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News update: 12/2009 Elevated dental plaque acid is a risk factor that contributes to cavities in children. But eating bran flakes with raisins containing no added sugar does not promote more acid in dental plaque than bran flakes alone, according to new research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Some dentists believe sweet, sticky foods such as raisins cause cavities because they are difficult to clear off the tooth surfaces, said Christine Wu, professor and director of cariology research at UIC and lead investigator of the study. But studies have shown that raisins are rapidly cleared from the surface of the teeth just like apples, bananas and chocolate, she said. In the study, published in the journal Pediatric Dentistry, children ages 7 to 11 compared four food groups — raisins, bran flakes, commercially marketed raisin bran cereal, and a mix of bran flakes with raisins lacking any added sugar. Sucrose, or table sugar, and sorbitol, a sugar substitute often used in diet foods, were also tested as controls. Children chewed and swallowed the test foods within two minutes. The acid produced by the plaque bacteria on the surface of their teeth was measured at intervals. All test foods except the sorbitol solution promoted acid production in dental plaque over 30 minutes, with the largest production between 10 to 15 minutes. Wu says there is a “well-documented” danger zone of dental plaque acidity that puts a tooth’s enamel at risk for mineral loss that may lead to cavities. Achint Utreja, a research scientist and dentist formerly on Wu’s team, said plaque acidity did not reach that point after children consumed 10 grams of raisins. Adding unsweetened raisins to bran flakes did not increase plaque acid compared to bran flakes alone. However, eating commercially marketed raisin bran led to significantly more acid in the plaque, he said, reaching into what Wu identified as the danger zone. Plaque bacteria on tooth surfaces can ferment various sugars such as glucose, fructose or sucrose and produce acids that may promote decay. But sucrose is also used by bacteria to produce sticky sugar polymers that help the bacteria remain on tooth surfaces, Wu said. Raisins themselves do not contain sucrose. In a previous study at UIC, researchers identified several natural compounds from raisins that can inhibit the growth of some oral bacteria linked to cavities or gum disease. The Shark Jaw StoryDid you know that the ocean covers 71% of our planet? There are more than 100 fish teeth in the ocean for every single animal tooth on land! Dolphins have 96 teeth and whales have more than 1,000. Barracudas have several rows of teeth, and so does a shark. Sharks eat all day long, they never brush, they never floss, and they never see the sharky hygienist! There has never been a single cavity found in the ocean! In fact, on land we find only two groups of animals that experience tooth decay: Human beings (and their domestic pets), and bears. Have you figured out why so many people have needless cavities that require fillings? There are two reasons. First is our diet. Bears eat gallons of honey at a time. In over 22 countries, humans consume more than 120 pounds of sugar a year-per person! This causes a lot of tooth decay. Dogs and cats in the wild never get a cavity; but when you feed them human food, they can get cavities. In some countries, like China, most people eat such small quantities of sugar that entire cities are cavity free. In fact, guess which country has the most cavities per person. That’s right: The United States of America. So, if you never want another cavity, quit consuming sugar!
The second reason that fish don’t get decay is that the ocean is one part per million fluoride solution. Fluoride is the 13th most common element on the planet. Fish and their teeth are constantly soaking in a fluoride solution! This is why cities around the world adjust the fluoride in their drinking water to that of the ocean. Make sure that your children’s growing teeth are not deprived of fluoride benefits. Reverse osmosis home water filters take all the fluoride out of the water; activated charcoal filters leave it in. (If you are not sure about the exact fluoride level in your water, bring a sample in to us and we will check it for you. You can also buy mineral water with fluoride in it, or obtain supplements, from your dentist or pediatrician.) ADA fluoride facts Once your teeth are formed, don’t forget your fluoride treatments every six months at the time of your regular cleaning appointments, which will reduce decay significantly or get custom fluoride trays and an at-home fluoride solution from us. If used properly one time per week for four minutes, this will prevent nearly 100% of decay-provided you also quit consuming sugar.
In conclusion, don’t tell yourself or believe that your family has bad teeth. Instead, know that your family consumes so much sugar that their teeth are rotting. Do not think that just because you have your teeth fixed you can neglect them. Studies by the American Dental Association show that most crowns only last about eight and a half years. The dentist can fix your tooth, but only you can change the behavior that led to the cavity in the first place: cut back on the sugary soft drinks, candy and gum; and try to eat more of what all the other animals that have perfect teeth eat.
Dr. Davis
Some recent research from the University of Calgary on the effects of mercury to neurons. Dr. Dean Kent
A: Sometimes you wish you would die when you have a tooth infection, only to get rid of the pain. A dental infection can be a dangerous event and can be caused by different types of bacteria. The most common types of oral infections occur in the Gum tissue and the other in the Tooth and Bone. Teeth infections usually cause the most pain and danger to your body. The teeth are portals to inside of the jaws and body. When bacteria enters into the canal space or center of the tooth it can then pass to the end of the tooth roots and into the jaw. Many times an infection occurs fast enough to create a large build-up of inflamatory cells or puss. This becomes dangerous when swelling is large enough to block your airway or spread outside the jaws. Hopefully you can get to a dentist before you have a dental infection and prevent this cascade. Death can occur from dental infections but it is rare. Bacteria from your mouth can and does enter into your body. It is dangerous when there is high amounts of certain bacteria and in health compromised patients. Dr. M Kent
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Lastly, ask about dental sealants, which if applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth prevent decay on the chewing surfaces nearly 100% of the time. In these days of modern preventative dentistry, people who get cavities must really want them-because they’re hard to grow!
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