Dental Questions: Is coffee bad for your teeth?

Coffee: possibly the most widely consumed non-alcoholic beverage other than water. With about 400 million cups drank EACH DAY, it is difficult to deny it's importance in our daily routines. As you probably know (or experienced), the dark pigments in this drink can cause discoloration or yellowing of the dental enamel. Beyond the cosmetic concerns, can coffee consumption harm your teeth? While it is difficult to give a definitive yes or no, there are some considerations you should take when going back for your next cup of joe. 

As a reminder, anything you eat or drink other than water has the potential to demineralize enamel and start the tooth decay process. Black coffee has a pH of about 5, meaning it is acidic enough to weaken enamel and cause initial decalcification. However, coffee has no carbs or sugars and thus cannot fuel the cavity-causing bacteria. The problem arises when sugar, cream, milk or other products are added to your beverage. Even something non-sweet like skim milk has the carbs necessary to feed bacterial growth and cause new decay.

Are we suggesting you quit drinking coffee cold turkey? Of course not! Still, there are ways you can adjust your consumption to better protect your teeth. Keep in mind that its not the amount, but the duration of carbohydrate consumption that determines tooth decay. Try to limit your coffee drinking sessions to set time frames, rather than sipping on one or two cups all morning. Swishing with water after drinking can help too, and protects against further staining!

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we know that creating good dietary habits is a moving target. We are always here to help you make great choices in protecting and improving the health of your teeth. If you would like to know more about tooth decay, how to protect your teeth or any other dental topics, please give our office a call!

Make a healthy mouth part of your 2018 resolution!

As the new year rapidly approaches, we're sure that you have a few great resolutions picked out. In addition to eating healthier and watching less TV, we hope you choose to up your oral health for 2018. At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we've compiled a list of great ways and reasons to keep those teeth clean. As always, we hope everyone has a happy and safe New Year's holiday!

-78% of Americans will have one cavity by the age of 17.

- Populations in areas with fluoridated drinking water (like Thousand Oaks/Conejo Valley) experience 15% less cavities on average when compared to non-fluoridated areas. 

- Daily use of fluoride toothpaste is associated with an ADDITIONAL 25% reduction in new cavities.

- One in six Americans will miss work this year due to tooth pain or dental problems. 

- Over a quarter of Americans report never flossing; less than a quarter report flossing every day. 

- More than half of American adults suffer from gum disease. 

- Healthier gums are associated with better heart health, fewer pregnancy risks and better diabetes control. 

- The cost of electric toothbrushes is constantly falling, while the features (pressure sensors, timers, etc.) continues to grow.

- You only get ONE set of adult teeth- the best time to take care of them is now!

If you would like to learn more about caring for your teeth, toothpaste, flossing or other oral health topics, please give our office a call. Our main goal is ensuring that your teeth are healthy and beautiful for 2018 and beyond!

Dieting and Oral Health

With the new year around the corner, losing weight is at the top of many resolution lists. If you've done your research, you are probably aware of the general benefits and drawbacks of all diet types. However, have you considered their effects on the teeth? In this article, we will cover the risks and benefits of a few popular strategies. We are not endorsing or promoting a single diet, but rather giving you a clue on how they might affect your overall oral health!

One of the fundamental strategies of losing weight is simply eating less. Portion size is a huge component to a successful diet and one of the most difficult aspects to master. However, eating too little can have various negative effects. On top of slowing down your metabolism (and making weight loss more difficult), eating too little can lead to dry mouth conditions. Saliva is a hugely protective factor agains tooth decay, and hyposalivation is clearly linked to an increased risk of developing cavities. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, diets that rely on frequent, small meals can cause a similar increase in decay risk. Constantly having food in your mouth keeps the decay-causing bacteria working all day, creating more acid and softer enamel. Similarly, juice cleanses or all liquid diets can create the same problems. While your drink might be low calorie, it probably contains ingredients that keep the bacteria in your mouth working overtime!

Patients who are starting the "caveman" or "paleo" diets will be happy to hear that these regimens are anecdotally linked to improved dental health. It makes sense- the paleo diet relies on cutting out carbohydrates, the fuel behind tooth decay. While nearly all food causes the mouth to shift to an acidic state, carbohydrates are some of the worst offenders. 

