The vegetarian diet can be very beneficial in many ways: the choice to be vegetarian has been shown to help fight illness and disease, vegetarians help the environment and make positive impacts in their carbon footprints. The diet, consisting especially of whole grain, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes can lower the risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain cancers. For these reasons, many people are choosing to become vegetarian, however, the nutritional deficiencies that sometime result from the vegetarian diet can often reveal themselves during dental exams.
Even though we assume that vegetarians are well aware of what goes into their body (and are well versed in keeping proper nutritional habits up), it’s easy for vegetarians to become malnourished – especially young vegetarians under the age of 18. Common vegetarian deficiencies include calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B12 or complete proteins. The good news is that by eating the proper combination of fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains and legumes, these deficiencies can be avoided. If you have youngsters on vegetarian diets, be sure to instill the importance of a balanced diet, and the seriousness of vitamin deficiencies, which can cause illness and other systemic problems, including dental maladies.
“An adult on a vegetarian diet for a prolonged period can be at increased risk for periodontal (gum) disease from a lack of vitamin D and calcium,” says Dr. Leibsohn of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). For this reason, it is very important that any adult (or parent of any child) considering “the green gateway” should first consult with their dietitian or dental professional. The specific diet you or your loved ones may be undertaking could have key deficiencies which could lead to serious health problems down the road. For example, a vitamin D deficiency can actually make your teeth and gums more susceptible to decay and periodontal disease. Vitamin D is produced in the body with sun exposure, so deficiencies are rare, but deficiencies can develop in those who do not consume milk or fish. Adding vegetable margarine or soy milk may help, though a better idea is to supplement the vegetarian diet with a weekly salmon steak, tuna salad and/or low fat cheese, milk or yogurt to supply a healthy foundation for your body and smile.
Have you ever thought “when I grow into my golden years, I’ll never smile – my teeth will have fallen out!” It should be common knowledge that teeth do not fall out naturally as part of the aging process, quite the contrary! Teeth are lost in seniors primarily due to poor oral hygiene, resulting in tooth and gum disease. If seniors properly take care of their teeth and maintain regular check ups with their dentist, their teeth will be healthy and strong throughout their entire lives!
It’s no surprise that senior oral health is a top priority and concern for dental professionals across the United States – senior citizens are the fastest growing demographic due to the baby boomer generation, and will soon make up the largest age group in the country! For such a big group, it would seem common sense that dentists are seeing increasing numbers of senior patients, but this is sadly not true. “Seniors often take long absences from seeing the dentist,” says AGD spokesperson Nick Russo, DDS. “Sometimes they stop caring as much because they’re not out in the public very much, and they think oral hygiene doesn’t matter.” I have even had patients in their 80s and 90s who have even received orthodontic treatment (braces)! A person is never too young.
The truth of the matter, however, is that oral health matters just as much for seniors as it does for middle aged people and even young adults! Deteriorating oral health in old age is a choice, not a factual occurrence – and can be prevented rather easily. A person’s smile is the gateway to their heart, and whether that person is 15 or 115, that smile defines who you are. Keep it beautiful! The most important step for seniors (or their children or caretakers) to remember is that oral health is not a luxury – declining oral health is not purely aesthetic, and systemic problems can arise due to declining oral health. For example, genetic links between gum disease and heart disease have been proven to exist. Be sure to schedule biannual (twice yearly) dental checkups and cleanings. Not only are these appointments important for cleaning the teeth and gums beyond what a person can do at home, these appointments are essential in identifying poor habits, developing oral health problems and even cancer screenings.
After a biannual checkup plan has been cemented, it is key to remember to brush and floss, for two minutes, after every meal. If brushing and flossing is not occurring after meals, food particles turn into bacteria which destroy enamel and gum tissue. Also, stay away from sodas (diet or otherwise!), candy and other sugar-laden foods and drinks. Water or tea would be a much healthier substitute. Extend your beauty and your life by taking your oral health seriously. Your teeth and gums will take care of you, if you take care of them!
