Trinity says “No to Sugar”

“Say no to Sugar” is the punch line of many doctors and specifically dentists globally. Sugar and the remains of it in the mouth are plague for oral hygiene. Hence the dentists at Trinity Dental time and again stress of using alternative food or alternatives to sugar.

Research and development indicates that since breakfast incorporates the most important meal of the day, taking precise care of the sugar content can kick start a healthy start to the day considering oral hygiene and health.

Statistics indicate the rising number of people who indulge in comfort food like pastries and short cut caffeinated drinks to give them the necessary morning jolt suffer the most from poor oral hygiene and developing tooth decay. It’s no wonder that flossing and brushing the teeth does indeed help but a healthy breakfast gives the body the nutritious requirement for oral health maintenance.

A balanced breakfast enriched with fruits or fresh fruit juice with minimal or no sugar preferably, vegetables and fiber along with a good serving of healthy proteins is not only adequate but also takes care of bad breath, tooth decay, tooth loss and diseases of the gum.

A few of the effective healthy breakfast tips include oatmeal, whole wheat bread, ripe fruits and unsweetened tea, preferably a green one which  helps in strengthening the tooth enamel and preventing decay. Also high fiber cereals are also favored with less preservatives and added sugar.

A common sight at Trinity Dental is that many of the patients complain of the pressing time needs in the morning and hence they indulge in any tempting and short breakfast option. It is an advice by Trinity Dental to them that taking out time for a nutritionally balanced breakfast is absolutely essential for strength and health of the teeth in the long term.

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Replies by Trinity Dental to the Queries of Oral Hygiene:

How bad are the candies for the teeth? How much of the sugary caffeinated drinks safe to consume without causing serious damage to the tooth enamel? What are some of the hard limits for maintaining good oral hygiene? Some of these queries and a world of others are frequently asked from our team of experts at Trinity Dental.

We would today like to outline specifically some of the disadvantages and threats some of the candies and soft (sugary) drinks pose to your oral health.

First and foremost the caffeinated sugary drinks contain a disastrous amount of sugar in it which creates an environment ripe enough for bacteria to grow resulting in the formation of a tooth cavity. A 12-Oz can has 10 teaspoons of sugar; a 20-Oz can has 17 teaspoons of sugar while a 64 Oz has a deadly 52 teaspoons of sugar. Similarly many questions are asked whether diet soda is safe. Well not really as its not just the sugar but also the acidic content which destroys the tooth enamel. Diet sodas contain hi amount of phosphoric and citric acid which acts as a catalyst in enamel erosion.

Coming to candies and oral hygiene, we at Trinity Dental would like to outline broadly some of the deadly candies which pose a serious threat to the oral hygiene. Sticky and chewy toffees are one of the most serious no-no candies as they stick to the teeth and are hard to remove where then cavities are formed. Similarly due to their sticky nature they can break fillings and crowns. Also, acidic candies like lollipops, jawbreakers and sour candies react negatively with the enamel of the tooth causing eventual breakdown.

We at Trinity would advise sugar free gums if a candy is a must have for you. Sugar free gums don’t let the formation of bacteria plus helps in washing out food. For good hygienic oral conditions we recommend fluoridated water use, regular checkups and timely brushing of teeth.

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A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Smile

A healthy natural smile is an aspiration of all. Oral hygiene and health speaks volumes of one’s personality. A perfect set of teeth boost’s one confidence manifolds. However like everything, teeth require proper management and care. The health of tooth is not only reserved to proper brushing and flossing. It requires bi-annual must check ups, cleaning and proper intake of nutrition.

The youth of today depend themselves on many shortcuts and look for comfortable solutions which can tend to their means. Hence by relying on supplements and dentists they fathom their work done from their part. However it is absolutely important for the health of the teeth to consume nutritionally balanced food.

The experts at Trinity Dental however have outlined a few oral health nutrition foods for a whiter brighter smile. Basil is considered one of the most natural antibiotics to fight off bacteria in the mouth. Like wise carrots contain Vitamin A which is absolutely essential in enamel formation of the tooth. Celery activates saliva production which assists in cleansing food particles off the mouth and massaging the gums.

Cheese calcium enriched food helps to prevent the decay of tooth as it is enriched with lactic acid. Similarly for the strong mouth tissues ginger plays a very positive part. However lemon assists in teeth whitening and balances the PH balance in the body. Catechin in green tea acts as an antioxidant which reduces bacteria that may lead to Gingivitis.

Where Kiwi is a Vitamin C enriched fruit, preventing tender gums, broccoli forms an acid resistant film on the teeth that help prevent the erosion of the tooth enamel.

The dentists and experts at Trinity Dental time and again stress on the consumption of a variety of food which contain the above outlined nutritional factors. The fruits and vegetables could be made tempting by serving different dips with it or accessorizing it with other temptations.

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SORE IN THE MOUTH

“The chief pleasure in eating does not consist in costly seasoning, or exquisite flavor, but in yourself.” Horace

But how can one continue to relish food and the pleasure and satisfaction it brings when painful or burning sores inside your mouth impede your eating habits. Revealing themselves as round, white or gray coloured sores with a red rim and appearing on the tongue, the roof or inside your cheeks, canker sores are believed to be caused by certain types of bacteria and/or viruses.

