It is a known fact that acidic foods and drinks, such as some sorts of fruit and fruit juices, etc. are quite dangerous to our dental health. Such foods and drinks can be useful, healthy and nutritious, contain lots of vitamins and minerals, have positive effects on the functioning of our body systems and lower the risks of developing certain diseases, but still they are very harmful to our gums and teeth. In particular, according to the latest studies of the scientists at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester’s Institute for Oral Health, such popular drink as orange juice can cause weakening and erosion of our tooth enamel.

The experiments showed that regular consumption of orange juice, especially those cheap commercial brands which we can find in any supermarket, may have absolutely devastating effects! The participants used to drink only one glass of orange juice every morning, and as a result their tooth enamel was damaged and got up to 84% softer. Yan Fang Ren, one of the leaders of the study, stressed out in the report published in the Science magazine that it is absolutely necessary to control orange juice intake, especially in young children and teenagers.

In order to illustrate the findings of this research and attract public attention to to the problem, the researchers tried to compare the effects of such heavy procedure as teeth whitening to the effects of regular orange juice consumption on our tooth enamel. It turned out that hydrogen peroxide which is usually used for most of whitening procedures has less harmful effects on our tooth enamel than orange juice. According to Ren, the juice simply washes away our tooth enamel. For those, who really like drinking OJ but do not want to damage their teeth, Ren recommends drinking this juice while eating meals, as well as never forget to brush the teeth after such “dental treatment”.

Tags: dental health, orange juice, tooth enamel, whitening

Posted: October 30th, 2009 under Dental Care for Every Day.
Comments: 1

White shiny teeth are not only an important element of everyone’s personal charm, it is also an indicator of normal functioning of all body systems and good overall health. That is why it is important to pay proper attention on our dental care and choose only healthy nutrition for dental health. Undoubtedly, a healthy and balanced nutrition plan should be an important element of everyone’s dental care strategy. In the framework of such a nutrition plan, it is essential to include to your diet the foods containing the following vitamins and elements:

• Fluoride. It is a known fact that fluoride is one of the essential elements for a good dental health. It helps our teeth fight against plague and can neutralize harmful effects of acids in our saliva. We receive great amounts of fluoride from water and tea we consume regularly. Also, this element can be found in walnuts, fish and other foods.
• Iron. Iron deficiency can cause gum problems and bring to gums inflammation. Liver, red meat, beans, apples and other products are prefect sources of iron.
• Calcium. This element protects our teeth against tooth enamel damages and the effects of temperature changes. If we have a lack of calcium in our body, our teeth  can start crumbing. Therefore, it is vital for our good dental health to eat the foods with high content of calcium, such as dairy products, broccoli, soy, sesame, figs and so on.
• Phosphorus. This element is important for the strength and durability of our tooth enamel. Also, phosphorus plays a role for proper digestion of calcium. Phosphorus can be found in fish, eggs, milk, beef and other foods.
• Vitamin D. It is vital for effective digestion of both phosphorus and calcium. Our body can synthesize Vitamin D itself when our skin received good amounts of sunlight. Natural sources of Vitamin D include eggs, fish, mushrooms and so on.
• Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is also important element of effective nutrition for dental health. Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause mouth dryness, as well as little wounds and cracks in our mouth. We can receive good amounts of this vitamin when we regularly eat potato, spinach, tomatoes, strawberries, carrot, cauliflower and other foods.
• Vitamin C. Consuming a good amount of Vitamin C can guarantee a good condition of our gums. There are lots of well-known sources of Vitamin C, including oranges, lemons, onions, carrots, sugar-beet and so on.

Tags: calcium, diet, fluoride, gental care, iron, nutrition for dental health, phosphorus, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin D

Posted: October 13th, 2009 under Dental Care for Every Day.
Comments: none

Sensitive teeth is a very common problem nowadays. If you feel dental pain and discomfort when eating ice-cream, biting a chocolate bar or sipping your morning coffee, as well as while brushing or flossing, there is a probability that your tooth sensitivity increased. Sensitive teeth can make you hate your favorite meals and turn your life into a misery. Fortunately, modern dental technologies can solve this problem very effectively, but in order to receive lasting effects of any treatment, it is essential to find out the roots of the problem.

There is a number of causes of tooth sensitivity (also called as dentin hypersensitivity). In the majority of the cases, the problems start when the gums that cover our tooth roots reduce and make our underlying teeth tissues (dentin) exposed. Those tissues are not as strong as tooth enamel or cementum, therefore, our dental nerves can be stimulated easily. That is why drinking or eating hot, cold, acidic or sweet meals causes pain and hypersensitivity.

The main causes of tooth sensitivity can be put to the following:

• It is estimated that about 60-90% of tooth sensitivity is caused by improper and too hard brushing, or brushing with too hard brush. This frequently causes gum recession and dentin exposure.
• Untreated cavities and plague also lead to sensitive teeth.
• Gum disease and dental inflammation that is linked to gum disease may cause reduction of supporting ligaments, resulting in exposure of the tissues under the gum line.
• Due to poor oral hygiene, tartar can from at the gum line, making tooth root more sensitive.
• Experts say that prolonged mouthwash use can also cause sensitive teeth.
• Tooth cracks, as well as cracks or leakage of old feelings can bring to increased tooth sensitivity.
• Regular dental procedures, including gum surgery, tooth restoration, crown placement, etc., can make the tooth root exposed.
• Excessive tooth whitening frequently leads to increased tooth sensitivity.
• Bad habits like teeth clenching or grinding can wear out tooth enamel and bring to tooth sensitivity.
• Consuming too much of acidic foods and beverages is another factor that can cause enamel erosion and sensitive teeth.
• Specialists say that age also can play a role: it is estimated that tooth sensitivity peaks at the age 25-30.
• Pregnancy and PMS are connected with increased tooth sensitivity in most of women.

Tags: causes of tooth sensitivity, sensitive teeth, tooth sensitivity

Posted: September 21st, 2009 under Miscellaneous.
Comments: none