“Brushing for a healthy heart ” is a true statement – the link between gum disease (or the bacteria associate with the gum disease) and the body’s cardiovascular system is tight. Prophylactic measurements (like antibiotics before dental visits, for people who have a valve replacement) have been a practice in our society for quite some time, but German scientists presented a study last Monday (May 25, 2009) at the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna, Austria confirming a link between gum disease and heart disease – simultaneously confirming the importance of maintaining your oral health, not just for your mouth’s well being but for your vital organs as well!
The association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease is not a new concept, but a genetic link between the two is a new concept which provides startling information for dental professionals and patients regarding the gravity of gum disease, as well as its potentially devastating systemic effects throughout the body. Specifically, the researchers were noted as finding “that the two diseases share a genetic variant on chromosome 9. The genetic variation associated with the clinical pictures of both diseases was identical.” The link between the two diseases postulated the following conclusion: “we think that periodontitis should be taken very seriously by dentists and diagnosed and treated as early as possible,” Dr. Schaefer said, noting that periodontitis and heart disease share risk factors such as smoking and obesity.
Although this information doesn’t change how we should treat oral hygiene or periodontitis, it does serve as a wake-up call for everyone regarding how important our oral hygiene routines should be. It is vital to brush your teeth after every meal (and after that midnight snack)! Late-night and mid-day nibbling can cause the most harm to one’s oral environment, from a lack of desire or motivation to clean both the surface and crevices of the teeth. Bacteria thrive in dirty surroundings! Drinking sugary liquids like soda not only provides zero nutritional value, it also creates unhealthy habits which wreak havoc on the oral environment – stick to water or tea if you can. Remember, once the deterioration of dental structures starts, damage may be very difficult or impossible to reverse or restore completely! Prevention is the best measurement, and it is within your reach. Ask your dental professional about prevention – it is easy to work on, both for a cleaner oral environment and for a stronger bacterial host resistance. A healthy mouth may lead to a healthy heart, and such health is priceless.
As you may or may not know, May 10 – 16 was National Women’s Health Week, an annual week-long health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH). The purpose of this awareness week is to empower women to make their health a top priority.This noble quest does not simply apply to nutrition and cancer screening (as most people associate health weeks with), but to women’s oral health as well!
This year, National Women’s Health Week began on Mother’s Day – and what better a day to begin than on the day honoring mothers? Our country has a rich history of leading women who have made America a better place: Susan B. Anthony (who organized women’s suffrage), Clara Barton (who organized the American Red Cross), and Rosa Parks, who in 1955 stood up for equal rights for all. Had these women not taken care of their oral health, where would we be today? Of course, speculation about the oral hygiene habits of these women is somewhat silly, but this important week reminds all women of how important our health is, and how diminished as a society we would be without healthy women to lead and nurture.
It is important for all women to realize the importance of oral health not only for the well being of our teeth and gums, but for our whole body’s overall wellness. Of course, brushing and flossing twice daily and after meals is of utmost importance, as well as regular twice yearly checkups with your dentist and oral hygienist. There are certain oral health conditions women should be aware of however, separate from men. John Lukacs, an anthropologist at the University of Oregon recently uncovered both modern and prehistoric dental records which have revealed women have more dental health issues than men, which has been attributed to hormonal changes women experience when estrogen is produced (especially during puberty and pregnancy). As mentioned in a previous blog posting of mine, during pregnancy, not only does the body increase blood circulation to accommodate certain changes, but dilation of the blood vessels make the body more vulnerable to bacterial invasion, including the gum and and bone support of your teeth. Cravings and constant nibbling also promotes an acidic oral environment, leading to tooth erosion and the further harvesting of bacterial growth (which breaks down your tooth structure).
Gum swelling, bleeding and pain have also been reported during periods of menstruation. During these times, it is important to keep up with your normal oral hygiene routine! Massaging the gums with your fingertips can provide temporary pain relief, believe it or not. If you have any questions about your oral health, make a quick call to your dental professional and schedule a checkup or consultation appointment – he or she will be more than happy to provide you with the answers you need. Women have played an extremely important role in America’s history. Take care of your mouth, so that we can continue to take care of the nation!
