Red Wine – Good for the Heart and the Teeth?

A recent study by scientists in Spain has indicated that red wine, and even grape seed extract, can directly destroy the bacteria responsible for dental diseases such as plaque and tooth decay. As an added bonus, they can be effective without some of the harsher side effects of antimicrobial rinses, and with longer-lasting effects than fluoride and toothpaste.

The study aimed to test some real-world conditions and applications, which included dipping some biofilms into different liquids, including red wine, red wine without alcohol, and red wine infused with extra grape seed extract. Biofilms are communities of nasty bacteria that coat your teeth and gums and are notoriously hard to kill. When they are exposed to sugars and starches, they begin to create acid which will erode your teeth.  However, in just a few minutes of dipping, all three wine tests were shown to be more strongly effective at removing the biofilms than other tested liquids.

But don’t go busting out that bottle of wine just yet. In addition to the potentially staining aspect of the wine, scientists have yet to determine the specifics of how the chemicals impact the oral bacteria.
However, scientists can use these studies and findings to implement a new mouthwash or rinse to kill biofilms and help prevent tooth decay. More importantly, these new rinses and washes would potentially carry fewer side effects than the more common methods of today; some antimicrobial rinses can alter your sense of taste and even change your gums different colors.

Bear in mind, the scientists did test pure ethanol against the biofilms as well. The results showed that ethanol wasn’t as effective as the red wine or red wine without alcohol. This indicates that it’s not the alcohol content of the wine that makes it effective, rather it’s the polyphenols or some other common ingredients found both in grape seed extract and wine.

Keep your eyes peeled for more studies about this coming forward. It would potentially offer a completely natural plaque-fighting solution for people concerned with the amounts of chemicals they consume. In the meantime, your Valencia dentist, Go Dental, will be your ultimate tool in keeping your teeth and gums happy and healthy.

5 out of 5 Dentists Agree – There is no “Best” Way to Brush

A recent UCL study that examined dental care and dental advice across ten countries has found that there is no clear consensus on the proper or most effective way to brush your teeth and we at Go Dental, your favorite Valencia dentistry, have to agree.

Dental associations, textbooks, toothpaste companies, and even toothbrush manufacturers all seem to differ widely on how to brush, how long to brush, and how often to brush. This worries some dentists, fearing that the public will not know who to trust when all the sources disagree.

The differing suggestions have sparked a few dentists to call for research and studies into the effectiveness of the various techniques. For something as common and simple as brushing your teeth, it is worrisome that official organizations differ in their directions. Hopefully, with research and testing, a trusted consensus can be reached on what is ultimately the best method of tooth care.

However, all dentists can agree that the goal of brushing is to remove plaque and food debris hiding in your teeth. And, luckily, this is a simple task, only requiring a gentle brushing motion. It is best to target areas that are common plague playgrounds, including the biting surfaces and the gum lines. And brushing gently will help to avoid hurting the protective (and limited) enamel.

Since acids begin to form in your mouth mere minutes after having sugar, it is suggested to hold off on brushing immediately after partaking in sweet foods and drinks, as you may damage your acid-weakened enamel. Instead, rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash after dining on that piece of candy. This prevents acid buildup, and starves off the food supply for that hungry plaque.

With these simple tips, you can keep your smile healthy. Hopefully soon, the dental associations worldwide will come to an agreement on what is best for you. But in the meantime, target that plaque.

Next time you make an appointment to see your Valencia dentist, Dr. Go, feel free to ask him questions about brushing your teeth.

Wisdom Teeth and You

Around the age of 14, your mouth begins to develop four extra molars. And anywhere between the ages of 17 and 25, these molars begin to emerge, also known as erupt, in your mouth. Since these teeth develop and erupt so late in your life, they’ve come to be called your wisdom
teeth.

Extra teeth? How awesome, right? Well, not always. 85% of wisdom teeth will need to be removed. Almost 90% of people will have at least one of their wisdom teeth impacted, which means that it doesn’t erupt cleanly. Usually the jaw is too small, so the tooth is tilted.

So why do we have them? Scientists believe the wisdom tooth to be a vestigial remnant of human ancestors who needed the extra teeth to process and grind tougher plants. As our diets improved, the need for these extra molars lessened, and our jaws gradually shrunk. But these wisdom teeth never got the memo.

With the advancement of dental care and health, wisdom tooth impaction has increased as well. Centuries ago, tooth loss and decay allowed extra space in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to push their way into. With braces and floss and care, perfect teeth are much more common. The increased care also means increased removal surgeries and very few complications.

Those removed wisdom teeth won’t go to waste, though. Recently scientists have discovered
that wisdom teeth are an excellent source of stem cells and can be saved for possible future needs.

