21st Century Energy Crisis Affects Teeth

As many of you are aware, Starbucks rolled out their new 31oz “Trenta” sized cup a few weeks ago, available only for iced coffee, iced tea & lemonade drinks. For Starbucks groupies, the announcement was a godsend, but it left many wondering how much is too much? Convenience stores provide cups of larger sizes for their iced beverages & no one bats an eye, so why is Starbucks in the hot seat?

There are two common threads of concern in a beverage this size: caffeine & sugar—and both are contributors to tooth decay.

Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system, alleviating fatigue & increasing wakefulness. According to Stephen Cherniske in his book, Caffeine Blues, the drug begins its effects by initiating uncontrolled neuron firing in the brain. The excess neuron activity triggers the pituitary gland to secrete a hormone that tells the adrenal glands to produce adrenalin, the source of our “fight or flight” response. Once the high wears off, you experience fatigue once again, and long for another “high”. By continuing to supply the “high” with “hits” of caffeine, the roller-coaster effect is continued, leaving your body in a constant state of alert, called “caffeinism”.

Over a period of time, caffeinism pushes the adrenal glands to the max, causing adrenal exhaustion. Thus, it begins to take more and more caffeine to make up for less and less adrenalin production, which is why, over a period of time, it takes more coffee to get the same result.

A normal cup of coffee is considered to be 6-8oz, meaning the Trenta offers 4-5 cups of coffee in one serving. According to the Mayo Clinic, 4+ cups of coffee per day is considered heavy daily caffeine use, and can result in one or more of the following symptoms: Insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, nausea or other GI problems, fast/irregular heartbeat, and muscle tremors.

Sugar, on the other hand, is also a strong contributor to adrenal exhaustion. There is a viscious cycle that occurs with a sweetened beverage: Sugar stimulates & weakens the adrenals, which creates fatigue. Then we reach for another caffeine “hit” to continue the “high”, which further depletes the adrenal glands and results in fatigue. Most then respond by drinking more caffeine with sugar…and the cycle continues.

In addition to its contribution to adrenal exhaustion, sugar is a concern related to increased obesity in America, or around the world for that matter. When it comes to beverages, most people order the sweetened varieties of both the iced coffees, iced teas and iced lemonades, increasing their caloric intake with each increase in cup size. [For those who are thinking that caffeine increases metabolism, that is correct; however, the Trenta may pack extra caffeine, but not enough to burn off its potential extra 600 calories.]

As far as teeth are concerned, there are a few areas of concern regarding both coffee & sugar. Coffee is an acidic substance that changes the pH in the mouth, creating an acidic environment. As the pH becomes more acidic, Calcium & Phosphate can be pulled from tooth enamel, weakening the tooth structure. And as you know, weakened tooth structure results in increased cavity formation.

Caffeine, the drug found in coffee, tea, etc, is also a diuretic that results in dehydration & decreased saliva flow. Saliva flow is essential to, not only maintaining a balanced oral pH, but also helps to wash away bacteria. An environment with a decrease in saliva flow creates a breeding ground for bacteria that eat away at both your gums & teeth.

Now add sugar to the mix…Acidic substances, such as coffee, tea, lemonade, weaken tooth enamel, and the caffeine reduces saliva flow, so sugar hits the teeth & basically dives right into the tooth!

Think about how long it takes to drink a 31oz Trenta sized beverage—916 milliliters. The human stomach, on average, has a 900 milliliter capacity, so it would be hard to literally gulp this size drink, and most people would take their time consuming it. Think about how long your mouth would be in an acidic environment, sucking the Calcium from your teeth. Think about how long sugar would be eating away at the weakened teeth surfaces. Think about how quickly the amount of stain would build-up on your teeth by bathing them in coffee or tea for such a long period of time.

I know, I know, everything in moderation…but is Starbucks pushing the limits & contributing to the already existent energy crisis or creating a new one? Only time will tell, I suppose.

Maybe one day Starbucks will offer an IV drip that would not only save time in line, but would bypass the mouth altogether & save your teeth as well. It would take the term “docking station” to a whole new level.

Beans, Beans Good for Your ... Teeth?

Happy Bean Day! Yes, there is actually a day dedicated to beans, thanks to Gregor Johann Mendel. According to FoodReference.com, “Mendel was an Austrian botanist whose work was the foundation of the science of genetics. Working mainly with garden peas (some 28,000 plants over 7 years), he discovered what was to become known as the laws of heredity.” Mendel’s work (the basis of the study was the bean) was so important to the study of genetics that National Bean Day was said to have commemorated in his honor.

Let’s talk beans for a minute. Beans (legumes) are high in fiber & protein and are a great source of many nutrient-rich vitamins & minerals, such as Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Selenium, Vitamin B, C and Folate, to name a few. They also may help to prevent certain types of cancer. [There is some preliminary research that suggests that certain legumes may help to prevent colon cancer. Another study found an association between legume ingestion and decreased likelihood of cancer of the esophagus, oral cavity, and larynx.]

So how do beans affect your oral health? Although healthy teeth & gums require a balanced diet, there are specific vitamins & minerals that are vital to healthy teeth & gums: Calcium, Iron, & Vitamins A, B, C and D (all of which are in beans, I may add). Let’s take a look at how each of these can affect your oral health…

Calcium: Teeth & jaw bones are made mostly of calcium. When combined with phosphorous, it forms calcium phosphate, the dense, hard material of the teeth & bones. Without enough calcium in your diet, you are at risk for gum disease & tooth decay (cavities). If your jawbone is not healthy, the chances are your whole mouth is not healthy.

Iron: Iron deficiency can cause your tongue to become inflamed, and sores can form inside your mouth.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A has a lot to do with the formation of healthy teeth, gums & skin. It aids in the formation and maintenance of mucous membranes and soft tissues, and has antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help to destroy free radicals that cause your body to decay.

Vitamin B3 (niacin): A lack of Vitamin B3 can cause bad breath and canker sores in the mouth.

Vitamins B2 & B12 (riboflavin): Mouth sores can also develop when you don’t consume enough B2 & B12.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth & gums and assists in the absorption of iron. A deficiency will lead to bleeding gums and loose teeth.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is created in the body after exposure to sunshine. It helps your body absorb calcium—necessary to develop and maintain healthy teeth & bones. A diet low in Vitamin D will cause burning mouth syndrome. Symptoms include a burning mouth sensation, a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth, and dry mouth.

The following is a summary statement published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition on the benefits of legumes:

“…Dry beans supply protein, complex carbohydrate, fiber and essential vitamins and minerals to the diet, yet are low in fat and sodium and contain no cholesterol. Both protective and therapeutic effects of bean intake have been documented. …Including dry beans in a health-promoting diet is especially important in meeting the major dietary recommendations to reduce risk for chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity and cancer.”

As you can see, beans are not only good for your heart. The nutrient-rich contents they house are good for your entire body. So in honor of National Bean Day, I think I’ll have a bean burrito, lentil soup, or maybe some hummus…oh the possibilities!