Women statistically suffer from canker sores more often than men. Canker sores are typically seen in people between the ages of 10 and 40, although they have been known to show up at any age.

Their onset may be due to injuries to the mouth causing an accidental biting to the inside of the cheek or lip; scalding hot food or drink; spicy and/or acidic foods; chewing tobacco; ill-fitting, complete or partial dentures, orthodontic brackets, bands, and various other orthodontic attachments and broken teeth causing constant friction on the oral tissues.

Other causes which may trigger the appearances of canker sores may be emotional stress; bacteria responsible for peptic ulcers known as Helicobacter pylori; vitamin deficiencies, specifically vitamin B12, foliate (folic acid), and iron; hormonal changes, notably during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause; genetics; allergic reactions and sensitivities to certain foods.

Canker sores may appear as a side effect or symptom of diseases like Celiac disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, HIV/AIDS and Behcet’s disease. Thus, it is important that if your sores become unusually large, cause extreme pain and interfere with eating, drinking, and talking; cause fever, physical sluggishness, swollen lymph nodes and infection and persist for over two weeks, you must visit the dental experts at Trinity Dental Center.

The dedicated team of dentists at Trinity Dental will conduct a thorough examination of your oral cavity and inspect your sores and may prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse, a corticosteroid ointment, or a prescription or over-the-counter solution to reduce the pain and irritation.

The oral experts at Trinity Dental Center also suggest avoiding foods that irritate your mouth, including citrus fruits and acidic vegetables and spicy foods; brushing with a softbristled brush after meals and flossing daily, which will keep your mouth free of foods that might trigger a sore.

To continue to enjoy and savor the simple, yet fulfilling, act of eating and drinking your favorite food, make Trinity Dental Centre your compassionate partner in oral healthcare.

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Dental Avulsion needs Immediate Attention

Research has shown that there are five million teeth knocked-out each year in the United States which commonly include school-aged children, military trainees, fighters and accidents. Especially in school children, teeth are knocked-out during school activities or sporting events such as contact sports, football, basketball, and hockey.

Losing a tooth can cause the victim to be physically and emotionally sensitive, as the resulting empty site is not aesthetically pleasing and requires prompt attention. If not dealt with in time, long-term consequences include shifting of remaining teeth with resulting misalignment and periodontal disease.

As early as 400 BCE, Hippocrates suggested that displaced teeth should be replaced and fastened to adjacent teeth with wire. Modern emergency dental treatments are Trinity Dental Centers focus on reimplanting teeth as soon as possible, minimizing periodontal damage, and preventing infection of the pulp tissue.

The term Dental Avulsion is used to refer to the complete displacement of a tooth from its socket in alveolar bone owing to trauma.

In normal conditions, a tooth is connected to the socket by means of the periodontal ligament. When a tooth is knocked-out, that ligament stretches and splits in half. Maintaining the life of the cells that remain attached to the root surface is essential to successful replantation.

Trinity Dental Centers have scientifically designed storage media with proper osmolality (cell pressure), pH, nutritional metabolites and glucose that provide an ideal original environment to the knocked out tooth and increases the success rate of replanted knocked-out teeth to over 90% when used within an hour of the accident.

If you or your loved ones have fallen victim to a knocked out tooth, then rush to the experts at Trinity Dental Centers who will treat Dental Avulsion as a real dental emergency in which prompt management within 20–40 minutes of injury is taken.

The skilled team at Trinity Dental will rinse the avulsed permanent tooth in tap water, taking meticulous care as to not damage the surface of the root which may have living periodontal fiber and cells. After the tooth and mouth are cleaned an attempt can be made to re-plant it in its original socket within the alveolar bone and later splinted by our dentists for several weeks.

Failure to re-plant the avulsed tooth within the first 40 minutes after the injury may result in a less favorable prognosis for the tooth. If the mouth is sore or injured, Trinity Dental experts will cleanse the wound and take stitches if needed with local anesthesia and an update of tetanus immunization if the mouth was contaminated with soil.

In case of an avulsed primary tooth--re-plantation is not carried out to avoid damage to the permanent dental crypt.

At Trinity Dental Centers avulsion treatment is directed at avoiding or minimizing the resultant inflammation which  may occur due to attachment damage and pulpal infection.

One week to ten days after the replantation, the dental pulps of the replanted teeth are removed and a root canal treatment is completed within two months.

Trinity Dental Experts recommend that all dental traumas should be supported by good oral hygiene with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, a soft and cold diet, and avoidance of smoking for several days to ensure periodontal ligaments regeneration. The follow-up visits to Trinity Dental Centers will include a watchful eye for the development of root resorption.

A true medical care provider like Trinity Dental Centers is available in time of dire need. With Trinity Dental as your oral health experts you can rest assured that we will be by your side in time of need

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Why Are Your Teeth Yellow?

