Are energy drinks bad for your teeth?

Are energy drinks bad for your teeth? Many of our patients at Alina Bergan D.D.S ask us this question, so here’s the scoop.


Energy drinks have been on the rise, taking up more and more space on grocery store shelves. Drinks such as Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, Monster Assault, Rockstar, and the like promise to jump-start your day, give you more energy, and help you feel more alert. But unfortunately they also do a lot more than that. Turns out, they do a pretty good job of stripping your teeth of enamel, which is a very bad thing.
A lot of the energy drinks on the market are loaded with a lot of citric acid. In addition, they are laden with preservatives (not to mention sugar), not only to enhance flavor, but extend shelf life. While enamel loss, tooth decay, teeth sensitivity, and cavities cannot be blamed entirely on energy drinks (improper oral hygiene at home and lack of professional dental care also play a role), they can wreak havoc on the health of your teeth and gums, especially when consumed in more than moderation. Over time, energy drinks can strip enamel, which is the outer layer that protects your teeth.

What can you do?

Although Dr. Alina Bergan and our team aren't recommending you drink energy drinks at all, if you must drink one occasionally, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage to your teeth.

·         Drink through a straw.

·         Don’t hold the drink in your mouth before swallowing.

·         Rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking this kind of beverage. Water helps both to neutralize the acid and to increase the production of saliva.

·         Chew sugar-free gum immediately after, to increase saliva production.

·         Don’t brush your teeth right after drinking an energy drink. Wait at least an hour instead, because the combination of the acid and brushing will further damage tooth enamel.

The best advice is to refrain from drinking energy drinks altogether. One of the best hydrators is water. Water is a natural energy-booster and hydrator, and it doesn’t contain calories. You can now buy electrolyte water in stores if you wanted a boosted water.

Give us a call today at our Cedarhurst, NY office at 800-223-0801 if you have any questions or concerns about energy drinks and dental health. We can provide additional tips and a treatment plan to help reduce enamel loss, eliminate tooth sensitivity, and repair cavities and tooth decay as a result of drinking energy drinks.

SUMMER IS HERE: TIPS FOR A BRIGHT, WHITE SMILE!

 

Its official summer is here, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is just around the corner for our patients at Alina Bergan DDS.

Everyone wants a glowing and radiant white smile when the sun comes around! Here are a few tips to keep your smile dazzling like the sun.

1.     Try to stay away from drinks that will stain your teeth like coffee, soft drinks, or dark colored juices. Not only will drinks like this weaken your enamel but they will also darken that fabulous smile you're working on!

2.     Try and focus on brushing your teeth; everyone knows that when busy schedules start picking up, getting a good brushing session in tends to take the backseat!

3.     A good tip for keeping your mouth safe from staining and other possible pitfalls is to rinse your mouth with water after any meal you can’t fully brush your teeth after. Your teeth, inside and out, will benefit!

And remember, whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just having fun in the backyard this summer, we are always here with convenient appointments in our Cedarhurst location.

Want a fabulous white smile fast? Give us a call today at 800-223-0801 and ask about our Teeth Whitening Special!

You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.

IS YOUR CHILD A MOUTH BREATHER?

Have you ever watched your child sleep and see them breathing through his or her mouth? Mouth breathing or breathing through the mouth instead of the nose may lead to trouble for youngsters. Kids who typically breathe through their mouth—most often are children who suffer from allergies—experience problems getting enough oxygen into their blood, a condition that affects their weight, size, sleep, and even their performance in the classroom and daily life.

Mouth breathing is a condition that can lead to sleep apnea, behavior and learning problems, delayed speech, dental and facial abnormalities, and even breathing problems as your child grows. There are a multitude of reasons for an individual to mouth breathe, such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids, and deviated nasal septum, but the cause is usually allergies.

What are the symptoms of mouth breathing?

