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Elite athletes who train for long periods may be at higher risk of tooth decay, according to a study published in the May 17, 2011 issue of the International Journal of Sports Medicine. The risk of erosion and tooth decay is the combined result of long and frequent training sessions, diet and food and beverage intake patterns.

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from New Zealand’s University of Otago oral sciences department, focused on elite triathletes. Because elite athletes aim to achieve optimal performance they follow demanding training regimes which often coincide with risk factors for dental caries and erosion. The study sample included 31triathletes, including 15 males and 16 females who responded to the researcher’s questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 24.2 years. Approximately 35 percent had been in a particular sport for two to three years in a particular sport while a similar number reported as taking part in a particular sport for five years or more. Of the group, 10 athletes at random were given a clinical oral exam and were assessed for the individual risk for developing caries.

The researchers noted that the pattern of consumption offers important insight into the actual risk for caries and erosion in the mouth.

A number of factors contribute to the high risk:

• Multiple training sessions each week. Triathletes in the sample spent between 11 to 38 hours per week on training, with an average of 20.6 hours. Most training time was spent on cycling.
• Dehydration and mouth breathing during long training sessions can lead to decreased flow of saliva.
• Frequent eating and drinking to meet the high energy demand during training. Most athletes (94%) consumed carbohydrate rich food. The majority ate on five or more occasions during training. Most of the eating was likely to take place during cycling sessions with 58 percent reporting that they only ate during cycling.
• Frequent consumption of sports drinks – While all responded that they consumed water during training, the majority (84%) also consumed sports drinks. Of the participants, 15 percent reported drinking sports drinks during five or more sessions a week. 16 percent also reported drinking outside of training hours.  Almost half of the participants (48%) described their drinking patterns for both water and sports drinks as “with little sips often, from a bottle.”

Other studies have found similar patterns. A study published in the March 1997 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine found significantly greater incidence of caries and erosion incidence in cyclists when compared with swimmers. The findings of the current study suggest that the pattern of consumption of risk foods and drinks may be contributing to the higher caries incidence in cyclists.

These results occur despite good oral health and oral health care routines. All study participants reported brushing teeth once a day, with 74 percent brushing twice daily. Most went on regular dental visits with nearly two thirds visiting annually and more than one third visiting twice a year. Among the participants in the clinical exam, the majority had healthy gums. But all were clinically assessed as having high risk for caries.

These findings are important not just for the athletes themselves, but for their dentists, trainers and administrators. The researchers concluded by saying that: “Having good oral health is critical as unexpected dental infection may ruin months, if not years, of training for a particular event.”

Even if you are not a professional athlete, if you are the sporty type, and are into the habit of frequent snacking and drinking sports drinks, beware. It is not the sports drinks that are bad for you; it is the habit of taking “little sips often, from a bottle”.  And the frequent bites of fermentable carbs that are putting your teeth at risk. And according to the study findings even those who brush and floss regularly and stick to a good oral care regime could end up with tooth erosion and tooth decay.

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The idea for this blog post comes from a letter written by a 24 year old woman to Slate.com. The writer was seeking advice from Dear Prudence about what to do about her teeth that were ruined by bulimia.

And she says:

“…My mind and body may have recovered but my teeth never did and they look horrible. I’m embarrassed to smile and constantly worry about what other people are thinking while I’m speaking to them. I know that I need to see a dentist, but I obsess about what he’ll say when he sees a 24-year-old who possibly needs dentures. I worry about the cost, if they’ll lecture me, and I worry about being made fun of when I leave the office. If I do get them fixed, I worry that people will notice and comment on it. I’m just scared honestly, and it’s taking over a lot of my spare time and thoughts. I know this is absurd, but I just don’t know what to do. Please help!”

Bulimia nervosa is a chronic eating disorder which is characterized by episodes of binge eating, followed by frantic efforts to avoid gaining weight. A person suffering from bulimia will make attempts at restricting their food intake by strict dieting which builds up tension and cravings, leading to binge eating. The eating episode is followed by self induced vomiting or purging and other attempts to avoid weight gain and feelings of shame and disgust. This continues as a vicious cycle.

