Energy drinks can take a major toll on teeth. They contain sugar, acids and other teeth harming ingredients. In addition to this, they cause dehydration which can wreak havoc on your oral health. Today I will be discussing with you reasons why you might want to skip the energy drink and grab a water or even a soda instead.
To begin energy drinks are acidic. When you look at the labels on energy drinks, one of the most common ingredients you will come across is citric acid. Citric Acid is used primarily as a tarty flavor enhancer. This ingredient also promotes shelf life in many beverages. The bad thing about this ingredient is that it is an acid, acids and teeth do not mix! This may cause cavities to crop up where you least expect them. Citric acid is all the reason you need to avoid energy drinks, but trust me there are a lot more.
I myself, am not against energy drinks, in fact, I have consumed more than my fair share of them. I like the caffeine, who doesn't? This leads us to our next ingredient, Caffeine. This common stimulant is a diuretic and as a result, will dehydrate you. When a person gets dehydrated this leads to dry mouth, and teeth and dry mouth do not mix! Saliva is essential as it provides a continuous stream of cleaning fluids for the teeth and mouth. When saliva is absent bacteria are more likely to stick to the teeth and create cavities. In addition to this caffeine can be habit-forming leading you to reach for this enamel harming elixir without even realizing it at times.
Just as important as acid and caffeine, sugar is another major culprit in energy drinks. Sugar fuels cavity-causing bacteria causing their growth rate to increase exponentially. Sugar is a mouth bacteria number one favorite food, next to carbs. Providing them with this substance gives them a boost in metabolism unlike anything else. The sugar in combination with dry mouth can cause cavities to crop up practically overnight. Sugar-free energy drinks are not that much better, as they still contain acids and caffeine.
Equally as important as acid, caffeine, and sugars, the carbonation in energy drinks does not help matters whatsoever. When consuming a carbonated drink, the fizziness and bubbles allow the sugar and acids to reach tiny crevices between teeth. This takes things an extra step farther by ensuring all the teeth harming ingredients in these drinks reach every part of your enamel. This is just one of the many reasons why energy drinks are damaging to enamel. Next time you are in the gas station looking for a boost, choose a warm tea and your teeth and health will benefit as a result.
Technological advances within the field of science have brought about many great advancements over the years. Research scientists are experimenting with ways to actually grow teeth from stem cells. By the use of laser and stem cells, it may be possible to grow normal healthy teeth in humans.
In fact, a team of dentists have even used rodents to see if they were able to regrow teeth by using a laser instrument and stem cells. First, the dentist drilled a series of holes in the teeth of laboratory rats. After the holes were drilled in the tooth of the rat adult stem cells were applied to the pulp portion of the remaining tooth. Humans also have pulp which can be found in adult human teeth. The stem cells were applied by using a low powered laser. Only a low powered laser may be used in a procedure of this nature.
After the laser was applied to the tooth, the dentist constructed a temporary cap and placed it over each tooth of the rat. Over the next 10-12 weeks, the teeth were carefully observed through x rays and by simply looking at the teeth with the naked eye. Through careful observation over a 12 week period, it was noticed that under a thin layer of enamel the tooth had in fact begun to grow.
This is a very complex procedure and it is unknown whether or not this procedure could be used in place of common dental procedures. Regrowing teeth is a procedure that is so complex because it involves stem cells and various proteins that are found in human as well as animal saliva.
Stem cells are also being used in an effort to rebuild a jawbone so dental implants may fit securely. Stem cells have been found useful to treat a number of ailments and defects. However, stem cell research and application is still considered by many as controversial.
If this procedure can help humans to grow teeth in the future it would certainly be a real breakthrough as far as medical science and dentistry are concerned. Due to the fact that this procedure involves the manipulating of cells and proteins, it is considered quite complex and more research and testing may be needed.
The Business Insider also published an article and photo which illustrated how the teeth begin to regenerate after treatment with a low power laser and stem cells. The photo was quite impressive and gives the public some insight on what the future of science may hold.
Growing teeth is considered to be regenerative medicine and may one day replace the root canal as well as other dental procedures. Additional research and testing is currently underway.
When we don't produce enough saliva, the mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. This decreased production of saliva is known as dry mouth or xerostomia. Dry mouth affects about 10% of all people and is more prevalent in women than men. Disorders of saliva production affect elderly people effectively affecting around one in five elderly people. As people get older, they tend to take more medicines; half of all Americans aged 60-plus take three or more prescription medicines on a regular basis. This is the primary reason why older people are more likely to suffer from chronic Dry Mouth.
Saliva is an essential part of a healthy mouth and is often taken for granted. The lubricating properties of saliva provide comfort and help protect the oral tissues against ulcers, sores, and other effects of friction. Saliva neutralizes acids and provides antibodies against a bacterial threat. Saliva helps digest food and helps teeth in mineralization. Saliva is also a very essential contributor to a person's ability to taste, as it acts as a solvent for the taste stimuli.
There are many causes of dry mouth. Dry mouth most commonly occurs as a side effect of medications that cause decrease saliva production, including blood pressure medications, antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and many others. Other causes of dry mouth are radiation treatments to treat cancerous tumors, salivary gland diseases, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, mouth breathing, sleep apnea, autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia, are other risk factors for developing xerostomia.
Salivary production is often decreased when a major salivary duct becomes blocked, such as from a stone or infection. Dehydration is one of the main factors contributing to dry mouth. Conditions that lead to dehydration, such as fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns can cause dry mouth. Lifestyle choices which include smoking or chewing tobacco can affect saliva production and aggravate dry mouth. Continuously breathing with your mouth open can also contribute to the problem.
