is that it is less likely to get stuck in the crevices and spaces between teeth.  Gooey sweets like taffy can stay lodged in the mouth for longer periods of time, increasing the risk for tooth decay.  When choosing chocolate, be sure to avoid types that also contain sticky ingredients like caramel or marshmallow, instead opt for the plain varieties.

Finally, remember that the health benefits that you can receive from dark chocolate are largely based on eating the candy in moderation.  With that being said, it is easy to make this delicious and health conscious switch when you are out shopping for your sweetheart, friends, loved ones, and yourself! Happy Valentine's Day!

God Bless,
DRT

Kids & Canker Sores: The Dental Connection!

According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, roughly one in five children suffers from canker sores. Canker sores are small sores that appear inside the cheeks, on the lips, on the surface of the gums and under the tongue.

Even though canker sores are NOT contagious, they do tend to run in families. There are several reasons a child may suffer from canker sores.

RISK FACTORS

• Vitamin B12, iron, or folic acid deficiencies
• Food allergies
• Lip of cheek biting
• Any injury to the mouth
• Brushing too hard
• Toothpaste ingredients
• Emotional stress

TREATMENT OPTIONS:

• Avoid Acidic Foods
• Use a soft bristled toothbrush
• Avoid mouthwash and toothpaste that contain SLS
• Avoid known food allergy items

If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Timing: The Dental Connection!

It's all about "Timing" the saying goes, but when it comes to brushing your teeth, it has now been determined by research that there are times when it is better to rinse and wait, than to brush! That colleague who always brushes his teeth immediately after lunch may be doing more harm than good. A recent study suggests that scrubbing immediately after eating may have the opposite effect upon enamel.

Cavity Culprits

Sugary foods, especially those that are sticky or liquid, are bad for your teeth because the bacteria or plaque on the enamel metabolizes sugars, producing acids that can lead to gum disease, inflammation and cavities.  Conventional wisdom taught that immediately removing those food particles would reduce the incidence of decay.  However, research has now concluded that cavity producing foods are also very acidic in and of themselves.

Too Much Acid

When consuming something acidic, the pH in the mouth lowers for an extended periodic of time, causing the oral environment to become very acidic as well.  The ideal pH of a mouth is about 7, while a soft drink -even a diet one- can be as low as 2.5 or about the same as household vinegar! Acid demineralizes and weakens tooth structure, making it more more prone to decay.

The scrubbing action of a toothbrush in an acidic state can actually encourage the process, much like the same process that is used to etch glass with acid.  Immediately brushing after drinking a sports drink, soft drinks or wine can etch the enamel.  However, waiting for about 30 minutes before brushing, will allow the saliva to naturally return to a more neutral pH and decrease the possibility of rubbing acid into the tooth structure.

Rinse, Repeat

Rinsing with water has actually been shown to balance the mouth's pH after ingesting acidic foods and beverages.  It's much better than brushing within the first 30 minutes.  An antibacterial mouthwash can also help prevent plaque from producing more acids.

Cheese Whiz

Studies have shown that chewing two specific things can reduce tooth decay.  First, chewing string cheese will reduce the pH of bacterial plaque by elevating the production of saliva.  The proteins in the saliva buffer the acids.  Second, chewing sugarless gum, which also increases the production of saliva, can be a good option if a toothbrush is unavailable.  Studies have also suggested that xylitol, which is the sweetening agent in gum, actually has anticariogenic characteristics.

Finally, it is best to brush for two minutes twice daily.  However, if you are unable to brush twice a day and you must choose the most important "time" to brush, the bedtime is the best, since that is when your mouth salivates less, allowing cavity-causing substances to take hold.  If you have any other questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT