Things That Can Ruin Your Smile: Beware of Sports Drinks

Sports drinks might a good source of hydration and electrolytes for athletes on the field, but they also damage your teeth. According to a study published in the journal General Dentistry, the acidity in most sports drinks erodes the tooth’s enamel and

So should you choose water or a sport drink on your next bike ride? The answer is… it depends. Sports drinks provide electrolytes, carbohydrates and water – all of which are important if you are going to be doing intense exercise, for an extended period of time. A simple guideline that most people can use is, if you plan on exercising for less than 60 minutes, drink water. If you’re going to be exercising for longer than that you should consider a sports drink.

Do you have a mouth as dry as a desert?

Sometimes patients ask us why their mouths are dry and lacking in saliva production. Many times dry mouth can be a side effect of certain medications patients take. It is important for patients to know and understand all the possible side effects that the medications they are taking have, even those that are available over the counter. Sometimes, if you are taking multiple medications they can potentially act synergistically, resulting in more potent effects when taken together rather than separately. If left untreated, dry mouth can cause serious dental problems, the most common being tooth decay (cavities) and bad breath. Don’t forget, the purpose of saliva is not only lubrication but also the neutralization of acids and aiding in the fight against bacteria.

So, what do you do if you have dry mouth? First of all, make sure you are practicing a good routine of home oral care and make sure you keep your gums and teeth exceptionally clean three times a day. The proper use of floss, a toothbrush, and a waterpik is a must. Between meals, chew sugar free gum to help stimulate the production of saliva and promote a clean oral environment. Have us prescribe an extra strength fluoride gel or liquid (works much better than over the counter products) to make teeth more resistant to decay. Avoid any acidic foods and drinks if possible (such as citrus, sodas, etc.). 

For on the go comfort, a soothing mouth spray is useful and at night a gel can be applied to your mouth for relief. Have more frequent professional dental cleanings (every one to three months) depending on the severity of your  problem. Also, check with your prescribing physician to see if alternative medications can be used that have less severe side effects. Many times, once the mechanism of saliva formation is shut down, it won’t start up naturally again on its own. Call us if your mouth is excessively dry and we will be happy to discuss recommendations to help remedy your situation.

Is bone grafting the same as sinus lifting?

In dentistry, bone grafting refers to the rebuilding of lost bone. When our adult tooth grows and develops it brings a certain amount of bone with it to support it in the jaw. Technically, we call this bone alveolar bone. The maximum amount of supporting bone is present when the tooth is completely erupted (in its final position) and the root of the tooth is fully formed. As time goes on and if an infection develops around a tooth (typically from periodontal disease, root end abscess, or tooth decay), the tooth is often extracted. 

Once a tooth is lost (for any reason), the bone that developed with that tooth is resorbed (removed) by the body. There is now a void or defect left by the missing tooth. This defect can many times be corrected by rebuilding the lost bone in the jaw with either your own bone taken from another area, or a bone substitute. When bone is grafted in the sinus, the membrane that lines the sinus must first be gently pushed up to make room for the bone graft, thus the name sinus lifting.

When the upper back teeth are lost, the bone that supports those teeth is also lost, allowing the sinus to expand. The expansion of the sinus (now that the sinus is not contained by teeth) also  causes a resorption of bone. The result of this resorption is that a thin shelf of bone remains. In order to regain the bone lost in the upper molar area, an opening must be made in the sinus membrane. The membrane must be lifted (pushed) upward and sideways creating a space where bone can be grafted, thereby regaining the lost alveolar bone. Once the grafted bone matures, usually in around six months, the procedure of placing a dental implant in the newly formed bone can begin.