Yellow teeth can be a major turn-off. It leaves one looking dowdy and ill-kept. One major cause of tooth discolouration is smoking or chewing tobacco. The components that make up smoking products include ammonia, hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide as well as nicotine and tar. When a cigarette is lit, these substances burn, causing a change in their chemical properties. The smoker inhales and smoke passes through his/her mouth, leaving sticky residue on the teeth.

Not following a routine of oral hygiene like inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque and stain-producing substances can cause tooth discoloration.

Certain food and drinks are also responsible for causing yellow teeth.  Black tea is full of tannins that promote teeth staining and it is considered one of the most problematic drinks for teeth discoloration. Green tea and herbal teas are believed to be much less likely to cause problems.

The phosphoric and citric acids in colas and many other sodas, along with their massive amounts of acidic sugar, all wear down tooth enamel. Commercial fruit juices are also much more acidic than most people realize. Even healthy fruits, berries and vegetables like pomegranates, blueberries and beetroot are loaded with strongly colored compounds such as polyphenols which stain teeth.

Hard candies and brightly colored sweets that you chew are a big problem for teeth staining, not just because of their high sugar content, but also because of the length of time they stay in your mouth. Any other foods and drinks that can stain your tongue, are likely to slowly stain your teeth.

Red wine is well known teeth stainer due to its deeply colored polyphenols and tannins, whereas white wine is also a problem due to its tannins and acidic nature. Brightly colored sauces like curries and tomato sauce can attach to porous dental enamel. Table condiments like soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and ketchup are believed to contribute to teeth staining.

Several diseases that affect  enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and  dentin (the underlying material under enamel) and treatments like head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause tooth discolouration.

Medication like antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline are known to discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing. Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth. Antihistamines (like Benadryl), antipsychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure also cause teeth discoloration.

Some of the materials used in dentistry, such as amalgam  restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cast a gray-black color to teeth. Excessive fluoride, damage from a fall as well as trauma can also cause discoloration to teeth.

As one ages the outer layer of enamel on the teeth gets worn away revealing the natural yellow color of dentin. Otherwise some people have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others, genetically.

By making a few simple lifestyle changes, you may be able to prevent teeth discoloration like cutting down or quitting smoking and giving up excessive coffee and cola. Remember to do 2 simple things after eating or drinking any tooth-staining food or drink--have a big sip of water after you’ve finished your meal or drink and swirl it around your mouth to clear away any acids or staining compounds. Also, actively try and get more saliva into your mouth after eating and let it move over your teeth. It’s easy to do after a sip of water and saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against enamel erosion, staining and cavities.

Also, improving your dental hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and getting your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist at your nearest Trinity Dental Center every 6 months will help you maintain a white smile.

Apart from instructing you to follow proper tooth brushing and flossing techniques, at Trinity Dental Centers, the skilled dental experts will help offer treatment options to whiten teeth depending on the cause of the discoloration. This may include  bonding, veneers and our reliable, safe and affordable in-office whitening procedures. So opt for a whiter smile and bid goodbye to yellow teeth with Trinity Dental Centers.

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Helping your Child keep his Teeth Clean

A child’s oral care begins when he/she is in the mother’s womb as a baby’s teeth development begins before birth. Thus, an expecting mother must eat a balanced diet and get an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals.

The dental experts at Trinity Dental Centers recommend that a child’s pediatrician should monitor his/her oral health from 6 months of age to foresee any imminent dental problems. In case of injury, disease or a development problem, an immediate dental checkup is advised. A visit to a Trinity Dental Center is a good idea when a child’s first primary teeth appear.

Even though it may seem convenient to put an infant to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice but the sugar and acids in these liquids can cause tooth decay. Once the baby is asleep the bottle should be removed without delay.

Keeping the oral cavity clean and hygienic is the cornerstone of a healthy body. A child's teeth-cleaning regime must begin with a soft cloth or gauze pad as soon as the teeth come in. As more teeth sprout, a soft toothbrush can be used.

As a parent you will have to brush you child’s teeth until he is three or four. Brush your child's teeth twice a day. Kneel down behind your child and with one hand, gently press your child's head against your chest and with the other hand, brush his or her teeth. You may also push away the upper and lower lips to make it easier to get to the teeth, paying special heed to where the teeth meet the gums.

Children learn better from example so it is a smart move to let your child watch when you brush. Apply fluoridated toothpaste in an amount about the size of a small green pea on a small soft toothbrush and let your child begin to brush supervised in the beginning.

Flossing your child's teeth can begin as soon as they touch each other.

The best way to maintain your child’s healthy oral cavity is to make sure that he/she eats nutritious foods like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits and avoid foods that are high in sugar and processed carbohydrates. Tobacco smoke may contribute to the development of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health issues in your child thus he/she must be kept away from secondhand smoke.

The dental experts at Trinity Dental Centers believe that good habits like eating the right food and brushing and flossing regularly must be inculcated when a child is in his formative and impressionable years. In case of any dental problems, advice or regular check-ups, visit the skilled pediatric dentists at Trinity Dental Centers to ensure that your child can enjoy the pleasures of eating good food, good health and a good quality of life.

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