McCarl Dental Group Blog

Dental Implants in Greenbelt and Millersville MD

June 18, 2013 in Dental Implants by McCarl Dental Group
I recommend Dr. McCarl if you need dental work. Whether it is just cleaning, implants, fillings or any form of replacement, he is the dentist to see. Dr. McCarl will evaluate and propose a plan, but encourages your input in developing the plan of action. I am so happy to have a complete and amazingly beautiful smile. I am overjoyed with my new teeth and big smile.

“I recommend Dr. McCarl if you need dental work. Whether it is just cleaning, implants, fillings or any form of replacement, he is the dentist to see. Dr. McCarl will evaluate and propose a plan, but encourages your input in developing the plan of action. I am so happy to have a complete and amazingly beautiful smile. I am overjoyed with my new teeth and big smile.”

Millersville Dentist helps Patient Smile with Confidence!

Dental implants are today’s standard of care for replacing missing teeth and securing removable dentures. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group in Millersville Maryland and Greenbelt Maryland have been placing dental implants for 25 years and work hard to deliver the most current and highest quality dental care. In the past few years, improvements in dental implant technology have made implants more reliable, more comfortable and more affordable.

There are circumstances for which a dental implant has replaced root canal therapy as the preferred dental treatment. When the root of a tooth is too short or too badly damaged to support restoration with a dental crown, it may be best to extract the tooth and place a dental implant. The implant will provide greater support for the restored tooth and improved long term success. Our dental patients love the look and feel of natural teeth that a crown restored with a dental implant provides.

Dental implants are placed in the jaw where they fuse to the bone. They are effective for restoration of a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. In the past, dentists relied on procedures that were often temporary measures to repair badly damaged teeth. Now, in many cases, implants restored with crowns will last longer and cost less than ongoing repair efforts.

When you lose a tooth, your jawbone gradually loses strength and firmness. This leads to bone loss and can even cause changes in facial features. The loss of just one tooth can cause uneven chewing and an unstable bite. The remaining teeth shift and proper cleaning becomes more difficult. A misaligned bite can also contribute jaw joint dysfunction and headaches. Unlike a denture or bridge, a dental implant can prevent bone loss at the site of the missing tooth.

"My 2 lower molar implants, strengthened my jaw bones, consequently improving my bite and virtually eliminating my TMJ issues. And as a side, I benefited aesthetically with improved facial symmetry."

“My lower molar implants, strengthened my jaw bones, consequently improving my bite and virtually eliminating my TMJ issues. And as a side, I benefited aesthetically with improved facial symmetry.”

Many patients tell us that having a dental implant placed is more comfortable than they expected. Unlike teeth, implants do not experience temperature sensitivity or decay.  Many patients are pleasantly surprised that the cost of dental implants is much lower than they expected.

If you are missing teeth, please call to schedule an appointment at our Greenbelt Dental Office 301-474-4144 or our Millersville Dental Office 410-987-8800 to learn how dental implants can improve the health of your smile. Visit the McCarl Dental Website at www.McCarlDental.com

Dr Dave McCarl now Certified to Treat Sleep Apnea

June 1, 2013 in Sleep Apnea by McCarl Dental Group

Dr Dave McCarl certification in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Dr. David McCarl has received certification in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). An estimated 18 million people in America suffer from obstructive sleep apnea – a serious condition characterized by pauses of breath and/or low breathing during sleep.

Sleep apnea is an extraordinarily serious condition which can ultimately contribute to stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, fatigue, and impotence. Snoring is a common side effect, and many people with sleep apnea are often not even aware that they have difficulty breathing.

McCarl Dental Group is now offering the removable Daytime-Nighttime Appliance, or DNA Appliance, a comfortable and discrete treatment that can permanently correct causes of sleep apnea by moving structures of the jaw into a more natural position.

The DNA appliance is new way to permanently correct sleep apnea and reduce snoring, straighten your teeth, and alleviate symptoms of TMJ disorder. The DNA Appliance works by widening the upper arch and the nasal passages, allowing more airflow to pass through. The lower arch can then move into an improved position. This sleep apnea treatment is now available with Dr. Dave McCarl at McCarl Dental Group in Millersville Maryland and Greenbelt Maryland.

Contact Dr. McCarl today at our Millersville Maryland dental office 410-987-8800 or our Greenbelt Maryland dental office 301-474-4144 to find out more about the DNA Appliance and how it can help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgoj2R34x5k

The DNA Appliance can help with sleep apnea without the need for drugs, surgery, or CPAP (a cumbersome facial gear to be worn at night to help patients control symptoms by keeping the airway open).

The difference between the DNA Appliance and CPAP, is that while those treatments may help control symptoms, they typically only work while the device is being worn. The DNA Appliance works to permanently fix the causes of sleep apnea so that you won’t have to continuously wear uncomfortable gear while you sleep.

Benefits of DNA Appliance
The DNA Appliance can help correct a number of orthodontic issues, in addition to treating symptoms of TMJ and sleep apnea. Benefits of obstructive sleep apnea treatment include:

  • Improvement in sleep apnea and snoring
  • Improvement in TMJ symptoms
  • Improvement in teeth alignment
  • Discrete
  • No uncomfortable headgear or braces
  • Designed for both adults and children

DNA Appliance for Teeth Alignment
The DNA Appliance also serves as an orthodontic appliance. It is designed to be worn at night during sleep. The DNA appliance works to help guide the growth of the jaw into a more desirable position, which can ultimately help improve teeth alignment.
The DNA Appliance is very similar to a removable orthodontic retainer, and is usually effective in about half the time it takes for braces to work. It can also be very effective in children who need upper arch expansion.

Question: The appliance is called DNA or Daytime-Nighttime Appliance. Are genes involved in the treatments?

Answer: Yes, in the sense that the DNA appliance can upregulate or modulate gene expression during orthodontic, orthopedic and/or pneumopedic (non-surgical airway remodeling) airway treatments.  However, no gene-transfer or artificial genes are used at all. Only the patient’s naturally-occurring genes are involved in this orthodontic treatment.

The DNA appliances are involved in a system that has been specially-designed by Dr Singh to bioengineer craniofacial, dental, and airway structures so that natural developmental processes are evoked to enhance the teeth, jaws, TMJ, face and airway into more optimal relations for functions, such as sleep and breathing.

The Daytime-Nighttime Appliance, or DNA treatment, is part of a specialty field of orthodontics called Epigenetic Orthodontics. This technique is designed to enhance the development and function of underlying jaw and nasal structures without using braces or facial “gear.” It can take much less time than other procedures, and has been proven to be very effective at treating sleep apnea, snoring and even TMJ disorder.

Why Brush and Floss your Teeth?

January 22, 2013 in Dentistry by McCarl Dental Group

Tooth brushing is one of the first lessons of personal care that we learn as children – for many of us, brushing our teeth is one of the first “health habits” that we are taught in life. Brushing and flossing your teeth is the simplest and most cost-effective way to preserve your oral health and to enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

McCarl Dental Group’s First Dental Visits for Pediatric Dental Patients are Fun and Free! Pediatric Dentistry is part of our comprehensive dental care at McCarl Dental Group. A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled around his or her 3rd birthday.

The most important part of the visit is getting to know and becoming comfortable with a dentist and dental hygienist. We entertain our pediatric patients with a ride up and down in the dental chair.  Then we talk to them about opening wide so that we can shine a light into their mouth and count their teeth.  Next the child tests the water by using the “Mr. Thirsty” suction and rinsing their mouth in the chairside basin. Finally we use our beloved puppet “Choppers” to teach tooth brushing technique.

