But what happens when the healthy things we do for our bodies aren’t exactly healthy for our smiles? These four health trends have been touted as beneficial, but they could actually be hurting your teeth!

Lemon Water

Drinking lemon water, particularly in the morning, has become a popular practice. The idea is that you add the juice of about half a lemon to a glass of water and drink first thing in the morning to rev up digestion, detox the body, and even help with weight loss.

Despite the fact that these claims have little scientific evidence to back them up, there’s another problem with lemon water: it has an extremely low pH of just 2.25, meaning it’s very acidic [1].

In fact, this pH is even more acidic than most types of soda, which means that lemon water could be eroding your tooth enamel, leading to sensitive teeth and an increased risk for tooth decay.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is another practice that’s gained popularity. An ancient method of pulling toxins out of the oral cavity, this regimen requires that you swish sesame or coconut oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes upon waking every morning.

Not only does the American Dental Association not recommend oil pulling due to lack of evidence, but oil pulling requires that your brush your teeth after spitting the oil out [2]. As we know, tooth enamel is porous and brushing immediately after your teeth come into contact with food isn’t recommended.

Kombucha and Other Fermented Foods

Foods such as kimchi and kombucha are fermented and packed with probiotics, which are beneficial organisms that exist in food. Research is showing that probiotics play a much bigger role in our oral and bodily health than previously thought [3].

However, as a result of their fermented nature, these foods are also acidic, which can weaken tooth enamel and leave it vulnerable to damage. For example, kimchi, which is fermented vegetables, has a pH of around 4, which is lower than the neutral number of 7 on the pH scale [4]. You can still reap the probiotic benefits of these foods by drinking water after consuming them, and, of course, avoiding brushing your teeth until about one hour after consumption.

Charcoal Toothpaste

You may have seen black toothpaste at the store or advertised. For some people, the charcoal toothpaste trend has been in full swing for a few years now. Charcoal toothpaste is said to remove toxins from the mouth, naturally whiten teeth, and even help sensitive teeth.

Unfortunately, charcoal toothpaste is also known for being extremely abrasive. When used daily, charcoal can actually remove tooth enamel and lead to even more sensitive and discolored teeth [5]. Until more research is done, the efficacy of these products is still in question.

Have you heard of any of these health trends? Use caution when adopting practices without knowing how they can affect your body or your smile. Talking to your professional dentist can help you know what’s safe, and to take the best care of your teeth!

Sources:
1. https://www.ada.org/en/~/media/ADA/Public%20Programs/Files/JADA_The%20pH%20
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oil-pulling
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22632388
4. http://farmtotable.colostate.edu/prepare-ferment/kimchi.pdf
5. https://now.tufts.edu/articles/charcoal-and-white-teeth

The post These Health Trends Could Be Hurting Your Teeth appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Cavities may start out small, but they have the potential to become large enough to compromise a tooth. We know that foods containing sugar are bad for our teeth, such as soda and candy. But what are some surprising foods that can cause cavities?

Sweetened Yogurt

Yogurt typically contains high amounts of calcium which can benefit teeth, but unless the label says “unsweetened”, you could be consuming much more sugar than you think. Sweetened yogurts are usually those that are flavored, whether they’re vanilla or fruit flavored. These yogurts can contain as much sugar as a can of soda, which can hurt your teeth and cause cavities over time.

Yogurts often masquerade as a health food, but choose unsweetened yogurts for all the benefits without the added sugar [1]!

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits that contain high amounts of vitamin C are certainly beneficial for our bodies and even for our gum health. However, the acid content of these fruits can harm our tooth enamel, especially if eaten without water or when we have a dry mouth.

These fruits include lemons, strawberries, and oranges. You can still enjoy these fruits, just consume water with them and always wait a minimum of 30 minutes to brush your teeth afterward!

White Bread and Chips

White bread tends to be soft and sticky, which can get stuck to our teeth and contribute to tooth decay [2]. Any type of white, soft bread has the potential to hurt your teeth as it’s made from simple carbohydrates which can quickly break down into sugar.

The same is true for chips such as potato chips and even crackers, which can get stuck in the deeper grooves present on our molars and cause acids that attack tooth enamel. For healthier choices, crunch on raw veggies or skip the bread in favor for a lettuce wrap!