The tongue plays a large role in influencing cranial and maxillary growth. A newborn child’s forward thrusting of the tongue to express milk from the mother’s breast is the force that drives the horizontal or forward growth of upper jaw. The tongue acts like a natural tooth retainer when the mouth is closed gently pushing the top teeth into their correct position. When the mouth is open, the tongue rests on the floor of the mouth instead of roof. When this is done continuously the upper jaw narrows forcing the teeth to grow in a forward position or to overlap each other.

·         Breathing primarily with mouth open and breathing will often sound shallow and raspy.

·         Mouth breathers tend to grow at a slower rate than other children

·         Chapped or dry lips

·         Swollen tonsils

·         Children who mouth breathe typically do not sleep well, causing them to be tired during the day and possibly unable to concentrate on studies

·         Dark circles under the eyes

·         Gingivitis

·         Narrow palate, and crowed teeth

·         Increasingly long and narrow faces termed as long face syndrome or adenoid faces

·         Gum tissue shows when smiling

·         Snoring or sleep apnea

·         High incidence of airway infections

·         Mouth breathing dries out saliva which plays important role in cavity prevention so the incidence of dental caries increases.

·         Increased rate of plaque accumulation

As bad as the mouth breathing condition sounds, we want you to know mouth breathing is a treatable condition. Doing so requires early diagnosis and treatment. Since our team at Alina Bergan DDS sees our patients every six months, we may be in a position to identify the symptoms of mouth breathing.

If you suspect your child is a chronic mouth breather, give us a call today at 800-223-0801 so that Dr. Alina Bergan in our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office. You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT TOOTH SENSITIVITY?

We often have patients coming into our dental office wondering why a taste of ice cream or a sip of coffee becomes such a painful experience or why brushing or flossing makes them wince or cringe. The answer, usually, is sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity typically occurs when the underlying dentin layer of the tooth is exposed in the oral cavity, and most people will experience tooth sensitivity at some point in their lives.

Why do people experience tooth sensitivity and how do you know if tooth sensitivity is something to be worried about? The most common cause of the sensitivity is exposure of the dentin, which is the layer surrounding the tooth’s nerve. Contributors to tooth sensitivity include teeth whitening and dental work such as fillings, periodontal treatment, and the placement or adjustment of braces. These are temporary and should be of no concern.

Permanent hypersensitivity, however, may require treatment at with Dr. Alina Bergan DDS. The first step is to determine the cause, and that begins with a visit to our Cedarhurst office.

The reasons your teeth may become sensitive vary, but possible causes include:

·         Brushing too hard

·         Tooth decay (cavities) near the gum line

·         Cracked or fractured teeth

·         Fillings that are worn

·         Gum (periodontal) disease, or recession of the gums

·         Worn tooth enamel

·         Consuming acidic foods

Dr. Alina Bergan and our team want you to know that sensitive teeth can be treated, and the type of treatment will depend on what is causing the sensitivity. Dr. Alina Bergan may suggest one the following treatments:

·         Using a desensitizing toothpaste, which contains ingredients that seal off the microtubules inside the exposed dentin to reduce tooth sensitivity

·         Fluoride gel, which strengthens compromised tooth enamel, helps prevent tooth decay, and decreases hypersensitivity of the teeth

·         A crown, inlay, or bonding, which is used to treat tooth decay and prevents sensitivity

·         A surgical gum graft. If gum tissue has been lost from the root, this procedure will protect the root and reduce sensitivity.

·         Root canal: If you are experiencing severe and persistent sensitivity which cannot be treated by other means, Dr. Alina Bergan may recommend you undergo a root canal to eliminate the problem.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call today at 800-223-0801 so that Dr. Alina Bergan in our Cedarhurst, NY office can provide you with some much-needed relief!

You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.

FUN THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR OLD TOOTHBRUSH

Dr. Alina Bergan and her staff recommend that you replace your worn-out, germy toothbrush with a new one every three months. But most people either forget or resist getting rid of something that is still “working” for them. So we thought, maybe if they had a few ideas for putting that old toothbrush to good use, more people would take our advice? To encourage good oral practices, we offer these fun ways to repurpose your used toothbrush:

1. Let your little budding artist create a masterpiece with some paint and your old toothbrush.

2. Give yourself a facial by scrubbing oily areas on your face with your toothbrush. The bristles are perfect for removing embedded dirt and oil that clogs pores.

