The American Dental Association advises twice daily brushing and once a day flossing. Really? Is the addition of flossing so important? Dr. Allan J. Milewski, Medina dentist, says it definitely is. Find out why flossing is good for your teeth and for your systemic health.
Commitment is hard, especially when it comes to settling down with a dentist you can trust for years to come. These days it’s hard to find a dentist you feel excited about visiting, isn’t it? Either the team is too busy, or the office is too big — and you’re not ready to make your final choice. But did you know that one secret to having healthy, beautiful teeth for a lifetime is sticking with a dentist you trust? Today, learn more about Dr. Allan J. Milewski, the dentist that so many in Medina, OH already trust with their precious teeth.
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Energy Drinks have become very popular. According to a report by the Academy of Pediatrics, energy drinks are consumed by 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults. My son who is 21 years old would tell you it is much, much higher. Energy drinks are as ubiquitous to teens and young adults today as Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi was to my generation.
The potential hazards of consuming sports or energy drinks on a regular basis include problems with the heart, seizures, diabetes..but did you know that they drinks can also damage your teeth?
A study published by the Academy of General Dentistry found that both energy drinks and sports drinks eroded the enamel of teeth. But energy drinks have a higher level of citric acid and will actually erode your teeth more than sports drinks. But it’s not just the acid. The “buffering capacity” of a liquid is the ability a liquid has to neutralize acid plays a very significant role in the cause of dental erosion. High Energy and Sports drinks have the highest mean buffering capacity, which means they have the strongest potential for erosion of enamel. Once your enamel is gone, your teeth are much more susceptible to decay.
Both sports drinks and energy drinks can be filled with sugar which also contributes to tooth decay. It’s the dreaded double whamy..high acid and high sugar. Not good. But don’t be fooled into thinking that just because you are drinking a sugar free sports or energy drink that you are in the clear. The acid and buffering capacity of those drinks also can definitely harm your teeth.
Bottom line..be careful of your consumption of both sports drinks and energy drinks. If you have children in school, find out if your school has replaced soda pop in vending machines with sport or energy drinks. Be aware of the risks to your overall health and especially to your teeth. Choose your drinks wisely. Your teeth will thank you.
The internet is a wonderful thing. It can connect people from far corners of the earth, and create vast amounts of information right at your fingertips. But just because the information is on the web, or spoken by an “expert” in the media doesn’t make it so. One popular doctor who has a tv show suggested eating raisins as a way to remove plaque from your teeth. Raisins? The rationale is that raisins will create saliva in your mouth which will “rinse away” plaque. Well, so will sucking on a piece of hard candy. I do not recommend using raisins to remove plaque. The only way to remove plaque from your teeth is with your handy toothbrush and floss. Period.
Another suggestion from this esteemed Doctor is to whiten your teeth with a mix of Baking Soda and Lemon. Please, please, please, don’t do this. 
Lemon is a very acidic fruit which when combined with even something as mild as baking soda can erode the natural enamel on your teeth. Once that protective enamel is gone, your teeth are much more susceptible to decay. If you want your teeth to be whiter and brighter (and who doesn’t?), ask us. We are happy to educate you on different SAFE methods of tooth whitening to find the one that best fits your pocketbook and gives you the desired results.
Here’s the bottom line…there is some great information in the media and on the web regarding your health and a lot of faulty and misleading information . Just because someone says they are an expert doesn’t make them one. Read and listen to it with a strong dose of skepticism and question. Ask us about anything you read or hear. We spend a great deal of time as individuals and as an office staff learning the latest in scientific advancements and treatments for your smile. We love discussing all aspects of your dental health with you and are always ready to give you as much help as possible in making good decisions regarding your treatment. Just ask!