A fun and comfortable first dental visit builds trust and helps put children at ease during future dental visits.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that people brush their teeth twice every day – once at night before going to bed, and once in the morning. Brushing your teeth at night helps to remove bacteria and keeps your mouth clean while you sleep. Brushing your teeth in the morning helps freshen your breath and removes any bacteria that built up during the long night of sleep.

In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, the ADA recommends that you floss once a day. Flossing is important because it allows you to clean in between your teeth – removing bacteria and plaque, and keeping your gums healthy. Flossing helps keep your gums in shape – if you don’t floss often enough, your gums might bleed, which, if you’re not careful, can be a sign of possible gum disease and infection.

Your oral health can be a reflection of your overall health. Sometimes the first sign of a disease shows up in your mouth. In other cases, infections in your mouth, known as periodontal disease, can cause problems in other areas of your body.

More than 75 percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gum or periodontal disease.  Signs of periodontal disease include: bleeding gums when brushing or flossing; red, swollen or tender gums; loose teeth; persistent bad breath; or receding gums. Sometimes there are NO obvious signs of periodontal disease. That is why routine professional dental exams are so important to your overall health.

Periodontal disease ranges from simple gum inflammation, called gingivitis, to a more serious disease, called periodontitis that causes gum tissue to pull away from the teeth forming pockets that become infected. Periodontitis results in damage to the bone supporting your teeth, and ultimately the loss of your teeth.

Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums, and the byproducts of oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream. When oral bacteria escapes into the bloodstream it increases inflammation throughout the body and can injure major organs. Chronic inflammation is recognized as a significant factor in aging and disease.

Bacteria and inflammation from periodontal disease is associated with a number of serious health problems including:
•    Heart disease
•    Diabetes
•    Dementia
•    Rheumatoid arthritis
•    Premature birth

Joint replacements: Gum disease is a major risk for infections in your joints after joint replacement surgery. Maintaining healthy gums and teeth is critical for preventing serious problems in your new joints. Current guidelines recommend taking antibiotics before having your teeth cleaned and any necessary dental work. Be sure to list joint replacements on your medical history at your dental office. Antibiotics are also recommended prior to dental care for patients who have had heart valve replacement.

If you have symptoms of periodontal disease, please take it seriously and call McCarl Dental Group in Millersville at 410-987-8800 or our Greenbelt Dental Office at 301-474-4144  for a thorough dental exam! You can also schedule an appointment online at https://www.mccarldental.com/locations.html

Severna Park Dentist supports Annapolis Wellness House

September 26, 2012 in Dentistry by McCarl Dental Group

McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice is delighted to sponsor the Wellness House Sporting Clays Classic.  The Wellness House is a non-profit organization in Annapolis, Maryland dedicated to providing free programs and services to people whose lives have been touched by cancer. Wellness House programs compliment clinical care that cancer patients receive and are provided in a home-like setting.

You may be wondering, what is the relationship between dentistry and cancer care?  Your dentist is an important member of the health care team during your cancer treatment. Excellent oral hygiene is vital prior to and during chemotherapy. Side effects of chemotherapy can include:painful mouth and gums,dry mouth, burning, peeling, or swelling tongue, infection and change in taste. Side effects happen most often when a person’s mouth is not healthy before they start chemotherapy.
Ideally, you should visit your dentist at least a month before starting chemotherapy or radiation therapy to check for plaque build-up on your teeth or periodontal disease as well as bacterial infections and nerve abscesses.  Chemotherapy is given to kill cancer cells, however it can also damage normal cells – especially the cells in the mucosal lining of the mouth and throat that grow rapidly. Chemotherapy can compromise your immune system by lowering the number of white blood cells your body produces. This puts chemotherapy patients at higher risk for developing infections and decreased ability to fight infections. An oral infection that travels through your bloodstream can have very serious consequences.

At McCarl Dental Group, we frequently receive letters from physicians of our patients who are preparing to start chemotherapy asking us to ensure there are no oral diseases present that would jeopardize the success of their treatment.

