Fountain Valley Dentist: Energy Drinks Are Bad For Teeth

Many people believe energy drinks are useful consumable items that get them through the day. However, studies are suggesting that although energy drinks give people a short burst of productivity, they actually contribute to declining oral health.  Many people believe that an energy drink is a healthier alternative to soda and other sugary drinks. Specifically, the study shows that ingredients contained in sports drinks can damage tooth enamel which leads to increased risk of developing cavities.

The ABA led the research team, where 13 “sports” drinks (like gatorade) and 9 “energy” drinks (like Red Bull) were tested for their acidity. They tested six drinks for their effects on tooth enamel and found both types caused damage. Energy drinks, however, were twice as bad. Damaged tooth enamel cannot be fixed.  This study was published in the journal, General Dentistry.

The samples of enamel were immersed in the  test drinks for 15 minutes. The samples were then  to artificial saliva for two hours. This process was repeated four times a day for five days. The beverages were replaced with fresh ones every day. This process was developed in order to simulate real life, since people tend to consume these drinks throughout the day. The research shows that enamel loss was evident after five days of exposure!

If you’re an avid energy drink/sports drink user, then it would be wise to dilute the liquid with water in order to minimize the harmful effects to your teeth. Dr. Hagen, a Fountain Valley dentist, suggests discontinuing use of  these beverages as a source of energy and instead, make healthy changes to your sleeping and dietary habits. You’d be surprised to find out that little steps will make you feel healthier, refreshed, and less dependent on stimulants.

Fountain Valley Dentist Discusses Flossing Excuses

Believe it or not, a recent survey has found that only 49% of Americans floss daily and 10% of Americans don’t floss at all. These rough estimates are quite unfortunate, given howimportant flossing is to your oral hygiene routine. In fact, dentists agree that flossing is more important than brushing in the fight against periodontal disease, which could ultimately lead to tooth loss. People joke about how the only time they floss is when they’re due for their annual check-up. Fountain Valley dentist, Dr. Peter Hagen, wants his patients to know that he can tell if you’ve been a long-term flosser or not.

And, he wants you to put an end to your excuses for not flossing regularly. The main “culprit” people cite for not flossing is that they don’t have time. Although effective flossing does require a bit of time (about 3 to 5 minutes), Dr. Hagen says that even 60 seconds of flossing is better than zero seconds of flossing. The key here is to make flossing a daily habit.

Other excuses vary from not knowing how to floss, not having enough dexterity to floss, or having dental work that makes flossing impossible, or that food doesn’t get stuck in your teeth. If it’s lack of knowledge that is keeping you from flossing your teeth, take a look at this video that clearly illustrates how to properly floss. Also, if you have dexterity constraints, consider a floss holder. These disposable plastic Y-shaped devices (some equipped with a spool of floss) hold a span of floss between two prongs to allow one-handed use. Furthermore, flossing doesn’t rid your mouth of food detritus, it gets rid of dental plaque, the very thing that causes gum disease.

Another oft-used excuse is that flossing can be painful for some. Bleeding while brushing and flossing is the precise condition flossing aims to prevent. The good news is that once you regularly floss and brush, these symptoms subside. If they persist, it is wise to contact Dr. Hagen at his Fountain Valley, CA office to figure out what is going on with your oral health. Remember, brushing and flossing regularly is how you prevent periodontal disease!

Fountain Valley Dentist Discusses Cosmetic Dentistry

Are you embarrassed about your teeth? Do crooked or chipped teeth keep you from smiling the way you would like to?

Tooth discoloration, asymmetry, overcrowding, or chipped teeth can dictate whether or not someone feels their smile is adequate enough to show to the world. Even though these imperfections are normal and completely human, often times they prevent people from achieving their personal and professional goals.

That’s why Fountain Valley dentist, Dr. Peter Hagen, would like to discuss the many ways in which people can make a difference in their smile. The first step, and possibly the easiest one to take is that of whitening — the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure on the market. Optimal whitening is achieved in the office with your dentist, but at-home remedies have been shown to help improve the appearance of teeth as well. However, a dentist whitened smile will last for years when used properly (that includes using professional gels and trays once a month).