Bulimia leads to tooth erosion and a whole host of other oral and dental problems. Frequent vomiting episodes expose teeth to stomach acids, thinning the tooth enamel making teeth vulnerable to dental erosion. Teeth nerves become exposed due to erosion making teeth sensitive to cold, hot, sweet and acidic foods and beverages. After a few months of binging and purging episodes backs of upper front teeth will feel smooth and worn due to erosion. Teeth will feel thin, translucent and appear ragged and moth eaten. Upper tooth decay can affect the bite. Continued binging can eventually lead to tooth loss and increase the risk of gum disease which further exacerbates risk of tooth decay and tooth loss. In some people backs of teeth can turn yellow. People suffering from bulimia sometimes develop dry mouth, swollen salivary glands and minor bruises on the roof of the mouth. Their tongues can become red and sore.

Bulimia can be cured. With the support of a team of doctors, nutritionists and therapists can help someone suffering from bulimia to learn healthy eating habits and to deal with their thoughts and feelings. You can find out more about the disease at WomensHealth.gov or Helpguide.org.

Once on the way to recovery, getting your teeth attended to can reinforce positive feelings. Looking in the mirror should not be a reminder of the bad experiences in the past.

While undergoing treatment, avoid further damage to teeth. Brushing teeth immediately afterwards can increase tooth damage. Instead rinse the mouth with lot of water and a bit of baking soda which will help neutralize the acid. Wait for a couple of hours before brushing teeth, or taking acidic foods or beverages such as fruits, juices or fizzy drinks. Cutting down on your sugar intake can lead to lower saliva flow and may lead to dry mouth. Consider chewing gums or artificial saliva. Using a fluoride toothpaste can help rebuild resistance to tooth decay. Eating a bit of cheese, a few spoonfuls of yoghurt or drinking some milk can minimize acid damage and also increase saliva flow after a vomiting episode. However if these are likely to cause you panic just rinse your mouth with water.

There are a variety of options to restore your teeth without getting rid of natural teeth and replacing them with dentures.

• Dental crowns are artificial caps custom-designed to fit over damaged teeth. They blend in with the natural teeth and improve your smile while giving long-lasting protection to damaged teeth.
• Dental bridges connect new teeth or crowns to adjacent teeth, pegging them in place helping blend in with normal teeth. Bridges are used in cases of multiple missing teeth to discretely fill in the gap with artificial teeth.
• Dental veneers are thin tooth like shells that are used as shields to help cover up discolored or decaying teeth. Veneers are bonded over what is left of the natural teeth.
• Dental implants are another way to replace missing teeth. Implants are held in place by a root-like anchor in the jaw bone and are used to support a dental crown or bridge.

You can read more about various dental treatments in the FreeDentistFinder.com article archive.

Most dental professionals understand the challenges faced by people suffering from bulimia. They will be sympathetic about it if you are still undergoing recovery and offer a treatment plan to suit your needs. If you are recovering from an eating disorder you need to smile more than ever because smiling itself makes you feel much better.

So keep on smiling!

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We are not making this up. Would you in your wildest dreams imagine that healthy foods like herbal teas, fruit and zucchini can be bad for your teeth? And brushing after meals? But apparently they are, according to research findings from around the UK.

• Herbal teas cause staining. According to research findings at the University Dental Hospital in Manchester, they also have the potential to destroy the enamel on your teeth. When the outer covering of the tooth, the enamel, is damaged it makes your teeth vulnerable to tooth decay and further damage. Certain compounds found in teas, such as blackcurrant and raspberry, have the ability to speed up the rate at which teeth enamel dissolves.
• Citrus fruits, if eaten regularly, can wear down your tooth enamel. This happens because citrus fruits—including oranges, lemons, grapefruit and mandarin—contain acids which are usually bad news for teeth. But because fruits are very good for your general health, you should still continue eating them.
• Roasted vegetables are also acidic and can contribute to tooth enamel erosion, according to research findings from the University of Dundee, in Scotland. The worst offenders are aubergines (eggplant), green peppers and courgettes (zucchini). The research team found that oven-roasting ratatouille increased its acidity significantly compared to stewing it. According to the lead researcher, Dr. Graham Chadwick, “The acidity of ratatouille prepared by oven-roasting is the same as that of some carbonated drinks that, when consumed in excess, are believed to contribute to the development of dental erosion.” So another lesson is that the cooking method matters.
• Brushing soon after meals is bad for teeth because sugars and acids in the food soften the tooth enamel for a period of time after meals. Dr. Joe Oliver from The Welbeck Clinic in London advices waiting for at least one hour after your meal before brushing your teeth. This is all the more important if your meal was high in sugar. His advice is to swirl water around your mouth after meals because it helps reduce acidity in your mouth. And before brushing, to wash your mouth with water to remove any traces of leftover acids. Dr. Oliver is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and an examiner on the board of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

You never know what else is going to turn up being bad for your teeth. Milk? Broccoli? Water? Americans are not eating enough fresh fruits and vegetables as it is. And no, pizza is not a vegetable. Fresh fruits and veggies are really good for your overall health. Perhaps it is high time you visited your dentist to get your teeth checked for signs of decay. Do it soon if you have been eating oranges, drinking orange juice, eating eggplant and zucchini or brushing your teeth, like you were told you should, after meals.