3. Pamper your hamster or ferret by brushing his fur with an old toothbrush.

4. Dab a bit of Vaseline on the bristles and comb your eyelashes: instant glamour!

5. Did you notice a few gray hairs sprouting from your hairline this morning? Old toothbrushes were made for touch-up dye jobs; also works for dyeing your eyebrows, too!

6. Instant chap lip fix. Slough away dry skin by using a toothbrush on your lips.

7. Old toothbrushes are great for spot-cleaning just about anything.

8. Is your dog’s breath making you wish he didn’t like to cuddle? Try brushing his teeth with your old toothbrush so that his kisses (and breath) are more tolerable.

9. Give your fish the cleanest tank in the neighborhood by scrubbing it with your old toothbrush.

10. Garden uses: Remove the bristles and you have instant small plant stakes!

For more information on oral health, toothbrush repurposing tips, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan, at her convenient Cedarhurst, NY office call 800-223-0801. You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.

IS DAIRY CRUCIAL TO MY CHILD'S ORAL HEALTH?

Since March is the month the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics asks everyone to pay special attention to what goes into our bodies; let’s talk about dairy and your child’s oral health.

Everyone knows that healthy eating, combined with regular physical activity, plays a vital role in your child’s health and well-being. Dairy foods are naturally nutritious, packed with ten essential nutrients that help your child feel good for life. But did you know that dairy is also great for your child’s dental health? Look for organic and hormone free dairy products. Our team at Alina Bergan D.D.S will tell you that, in addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, dairy products also help fight cavities! Dairy products have a specific role to play in dental health as they contain a unique combination of special anti-decay nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and the protein, casein. Cheese is especially useful, as eating a small piece of cheese after consuming sugary foods or drinks can help protect teeth and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Unsweetened, calcium-fortified dairy alternatives like soy & nut milks, coconut & soy yogurts and soy & nut cheeses also count as part of this food group and can make good healthy alternatives to dairy products.

For more information on foods for oral health, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan, at her convenient Cedarhurst, NY office call 800-223-0801. You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH!

March is the month the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics asks everyone to pay special attention to what goes into our bodies. The Academy has designated the month of March for focusing the public’s awareness on what they eat.

What Not to Eat

The academy points out that the foods you eat have a direct effect on the health of your teeth and specifically on tooth decay. Bacteria rely on carbohydrates to thrive. That is why Dr. Alina Bergan DDS tells her patients to cut back on both candy and sweets. They consist of simple sugars that feed the bacteria in your mouth and enhance tooth decay.

Watch out for all the hidden sugars as they are in foods you would not think are sweet like ketchup, breads, and pasta sauces. Get in the habit of reading labels on food and looking for products with added sugar. This includes ingredients that end with the suffix “ose.” When it comes to nutrition, these foods offer little value beyond satisfying that sweet tooth.

What You Should Eat

Turn to foods that not only taste good but are good for your teeth too. Dark leafy greens and dairy products, for example, provide the body with nutritional items that support tooth enamel. Foods high in protein feature phosphorus, a nutrient critical to oral health.

You can’t really go wrong by adding color to your diet, either. Fruits and vegetables make for a colorful plate and a healthy meal. So make sure to eat the rainbow of colors when you prepare salads and soups. Use some caution with acidic fruits like oranges or even tomatoes, because the acid can erode tooth enamel. It is better to include these foods in a meal instead of eating them by themselves.

Remember, good nutrition is something you should worry about all year long, not just when celebrating National Nutrition Month. March just serves as a fun reminder that eating right is a proactive step in managing your dental health.

For more information on foods for oral health, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alina Bergan, at our convenient Cedarhurst, NY office call 800-223-0801. You can book online http://www.alinabergandds.com.