Lets Discuss Energy Drinks and Tooth Decay!

This has been an ongoing issue and discussion for several years now. Energy and sports drinks can damage tooth enamel, boosting the risk of cavities, according to several studies.The biggest misconception is that energy drinks and sports drinks are healthier than soda for your overall health. Not only are studies finding that they are unhealthy and cause many medical issues, we are seeing more decay with patients who consistently drink these types of drinks. The truth is these types of drinks erode or thin out the enamel of the teeth, leaving them more susceptible to decay and sensitivity. And in recent studies when they have tested sports drinks and energy drinks for the effects of acidity on tooth enamel they found both types caused damage. Energy drinks, however, were twice as bad as regular sport drinks and once the tooth enamel is damaged it cannot be fixed. Among the energy drinks with the highest acidity, Gatorade Blue had the highest acidity followed by Red Bull Sugarfree, Monster Assault, 5-Hour Energy, Von Dutch and Rockstar. 

These drinks are more and more popular among teens and young adults. Up to half of the U.S. population of teens and young adults drink energy drinks, with more than half having at least one sports drink a day. The common draw to these types of drinks of course is the immediate energy boost, which for many young adults who are away at college tend to say they need. And brushing your teeth after drinking anything acidic is the worst thing you could do. The weakened enamel stands a greater chance of even more destruction. So whats the answer? Well, simply reduce the frequent consumption and the quantity of acidic beverages. Consider drinking these beverages with a straw, to prevent the liquid from touching the teeth surfaces may help. the better alternative is to substitute power drinks with healthier alternatives such as green juices, smoothies, protein shakes, green tea or water. And if you still feel the need to drink a more acidic drink, try to drink them at the end of a meal, as your saliva will restore the natural balance in the mouth and remineralize enamel.

Sources: Delta Dental of Arizona & Dr. Todd Mabry for YouTube content

Philips Zoom Whitening!!

Philips® Zoom! White Speed (Laser Teeth Whitening)

ABOUT ZOOM! WHITENING
Years of enjoying coffee, tea, red wine, berries, soft drinks, and tobacco can stain and discolor the dental enamel until the teeth begin to look dull, dark, and yellow. For the fastest way to whiter teeth, our office offers laser teeth whitening with Philips Zoom! chair side teeth whitening. Seen on several TV makeover shows, Philips Zoom! Whitening can whiten teeth as much as eight shades in less than a few hours. Zoom! Whitening is a safe and effective solution that can be customized for each patient based on their goals, concerns, and needs without the typical tooth sensitivity caused by whitening treatments. Philips Zoom! Whitening is the #1 professional whitening system for patients.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Before the Zoom! whitening treatment is started your dental professional will clean and dry the teeth for the best results. While no sedation is needed, your dental professional will apply a protective barrier over the gums and safety glasses over the patient’s eyes. Once the teeth and gums are ready, your dental professional will apply the Philips Zoom! whitening gel with pH booster and then activate the gel with the Philips Zoom! Whitening blue LED light. The light can be adjusted to different intensity settings for the patient’s goals. Phillips Zoom! whitening will take a few hours when scheduled.

TREATMENT AFTERCARE
After the Zoom! Whitening service, your dental professional will give you instructions on what to expect after the treatment and tips on maintaining your new, bright smile, including what to avoid eating and drinking. Some patients may not need another treatment for years, but this varies based on the patient’s habits and lifestyle. Patients may purchase a Philips aftercare and maintenance kit that will include a topical gel for sensitivity and home whitening treatments for touch-ups. However, 90% of patients do not have any sensitivity after their appointment.

INSURANCE COVERAGE
Since Zoom! laser teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, it is generally not covered by dental insurance, but our office accepts many payment forms and we offer financing plans thru Care Credit to make Zoom! treatments affordable. Payment and financing methods can be discussed with our front office staff during the patient’s consultation.

ZAP STAINS AWAY
You may be surprised how yellow your dental enamel is from enjoying certain beverages and food. If you are near our office, schedule an appointment with your dentist to hear more about Philips Zoom! Whitening. Once your teeth are bright and white again, you may be surprised how much younger you look.a

*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Children's teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and a healthy smile is important to a child's self-esteem. With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy and strong.

Cambridge Dentistry would like to remind parents that their children can avoid cavities. Making sure that they are brushing their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between their teeth daily by flossing, and eating a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks will help in their overall dental health. You will also want to make sure they are seeing their dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease which is key to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. At their dental visits we can discuss ways to prevent early childhood caries, when to expect changes from primary to permanent teeth, go over proper brushing and flossing techniques. My staff can also discuss thumb sucking issues, dental sealants, choosing the right mouth protector for active children in sports, and teaching your adolescents to say no to tobacco, as well as learning the importance of regular dental examinations.

Make sure to have your child on a regular dental maintenance schedule every 6 months to keep their teeth and gums healthy. If you need assistance with scheduling their regular cleaning or maintenance appointments, please feel free to contact my front office staff at Cambridge Dentistry as they would be happy to help you.

Cambridge Dentistry, 17016 25 Mile Rd, Macomb Twp, Michigan 48042 (586)677-7944
Download the FREE Dental Health month coloring page below!!

https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Public%20Programs/Files/NCDHM%202019/2019NCDHM-Coloring-English.pdf?la=en

Sources: American Dental Association for Blog content, YouTube video