You can find a quality local dentist now through the FreeDentistFinder.com network. You can find out more about dental care basics and nutrition in the FreeDentistFinder.com article archive.

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How would you like a way to stop tooth decay, rebuild damaged teeth and to have your fillings done without drilling? Yes, it sounds too good to be true.  But that is exactly what happens with the revolutionary method of treating tooth decay that was developed by researchers at the University of Leeds, in the UK.

Working together with researchers in the University of Leeds’ School of Chemistry, researchers from the University of Leeds Dental Institute developed a ‘magic fluid which dentists can apply to a patient’s tooth at the slightest observation of tooth decay.

Says Professor Jennifer Kirkham who led the team that developed the technique: “This may sound too good to be true, but we are essentially helping acid-damaged teeth to regenerate themselves. It is a totally natural non-surgical repair process and is entirely pain-free too.”

How it works

The fluid gets inside the tiny pores that begin the process of tooth decay and forms a gel. This happens because it contains a peptide called P11-4 which can assemble itself into a fibrous gel given the right conditions. The fibrous gel provides a structure on which calcium can build up, helping regenerate the tooth from the inside. This process can make drilling and painful fillings obsolete to a large degree.

But does it work in real patients, outside of labs?

Recently the technique was tested on a small group of adults whose dentists observed early signs of tooth decay and the results show that the peptide can actually help reverse acid damage and help regenerate tooth tissue.

Professor Paul Brunton who oversees the patient testing at the University of Leeds Dental Institute finds the results of the tests so far extremely promising. Says he: “If these results can be repeated on a larger patient group, then I have no doubt whatsoever that in two to three years time this technique will be available for dentists to use in their daily practice.”

Now wouldn’t that be something you can look forward to? It is even more wonderful news to those who hate the dentist’s drill and suffer from dental anxiety even though drill may have nothing to do with the type of treatment they need.

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Sensitive teeth can take all the joy out of a cool refreshing drink, a shaved ice or an ice cream on a sweltering summer day. Forget about sweets and hot drinks. Sometimes even smiling in windy weather can hurt beyond belief if you have extreme tooth sensitivity. Although it is a very common issue, it is also a tricky one to solve.

Now scientists at the University of Maryland’s College of Dentistry have developed an ingredient that can be included in regular toothpaste to relieve sensitive teeth. They call it Novamin.

Novamin, a compound containing calcium, phosphorus, silica and sodium, is designed to block the holes that open up when the enamel of the teeth wear down. When it is exposed to water—in the saliva or when drinking—Novamin works by growing new tooth mineral crystals (hydroxyapatite) around the decay cavities that develop on the tooth surface. It can also help teeth to absorb minerals, making them stronger and more cavity resistant.

According to Dr. Gary Hack, DDS, a dentist from the University of Maryland, quoted in Science Daily, Novamin is totally natural, non-toxic and is capable of providing the same minerals contained in your saliva, but at a much higher concentration. Research also shows that adding Novamin to fluoride toothpaste can provide the same benefit that increasing fluoride levels by 400 percent would, but without the toxicity. Dr. Hack says that “It can also help in preventing decay. We found that it can whiten teeth and can help with periodontal or gum disease as well.”

Our teeth become sensitive when the shiny white enamel of the teeth wears away, is damaged or if the tooth roots which are usually covered by the gums become exposed due to gum recession. Dentin, the layer of tooth that lies below the enamel, and is actually the outer layer in the tooth root, comprises tiny tubules which are connected to nerves inside the tooth pulp. When the dentin becomes exposed to the outside these tubules can make the tooth extra sensitive to hot, cold and other sensations.

All this time, those with sensitive teeth were advised to use special toothpastes like Sensodyne that contain potassium nitrate compounds. These compounds depolarize the nerves, rather than solve the sensitivity issue. This is why Novamin is a big deal. It actually helps solve your problem rather than mask it.