For more information about dental care as it relates to chemotherapy, please visit https://www.mccarldental.com/blog/dental-care-for-chemotherapy/ .

Visit Annapolis Wellness House! All Wellness House programs and services are free of charge and available to cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones and caregivers. For a list of programs, please visit https://www.annapoliswellnesshouse.org/home

Panorex Dental X-Rays

February 21, 2012 in Dentistry by McCarl Dental Group

When is a Panorex X-Ray the Best Choice?

Panorex or Panoramic x-rays are a one of a kind radiograph that is taken outside of the patient’s jaw. Panorex x-rays can show dental practitioners an overall look at structures like impacted teeth, jaw anatomy, nasal sinuses, and any suspected pathology around the mouth.

Panorex films are most commonly known for being taken on young adults with orthodontic consultations or when dentists are beginning to monitor wisdom tooth development. Because smaller x-rays taken inside of the mouth cannot show dentists much of the jaw, the panorex films are the best way to do this.

Individuals considering dental implants also need to have panorex films taken in order to evaluate the bone levels and anatomy of the nasal sinuses. This helps the dentists with McCarl Dental Group determine whether or not our patient are an ideal candidate, or if other procedures like bone grafts or nasal surgeries would first need to be completed. It also helps dentists know what type of implant needs to be placed in the mouth, as each implant is designed for different anatomical needs.  Panorex films are the x-ray of choice for accidents such as a broken jawbone.

For routine dental appointments, the dentists at McCarl Dental Group recommend a panorex film every 5 years. Most of our new patients have a panorex taken on their first appointment with us. This complies with the ADA standard of care, which is developed to help dentists monitor their patient’s oral health care needs. (1) Because some conditions like cysts, cancers, infections or tooth damage cannot be seen without the view that a panorex x-ray gives, it is important to have these taken regularly for preventative care. Patients who are undergoing orthodontic, or implant therapy may need to have these films taken more often to evaluate the progression that their treatments have made.

At McCarl Dental Group we have a digital Panorex. This allows us to share x-rays with patients and other health professionals at the request of our dental patients.

Each type of dental x-ray is designed to view different features. The image that the panorex provides cannot be replicated with other types of intraoral x-rays. For example, bitewing x-rays that are taken once a year to evaluate dental decay will not show areas around tooth roots, wisdom teeth,  or relationship of teeth to the sinuses.

Panorex films are easy and painless. These films are taken with a machine that rotates around the head in just a few seconds. Digital panorex films are ready for instant viewing and use a minimum of radiation.  All our patients feel it is exceptionally easy to have done. Panoramic x-rays eliminate gagging and discomfort sometimes caused by holding a film in the mouth.

If  have more questions on dental x-rays or are looking for a dental care provider we would love to hear from you. McCarl Dental offices are conveniently located near Severna Park, Annapolis, Crofton, Bowie and College Park Maryland. You can contact our Millersville, MD dental office at (410) 987-8800 or call our Greenbelt, MD location at (301) 474-4144. Please visit the McCarl Dental Group website at https://www.mccarldental.com/

Reference:

1. Choi JW.; Assessment of panoramic radiography as a national oral examination tool: review of the literature.; Imaging Sci Dent. 2011 Mar;41(1):1-6. Epub 2011 Mar 26.

Is Smokeless Tobacco Harmful?

January 2, 2012 in Dentistry by McCarl Dental Group

YES! Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States.

At McCarl Dental Group we care about your oral health and also your overall health! We recently had a question regarding a YouTube video that one of our patients requested that we post on our website. Unfortunately, this patient was diagnosed with oral cancer. Fortunately his treatment was very successful. The cancer was located at the base of the tongue beyond visible range and was not visible upon oral examination. It was diagnosed by an ear nose and throat doctor. The question asked  what percentage of people who dip everyday will get mouth cancer? We researched and were not able to find those specific statistics. Here is the information we found.

Wishing you a healthy and blessed New Year!