Although you may think acid reflux disease and your child’s dental health are unrelated, but recent studies have suggested the close relations.
Recent studies have linked acid reflux and dental erosion.
Acid reflux disease, defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux in the esophagus, is nothing short of painful and distracting. When occurring in children, the symptoms can be even more painful and difficult to handle. Just nine days ago, the Pediatric Academic Society released findings of a study conducted by the University of California San Francisco stating children who have severe acid reflux have a much higher risk – up to six times the risk – of dental erosion and gum disease than those without acid reflux disease (or GERD). This is a unique finding and although it should be researched more before being considered fact, if your child suffers from acid reflux, be sure to keep an eye on his or her dental health!
Dental decay, erosion and sensitivity are a result of an overly acidic oral environment, and can often be quite painful and difficult for young children to handle, just like acid reflux. Regular hygiene (like brushing and flossing twice daily and after meals) is important as are regular checkups with your dental professional twice yearly, but what other things can you do to neutralize your child’s acid reflux, and in turn prevent dental and gum erosion? Besides healthy diet that consist of fresh vegetable and fruits, avoid greasy fried food , stay off sugary carbonated beverage,one physician who was a part of the aforementioned study has recommended children with acid reflux disease (even at early stages) should be started on a dental hygiene regiment, to be overlooked by a dental professional regularly, just as medical checkups are. Good dental home care program includes fluoride treatment might be suggested.
Dental erosion can be uncomfortable and potentially hazardous to your child’s oral health, which is why prevention, early detection and adequate protection are always the best keys to health. By taking the right steps early in your child’s life (especially if your child suffers from acid reflux), you can assure your child has a better chance to live his or her life with a happy, healthy smile!
A patient of mine recently sent me this message – I was briefly shocked for a brief second, but then agreed! It is known that alcoholic mouthwash can pose a health risk to your body (and even cause cancer), but I never thought a product marketed as “safe” would actually kill mosquitoes!
“Dr. Sun, I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. The host at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila!”
This little anecdote really makes you think twice about using alcoholic mouthwash! Ethanol contained in some mouthwash rinses dramatically increase the ability of cancer-causing substances to penetrate the lining of your mouth, and other harmful chemicals such as Acetaldehyde – which forms in a person’s mouth after using alcoholic mouthwash – are suspected to be carcinogenic. These chemicals are not only harmful to the body, but as we’ve learned, are strong enough to kill certain organisms, which should make you think twice about using alcoholic mouthwash!
If you are concerned about cleaning your mouth with a rinse, try a non-alcoholic alternative which is often natural, safe and just as effective as an alcoholic mouthwash. My favorite is Tooth & Gum Tonic. If you have any questions about mouthwash or how to find an effective and safe rinse, consult with your dental professional!
Swine Influenza H1N1, more commonly known as Swine Flu, has continued to grow and expand worldwide over the past week, and concerns are (rightly) high about how we can stay healthy and safe. The World Health Organization may even declare swine flu a pandemic! Apart from not gathering in large groups and washing your hands, is there any way you can stay safe?
Transmission of the virus is from human-to-human contact, and all reported cases worldwide have stemmed from some sort of exterior human interaction. A high-running fever (over 100* Fahrenheit), fatigue, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and respiratory problems are among the most common symptoms of having the virus. In attempting to prevent transmission of this virus, be sure to wash your hands frequently and always cover your mouth, preferably with tissues or your forearm instead of your hands when coughing or sneezing (especially if you are in a doctor or dentist office).
Now, how to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting the swine flu or any flu: prevention rules.
1. The first step to fight any flu is prevention. Stay away from people who have caught any disease or have symptoms of it. Avoid public restrooms at all costs. Wash your hands after you touch any public door knobs or hand rails, and wash your hands before you touch your toothbrushes or contact lenses. Use hand sanitizer.