Toothpaste containing Novamin is now available from your local dentists. You can find a local dentist through FreeDentistFinder.com right now. There were a few brands also available on Amazon.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

To find out about what causes tooth sensitivity, read the FreeDentistFinder.com article titled What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

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Top 10 Common Dental Problems

A healthy mouth and a great smile can be invaluable to our sense of wellbeing and self confidence. But good dental health is not something to be taken for granted. Check out these Top 10 Dental Problems and you would be surprised how easy it is to prevent many of them. Good nutrition and a few minutes of oral care every day would save a lot of trouble later and save money too. The idiom about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure, really says it all.

Here’s the list of Top 10 Common Dental Problems courtesy, About.com Dental Care pages:

• Bad breath
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer
• Mouth sores
• Tooth erosion
• Tooth sensitivity
• Toothache and dental emergencies
• Unattractive smile

And the list is of course about common dental problems in adults.

You can find out more about avoiding or preventing the above conditions in the “Dental Problems” section on FreeDentistFinder.com. Be pleasantly surprised how you can save on dental bills! Also, don’t forget to visit the Dental Treatments section for the solutions offered by dentists and other dental professionals.

But, what about kids?

What is the top dental problem for American children? The most common dental problem in children is dental caries, or tooth decay.

If tooth decay is not attended to early, you child faces a lifetime of pain and complications. This is why the American Dental Association recommends that you take your child for a dental visit within six months after the first tooth comes and no later than the first birthday.

Think of this first dental visit as a “well baby checkup” for the baby’s teeth. On the first visit, your dentist will check for tooth decay and other problems. Your dentist can also show you how to clean the child’s teeth properly. After the first visit, it is recommended that baby visits the dentist every six months.

And that is not bad advice for adults either. Regular dental visits can sure help you deal with, and often entirely avoid, most of the common dental problems.  If you need to find a dentist, you can do so here.

 

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According to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Report, 53 million children and adults have untreated tooth decay.  That’s almost 16% of the population who need prompt dental care.

We often take dental health for granted, but the tooth decay percentages are even worse for young children.  1 in 4 (25%) of youngsters from 2-5 have some form of tooth decay, and half between the ages of 5-17 do.  The numbers are even worse for minorities; up to 40% of young Latinos suffer from dental caries.  25% of adults 65 and over have lost all their teeth.  Between 4-12% of all US adults suffer from some form of gum disease.  7,600 Americans die every year from oral and pharyngeal cancers.  35K new cases are diagnosed each year. These are alarming statistics.

If you or someone you care about has not been to see a dentist in the last year, please make an appointment with a dentist today.  If you need to find a dentist, you can find one here.

For more information please contact
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
4770 Buford Highway NE, Mail Stop F–10, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
Telephone: 770-488-6054 • E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov • Web:http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth

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Sugary foods are often blamed for cavities and gum disease.  So the idea of fighting tooth decay with sugar is counterintuitive, to say the least.  But that is exactly what an article published in AGD Impact, the monthly news magazine of the Academy of General Dentistry, recommends. The ‘sugar’ they are referring to is Xylitol, a sugar alcohol found naturally in plants, including fruits such as plums, raspberries, and strawberries. It is safe for human consumption because it is also found naturally in the human liver.

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Candy that fights tooth decay and gum disease

Tooth decay and gum disease are common, among both kids and adults. Both can often be prevented, to a large extent ,with regular brushing and flossing.  Now surprisingly as it may sound, candy can help fight plaque too. Dental researchers working with food experts are finding new types of candy—gummy bears, mints, lollipops, chewing gum—that can help give that extra daily boost in the fight against tooth decay and gum disease.  Isn’t that sweet?

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Snacking late at night, regardless of the food consumed, contributes to tooth loss, according to researchers at both the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Copenhagen University. A possible reason for this could be a lessening of saliva flow late at night,  Saliva assists in removing food debris from the mouth.

Researchers at the two universities examined 2,217 men and women between the ages of 30 to 60 as a part of the World Health Organization medical study known as MONICA.  Participants’ were assessed for oral health, eating behaviour, general health and other characteristics in both 1987 and again in 1993.  About 8 per cent (173 subjects) were classified as late night eaters: those who eat a quarter or more of their daily calories after their evening meal, or who wake up, and have a snack in the middle of the night more than once per week.

Overall nocturnal eaters lost more teeth than the non-nocturnal eaters, even after taking into account other factors such as age, smoking,or sugar in their diet.  The study was published in the August edition of Eating Behaviors.

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