Patients suffering from dry mouth or xerostomia experience the common symptoms of sticky dry feeling in the mouth, frequent thirst, sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth; cracked lips, dry feeling in the throat, burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and especially on the tongue, dry red tongue, problems speaking or difficulty tasting, chewing, and swallowing. Hoarseness, dry nasal passages, and sore throat.
To determine if you have dry mouth, your doctor or dentist likely will examine your mouth and review your medical history and all medications you're taking, including over-the-counter medications. Sometimes you may need blood tests, imaging scans of your salivary glands or tests that measure how much saliva you produce to identify the cause of your dry mouth. If your doctor suspects your dry mouth is caused by Sjogren's syndrome, a small sample of cells (biopsy) taken from salivary glands in your lip may be sent for testing.
Practical measures that will help resolve dry mouth, whatever the causes are: take frequent sips or sprays of cold water. Always have a glass of water next to you when you go to bed. Suck ice cubes. Sugar-free chewing gum is often helpful. Eating pineapple chunks or partly frozen melon is often soothing and helpful.
Some people find that it helps to suck boiled sweets. (But, sugary or acidic sweets are not typically good for teeth.). Consider reducing or cutting out caffeine and alcohol which have a diuretic effect. (This means that they can make you pass out more urine, which can be dehydrating.) Caffeine occurs in tea, coffee, cola, and other drinks. It is also part of some medicines. You can apply petroleum jelly to your lips to prevent drying and cracking. Sometimes if it’s not adequate then your doctor can prescribe spray, gel or lozenge for the production of artificial saliva or saliva stimulants like pilocarpine.
I detest cavities in my teeth just as much or maybe even more than the next person. When I experience cavities, I have always been self-conscious in thinking about them. It really does start to put a hurt on how you view yourself. I acknowledge this.
I sometimes felt like I was hiding my cavities like a dark secret. Putting your cavities in the dark will only make them worse. You should still smile, because it shows perseverance, and there are people in the world who will recognize this. Maybe it's your fault maybe it's not but if you see them for what they are then you can take the next step to fix them.
In fact, I'd say that cavities are one of the most damaging things to the self-image. Cavities prevent you from eating certain foods or drinks or even enjoying certain activities. Don't let cavities be a hamper on your social life. Many people have cavities, they can form on any person and on any tooth. Cavities are fixable, they are not the dead-end problem we are accustomed to perceiving them as.
Once the tooth is pulled or the cavity filled, of the implant rooted, the problem is fixed. What I am saying here is that you are not your cavity. Just because you can truthfully say " I have a cavity " that does not make you any less than those with perfect teeth. By the way, there is no such thing as perfect teeth.
The good thing about cavities is that you can go to the dentist and just get them fixed. Back in the day people didn't have any dentist! Make your dentist your friend. Dentists are normal folks just like most other people. They are just responsible for getting a very important job done.
Thus, as long as you make an effort to like your dentist you should have a good experience with them. Study up on procedures, know what you're getting, and get it once you decide what you want. Do this so that you will have a knowledgable and comfortable dental experience.
With all this in mind, it is wise to start today the fight against your dental problems. Research a few dentists to find out what it will cost to get what you want to get done. Whatever money you are spending on convenience should be diverted to saving up for the numbers they give you. This being if you are serious about getting them fixed.
Learning to live life with cavities shows persistence. Knowing that you can have them dealt with and taking action shows strength and the willingness to take life into your own hands.
Cavities are a sticky problem in dentistry, affecting children and adults alike. They are responsible for many trips to the dentist. While seemingly benign at first, cavities can lead to complications in the tooth. Knowing what causes them, how they came about, and how to prevent them is a key factor in keeping a healthy mouth.
Carbohydrates are very sticky, clinging to tooth enamel after they are eaten. Over time, the high sugar concentration can wear down the enamel. When the sugars eat away the enamel, a hole, or cavity, is formed. If left untreated, the cavity can cause complications, such as nerve damage and infection. Oral infections that are left untreated can become systemic, or widespread throughout the body.
It is very important to clean the teeth after every meal. This ensures the removal of any residue build-up that could cause damage to the teeth. If a cavity is detected, it should be filled by a dentist as soon as possible. Regular visits to the dentist can help in cavity detection and treatment The dentist is able to find small, undetectable cavities and fill them before they become a problem.
Discoveries have shown that humans have not always had a problem with cavities. Teeth found from Neanderthals who existed before modern-day man contain no cavities. Strictly meat-eaters, their diets did not consist of any sugary carbohydrates. This discovery shows a strict correlation between a plant diet and cavities. Since Neanderthals did not eat plant-based foods, they did not suffer from tooth damage caused by cavities.
In light of these discoveries, some scientists have hypothesized that eliminating sugary plant foods from the diet would consequently eliminate the occurrence of cavities. However, eating a diet consisting entirely of meat is not only unrealistic but somewhat unhealthy as well. It does present with the conclusion that reducing plant-based foods could greatly decrease the incidence of cavities.
While modern man may not be able to survive on the Neanderthal's diet of meat to reduce the incidence of cavities, there are ways to reduce tooth damage. A person can decrease their consumption of carbohydrates, cleaning the teeth thoroughly after each meal or snack.
Energy drinks can take a major toll on teeth. They contain sugar, acids and other teeth harming ingredients. In addition to this, they cause dehydration which can wreak havoc on your oral health. Today I will be discussing with you reasons why you might want to skip the energy drink and grab a water or even a soda instead.
