SCRANTON, Pa. (Ivanhoe Newswire) - Think you know all there is to know about your pearly whites? What you don't know about what causes and fights cavities could surprise you.
Brushing twice a day helps keep our gums and teeth healthy, but what's another proven cavity fighter? Is it green tea, dried fruit, or lemons? The answer? Serve up a hot cup of green tea for its cavity fighting properties. The polyphenols in tea suppress bacteria in your mouth. Next, brushing your teeth is the best way to fight cavities, right?
Dentist Blanche Grube said, while important, your diet is even more important.
"You get cavities because you have too much sugar or refined carbohydrates in your diet. We are what we eat. It's that simple," she told Ivanhoe.
Besides candy and sugary drinks, eating starchy foods like white bread and French fries is just as bad. It all turns into sugar, and can rot your teeth.
Are sugar-free energy drinks safe for your teeth? A recent study shows all energy drinks can do serious damage. The acid in them starts destroying teeth after only five days of consistent use.
"It's what we eat. It's what we eat. It's what we eat," explained Dr. Grube.
Finally, if you want to protect the enamel on your teeth, what should you avoid doing immediately after eating acidic foods? Brushing your teeth, chewing gum, or eating hard cheese? The answer, you should not brush your teeth. The acid in things like soda, wine or citrus fruit softens your enamel. To avoid damaging it, wait at least 30 minutes to brush. It gives your saliva enough time to neutralize the acid.
If you're wondering about coffee and cavities, here's some interesting information. A 2002 study found roasted coffee beans have anti-bacterial properties that may prevent cavities. If you drink lattes, you're not as lucky. Some dentist say sipping the sugary drinks throughout the day can make your mouth a breeding ground for cavity causing bacteria.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
YOUR TEETH AND YOUR HEALTH: Oral health is more important than many people realize; it can offer clues about a person's overall health. Problems in the mouth can affect the rest of the body. (Source: www.mayoclinic.com)
DID YOU KNOW: The mouth is teeming with bacteria; most of them harmless. Normally the body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, harmful bacteria can sometimes grow out of control and cause oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, dental procedures, medications, or treatments that reduce saliva flow, disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth or breach the mouth's normal protective barriers may make it easier for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. (Source: www.mayoclinic.com)
CONDITIONS THAT MAY BE LINKED TO ORAL HEALTH: Oral health may affect, be affected by or contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:
- Cardiovascular disease: Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke may be linked to oral bacteria, possibly due to chronic inflammation from periodontitis; a severe form of gum disease.
- Pregnancy and birth: Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
- Alzheimer's disease: Tooth loss before age 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
(Source: www.mayoclinic.com)
PRACTICE GOOD ORAL HEALTH CARE: To protect the mouth it is good to practice good oral hygiene. For example:
- Brush at least twice a day
- See a dentist every six months
- Floss daily
- Eat a healthy diet and limit between-meal snacks.
(Source: www.mayoclinic.com)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Eileen Terbovich
Dr. Blanche D. Grube Clinic
570-343-1500
eileen@drblanchegrube.com