If you have broken or chipped teeth, you have a few options. The first would be to implement bonding, a process where chips and gaps are filled in with a hardened, tooth colored substance. Crowns, or porcelain “caps,” are more durable, as they cover the entire damaged tooth. Veneers are another option, but only cover a section of the tooth. Your dentist may also suggest gum reshaping (gingivectomy), if you feel your smile is too “gummy.”

To save time and money, combine these procedures with orthodontics first — if your teeth are especially misaligned. Once teeth are straightened out, you Fountain Valley dentist will cosmetically correct the teeth orthodontics couldn’t touch.

Fountain Valley Dentist Discusses Tooth Loss

You may not be concerned with tooth loss now, but research suggests that there are certain factors that can contribute towards tooth loss. Those factors are:

• Anyone over the age of 35 years of age
• Males
• Neglecting professional dental care
• Neglecting proper oral hygiene practices (toothbrushing)
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Rheumatoid arthritis

A few of the above factors can not be changes -- age and sex in particular -- but the other risk factors can be influenced by your own healthy habits. For example, brushing and flossing regularly and seeing your dental health professionals, Fountain Valley dentist Dr. Peter Hagen, twice a year or as needed.

Main Reason For Tooth Loss

The primary reason for tooth loss was found be a to a result of sever periodontal disease (gum disease) that can be avoided or remedied with proper brushing and flossing techniques. Once gingivitis has taken hold of your gums and morphed into periodontal disease, the risk for tooth loss increases.

Tooth Loss and the Connection To Overall Health

In addition to poor oral health practices, people experiencing tooth loss also had health issues that complicated their dental health. The connection between tooth loss and diabetes has been well-established. In the research done on tooth loss in this particular, it was found people with high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis have a higher propensity to tooth loss and/or extraction.

If you have any of the health issues in the above list, or are concerned with tooth loss in general, be sure to care for your teeth as suggested by Fountain Valley dentist Dr. Peter Hagen, while also coming in for your professional dental cleanings and check-ups. If tooth loss can be prevented with simple steps, you'll be thanking yourself for taking those tiny, albeit important measures.

Fountain Valley Dentist Discusses Electronic Toothbrushes

When electronic toothbrushes first arrived in the dental healthcare market, there was only one brand offering automatic oral health care. These days, however, there are many different electronic toothbrushes available to consumers with different options -- like re-chargeable batteries, smaller designs, and superb cleaning options. Because of this, it can be daunting when trying to figure out which electronic toothbrush is right for you.

Fortunately, Dr. Hagen, a Fountain Valley dentist, wants to help guide you through the maze of modern electronic toothbrushes. First, let’s discuss the main difference between the two major electronic tooth brushes.

Electronic V. Sonic

Electronic toothbrushes are designed to mimic the motion of your hand when you brush your teeth with a regular toothbrush, except you get 3,000 to 7,500 rotations per minute. These toothbrushes do most of the work for you. Sonic toothbrushes dwarf regular electronic toothbrushes with 30,000 to 40,000 strokes per minute. The sonic toothbrushes rapid movements go a long way to remove plaque and ultimately, lead to an easy next check-up at Dr. Hagen’s Fountain Valley office.

How You Reap The Benefits

Recent studies have shown that electronic and Sonic toothbrushes help alleviate plaque and gingivitis -- reducing your risk of future gum disease as a result of gingivitis and eventually, periodontitis. Additionally, if you have any dexterity issues, having a toothbrush do the work for you, while also getting better than average results is another bonus. It might even influence users to brush more often, since there is less manual labor involved.

The only drawback associated with power toothbrushes is that they may be too expensive for some -- ranging in price from $15 to $100. Some even break the $100 dollar price point.

What Your Fountain Valley Dentist Recommends

Since buying a power toothbrush can be a commitment of $100, Dr. Hagen knows how important it is to get the best one. As such, he advises his patients to ask their dental hygienist for their opinion on which electronic toothbrush is right for them during their next visit to our Fountain Valley dental office.

Fountain Valley Dentist Discusses: Tooth Wear

There are three major threats that lead to wearing down or injuring teeth: chewing, brushing, and grinding, along with accidental injuries. Today, Fountain Valley dentist Dr. Peter Hagen, discusses how you can avoid the daily wear your teeth encounter. 

