BURNING THE MIDNIGHT BACTERIA!

The all-night study session, the weekend-long term paper dash, late nights, early mornings and stress – these are all part of being a college student. But all these factors can lead to neglect and abuse of your regular dental health.

All that hustle and bustle can mean not only skipping your regular brushing, but also skipping balanced meals in favour of snacking on sugary, carbohydrate-rich ‘convenience’ foods and beverages. A steady diet of pizza and soda, donuts, coffee and cappuccino can take a toll on your oral health.

 When you eat carbs, you never eat alone. Oral bacteria also feed on those insidious sugars and carbohydrates. This bacterial pig-out produces a sticky film called plaque that attaches to your teeth. If plaque isn’t removed every day, it builds up and eventually turns into a cement-like substance called tartar.

In addition to tooth decay, plaque and tartar can irritate your gums and cause them to become inflamed and bleed when you brush and floss your teeth. If left untreated, this condition can advance into periodontitis, an incurable gum disease that can lead to tooth-loss.

Another by-product of college, stress, also increases plaque levels and gingivitis production. pizza

When you are cramming for an important exam or rushing to an early class, brushing your teeth is probably the last thing on your mind. However, it needs to be the first thing you think about after you eat breakfast and before you go to bed. It takes only a couple of minutes twice a day to preserve your teeth and gums for a lifetime. In addition to making healthier food choices, use fluoride toothpaste, thoroughly brush your teeth and gums twice each day, and floss at least once every day. Use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria from your tongue.

We now offer walk in cleanings, walk in toothaches and convenient appointments before & after school.
So, when you study for your college exams, don’t forget to prep for your next dental exam.

SWEET DECEPTION

We all know that sugar is bad for teeth. Oral bacteria, fed by sugar, acts like a jack hammer boring through the enamel on your teeth and into the delicate dentin. It is this bacterium that creates sensitivity, cavities and potentially infection and tooth loss. Certainly candy and soda should be treated with care but other simple carbohydrates are essentially sugar in a less obvious form. The following foods have hidden forms of sugar that should also be approached with caution..

Tomato sauce – Tomato sauces and ketchups are loaded with sugar. On average, a tablespoon of tomato sauce is equivalent to a tablespoon of sugar. If possible, use fresh tomatoes instead of canned sauce.

Salad dressing – Commercially available salad dressings are often loaded with excess sugar. A healthier option could be achieved by making your own dressing from vinegar, oil and herbs.

Yogurt – It seems like such a healthy option with protein and probiotics but most yogurts are drowning in syrupy flavourings. Several commercial brands have as much sugar per serving as a piece of fudge. A better option would be unflavoured yogurt with fresh fruit added for sweetness.

Breads – Many varieties of bread, even whole wheat, contain as much as a teaspoon of sugar per slice. Choose whole grain breads with a high fibre and low carbohydrate content. Meal Replacement Bars – Some meal replacement bars can contain as much sugar as a candy bar. A piece of high fiber fruit or nuts might be a better choice than a meal replacement bar.

Being aware of hidden sugar can help you make more informed choices for your dental health and overall health. To maintain good dental health, eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, good sources of protein and healthy fats like olive oil as well as keeping a regular checkup schedule.

CLEAN SWEEP

Most of us don’t go to the doctor’s office unless we are sick or injured. That may be alright for your overall health but not for your dental health. While at home maintenance is vital, even the most thorough brushing and flossing won’t negate the need for twice yearly dental cleanings to keep your mouth healthy. So what all is involved with a dental cleaning and why are they so necessary?

A dental cleaning is more in-depth than your daily brushing. A toothbrush can remove plaque and bacteria but it can’t

brush away calculus build-up. Your dental hygienist uses a small metal tool called a scaler to breakup and remove calculus from the teeth, in-between and under the gumline. Failure to remove calculus provides plaque and bacteria a breeding ground for cavities and gum disease.

After the calculus has been removed, the next step is to polish. Using a spinning tool with a soft rubber end, your hygienist applies a gritty paste designed to polish the teeth and remove surface debris. After rinsing, your hygienist flosses your teeth to make sure that all calculus has been removed from between teeth.

An optional third step is a fluoride treatment. A flavored foam or gel fluoride is placed inside molded foam trays that fit over the teeth. These trays are left on the teeth for about 30 seconds. Fluoride helps strengthen teeth and make them more resistant to decay.

This twice a year deep cleaning and inspection helps protect your teeth and gums from decay as well as spotting early signs of serious issues such as oral cancer and gum disease before they become problems. If you haven’t been keeping your twice yearly cleaning schedule, give us a call today.

HOW DRY I AM

Saliva is the first step in digestion and serves to keep the mouth moist and clean. When your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, you become more vulnerable to bacteria and fungi. Xerostomia, or dry mouth, can be caused by a variety of situations.

Some of the most common causes of dry mouth are:

Medication side effects – prescription and nonprescription drugs for allergies, colds, acne and hypertension can result in dry mouth symptoms. Medical treatments such as chemotherapy for head and neck cancers can also be a cause.

Dehydration – failing to stay hydrated during fitness or due to fever or vomiting can cause temporary dry mouth.

Nerve damage – damage to the nerves in the head and neck area can lead to dry mouth issues.

Tobacco – use of tobacco can aggravate dry mouth symptoms.

If you are experiencing dry mouth symptoms, some ways to increase saliva production include:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum
• Using a room vaporizer when you sleep
• Over-the-counter oral rinse products that are designed to increase moisture
• Consulting with your physician about changing medications
• Ceasing or limiting tobacco use

Chronic dry mouth can increase your risk for gum disease, dental decay and bad breath. If you are experiencing dry mouth on a regular basis, give us a call to assess the causes and potential treatments.