2. Boost your immune system. A healthy lifestyle is always beneficial for your overall health. Eat a proper diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, keep yourself well hydrated, exercise, get a good night’s sleep, and keeping a positive attitude are all important. Regarding alternative remedies to boost the immune system and against flu, consider garlic. Cooked garlic has less odor, or you can cut up small pieces and swallow like a pill, or take it in a pill form. Cloves, oregano oil, zinc, echinacea, and vitamin c are few suggestions.
If you are noticing any respiratory problems or prolonged flu symptoms and are running a temperature, schedule a visit with your primary health care physician. Brush and floss twice daily, and after meals (a clean mouth prevents introducing pathogens into your system). If you have a sore throat, gargle with warm salt water and increase your vitamin c intake to around 2000 mg/day. Limit your bad habits like alcohol drinking, smoking as well as your soda intake! Treat your body well and it will do its best to fight outside invaders.
Most people are well aware of soda’s detrimental effects on the teeth (including erosion and bone loss) – but it also is addictive?
The allure of diet soda is obvious for people who are conscious about their figure: it tastes great, it’s refreshing, and has few or no calories. Unfortunately, most of us don’t realize how dangerous the other ingredients in soda really are, even with no sugar. Many diet cola drinkers have a false sense of security that their diets will be successful drinking diet soda, and actually consume more calories because of it. Putting aside the acidic problems with soda and the havoc they wreak on your teeth, gum and bone, let’s look at the caffeine aspect of cola. All dark colas are full of artificial chemicals which can degrade your skin and internal organs over time, but those which are caffeinated present an addictive factor as well. Caffeine addiction can make a person feel downright ill if they don’t receive their “soda fix” – muscle pains, headaches and nervousness are common among soda addicts, and are known as symptomatic withdrawal. Even though withdrawal symptoms are most commonly associated with tobacco and hard drugs, caffeine falls into the addictive drug category as well. Johns Hopkins University, the authoritative leader on mental disorders in the medical world recognized “Caffeine Withdrawal” as an official disorder in 2004. Symptoms usually occur within 12 – 24 hours of halting caffeine intake, and can last for days.
In addition to the caffeine addiction problem with all soda, recent studies have shown that drinking even just one soda a day can raise a person’s risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 48%. Metabolic syndrome drastically increases the likelihood for heart disease and diabetes. Phosphoric acid found in any dark cola is another leading contributor to bone loss among soda drinkers. Combined with the high withdraw rates of caffeine addiction and the problems associated with caffeine withdraw (disturbed eating and sleeping patterns, anxiety and restlessness), drinking even moderate amounts of soda in a day-to-day routine can produce drastically negative effects on a person’s health. This does not even address the detrimental effects of cola acidity on oral health.
In North America, a continent in which 80 – 90% of all adults drink some form of caffeine on a regular basis, this epidemic of sorts has reached maximum capacity. Save your body and your mind – kick the soda habit! You will feel more rested and relaxed throughout your day, your concentration ability will increase and you will be doing a great service to your osteo (bone) and oral health. Drinking diet soda does not guarantee your diet will be successful, and in the long run, will in fact make your body’s health deteriorate. If you must drink diet cola, be sure to drink in moderation! Small amounts, 8oz or less, only once a day! Think about the chemicals and caffeine in the cola you drink, you might think twice!
Respite with Chardonnay, sip the stress away! It’s carefree time. On the other side of the coin, white wine can also make your cosmetic dentist frown for your dulling smile. We are talking about the tooth stain effect from white wine – what’s that, you ask? White wine stains your teeth? You probably are already aware that certain foods can cause staining and discoloration to your teeth – but many foods or beverages without a strong or dark color (which look innocent) can still cause stains on your teeth.
White wine can stain your teeth - just like red wine!