Harmful health effects of smokeless tobacco include:

  • Mouth, tongue and throat cancer
  • Cancer in the esophagus
  • Stomach cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke
  • Addiction to nicotine
  • Leukoplakia (white sores in the mouth that can become cancer)
  • Receding gums (gums slowly shrink from around the teeth)
  • Bone loss around the roots of the teeth
  • Abrasion (scratching and wearing down) of teeth
  • Tooth loss
  • Stained teeth
  • Bad breath

Smokeless tobacco products are a major source of cancer-causing nitrosamines and a known cause of human cancer. They increase the risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat, esophagus and pancreas. (Source: Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts and Figures 2010)

Smokeless tobacco products are considered less lethal but are NOT a safe alternative to smoking. Use of tobacco in any form harms health and can also lead to nicotine addiction.

Results from a large American Cancer Society study showed that people who switched from cigarettes to snuff or chewing tobacco had higher death rates from heart disease, stroke, cancer of the mouth and lung, and all causes of death combined than former smokers who stopped using ALL tobacco products.

The American Cancer Society, the World Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. National Toxicology Program have all issued strong reports warning on the adverse health effects of smokeless tobacco.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2011)

Lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer death in our society. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2011)

Lung cancer estimates for 2011 (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2011):

New cases of lung cancer: 221,130

Males: 115,060

Females: 106,070

Deaths from lung cancer: 156,940

Males: 85,600

Females: 71,340

Tips for Taking Care of your Teeth during the New Year

in Dentistry by McCarl Dental Group

Here are 5 helpful tips if your New Year’s Resolutions include having a healthy, beautiful smile in 2012.

1. Quit smoking! Smoking is major culprit when it comes to gum disease – and most other diseases. Smoking constricts and damages small blood vessels throughout your body and decreases blood supply that carries healthy nutrients. Smoking also darkens your teeth. It is not too late to make a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking!

2. Brush your teeth three times a day and floss at least once daily. The most important part of tooth care happens at home. Learn correct techniques for brushing and flossing. The dentists and dental hygienists at McCarl Dental Group recommend using an electric toothbrush. Proper brushing and flossing, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Your dental health affects your overall health! Visit your dentist and/or dental hygienist every six months and more often when needed.

3. Switch to healthy snacks that include raw fruits and vegetables. Sugary foods and sodas can damage the enamel that protects your teeth. Hard candies, breath mints and cough drops that contain sugar dissolve slowly in your mouth and are especially harmful to your teeth. Acidic drinks can also eat away at the enamel layer of your teeth.

4. Stop grinding your teeth! Clenching and grinding wear down teeth and may lead to broken teeth, headaches, and pain in your jaw muscle and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In just a few minutes at our dental office, we can make a custom night guard for you that will help prevent damage to your teeth caused by nighttime grinding. A night guard will also ease the tension in your jaw muscles.

5. Never use your teeth as tools! A frequent source of dental emergencies is broken or chipped teeth from people using them as scissors, pliers or fingernail clippers. You would not believe the things people try to open or cut with their teeth – bottles, plastic bags, tape, string, fishing lines, cloth … you name it! We see chipped teeth and broken teeth that damage the dental enamel of natural teeth, but also in porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns. PLEASE DON’T USE YOUR TEETH AS TOOLS!

How often Should I have Dental Hygiene Appointments?

December 22, 2011 in Dental Hygiene by McCarl Dental Group
Dental Hygienists at McCarl Dental Group

Greenbelt and Millersville Maryland Dental Hygienists at McCarl Dental Group

At McCarl Dental Group we recommend that all patients see one of our registered dental hygienists for routine prophylactic cleaning appointments at least every 6 months. For patients with gum disease we may recommend visits every 3-4 months. Our hygienists work with each one of our patients to ensure that they maintain optimum gum health, which means keeping their teeth healthier for years to come. With extensive training in the removal of tartar and plaque from the tooth surfaces and below the gums, dental hygienists play an active role in fighting periodontal disease.

