Tooth Enamel Erosion from Soda may be Irreversible

March 17, 2016 By Dale

Tooth Enamel Erosion from Soda May be Irreversible

When it comes to your teeth, diet soda isn’t any better than regular soda.

Regardless of the type of soda, enough of it results in the erosion of the tooth enamel. In many cases, the damage can’t be turned back.

The amount of erosion cases from soda has risen drastically in the last 25 years. People drink gigantic amounts of soda, and erosion of the enamel is inevitable in many cases.

The average American now drinks 44 gal of soda each year, according to the National Soft Drink Association. The phosphoric and citric acid in the soda changes the pH balance in the mouth and eventually leads to tooth erosion when consumed in large quantities.

There are also many cases in which the teeth become more sensitive. The problem could alter what a person eats and drinks to prevent pain. There are even people with teeth so sensitive that their teeth hurt from the cold in the winter.

Many previous studies have indicated the correlation between soda consumption and enamel erosion or cavities.

The best measure to take is to avoid drinking soda. But if you like soda too much to give it up, limit it to meal time, don’t drink it throughout the day, brush your teeth later in the day (at the minimum, rinse with water), and chew sugarless gum or gum with xylitol.

An article from Dentistry Today

Sports drinks and athletes Woodbury and Oakdale|Dentist

August 13, 2015 By Dale

Sports drinks and athletes in Woodbury and Oakdale

As the school year approaches, fall sports have already begun. Something to keep in mind is that many people think sports drinks are healthier than soft drinks. This isn’t always the case. Sports drinks can contain anywhere from 14-20 teaspoons of sugar in 1 drink!

Per Delta Dental, enamel damage caused by non-cola and sports beverages was 3-11 times greater than cola-based drinks. Sports drinks like Gatorade, Powerade, and Vitamin Water may rehydrate you after a workout, but they also have a combination of acidic properties, sugars, and additives. Any beverage that has a high acid content can weaken the enamel, making teeth more susceptible to bacteria that can get into the grooves of our teeth.

We know most athletes won’t give up their sports drinks completely, but the longer a drink is sipped on, the more our enamel is exposed to those sugars and acids. We recommend having your drink all at once and then swishing your mouth with water.

Good luck to all our athletes this fall!

Valley Creek Family Dentistry

651-731-1054

Serving Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Oakdale, Stillwater, Inver Grove Heights, and Maplewood

Teeth Whitening in Woodbury

May 4, 2015 By Dale

Teeth Whitening for Spring

Teeth Whitening in Woodbury image — Professional Crest White Strips

With Spring in full swing we are all feeling the benefits of the sunshine! The brightness of the sun reminds us of the brightness of our teeth. We offer several teeth whitening/bleaching options that are user friendly.

All it takes is once or twice a day for 10-14 days depending on what whitening option you choose. We have cost effective take home kits that any teen would be pleased with after getting their braces off. High school juniors would also love a bright smile for their senior pictures.

Adults also benefit from whitening products. Over time our teeth tend to become darker as we age and from things we enjoy eating and drinking.

Our two main take home bleaching kits are the Crest Professional White Strips used two times daily for 30 min each.

The other option we recommend is the Opalescence Go kit used one time daily for 45 min-1 hour.

Whitening Tips

* Try to use your bleach on consecutive days to get the best result.

* Do not drink anything dark while bleaching; ex: dark sodas, coffee, and teas. The bleach opens up the surface layer of our teeth to take in the bleach and while they are open they can also pick up stain easier.

* Use a sensitivity toothpaste while bleaching. It has additional fluoride in it that can help with sensitivity.

* Do not worry if you have some sensitivity to cold while bleaching. With the enamel layer open, your teeth can respond easier to temperature change. This is NOT a permanent side effect. If you take a day off from bleaching, your saliva will fill in the exposed tooth surface and within 24 hours your teeth will be significantly less sensitive.

Teeth whitening is a featured service at our Woodbury location serving Oakdale, Stillwater, Cottage Grove, North St. Paul, and Maplewood. You do not need an appointment to pick up a bleaching kit for yourself or as a gift. You do need to be a patient of record here at our office. Please give us a call or email us with any questions you may have about our products. We look forward to helping you brighten your smile.