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!

DeLand Dentist puts a New Spin on an Old Christmas Favorite

‘Twas the day before Christmas & all through DeLand,

Not a single tooth was hurting, not even my drilling hand.

With models all trimmed, and lab cases ready,

We patiently waited for mail carrier Betty.

Into the office she walked, with a man by her side.

We had not seen him before, maybe he was her ride.

She greeted us nicely, then said with a pause,

“This is my friend Santa…Santa Clause.”

“Mr. Clause has a toothache & needs help right away.

Can you help him,” she said. “Let’s get started, don’t delay.”

The first step was blood pressure…Santa’s was high.

“I didn’t take my medicine today,” he said with a sigh.

He sat in the chair & opened his mouth wide.

We couldn’t believe what we found inside.

A broken tooth, cavities and gum problems aplenty.

Good thing I was masked…oh, boy how stenchy!

A cleaning, some fillings & crowns done same-day…

But we knew that Santa must be on his way.

“One thing I must tell you,” Dr. Mathias said with a smile,

“Because I know we probably won’t see you for awhile.”

“Eating candy & cookies & sugar is alright,

As long as you brush & floss after, and don’t eat them all night.

And don’t’ forget that fruits, veggies and exercise are good for you.

Your heart will be happy & your blood pressure will go down, too.”

Santa gave him a hug and said, “Doc, you’re alright!”

“I’ll do everything you said, and I’ll begin tonight.”

He told us goodbye & said, “Betty, Let’s go!

We’ve got packages to deliver…Ho, Ho, Ho!”

We sat & reflected of the days events,

And couldn’t believe how our day went.

We’re headed home now with a new year in sight…

Merry Christmas to all & to all a goodnight!

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

"All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth", according to Wikipedia, is a novelty Christmas song written in 1944 by Donald Yetter Gardner while teaching music at public schools in Smithtown, New York. He asked his second grade class what they wanted for Christmas, and noticed that almost all of the students had at least one front tooth missing as they answered in a lisp. Gardner wrote the song in 30 minutes. In a 1995 interview, Gardner said, "I was amazed at the way that silly little song was picked up by the whole country." The song was published in 1948 after an employee of Witmark music company heard Gardner sing it at a music teachers conference.

A few weeks ago, when little Faye Armstrong of Waterloo, Liverpool was born, she actually received two front teeth! Faye is considered a rarity because she was born with two front teeth…and has two more appearing!

Teeth begin to develop before birth, along with other organs in your body; however, they don’t usually erupt until ~6mos to one year of age. The first teeth to erupt are normally the top and bottom 4 front teeth, and by age 3, approximately 20 baby teeth are present. These baby teeth will begin to fall out & make way for larger adult teeth around the age of 5yrs.

But baby Faye’s case is a little different. She represents 1 in ~3000 babies who have natal / neonatal teeth. Natal teeth are teeth that are present at the time of birth. Neonatal teeth are teeth that erupt during the fist 30 days after birth. Natal teeth usually develop in the lower front gum area and are attached to the gums by soft tissue. Most are mobile and do not have adequate root formation, but can cause irritation to the infant’s tongue or a nursing mother. Most natal teeth are removed shortly after birth, especially if they are mobile, to prevent aspiration of the tooth.

No one really knows for sure why these teeth erupt so early, but several sources suggest a possible hereditary connection. For instance, the Tlinget Indians in Alaska show a prevalence of 9% of their newborns having natal or neonatal teeth, 62% of them had affected relatives. Other environmental factors, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), used in pesticides, coolants, carbonless copy paper, etc, have all been sited as other possible sources, and are associated with other symptoms as well. Some also indicate correlations between natal teeth and various syndromes.

Regardless of the cause, there can be complications with the tooth enamel on these teeth, causing the teeth to turn a yellow-brown color or cavity formation to begin. So, if your child has natal or neonatal teeth, it is imperative that you seek professional advice from your dentist to ensure proper tooth development can occur in the future.

So in the spirit of the holidays, you can continue singing Mr. Gardner’s lyrics…that is, unless you are an expectant mother due in the month of December.

Tooth Transplant Cured Blindness

We all know the saying, “An eye for an eye & A tooth for a tooth”, but what about “A tooth for an eye!” If you ask Kay Thornton, “A tooth for an eye” isn’t figurative, but quite literal. Kay was diagnosed with a disease called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome 31 years ago & the symptoms led to blindness.