Accidental Injury

Biting down on a hard surface is how people normally imagine they'll chip a tooth, or think they'll chip a tooth. The reality is that chipping or breaking a tooth in this manner is actually quite uncommon. It is more likely that chipped teeth arise from those with root canals and fillings if you bite down on something hard. 

Additionally, it is more likely that a chipped and/or broken teeth are a result of playing sports. Studies have found that wrestling, boxing, basketball, and karate are the biggest culprits of tooth injuries. If you play sports, be sure to protect your teeth by utilizing a mouthguard. 

Unconscious Grinding: Bruxism

If you find yourself unconsciously grinding your teeth when you're not chewing food, then you might be suffering from bruxism, and endangering the surface of your teeth. Not only does teeth grinding wear down the pointed shape of molars, but also create micro cracks on the enamel surface, making you more susceptible to tooth decay. As any with bruxism knows, grinding your teeth also creates headaches, muscle pain, and jaw injury. 

Your Fountain Valley dentist, Dr. Peter Hagen, can usually spot the tell-tale signs of bruxism during an exam. You may not even know you suffer from teeth grinding until you go to your dental check-up. That's another reason why it is important to see your oral health professionals twice a year. 

Enamel Erosion and Acids

Teeth are built tough, but when the level of acid becomes imbalance in your mouth, the structural strength of teeth become compromised and susceptible to decay. Acidic foods and beverages and stomach acids (brought into the mouth by bulimia, morning sickness, or GERD) contribute to continued erosion of enamel.  

Hagen Dental

18426 Brookhurst St., #101

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Tel. 714.965.5255

www.hagen-dental.com

Follow us on Twitter: @hagen_dental 

Fountain Valley Dentist Says: 15 Myths and Facts About Cavities

Dr. Peter Hagen, your Fountain Valley dentist, found this article about myths and facts about cavities that he thinks would be particularly useful for his clients and readers. Tooth decay is one of the biggest problems facing people today; It is good to know what is truth and half truth about this common oral health problem:

Check the myths and facts below to find out how cavities are caused, prevented, and treated. 

1. Sugar Is the Prime Cause of CavitiesMyth, but it's almost a fact.  

The truth is, acid produced by bacteria in your mouth is the cause of cavities, says Kimberly A. Harms, DDS, an American Dental Association consumer advisor and former president of the Minnesota Dental Association. However, these bacteria are triggered to make acid when you eat anything with carbohydrates -- and sugar is a carb.  Rice, potatoes, bread, fruits, and vegetables are also carbs. 

Once the acid eats into your tooth, the bacteria “have a nice little hole to live in where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach,” says Harms. The bacteria continue to metabolize carbs and produce acids -- and your cavity just keeps getting bigger. 

Here’s an important fact. It’s not the amount of carbs you eat that causes tooth decay, but the length of time your teeth are exposed. If you eat a lot of carbs for lunch, that’s one big exposure. But if you spend the day sipping sugary drinks, that’s continuous exposure -- and much more unhealthy for your teeth. 

“We have a saying,” says Harms. “Sip all day and get decay.”

2. Exposure to Acidic Foods, Like Lemons, Causes Tooth Decay 

Fact. Acidic foods such as lemons, citrus juices, or soft drinks don’t cause cavities, but they may be putting your enamel in danger. 

"Acids can tear down your enamel and weaken your tooth," says Harms. “If you lose the enamel's protection and expose the underlying dentin, your tooth is now more prone to decay.” 

3. Kids Are a Lot More Likely to Get Cavities Than Adults 

Myth. With the help of sealants, fluoridated water, and preventive care, “we’ve actually cut decay in school-aged children by half in the last 20 years,” says Harms.However, there’s been an increase in cavities in senior citizens “because they have some unique circumstances,” she says. Some medicines dry out the mouth, for example, reducing salvia. Saliva is vital in fighting tooth decay because it helps neutralize acids, has a disinfectant quality, washes away bacteria, and helps prevent food from sticking to your teeth.

To continue reading about the 15 myths and facts of caivities, Dr. Hagen, a Fountain Valley dentist recommends heading voer to Web MD to read more: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-10/cavities-myths?page=1

Hagen Dental

18426 Brookhurst St., #101

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Tel. 714.965.5255

www.hagen-dental.com

Follow us on Twitter: @hagen_dental