Energy Drinks Healthy Or Not?

Sleep and exercise are proven stress relievers and help promote health. But, over 90 million Americans don't get a good night's sleep, and many find difficulty developing daily exercise routines. People are constantly seeking new products and looking for more ways to become energized. Many athletes, weekend warriors, business people and homemakers have turned to various energy boosters, including very popular and highly promoted sport and energy drinks like Amp and Red Bull. J. Anthony von Frauhofer, PhD, the chief researcher of a study done at the University of Maryland Dental School, suggests some precaution when using these drinks.

The researchers immersed pieces of human enamel [outside covering of the tooth and the hardest substance in the body] in 13 popular beverages. The study found that non-cola soft drinks, energy/sports drinks, and commercial lemonade "showed the most aggressive dissolution effect on dental enamel," and in fact, were up to 11 times more erosive than cola. High levels of some additives, such as citric acid, caused the disintegration of the teeth. Frauhofer advised that people do not sit and sip theses drinks of a long time and that you should follow-up the energy drink with some water to help rinse away the potentially damaging acids.

Digital X-Rays: Safer And Improved Diagnosis

In 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, a German scientist discovered the medical use of x-rays when he saw a picture of his wife's hand on a photographic plate. His wife's hand's photograph was the first ever photograph of a human body part using X-Rays. In dentistry, radiographs [x-rays] became extremely important to the diagnosis of tooth decay [caries], periodontal [gum] disease and other oral conditions. They have also been an invaluable adjunct for dental treatment providing necessary information during procedures such as crown and bridge restorations, root canal treatment and implants.

Because technology is improving rapidly in this area, traditional x-rays with a number of safety issues, are being phased out in favor of digital x-rays with tremendous advantages for patients.

There are many benefits to having digital x-rays. The digital x-ray system is more sensitive than traditional dental x-rays, so there is about 90% less radiation exposure. Great amounts of time are saved during dental treatment as the image is captured immediately in the computer. Instead of looking at small x-rays on a light box, large images are displayed on a monitor that allows you to see what your dentist sees, so it's easier to understand how your teeth will be treated. These large enhanced images lead to a more accurate diagnosis. Since no film is used and no dark room with photo chemicals are required, the digital systems are more environmentally friendly.

Our office is constantly striving to make patient treatment safer and more comfortable. The use of digital x-rays is high technology that fulfils that philosophy.

On The Dark Side

On the Dark Side As we get older, our teeth tend to get darker. This may be the result of extrinsic stains [on the outside surface of the tooth] or intrinsic stains [discoloration that becomes part of the enamel].

Certain foods and drinks are hazardous to your smile by causing your teeth to darken. These include coffee, tea, grape juice, carrot juice, berries and beets. Hot tea and coffee are especially detrimental, because constant temperature change can cause your teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate microcracks in the enamel. There are other causes of discoloration. Teeth with old, large amalgam fillings may darken from the leaching out of silver salts. Sometimes, replacing the amalgam filling with tooth colored materials solves this problem. When an individual tooth darkens, it may be from trauma or because the pulp [nerve] has died. Bleeding within the tooth or debris in the pulp can create a dark gray appearance. Intrinsic stains caused by a systemic interruption of the forming tooth such as a high fever, certain medications or extra high doses of fluoride could result in gray/brown bands or bright white patches from incomplete enamel formation before the tooth erupts. Most extrinsic stains can be removed with a good prophylaxis [cleaning] and polishing. Air abrasion instrumentation is also helpful. This should be followed be an elimination or cutting down of the causative agent. Treatment for discoloration also includes bleaching, bonding and/or porcelain veneers. If stains or tooth darkening are inhibiting your smile, call it to our attention at your next appointment, so we can suggest the appropriate steps to take.