Pickles and Pickled Vegetables

Pickles and pickled vegetables including fermented foods (think sauerkraut) are high in acid. Although these foods can be healthy, many people aren’t aware that the acid content can damage tooth enamel.

In fact, research has shown that pickles are one of the main foods that can contribute to tooth decay as the result of their effect on tooth enamel [3]. You can still enjoy pickles and fermented foods, but always consume them with water to help neutralize the acidic effect on your oral cavity.

Do you love of any of the above foods? If so, you can still continue to enjoy them, just take precautions and be aware of the fact that they can hurt your teeth and contribute to cavity formation. You can also visit your dentist for regular checkups to protect your teeth even more against tooth decay!

Sources:
1. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/09/19/649689591/yogurt-may-not-be-so-healthy-if-its-pumped-full-of-sugar
2. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4062
3. https://www.nature.com/articles/4811747

The post These Unexpected Foods May Be Giving You Cavities appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Here are a few signs and symptoms that might be trying to tell you that you have an improper
bite and need treatment to feel better!

Your Teeth Don’t Align

Sometimes detecting an improper bite is as simple as noticing that the teeth are crooked or do
not line up properly, or, are uncomfortable when smiling. In fact, seeing an improper bite may
be most apparent when you smile, although not everyone will have a noticeable misaligned
bite. Your dentist will be able to tell and help you with treatment or can refer you to an
orthodontist for treatment if necessary.

You Have Jaw Pain

When your upper and lower jaw don’t quite fit together, it can put more pressure on the joint
that connects your jaw to your skull. Most patients have heard of this joint, called the
temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Improper bites play a big role in TMJ pain and symptoms,
making it important to address the root cause of your discomfort rather than just living with the
problem.

An improper bite can cause the joint to become strained and can put pressure on the joint,
which can cause sore jaw muscles, jaw pain, and even headaches. If you’re experiencing any of
these symptoms, an improper bite may be to blame!

You Grind Your Teeth

Teeth grinding, also referred to as bruxism, is an unfortunate common habit. It’s also one that’s
extremely dangerous to your smile and can cause irreversible wear on your natural teeth. If you
have a misaligned bite, you may be more likely to grind your teeth since your teeth won’t fit
together properly.

Since bruxism can cause premature wear of the teeth, tooth sensitivity, inflamed gum tissue,
and even tooth loss, you should never wait to seek help this worrying habit that could be a
symptom of an improper bite!

You Have Uneven Tooth Wear

Teeth that fit together in a proper bite should wear evenly as the years go by. Teeth that don’t
fit together will often experience uneven tooth wear, which can cause some teeth to wear
down more than others. Unfortunately, this premature wear can also cause tooth sensitivity
and decay. When the enamel is worn away, your tooth is no longer protected, which gives rise
to a host of dental problems. A misaligned bite is often to blame for uneven tooth wear.

Fortunately, many children receive orthodontic care which can correct their bite as they enter
adulthood. However, it’s never too late to receive the care you need to correct your bite even
as an adult. Schedule a consultation with your dentist or orthodontist today to discover if the
symptoms you’re experiencing are resulting from an improper bite that can be treated!

The post How Do I Know If I Have an Improper Bite? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, up to 25% of patients with acid reflux will have no symptoms. Dentists are often the first professionals to come into contact with acid reflux, as enamel erosion on the back molars may be a sign of the presence of stomach acid in the oral cavity.

How does acid reflux affect the oral cavity? Here’s how GERD can contribute to tooth decay.

Enamel Loss Increases Risk of Cavities

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but it’s no match for stomach acid, which is so strong it can actually dissolve razor blades!

When tooth enamel is lost due to erosion from harsh acids or bacteria, it can’t be replaced. Loss of tooth enamel increases your risk of tooth decay. The harsh stomach acids that leak into the esophagus in people with GERD can eventually make their way up the esophagus and into the mouth. These acids are extremely corrosive to tooth enamel.

This type of damage usually happens on the surface of the back molars on the lower jaw, which are the closest teeth to the back of your throat and therefore the most likely to experience the harmful effects of stomach acid.