Many people believe that if they do not have problems with their teeth, they do not need to have their teeth cleaned by a hygienist and examined by a dentist. This can mean a couple of years quickly turns into 5, 10, or even 15 before some people have another dental exam. Unfortunately, for most of these people, waiting longer between visits means unhealthy gums and sometimes very rampant tooth decay.

When plaque is missed from irregular flossing, it hardens and becomes tartar under the gumline. This contributes significantly to the destruction of gum and bone attachment levels around your teeth. Eventually this uncontrolled gum disease, correctly known as periodontal disease, can lead to tooth loss.  Through routine cleaning appointments and screenings, patients can help prevent conditions including periodontal disease and advanced tooth decay.

The hygienists at McCarl Dental Group work with each individual patient to help them create an oral hygiene regimen that will work best for their own needs. Fifty percent of tooth and gum health comes from what you’re doing at home. Because every person’s mouth is different, so are his or her home care needs. What works for one person may not work for the next.

Hygienists don’t just clean teeth or check for suspicious areas of decay. They also screen for oral cancer and precancerous lesions of the mouth, head and neck.  Many medical conditions and diseases of the human body first manifest themselves as symptoms that are seen in the mouth. Because people are more likely to see their hygienists for routine cleanings as opposed to annual physical exams with their doctor, many conditions are first found in the dental office. Many Dental Hygienists also offer nutritional counseling because of the vital connection between overall health and oral health.

McCarl Dental Group hygienists help promote and safeguard your overall health and wellness. If you’re behind on your dental hygienist visits, it’s better to be late than never. Contact us today to schedule your biannual cleaning appointment. You can reach our Millersville, Maryland dental office at (410) 987- 8800 or our Greenbelt, Maryland dental office at (310) 474-4144. You may also request an appointment online at www.McCarlDental.com.

What is Water Flossing?

December 2, 2011 in Dental Hygiene,Dentistry by McCarl Dental Group

Let’s face the facts. Like 99% of the American population, you probably don’t floss your teeth as often as you should. The majority of dental patients actually confess that they don’t even floss at all unless there is something stuck between their teeth.

How Often Should You Floss Your Teeth?
The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between teeth DAILY with dental floss or an interdental cleaner.

Why Should You Floss Your Teeth?

Unlike brushing, flossing reaches between teeth and helps treat and prevent conditions like tooth decay,  gingivitis and periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis is an early and reversible form of periodontal or gum disease.

Dentists, hygienists and product manufacturers have been trying to find a way to motivate patients to floss for years. The answer has finally come in a method that patients of McCarl Dental Group will both enjoy, comply with, and that is as effective as traditional flossing: the water flosser.

For years, products such as the Waterpik were recommended to patients with hard to reach areas around bridges, crowns, implants or braces. Recent studies show this method of plaque removal even more effective than flossing. (1) Many of our patients say that the water flosser is easier to use than dental floss.

The Waterpik Water Flosser is an oral irrigation device that delivers a steady stream of water and can flush out food particles, bacteria and plaque from under the gums and between teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach.

Waterpik Waterflosser

For those who find flossing difficult, now a gentle stream of water can do the job. The added convenience of water flossers can also increase patient compliance in maintaining their oral hygiene. The result will be healthier gums, teeth and maintenance of oral appliances such as braces, bridges and implants.

You can purchase the Water Flosser at Bed Bath and Beyond and Target. Oral irrigation devices such as the Waterpik Water Flosser are available in various designs. The lower end models usually deliver one steady stream of water, while higher ends allow more customization in the pressure through manual controls. The water reservoir may be filled with a comfortable temperature of water to ensure patient comfort.

While it may take a little getting used to, many people prefer water flossers to traditional floss because of the convenience and ease of use. For patients with limited dexterity, flossing can be challenging. The Waterpik Water Flosser is easy to use.  Dr. Clayton McCarl is currently using the Water Flosser for hard to reach areas before he flosses.