Naturally, any modification to the amount or types of things we eat will have some effect on the teeth. The oral health implications should be considered as a part of the whole-body effects of your diet. We recommend talking with your physician prior to drastically changing the meals you eat. If you have any further questions, feel free to call our office!

Hidden Sugars

While we typically think of tooth decay as a childhood disease, it can affect anyone at any age. In fact, while cavities are slowly declining in young children, 92% of adults over the age of 20 have some form of decay. This is largely attributed to "hidden sugars" in our daily diets. 

Nearly everyone tries to eat healthy and stay away from sweets and sugary drinks. However, it is important to understand that sugars can "hide" in the foods we eat every day. These hidden sugars are particularly detrimental when used as snacks or consumed over a long period of time. Duration, not quantity, is the most important factor in the decay process. A prime example of hidden sugars would be cheese crackers like Goldfish or Cheez-its. While they may have a low sugar content by recipe, our saliva can break down the carbohydrates into smaller glucose and fructose molecules. Combine this with the the crackers' sticky nature and you have a perfect storm for tooth decay!

Other sugars we consume aren't quite as discreet, but still manage to sneak in without us noticing. This is particularly true in an office environment where coworkers are constantly bringing in donuts, birthday cakes and sweet treats. While we may not plan or think of these foods as part of our diet, they still can have a serious effect on our teeth. 

Asking someone to give up their favorite snacks "cold turkey" is usually impossible. Instead, we suggest keeping the duration and number of snacking sessions to a minimum. For example, instead of eating a box of raisins over the course of an afternoon, try to consume all of them in an even fifteen minute period. Also, make sure to follow any snack or meal with a rinse of water and some xylitol gum. This combination is a quick and easy way to minimize bacterial activity after an influx of sugar.

If you would like to know more about tooth decay, what causes it and how we can stop the process, please call our office. The most important component of dental care is prevention, and we want to keep our patients equipped with the latest research in hygiene and oral health. 

The Benefits of Xylitol

If you've ever had Ice Breakers gum, Spry mints or a hard candy from our office, you have enjoyed the benefits of Xylitol sweeteners. Xylitol is a natural sugar that is harvested from plants. While it tastes sweet like glucose, a slight difference in chemical structure prevents it from being digested by our oral bacteria. As such, foods with sufficient xylitol content can help prevent tooth decay!

When our mouth bacteria encounter typical sugars (glucose, fructose, cooked starches, etc.), their enzymes process it to make acid that causes tooth decay. However, xylitol interferes with these enzymes and stops the bacteria in their tracks. You will typically find xylitol in products like gum, mints and toothpaste, but it can be used to sweeten anything. Dr. John's candies are a great example of tasty, low calorie xylitol treats (try them at our office!). 

As with anything, enjoy xylitol in moderation! Too much in one setting can cause stomach aches and GI distress. Additionally, xylitol is poisonous to dogs, so make sure you keep it out of Fido's reach. If you have any other questions about xylitol or its benefits, don't hesitate to call our office!

New Water Fluoridation Levels

You may have seen articles around the Internet noting that the United States Department of Health and Human Services recently lowered their recommended levels for drinking water fluoridation. At first, this may seem like a startling headline. Why would they need to lower their recommendations? Were the levels unsafe before? In reality, there is no reason for concern. The levels of fluoridation in the United States have always been at a safe and therapeutic value.

Previously, the DHHS recommended that fluoride levels were kept within a range between 0.7-1.2 milligrams per liter of water. Under the new guidelines, fluoride levels should be calibrated to a set value of 0.7 milligrams per liter. This change reflects improvements in dental public health services and the increased prevalence of fluoride toothpaste use across the United States. As more and more people (mainly children) are actively using fluoridated dental products, the need for fluoride in water is lessened.