Dry Mouth May Exacerbate Tooth Decay

Patients with acid reflux often experience dry mouth on account of the traces of acid that can be present in the oral cavity.

Dry mouth in itself can cause an upset in the balance of oral bacteria and contribute to tooth decay; dry mouth combined with GERD can quickly work to damage tooth enamel and wear away the surface of the back molars among other teeth.

Other symptoms of acid reflux include chronic bad breath or a persistent bad taste in your mouth. Both of these can be symptoms of gum disease as well, so discovering the cause of these symptoms with your dentist is essential.

How to Stop Tooth Decay from Acid Reflux

People with acid reflux may need to try harder to avoid foods that can aggravate tooth decay, such as sugar. Combining sugar with harmful stomach acids in the mouth can be detrimental to your smile.

In addition, people with acid reflux may also experience a flare of symptoms with foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits; both of these are acidic and can worsen the effect of GERD on your smile.

Make your dentist aware of your acid reflux and ask him or her how often you should come in. You may need to come in more often in order to keep your teeth healthy and prevent damage from acid reflux.

Managing your acid reflux can help you protect both your smile and your body from this harmful condition!

Acid reflux absolutely has the potential to contribute to tooth decay. Visiting your dentist can help you catch acid reflux early in the event that you are asymptomatic and prevent harm to your teeth. Make an appointment with your dentist today if you suspect you’re suffering from GERD!

The post Does Acid Reflux Contribute to Tooth Decay? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

In fact, tooth enamel is porous, which means it can be affected by the things that we eat or
drink. It’s especially susceptible to damage when proper oral hygiene isn’t being practiced,
which can lead to erosion of the tooth enamel.

Which beverages can erode enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity and decay?

Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most damaging beverages for your smile. Not only is it corrosive, but it can
stain teeth if you’re a red wine drinker. Alcohol can quickly work to erode tooth enamel if you
don’t rinse your mouth with water. Going to sleep after a night of drinking without brushing
your teeth is the worst! If you drink alcohol, sip with water and be sure to limit your
consumption as much as possible. Alcohol is also a risk factor for oral cancer!

Soda

Soda’s sugar content makes it a huge culprit when it comes to eating away at tooth decay.
Unfortunately, diet sodas aren’t much better—their artificial sweeteners tend to be very acidic
too, which can also damage tooth enamel. Soda is not a safe beverage choice for your smile and
is best avoided or enjoyed in moderation at most. Instead, enjoy seltzer water, which is easier
on your enamel and bonus: it has less calories!

Fruit Juice

Fruit juice might seem like the healthier choice compared to alcohol or soda. However, this
simply isn’t true. Fruit juice—especially those made from citrus fruits—can result in just as
much enamel damage as soda or alcohol. These types of juices include orange juice, lemonade,
grapefruit juice, and even cranberry juice. Juice should also be enjoyed in moderation followed
by water, and children shouldn’t have juice as their main source of fluid intake.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks provide double trouble for those seeking a boost. They not only contain caffeine,
which tends to be acidic on teeth, but also sugar. Don’t forget that artificial sweeteners can be
just as damaging. Some research shows that energy drinks are actually worse for your teeth
than soda! Instead, make your own energy drink with water, a pinch of sea salt, and some fresh
fruit, or enjoy coconut water instead.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are another tooth enamel nightmare. They often contain acidic dyes and sugar,
making them not too different from soda. Sports drinks are marketed as being healthier and
safer than soda, although research is lacking to prove this is true. When it comes to your tooth
enamel, water still remains your safest bet. Skip the sports drinks to help your teeth!

Our mouths are hugely affected by the foods and drinks we choose to consume. You can
choose to skip the above drinks to help protect your tooth enamel. Through making healthier
beverage choices and keeping up with your oral hygiene, you can be sure to have healthy tooth
enamel and reduce your risk of cavities and sensitive teeth!

The post Which Beverages Erode Tooth Enamel? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Translucent teeth can happen slowly over time for a variety of reasons. Here, we’ll look at some of those reasons and discuss what you can do to stop it from happening.