Advancements in medical treatments gave Kay hope in seeing again one day…a day that came recently. Kay sought medical advice from her eye doctor, who found her to be a good candidate for a relatively new type of transplant procedure to cure her blindness. But little did she know that the person used to facilitate her cure would be her own dentist.

Her eye doctor explained that she would need something special to hold the optical lens in her eye…her very own tooth! Kay’s canine tooth was removed by her dentist, then it was converted into a special holder for her optical lens by drilling holes in it. After several hours of surgery, the tooth was inserted into her eyeball. And voila…sight once again.

The mouth, teeth and gums were once thought of as a separate entity from the rest of the body by the general population, but that’s not the case anymore. More and more studies are finding that good oral health can prevent many diseases, such as heart disease, stroke & diabetes. So taking the time to see your dentist regularly, in addition to brushing & flossing daily, is not only important, but a necessity to maintain good oral health.

Fortunately, Kay had a healthy, stable tooth that was required for the procedure. If you are unsure of the health or stability of your own teeth, see your dentist…it could be an eye-opening experience.

Sink Your Teeth Into This...

Last week, a man named Conrad Feasel was arrested for biting his 3yr old daughter on the arm—2yrs ago. It was said that the bite was intended to teach his daughter a lesson, but investigators say it was a hard enough bite that the girl needed medical treatment. And why did it take 2yrs for the arrest?—Officials say it was due to a backlog at the police department, and the father had since moved.

As cooky as this story may seem, it actually reminded me of my own childhood-- I remember my younger sister going through a ‘biting phase’. Only separated by two years, I recall one evening I upset her, causing her to bite an arm-- just like Mr. Feasel; however, in this case, she didn’t bite my arm…she bit her own…then blamed it on me!!! Being the middle child I am, I pled my case to my mother explaining how I wouldn’t do such a thing, how my little sister was such a liar, and of course, how I get blamed for everything. The jury came back GUILTY. So I was sent to bed as my sister sat with a smirk on her face.

Fortunately, the story doesn’t end there. It wasn’t long before my mother entered my bedroom with an apology, accompanied by my sister...now wearing a frown. Apparently my futile attempt at pleading my case actually worked. I found out that my mother began a little “discovery” of her own and began looking at teeth marks. Fortunately, these incriminating marks left a deep enough wound for the evidence to remain in existence long enough for the truth to be revealed.

Most people have never measured the amount of force used when biting, so the following numbers may seem a little surreal. Adults with their natural teeth can bite with ~200 lbs of force. Young children, with their primary teeth, can bite with ~50 lbs of force or less. As a child’s permanent teeth erupt, their biting force increases. These biting forces allow us to not only chew our food, but to chew our food well. Those that do not have a full complement of teeth (denture wearers) can only bite with ~50 lbs of force, and those that have been wearing dentures for more than 15yrs can only bite with ~6 lbs of force.

Basically, the more teeth you have, the stronger you can bite, the more you can chew your food, and the longer you will live—(denture wearers have a 10yr shorter life span).
The circle of life takes us from childhood to adulthood, then back to childhood again as our body wears out & ages…but your teeth only wear out because of poor habits or trauma. They can stay in adulthood with proper care and at least 2 annual visits to your dentist.

So the next time you want to bite your child to teach them a lesson (and if you haven’t done it already, I know it’s crossed your mind), remember the power of your adult teeth…and the power of the law.

Flu Increases Risk of Heart Attack

Recent studies, conducted by Dr. Andrew C. Hayward of University College London, reveal a correlation between influenza and heart attack. Dr. Hayward led a total of 39 studies between 1932 and 2008, and what he found was pretty astonishing…35-50% of cases in which people who had the flu died, the cause of death wasn’t from influenza…it was from a heart attack or other cardiovascular related events!

We all know that the flu causes inflammation throughout our body, which is why the symptoms are usually fatigue, fever, and other unsightly emissions. This inflammation is theorized to alter the plaque in your arteries, thus triggering clot formations that lead to heart attacks. And did you know that the bacteria that creates the plaque on your teeth is the same bacteria that is found in the plaque in your arteries?

Dr. Hayward also found that people who were vaccinated against the flu were at a significantly lower risk for cardiac related death and other studies have shown that a decrease in oral plaque is indicative of a decrease in arterial plaque as well.

So what can you do to prevent the flu from affecting your heart? 1) See your dentist to ensure your oral plaque is maintained, 2) See your doctor for a flu vaccine if you have a history of heart disease or ailments, are over the age of 65, or have a compromised immune system.

Don’t get heartsick over the flu… See your dentist & your doctor today!