Fruit Juices and Smoothies: Are They Bad for Our Teeth?

Contrary to popular belief, it is not just sugar that damages our teeth, but acid, too. Acid is usually found in frizzy drinks such as sodas, and wines. However, another source of acid would be… fruit juices. Yes, you read it correctly. Though fruit juices are healthy for the body, they might not be too healthy for our teeth. Fruit juice contains concentrated amounts of all nutrients found in fruits such as vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidants. However, they also contain other substances that are harmful to the teeth. 

Sugar
Sugar is one of the substances that are most harmful to the teeth. It is consumed by bacteria in the mouth and gets converted to acid – this causes cavities and wears away teeth. Dental plaque is what we call the build-up of these bacteria on the tooth surface. The bacteria also irritate the gums – this might lead to gum disease and can weaken the teeth, causing them to fall out. Even fruit juices that come in their pure form contain large amounts of natural sugars that also affect the teeth. In reality, a pure fruit juice might even contain more sugar than a soda. 

Acid
The enamel on the teeth is more fragile than most of us think. It gets affected by the acid released by mouth bacteria, and it wears down even faster by acids found in common fruit juices. Lime or cranberry fruit juices can actually be more acidic than vinegar when consumed excessively. This can wear down tooth enamel, leading to sensitive teeth, cavities and tooth loss, eventually. Fruit juices, which are often used as a substitute for sodas especially for children, might even cause more damage as it is acidic. Orange juice, in particular, has been found to decrease tooth hardness and roughen the surface of the teeth which leave them more prone to cavities and plaque. 

Prevention
Some fruit juices are still nutritious compared to sodas, despite some harmful effects on the teeth. To prevent teeth damage, it is best to limit the consumption of fruit juices. You can also dilute the juice in water to decrease the amount of damage to the teeth. It is, of course, necessary to brush regularly, especially after drinking juice – this helps in controlling the levels of bacteria on the teeth. You may also drink fruit juices using straws to decrease the damage it can cause to the teeth. 

For any dental concerns such as build-up of cavities and plaque, contact us. Here at Pickering Square Dental, we aim to solve any dental issues for our beloved patients. 

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is a serious gum disease that is caused by bacteria in the mouth and may result in eventual loss of teeth if not properly treated.  In fact, gum disease of this nature is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  In most cases periodontal disease is caused by an advancement from gingivitis where pockets form between the inner layer of the gum and the teeth.  These pockets accumulated debris and, in time, may become infected.  Eventually the pockets get deeper and more tissue is destroyed – a series of events which ends in tooth loss.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms that may imply you have periodontitis.  Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing is a major one as are receding, red, or tender gums.  If you notice the pockets between teeth and gum have formed that is a sure sign.  Other symptoms include persistent bad breath and changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down.

Causes

The most common cause, as stated above, is the plaque build-up that characterizes gingivitis but there are other factors in play as well.  Certain illnesses can play a part and people with diabetes especially are more prone to infection.  Hormonal changes like puberty or pregnancy can make gums more sensitive and certain medications may cause dry mouth which can aggravate the issue.  Additionally poor health habits like smoking or general lack of oral hygiene such as not brushing or flossing can make it easier for bacteria to take hold.

Treatment and Prevention

Once periodontal disease has taken hold treatments will need to be made by a dentist to reverse or repair any damage.  Professional dental cleaning will often stop the problem before it starts by removing plaque and tartar.  Root planing and scaling, which is a deep-cleaning technique will remove bacteria and smooth trouble spots.  Often the above are all that is necessary to prevent and treat periodontal disease however if the case is severe surgical interventions such as bone and tissue grafts may become necessary in order to retain your natural teeth.

Periodontal disease can be scary but if you take the right precautions you’re likely able to avoid it altogether.  Keep up good dental care habits and see your dentist regularly and you’ll be able to ensure you never have to deal with the unpleasantness of severe gum disease.  If you think you have periodontal disease and want an expert opinion contact us at Pickering Square Dental today.

Why Your Teeth Should Be Professionally Cleaned

Taking good care of your teeth is something you do as a matter of course.  Brushing three times a day, flossing after each meal, and staying away from sticky sweets is just a regular part of your daily routine.  You look in the mirror and your smile is bright and beautiful and so you may wonder if maybe it might be fine to just go ahead and skip your next cleaning.  Here are the reasons why it’s a good idea not to.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Plaque is the biggest reason!  Plaque is a film that builds up on your teeth and causes decay and can be removed by brushing and flossing.  Over time however, plaque can turn into a hardened substance called tartar which can only be removed through a dental cleaning – as only the steel scrapers of a dentist can get it loose.  Plaque and tartar will lead to gum disease which can lead to tooth loss among many other issues.  Having regularly cleanings will prevent tartar and plaque from building up.

Polished to a Gleam

Teeth can become stained just through daily contact with coffee, tea, or other staining beverages.  Food can stain teeth as can tobacco.  Dental cleanings will remove those stains and polish teeth to a shine that will give you a brighter and more beautiful smile.

Saves Money and Pain

Much like most forms of preventative maintenance the short term effort of having a dental cleaning done is offset by not having to endure the effects of failing to get it done.  Dental surgery can be costly and painful and, barring injury, can be prevented by regular cleanings.  It’s just better to get professionally cleaned rather than wait for large problems to develop.

Your at-home dental care regimen is important but to maximize your health of your teeth and gum they should be cleaned by a professional regularly.  In addition to the cleaning the dentist will also be able to check for any additional problems that may have occurred since the last time you were in the office.  If you’re looking for a professional cleaning contact us at Pickering Square Dental today.

Did You Know That Plaque Could Help Prevent Disease?

Long thought of as simply a mass of bacteria that grows on our teeth over time, plaque apparently could offer great insight into our oral health. The latest studies completed by the Oral Microbiome and Metagenomics Research Lab (OMMR) at the Faculty of Dentistry have shown that plaque could be a more complex material that first thought. Within this post, we’ll go into greater detail on the new data and what it could mean for future dental treatments.

Greater Consistency than Saliva Sampling

One of the major benefits discovered through the latest research was that plaque could provide researchers with a greater degree of sample consistency than current saliva sampling techniques. The problem with saliva samples is that the bacteria within saliva can change throughout the day, preventing professionals from achieving a clear picture on the person’s oral health. The bacterial content from plaque samples, however, remains quite stable over time. This provides health care teams with a greater foundation to understanding a patient’s health.

Non-Invasive

Plaque samples could also offer a non-invasive method of locating stable bacteria samples. Many research teams currently use bacteria from the intestines and the stomach to understand the processes taking place in a patient’s system. But these procedures often require surgery and are considered invasive. Plaque sampling can be completed simply and requires no invasive methods.

Comparison with Biomarkers

The researchers at the OMMR lab found that by using the 16S rRNA gene, which is found in all bacteria on the planet, they could then identify other bacteria present in a plaque sample. Through this process, the research team could distinguish biomarkers that correlate with certain health conditions. This could allow medical teams to build a proactive treatment regimen that is customized to the patient’s unique health conditions. Because this analysis can be completed in just hours, it’s an exciting development in the area of medical diagnosis and could prevent millions from being misdiagnosed in future.

By understanding the bacteria in our mouths and by learning more about what plaque is telling us about the individual patient, we, as care professionals, can improve treatment results and help patients maximize their health over the long-term. It’s exciting news for all hardworking healthcare professionals. To discuss this latest research with an expert, please contact our office team directly today!