What we eat plays a major role in the health of our teeth, as certain foods, such as soda and candy, can damage tooth enamel and eventually lead to decay. We learn about the effects of these foods at a young age and are taught to consume them sparingly to help prevent cavities and keep ourselves healthy.

However, certain foods and habits that are not as widely discussed can also have a negative impact on the enamel of your teeth. While soda is considered highly damaging, essentially any canned beverage, whether carbonated or not, is also extremely damaging to your teeth. Some foods that may not seems as toxic, such as ice cream, pickles and yogurt, have low acidic values that can harm the teeth if consumed too often. Even fruits and vegetables can lead to tooth decay.

It’s practically impossible to avoid all of the different foods that can lead to tooth decay, but fortunately there are ways to still maintain oral health. Eating a balanced diet ensures that your teeth will receive the nutrients they need, and sweets are acceptable as long as they are only consumed sporadically. When eating sugary foods, it is best to do so in a timely manner, as consuming it over an extended period of time also prolongs your teeth’s exposure to the sugar.

Carbohydrates can be damaging as well, so it is best to eat them as part of a meal instead of alone. The other types of food in your meal will neutralize the acid in the mouth and help to prevent decay. Drinking plenty of water helps keep the mouth moist and helps consume food better as well.

In addition to these preventive techniques, it is important for everyone to brush their teeth twice a day and to see their dentist on a regular basis to stop decay from building up and to treat any cavities as soon as they are detected.

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season. As one of my New Year’s resolutions, I have resolved to communicate more effectively via my blog. This new monthly dental blog, “Dental Bytes” is my attempt to reach out to all of you in cyberspace. The blog, I hope, will contain interesting and sometimes thought-provoking information about dental care, so that you may be better informed and make wise decisions about your dental needs. It will not contain our usual pleas that you brush, floss and gargle after meals, especially after those wonderful holiday meals and parties with family and friends.

“Men and Their Appalling Dental Habits”

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education, men are less likely to visit the dentist than women. This traditional stereotype has been confirmed by an online poll of general dentists and patients.

Nearly 45% of the respondents felt that men don’t see the need to go to the dentist, and 30% of those polled reported that men may not visit the dentist because they are afraid or embarrassed to go. Nearly 18% revealed that men just don’t have the time for a dental visit, and about 5% of the men don’t even have a regular dentist.

This trend may be disappearing, as more men are climbing back into the dental chair for a surprising reason.

“Looking for a Better Job? Start by Visiting a Dentist”

With lay-offs and company closings throughout the country, many middle-aged men are competing for jobs with younger men, which makes that winning smile a major factor in the job search.

“In my practice, more men are coming in and requesting bleaching, veneers and bonding,” says AGD Spokesman J. Nick Russo, Sr., DDS FAGD.  “Many have noticed the positive effects from a colleague’s improved smile and realize that a great smile has a lot of value in the business world.”

Dr. Russo also points out that in the past most men worked for one or two employers throughout a lifetime and many did not think about the way their overall appearance affected their professional life.

These new cosmetic concerns for men need to be transferred to an increased awareness among men about the overall health benefits associated with seeing a dentist biannually.

“As a dentist, I want men to come see me because they are concerned about their health; however, I am glad to see them for whatever reason they come in,” says Dr. Russo. “Many times after men come back to the dentist they realize that proper maintenance and biannual checkups are the key to improving the way one looks and feels.”

John Hill drank only bottled water for several years while working overseas, keeping him from receiving sufficient amounts of fluoride, a substance often found in tap water that helps prevent decay. To compensate for this shortage, John took fluoride supplements but ended up taking too much, which resulted in his teeth turning a yellowish-brown color.

The discolored teeth affected John’s self-confidence and forced him to avoid smiling for years, that is until he visited Dr. Ravin.

To correct John’s discolored teeth, Dr. Ravin applied crowns to the teeth and also improved the gum line for straighter, more even teeth. The result was beautiful, bright teeth that John is now proud to show off! His confidence has been restored and he happily smiles everywhere he goes.

To learn more about how Dr. Ravin transformed John’s smile, watch the video below.

Dr. Ravin Helps Restore Confidence with Smiles