Enamel Erosion

Enamel erosion happens when the shiny hard protective layer that covers your tooth interior tissues is damaged. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but is usually the result of acids and bacteria present in the mouth that cause decay. One of the worse culprits of this is stomach acids—that’s why acid reflux or morning sickness can cause so much damage to the mouth.

Your enamel may be worn down due to other factors, including teeth grinding. Even brushing too aggressively can impact your tooth enamel. When enamel is eroded, your teeth may become more sensitive or appear to have chips and cracks or have a rough surface. Enamel erosion can cause a transparent look in the affected teeth!

Enamel Hypoplasia or Hypomineralization

Enamel hypoplasia can cause white spots on the teeth that may be translucent or white. Your teeth may even have physical abnormalities to them such as grooves or indentations on the visible parts of your teeth. Enamel hypoplasia is the result of the enamel not forming correctly, sometimes due to overexposure of fluoride, especially as a child.

Hypomineralization is a condition in which the enamel doesn’t receive enough minerals to be healthy. This leads to damaged enamel and translucent teeth. This condition may not be immediately apparent but may happen over time.

Some clues to look for are increasing tooth sensitivity, teeth changing color (becoming darker or translucent), or changing texture. As your enamel wears away, your teeth are also more susceptible to decay. Since enamel protects your teeth, a lack of healthy minerals or enamel hypoplasia can worsen your risk for tooth decay.

What Can You Do?

Translucent teeth can be embarrassing and worrying. Fortunately, you do have options for helping teeth that have already begun to turn translucent. Enamel remineralization may be an option—it’s a procedure done by your dentist to help repair your enamel. You may also choose veneers, which protect your teeth while also enhancing your appearance.

It’s important to prevent enamel erosion as much as you possibly can by taking care of your teeth. Enamel erosion can be prevented by brushing gently, eating a healthy diet, and visiting your dentist. Talk to your dentist about how healthy your enamel is and what you can do to improve it.

If you’re seeing a change in your teeth that makes them appear more transparent, you could be seeing signs of enamel damage. Talk to your dentist about your enamel. Teeth are not supposed to appear translucent and this condition could be affecting your dental health. Make an appointment to get help today!

The post What are Translucent Teeth, and What Can You Do? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

When Traveling, Pack the Essentials

Of course, you want to ensure you have the right clothes, sunscreen, bug spray, and whatever else you need for your trip. However, it’s also important to not forget the essentials for your mouth—toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss! If visiting friends or relatives, don’t assume they’ll have these things for you. Going to the store when you first arrive somewhere isn’t going to be ideal. It’s better to make sure you pack these items and have them with you when you arrive. Better yet, keep them in plain sight so that you remember to use them every morning and evening as you’ll be off your normal routine!

Keep Hydrated

There are lots of different beverages that are popular to consume during the summer—from iced coffee to energy drinks to margaritas, you’re going to have options when it comes to what you want to drink. However, drinking water rather than sugary alternatives not only keeps you hydrated, but also helps cut down on dental plaque. Keep water with you during the day so you can sip and provide your mouth with the saliva it needs to properly nourish your teeth and stop plaque from sticking to your teeth. If plain water gets boring, try seltzer water with some crushed fruit in it!

Choose Healthy Summer Snacks

It’s the time of year when you hear the ice cream truck, buy the kids French fries at the beach, and snack on popcorn at the movies. This summer, you can protect your smile by being choosy about your snacks. Watermelon is an excellent choice because of its water content. Ice cream, although it contains calcium, is packed with sugar. Other swaps to make include fresh fruit as opposed to prepackaged foods, frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, and sweet potato fries or kale chips as opposed to potato chips or French fries. By enjoying sugary foods in moderation, you can help protect your smile from tooth decay.

Visit the Dentist

The kids might be on summer vacation, but tooth decay and gum disease never take a break. This is the perfect opportunity to get your kids to the dentist while they’re out of school. Schedule an appointment to see how your kids’ teeth are doing. Your dentist can also tell you where they need to improve with brushing and motivate them to brush and floss daily!

When it comes to your summer this year, don’t put your oral care at the bottom of the list just because you’re on vacation. You can maintain a healthy smile by packing your toothbrush, drinking plenty of water, choosing healthy snacks, and visiting your dentist. Enjoy your vacation!