At the current (and historic) levels of fluoride in drinking water, the main concern is the development of fluorosis. Fluorosis is the appearance of white marks or lines on teeth as the result of excessive fluoride exposure during the first 8 years of life. While this may sound alarming, have no fear. Fluorosis is a purely cosmetic condition. In actually, it was difficult to develop this condition before the new guidelines, and will be even tougher now. It is also important to note that the United States has never recommended fluoridation levels that could  lead to toxicity.

Fluoride has been an invaluable tool in providing large populations increased protection against tooth decay. As such, the CDC has named community water fluoridation as one of the Ten Great Public Health Achievements of the 20th Century. If you would like to know more about fluoride, its safety, or how it works, please call our office. We are always happy to keep our patients educated on current events in dentistry!

Dental Questions: Why Does Flossing Make My Gums Bleed?

A common complaint among patients is that “Flossing causes my gums to bleed, so I don’t floss.” In actuality, the reverse is true: not flossing on a regular, once-a-day basis will cause the gums to bleed when flossed occasionally. Plaque and tartar buildup beneath the gum surface leads to inflammation which in-turn causes bleeding. When you use a toothbrush, the bristles can effectively clean the tops and sides of the teeth. However, the interproximal space (space between two teeth) is impossible to reach with brushing alone.  Hence, we recommend using some sort of dental cleaning device between the teeth once a day. Floss, Butler Soft Picks, handle flossers and water picks can all be used to “brush” this space. There are a number of great options- even if you don't like traditional dental floss!

CariFree Rinse and MI Paste

    For the majority of our patients, standard home dental maintenance is sufficient to maintain strong, healthy teeth. Unfortunately, some individuals are always battling tooth decay and cavities, no matter how diligently they floss and brush. Modern dental research has given rise to a number of great products that can help these patients in a safe and predictable manner. At our office, we have two great solutions that can add extra power to your daily routine- Carifree CTx3 Rinse and MI Paste.

    Before we explain how these products work, let’s do a quick review of the anatomy of tooth decay:

      1) Your teeth are made of calcium and phosphate

      2) Acid erodes tooth structure, which releases the calcium and phosphate

      3) Acid can arise from food, bacteria eating food, medication or other body systems

      4) Your saliva can help remineralize tooth structure, but only if the mouth isn’t acidic AND there is enough saliva present (i.e. not dry mouth)

      5) Certain compounds, such as fluoride, can encourage and promote your teeth to take in more calcium and phosphate, above what your saliva does.

With all this in mind, lets take a look at how these wonderful products can help mitigate further degradation of tooth structure!

    Carifree CTx3 Rinse is a “mouthwash” type product that you use once a day before going to bed. While your mouth becomes dried out during the night, CTx3 rinse provides a whole spectrum of benefits to combat potential decay. Firstly, it’s pH neutral formula prevents extreme acidic events. Essentially, your mouth is protected from a low pH environment, which can soften tooth structure and erode enamel. Secondly, it contains a therapeutic dose of xylitol, a natural plant derived sugar. When your mouth bacteria metabolize xylitol, their acid production is limited or stopped. Additionally, xylitol can stimulate saliva flow, which is excellent for combatting almost every facet of decay. Finally, the CTx3 contains fluoride, a carrier ion that helps calcium phosphate integrate and remineralize existing tooth structure.

    MI Paste is a “toothpaste” like cream that is applied to the teeth right before bedtime. This product utilizes a patented form of bio-available calcium phosphate called Recaldent. It is purified from dairy products (but contains almost no lactose) and is identical to the calcium phosphate that makes up your teeth. The idea behind MI Paste is that by saturating the teeth in the building blocks for remineralization, enamel can repair itself faster and more efficiently. On top of preventing tooth decay, this paste is excellent at minimizing whitening sensitivity. By giving tooth enamel extra fortification, the microtubules within teeth are less susceptible to conduct sensitivity.

    Whether you prefer a rinse or paste, CTx3 and MI Paste are great products. Both are made in a number of flavors and are available at our office. Remember, length of exposure is key to both of these product’s success. Do not eat, drink or rinse after applying either; let them sit on your teeth overnight. If you have any questions on these products, how they are used, or who might benefit from them, do not hesitate to contact our office. We want your mouth to be happy and healthy, and have a number of great products to get you there!