Good day to you all! This is Dr Dondo with more interesting dental facts and nuggets of wisdom for you and your family. Let's talk about that sneaky process called dental decay. Did you know it is only second in prevalence to the common cold? I would like to show you how you can take aim at tooth decay and stop it dead in its tracks! It is helpful to know that decay is 100% preventable. That's right. By making some basic lifestyle changes this enemy of our teeth can be easily defeated.
There is a form of decay I like to call "lifestyle cavities". It is the kind of decay that can be eliminated by simply changing something in our day. For example, do you continuously sip on carbonated sodas throughout your day? If you do, then you are receiving a decay double whammy because of its high level of acid and sugar. Sugar and acid are like fuel to decay-causing bacteria. This is why switching to sugar-free sodas does not really get you off the hook. If you are an unrepentant soda sipper, try switching to sparkling water with a splash of sugar-free juice. Also, use a straw. Straws help the drink to bypass your teeth. But if you are a serious servant of soda sipping, then use a straw and rinse with water immediately afterwards.
How about gum? Are you chewing sugared gum? With each chomp on the gum you are forcing a "sugar rinse" in between and all around your teeth. This empowers cavity-causing bacteria to thrive in your mouth. The more bacterial activity the greater their acid production becomes, leading to a higher risk of developing dental decay. Instead, switch to a sugarless gum with the sugar substitute called xylitol. Xylitol cannot be metabolized by decay-causing bacteria; therefore they cannot use it to multiply on your teeth! Also, ask yourself why you chew gum in the first place. If you do it to hide bad breath, then you may have a serious oral condition causing the odor. Ask your dentist or hygienist what you can do to alleviate the problem.
Do you frequently suck on sugared mints or cough drops? During flu season cough drop sales increase dramatically. This is one of the biggest and most ignored culprits of dental decay. We don't always realize that cough drops are packed full of sugar. In fact each drop can contain about a teaspoon of sugar each! Try switching to a sugarless cough drop if you need it. Also, stop using mints or drops to mask mouth odor and ask your dentist or hygienist if the smell is coming from your teeth or gums.
Do you use smokeless chewing tobacco? Tobacco usage carries with it some serious health risks including oral cancer and decay. Because chewing tobacco is dipped in molasses, it has a lot of hidden sugar. This sugar, of course, feeds the decay-causing bacteria. So, my recommendation is: Quit. That's a strong statement, I know. But a strong effort is needed to get the job done given that chewing tobacco has even higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes and is therefore more addictive! That might surprise you if you have ever tried to quit smoking. Aside from the increased risk of cavities, using smokeless tobacco products is associated with cancers of the esophagus, larynx, and stomach, and an increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases. Various nicotine replacement products are available and have proven very successful for those committed to quitting.
Do you have dry mouth? The technical term is xerostomia. It is a common complaint found often among older adults, affecting approximately 20 percent of the elderly usually due to the medications they are taking. Did you know there are more than 400 common medications known to cause dry mouth? Many people with dry mouth often try to compensate for their lack of saliva by overusing sugary mints, cough drops, drinks and gum. This change in lifestyle can be dangerous to their teeth. If you suffer from dry mouth I recommend you sip water continuously. Ask your pharmacist for over-the-counter mouth sprays. Also, you might consider speaking to your physician to see if the condition is caused by the medications you are taking.
As a dentist it has always been my mission to save teeth. I am so glad that the future looks promising for early cavity detection. New technologies with cavity-sensitive detection devices are becoming more and more popular. Dentistry has even developed in office ways of testing our saliva to determine the amount and activity of criminal bacteria that try to steal away our smiles. But here's the tough part: You have to come in and see your dentist! So, if you are one who experiences frequent decay, you may want to ask your dentist if you need your saliva tested for high bacterial activity. The industry has also developed several enamel strengthening treatments which can be prescribed for at-home use. So, let's join forces and deliver the death blow to that murderous enemy of our teeth!