A new NYU study shows white wine has an acid content that tends to increase the risk of stain or darkening of your teeth, if combined with other habits of drinking tea, or similar dark beverages. Do not be fooled by the crystal clear appearance of a white wine – it certainly is capable of dulling your teeth. Certain acidic properties present in wine (white, red or rose) create micro-porosity etching rough the surface of your teeth, which make your teeth much more susceptible to stains from other foods. For example, if you were to drink a glass of white wine with your spaghetti dinner, the acidic properties in the white wine could make your teeth more prone to staining from the red spaghetti sauce in your meal, or the cup of tea after the dinner beside your wine! Red wine is still more “dangerous” to the pearly opalescence of your teeth than white, however, as it contains pigment molecules known as chromagen, which will stain your teeth., but all wines contain tannins act as a binding protein, which will aid chromogen to saturate themselves upon the surface of the tooth.
Sodas and other beverages like ice tea and cocktails can wreak havoc upon your teeth as well, and not just the color! Stringent acids or sugars (turned into acids) present in most sodas (and acidic fruit juice, like lemonade) are the worst type of liquid to expose your teeth to, and can cause tooth erosion and tooth decay. A bleaching effect of phosphoric acid in the soda can also weaken your bone in addition to their staining properties. If you must drink any of these liquids, be sure to brush and floss after every meal – or at the very least, rinse your mouth or have a glass of water. Do not allow your oral environment stay in an acid bath! If you can feel astringency or drying of the mouth, drink some water and rinse your mouth before brushing to prevent rubbing the acid into your teeth.
Please enjoy your glass of wine, just be wise about the consequences! Yes, we can still keep your healthy and clean looking smile if we keep up the good oral hygiene habits. You can always consult with your dental professional for tips.
Is there a hidden secret to beat the economic crunch on health care? Ha Ha Ha! Laughter is one’s best nature’s medicines! Research has shown that laughter offers tremendous health benefits, from strengthening the immune system to increase the pain threshold. Laughter is one of the body’s most common natural responses to stress management, setting in early in a person’s life. A child can laugh before he/she can speak! But how many of us have forgotten how to laugh? Hopefully very few!
This is “National Humor Month,” it reminds me to talk about how important laughter is and its ability to chase the blues away. Laughter is a real, beneficial preventative medicine which helps us deal with overarching stress. In particular, cortisol is a stress hormone involved in your body’s responses to anxiety. Laughter can reduce this hormone’s secretion levels and also increase your endorphin levels, which counter stressful reactions and bring about relief and a sense of power. Chronic pain sufferers will benefit dramatically from increased endorphin levels.
Stress kills, and a stressful mind can lead to a stressed mouth: gritting and clenching your teeth lead by stress can break your teeth and dental restorations, breaking down the periodontal structure, leading to an increased susceptibility to gum disease. Stressed pulp can lead to root canals – no laughing matter!
We need to laugh to fight our stress and stay healthy! When you laugh deeply, many groups of muscles get a workout, including your diaphragm, shoulders, and abs. Have you ever laughed so hard you almost ran out of breath? I love that feeling! University of Maryland researchers have also found that laughter increases blood vessel dilation (a 35% increase in dilation of the brachial artery was observed after 20 minutes of laughter) – increasing blood flow is always a good thing! Japanese researchers have even found preliminary research data showing laughter could potentially reduce glucose levels, a good thing for diabetes sufferers and non-sufferers alike!
Laughing is also an important factor of your dental health, as laughter can increase your blood flow and circulation! When this happens in the oral cavity, saliva flow is stimulated (dry mouth can cause gum recession and halitosis) which prevents problems associated with a dry oral cavity. Blood flow will also keep your gum healthy and prevent periodontitis. When you are about to visit your dentist, bring a comic book or watch a funny movie on your iPod! Think of funny things to talk about with your dentist.Bring a light mood into the dentist’s chair will not only benefit your health, but your stress levels will reduce and you will have a more relaxing, holistic experience.
If you have a serious health condition, dental or otherwise, it is of course always necessary to visit your physician or dental care professional – however, laughter could be just the right preventative medicine you need to lift your spirits or even your physical health! Tell a joke, laugh a little – you’ll live longer!
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