McCarl Dental Group wants to encourage and promote oral health for each of our patients. Part of that responsibility includes making you aware of successful products that can help achieve improved oral health. If you’re looking for a dentist, we would love to invite you to our office. Our Millersville dental office is conveniently located near Severna Park, Annapolis, Crofton, Crownsville, Gambrills, Glen Burnie and Severn, Maryland. Our Greenbelt Dental Office is close to College Park, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, New Carrollton, Laurel, Glen Dale, Bowie, Mitchellville, University Park and Hyattsville, Maryland . To schedule a preventative care appointment with us, call our Millersville, MD office at (410) 987-8800 or our Greenbelt dental office location at (310) 474-4144. You may also schedule a dental appointment with a dentist at McCarl Dental Group online at www.McCarlDental.com.

Reference:
1. Rosema NA, Hennequin-Hoenderdos NL, Berchier CE, Slot DE, Lyle DM, van der Weijden GA.; The effect of different interdental cleaning devices on gingival bleeding.;
J Int Acad Periodontol. 2011 Jan;13(1):2-10.

Sports Drinks Can Cause Tooth Decay!

October 20, 2011 in Dental Hygiene,Dentistry by McCarl Dental Group

The Dangers of Soft Drinks and Sport Drinks

When we think of active, healthy people, we normally envision athletes or someone with a gym membership. Most likely if you’re watching a sporting event, there is an ample supply of sport drinks available to the athletes. While these drinks are often intended to help rehydrate the athlete, they wreak havoc on our teeth.

The same goes for soda and soft drinks. Both sports and soft drinks contain sugars and acidic juices. When these combine with our saliva and are broken down for digestion, an acid byproduct is created. This acid is active on the tooth surface for about 30 minutes. Because it is in liquid form, drinks coat the tooth and reach into deep grooves and areas between teeth. When we have more frequent exposure to these beverages, our decay rate increases. Erosion of the tooth enamel also occurs during consumption of these drinks.(i)

A study done on triathletes showed that while only a small percentage of them perceived themselves at a risk for dental decay, over 80% consumed sport drinks and showed extremely high risk for decay.(ii) Surprisingly, some sports drinks are more damaging to the teeth than soft drinks.(iii) Most of the time these drinks are consumed on a frequent basis over a long period of time. This is a recipe for dental disaster!

So do we need to give up these drinks completely? Not necessarily. However, we should be drinking water more often than anything else. Water hydrates the body extremely well and helps the teeth by rinsing some of the naturally accumulating bacteria. Our body needs water and it’s one of the best things that we can drink. If you decide that you need to drink a sport drink or soda, limit the exposure to your teeth. This can be done first of all by not sipping on the drink over an extended period of time. Sipping causes the exposure to be spread out through the day, extending the time frame in which the teeth can be damaged. Drink all at once, preferably with a meal. By limiting the time that your teeth are exposed to sweet and acidic liquids, you will help decrease the tooth decay caused by those beverages.

If your teeth suddenly happen to become sensitive to the sweet taste of sodas or sport drinks, this is an early symptom of tooth decay. If you or your athlete is experiencing any of these symptoms, call McCarl Dental Group today at (410) 987-8800 or (301) 474-4144 to schedule an exam in our Millersville, MD or Greenbelt, MD location. You may also visit us online and print coupons for special offers at www.McCarlDental.com.

(i)Noble WH, Donovan TE, Geissberger M.; Sports drinks and dental erosion.; J Calif Dent Assoc. 2011 Apr;39(4):233-8.

(ii)Bryant S, McLaughlin K, Morgaine K, Drummond B.;  Elite Athletes and Oral Health.; Int J Sports Med. 2011 May 17.

(iii)Kitchens M, Owens BM.; Effect of carbonated beverages, coffee, sports and high energy drinks, and bottled water on the in vitro erosion characteristics of dental enamel;J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2007 Spring;31(3):153-9.

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