In the near future, scientists are working towards blocking the growth of wisdom teeth altogether, as these extra molars are the only teeth that aren’t developed in the womb. Some
races already lack the genes responsible for their growth, so it just requires research and application before impacted wisdom teeth are a thing of the past.

If you need your wisdom teeth, take a visit your favorite Valencia dentist, Go Dental.

Dental Amalgams: Are They Safe?

We don’t use dental amalgam here at our Valencia dentistry, Go Dental. Never have, and never will. I can’t remember the last time I placed one. We also have almost completely phased out the use of metal in our crowns and bridges, using it only in those areas where it can’t be replaced. We are nearly metal-free in our practice by choice. It was a choice based on real science showing the superiority of newer, more robust, more aesthetic materials. It was not a choice based on pseudoscience and fear.I was reminded recently of a classic (well, classic for dentists) video of the Director of the NIDCR, the dental division of the NIH, testifying before a Congressional subcommittee on the safety of dental amalgam.  He reached the point of exasperation while answering the repeated question “Is Mercury toxic?” by saying“Elemental Mercury is toxic.”

The questioner thought he was dodging the question because she didn't understand the answer.What the Congresswoman did not understand was the difference between an element and a component of a larger chemical compound. For example, elemental Sodium reacts violently and can cause an explosion when it contacts water. The element Chlorine is a poisonous gas used in the trenches of World War I. But,Sodium Chloride (Na Cl) is table salt.The same is true of dental amalgams. There is Mercury there, but it isn't going anywhere. For most people, the level of mercury exposure from erosion of existing dental fillings is less than you are exposed to from the environment (air pollution,tuna fish, etc.).

Many of our colleagues seem to be just as confused as the Congresswoman. We regularly see patients for second opinions who were told that all of their amalgams need to be replaced as soon as possible. If you want to transition to metal-free restorations, we are happy to help you here at Go Dental.  But the decision should be based on your needs and desires. I have 25+ year-old amalgams in my mouth that are staying as long as they are still in good condition. Other people might make a different choice, but it should be a choice. Don’t be bullied into making decisions about your healthcare.

Think Before You Drink

After a grueling, productive workout, many people reach for a sports drink to “rehydrate” and recover electrolytes.  But you might want to think twice about what’s in that drink.

Soda has long held a bad reputation as a major cause of dietary tooth decay.  The acidity and high sugar content of soft drinks wears away and erodes tooth structure.  Now, there are so many alternatives to soft drinks that are marketed as healthy, all-natural juices.  With these new beverages, you may think that you are safer from tooth decay, but these products can be equally as unhealthy (or worse!) for you.

For example, that Gatorade that you gulped after hitting the gym contains 56 grams of sugar, which is roughly equivalent to 5 Chips Ahoy! cookies. Popular antioxidant smoothie drinks, such as Naked juice or Bolthouse Farms, can have up to 29 grams of sugar, or about 1 serving (half a pint) of Ben&Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream.  Plain, old orange juice has 26 grams of sugar, the same as 10 Hershey kiss candies!

While it would be difficult to cut all juices from our diet, there are a few key points that will help to keep your smile healthy:

Try sugar substitutes. There are many sugar substitutes, including Splenda (sucralose) and Equal (aspartame). These substitutes are metabolized differently from sugar (sucrose) and can’t be used by bacteria to create acids and cause decay.  Beware of labels that read “No sugar added” or “Sugar Free”, which may contain natural sweeteners such as honey, molasses, or syrups which do contain sugar.

Sugary drinks should be consumed with a meal, or within 15 minutes.  Anytime you eat or drink, the pH of your mouth naturally decreases to break down what you are consuming.  Studies show that it takes 30 minutes for the mouth pH to neutralize again.  Therefore, you should limit the time you are drinking a beverage.  Sipping from To-Go cups throughout the day does not give your body the time neutralize the oral environment, leading to tooth decay.

Rinse with water. After drinking a sugary beverage, rinse your mouth thoroughly to remove residual sugars that can cause tooth breakdown.  By physically removing these sugars, you are decreasing exposure time that allows bacteria to cause decay.

Use a Fluoride toothpaste and visit your dentist regularly. Fluoride helps to remineralize areas that are starting to break down from acids.  Make it a point to brush twice a day, and floss daily. Maintaining good oral hygiene is the best defense against tooth decay and tooth loss. Regular check-ups and cleaning will help to catch small cavities before they become bigger problems.

And finally, put down that smoothie-soda-juice-energy drink and DRINK WATER. It is all-natural, non-caloric, and FREE!

Visit your favorite Valencia Dentist for more information!