Sparkling Water...Good or Bad?

When I was younger, I was ALL about pop and soda. There’s something about carbonated drinks- I’ve always enjoyed the fizzy popping sensations in my throat no matter how much they triggered my pain receptors. After I found out how detrimental soft drinks were to my health however, I stopped purchasing them and now only drink them during special occasions. Instead, I started consuming sparkling waters and other healthier fizzy drinks like kombucha.

TY Pinterest

Recently, a couple came into our clinic and asked us how safe it was to drink 3-4 LaCroixs per day. This was my answer to them:

The American Dental Association (ADA) recently published an article stating that sparkling water was generally healthy for your teeth. It pointed out a study where researchers soaked extracted teeth in sparkling water and extracted teeth in regular lab water. The result? Despite the fact that sparkling water is a bit more acidic than regular water, the two forms of water were about the same in their effects on tooth enamel!

So drink up my friends, but please remember to pay attention to the additives companies are using to flavor their sparkling water. If in doubt, drink it in one setting and rinse your mouth with regular water afterwards.

Until next time!

DAYTON DENTAL

Product Spotlight: Waterpik

What is a Waterpik? 

A Waterpik is basically a water flosser - a device you can use at home to improve your oral health. Waterpiks use a stream of pulsating water to clean plaque and leftover food particles between teeth as well as underneath the gums. Since its inception in 1962 by a dentist from Fort Collins, (CO Pride what what!) there has been a plethora of studies demonstrating the effectiveness of a Waterpik for those w mild and severe gum disease, braces, crowns, diabetes and even dental implants!

Let's face it, very few people have the persistence, discipline, and manual dexterity to use string floss effectively everyday. By using a Waterpik, one thing we can say for sure is that if included in your home care regimen, it will not only make the process more comfortable, but it will also be more effective than using traditional floss. We recommend one to all our patients!

Check out this video demonstrating the power of a Waterpik:

Do I need a deep cleaning?

Patients frequently call our office asking what type of cleaning they need. We hope this post will help answer some questions and provide you with some information regarding dental cleanings.

What is gum disease?

There are two main types of periodontal (gum) disease:

• Gingivitis is the milder form of gum disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and to bleed easily. Although there are many causes, it is most often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. With proper dental cleanings and improvement in home oral care, gingivitis is reversible!
• Periodontitis is the more severe form of gum disease. As gingivitis progresses, plaque builds up in the space between your teeth and gums. The bacteria in the plaque produces toxins and stimulates a immune response from your body. Your body reacts to this by breaking down the tissue and bone supporting your teeth. Eventually, as the disease progresses, teeth become mobile and loose.

How do I treat gum disease?

There are two main types of dental cleanings:

• Prophylaxis - Commonly called a “prophy“- a dental prophylaxis is a type of cleaning that involves cleaning and polishing tooth surfaces above the gum line. 
• Scaling and root planing, also known as a “deep cleaning”- is the removal of plaque and calculus from the root surfaces of teeth. It is recommended for patients with more advanced forms of gum disease and is considered the gold standard of treating periodontitis.

How do you determine what type of cleaning I need?

At Dayton Dental, we perform a comprehensive periodontal evaluation for all our new patients as part of the comprehensive exam. We will take radiographs to assess the quality of your tooth supporting bone and measure the depths of your gum pockets  to determine if you have or if you are at risk of periodontal disease. We will explain the entire process as we go to help you better understand what exactly goes on in your mouth. 

Gum disease not only leads to tooth loss, but it can also spread via bloodstream to the rest of your body! Call us today @ 720-477-1449 to take control of your gums for a healthier life!