The post Tips to Maintain a Healthy Smile during Your Summer Vacation appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Your Teeth Are Sensitive or Loose

Sensitive teeth are a sign that your enamel has been damaged. This means the protective layer over your teeth has worn away from teeth grinding and your teeth are now sensitive to temperature. If you notice even a bit of sensitivity where there wasn’t sensitivity before, visit your dentist to see if you could have enamel damage from bruxism. If it’s loose teeth you’re noticing, this may be a sign of damaged ligaments. As bruxism continues, the ligaments and other tissue that help hold your teeth in place in your jaw can become inflamed. When this happens, your teeth may feel loose or move when touched.

You Have a Sore Jaw

A sore jaw is another sign that bruxism is happening. This is because of the pressure your jaw is putting on your teeth. Without something to absorb that pressure, your jaw can become tight and sore. You may even begin exhibiting symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, where the jaw is sore even when chewing or speaking.

Your Teeth Are Damaged

You might be able to see that your teeth are damaged, or your dentist might tell you. Damaged teeth could include worn down enamel which can lead to dental caries or discoloration. It could mean your gum tissue is inflamed and causing gum recession or bleeding. Teeth may also be cracked or chipped from your nightly grinding. Your dentist can take a closer look at your smile and be able to tell if you’re grinding your teeth. Damaged teeth will need to be repaired in order to prevent future problems.

Fortunately, teeth grinding is a treatable condition. Wearing a custom night guard for your mouth can help stop the impact of bruxism on your teeth. You’ll be able to eliminate your symptoms and protect your smile while you work on other stress relieving techniques to help stop grinding for good!

Image courtesy of jk1991 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Top Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth (And Not Even Know It) appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Hydrochloric Acid Damages Tooth Enamel

Your stomach is protected from the harsh acids that help digest your food—but your teeth aren’t. Your teeth were never meant to be exposed to these acids, which are extremely corrosive to your teeth. Your teeth are protected with your tooth enamel, which is the toughest substance in the body. Unfortunately, tooth enamel doesn’t hold up against acids. These acids can come in the form of acidic foods such as sugar, or stomach acids for people with GERD.

When the acid backs up into your esophagus, traces of it can end up in your mouth. This lowers the pH of your oral cavity to be very acidic. Under these conditions, enamel can quickly get worn away. When enamel is gone, it’s much easier for cavities to form. This acidic environment worsens when you eat acidic foods in addition to having acid reflux.

What Happens When Enamel Is Gone

Once your enamel is gone, it doesn’t grow back. People who have damaged or missing enamel will often have to deal with the consequences for life. Enamel damage can lead to tooth sensitivity as well as cavities. When the protective layer of your teeth is no longer there, damage happens much faster. Missing enamel can also lead to discoloration of your teeth. If a cavity forms and is left untreated, root canal therapy may be needed. Missing enamel could also cause pain when you brush and floss in addition to eating hot or cold foods. Worst of all, if enamel damage becomes a problem yet your GERD continues to cause acids to end up in your mouth, damage can happen on a much larger scale.

How to Manage the Damage

Early diagnosis of GERD can minimize the damage that happens from stomach acids in your mouth. Unfortunately, many patients wait over a year to seek treatment for this problem! There are things you can do at home in addition to getting your condition treated by your doctor. These include not eating before bedtime—at least two hours before—and never laying down after eating. Laying down makes it much easier for acids to wash back into your mouth.

You can also eat smaller meals, which will help reduce stomach acid in the first place. Just eat more frequently in addition to smaller meals. Certain foods trigger certain people’s acid reflux—the most common ones include citrus foods, spicy and greasy foods, even chocolate and tomatoes. Know what triggers you and do your best to avoid it.

Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and losing weight can also help you to live a healthier life in addition to managing your acid reflux. If you think you suffer from GERD, schedule an appointment with your doctor to diagnose and treat the condition before it has a chance to hurt your smile. Get a checkup with your dentist and talk to him or her about your acid reflux and what you can do. Acid reflux can harm your smile, but you can help circumvent the damage!

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