The Holidays are Coming so Raise Your Glasses High!

Or Maybe Not.

Dr. Barotz here. As the holidays approach we open our calendars to parties with friends, after work socials and of course, family gatherings. I love the holidays and everything they stand for and truly enjoy the food and drink found at social gatherings. But as we move into this festive time, a word of caution as you lift your drink -- some drinks are worse for your teeth than others.

While the alcohol in beverages won’t damage your teeth, the sugar content in most alcoholic drinks, including beer, can harm the enamel. Beverages, such as sweet wines or mixed drinks that contain sodas or citrus juices, can be worse because of their high acidity. And you may not have noticed, but research shows that people tend to grind their teeth more after drinking alcohol.

I’m not suggesting that you eliminate holiday spirits just to avoid a couple of cavities, but I do have some suggestions that may help lessen the damage to your teeth during this time of merriment.

* Don’t pass up the cheese and cracker trays. Cheese reduces the risk of dental decay, stimulates the flow of saliva and contains milk proteins which neutralize plaque acids.

* Drink water between drinks and rinse your mouth with water (not tequila shooters). The water will help decrease the acid content of your mouth, which in turn may decrease the damage done to your teeth.

* Chew sugarless gum between drinks or on the way home. Chewing gum helps increase saliva flow, which in turn helps rinse the sugars from your mouth.

* I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Brush and floss your teeth, especially before going to bed. To help you remember, try leaving your toothbrush on your pillow before heading out to party.

* Drink a lot of water before going to bed. Not only will this help with a hangover, it will help reduce the intensity of which you grind your teeth.
* Get fluoride treatments from your dentist. Fluoride protects your teeth by inhibiting the acid from attacking the surface of the tooth.

* When choosing a drink, pay careful attention to the pH value (level of acidity) in the drink. Food or drink with a pH value of less than 5.5 can damage your teeth. Save the fizzy drinks for special occasions because they can really damage your teeth. The bubbles are made by pumping carbon dioxide into the beverage, which is acidic when mixed with water.

* Take special heed if you are drinking wine. Wine contains a lot of acid, usually in the range of 3.0 to 3.5. The reason for this is because the lower pH values improve the stability of wine. Most people who drink wine will spend at least 45 minutes to an hour and a half drinking it, which provides time for the acid to affect your teeth. Wine drinkers can counter the negative effects of wine by drinking a lot of water between drinks and not keeping the wine in your mouth for too long.

By following just a couple of these tips during the next couple of months, you’ll be able to welcome 2009 with a brighter and healthier smile.

DON’T LET AN AILING ECONOMY HURT YOUR TEETH

Dr. Barotz here. Each afternoon I log on to Google and check out the business news. Some days I feel good, but lately there have been more days than I’d like where I just shake my head in amazement. Many of us have been affected by the latest economic news. I know I have. I used to have a 401K but now it is more like a 201K.

So as I was watching the Golf Channel the other night, I thought that maybe if I remind people of what they can do to keep their teeth healthy, it might just help. After all, dentistry is my passion and I went into it for many reasons. I enjoy the artistry that goes into building a new smile, but moreover I love the life-changing results that can take place when I can take a smile that a patient was so ashamed of and make it into a drop-dead gorgeous smile. I know you have heard most of these tips before, but please, these can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

* Floss your teeth. Every time you go into your dentist I’m sure your hygienist will ask you if you are flossing regularly. Seriously, flossing is vital to preventing disease. By flossing once a day you can remove the plaque that forms between the teeth and below the gum line and it only takes a minute or two.
* Even when money is tight, visit your dentist regularly. When your dentist removes the plaque from your teeth, this reduces the number of bacteria, which is crucial in preventing tooth decay. Remember, it is a lot less expensive to have a comprehensive exam and cleaning than it is to get a filling, crown, or have a tooth replaced.
* Chew gum. According to a study published in the July 2006 issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association, chewing gum that contains xylitol, like Trident for instance, can help curb bacteria that cause tooth decay.
* Eat crunchy foods. Foods that have to be chewed that are low in sugar help stimulate saliva. Saliva contains minerals that can help repair tooth enamel.
* When you have a problem that needs fixing, like missing teeth, bites issues or loose dentures, don’t wait. Contact your dentist. These types of problems can affect chewing or tooth wear. There are new and affordable dental treatments, such as mini-implants, that can be used to help solve these problems.

Even though the economy continues to teeter-totter, don’t discount the health of your teeth. By taking care of them now, you’ll realize a savings in comfort, confidence and your dollar.