Sugar-Free Drinks could cause dental problems

A recent study by researchers at the University of Melbourne's Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre suggests that sugar free products can cause measurable damage to the tooth enamel, NDTV reports.

"Many people are not aware that while reducing your sugar intake does reduce your risk of dental decay, the chemical mix of acids in some foods and drinks can cause the equally damaging condition of dental erosion," said Eric Reynolds, CEO of the Oral Health CRC.

"Dental erosion occurs when acid dissolves the hard tissues of the tooth. In its early stages erosion strips away the surface layers of tooth enamel. If it progresses to an advanced stage it can expose the soft pulp inside the tooth," said Reynolds.

For the study, the researchers tested 23 different types of drink. They found that drinks that contain acidic additives and with low pH levels cause significant damage to dental enamel, even if the drink is sugar-free.

The researchers also measured dental enamel softening and tooth surface loss due to the consuming the range of drinks. They found that majority of soft drinks and sports drinks caused softening of dental enamel by 30-50 per cent.

The study concluded that both sugar-containing and sugar-free soft drinks produced measurable loss of the tooth surface, with no significant difference between the two groups of drinks.

Reynolds also pointed out that 'sugar-free' labelling does not mean a product is safe for teeth.

"We have even found sugar-free confectionery products that are labelled 'tooth-friendly' and which when tested were found to be erosive," said Reynolds.

-UniversityHerald

Root Canal Myths

If you’ve ever heard someone talk about getting a root canal, you get the feeling that this endodontic procedure is a nightmare. However, a root canal is a tooth-saving dental treatment that can dramatically improve your oral health if you have severely damaged teeth, or even a tooth infection. Don’t let anxiety over a dental treatment prevent you from getting the care you need. We bust some popular myths about root canals below:

• Root Canals are Complicated Oral Surgery – A root canal is a dental procedure that requires the use of special instruments, controlled by skilled dentist or endodontist, but it is not a complicated surgical procedure, like some might think. In order to treat a damaged tooth with a root canal, Dr. Moscattini will remove infected tooth pulp (the material inside the tooth) by creating a small opening in the dental crown. This process is not much more invasive than getting a filling, crown, or other treatment that requires modification of dental enamel.

• Root Canals are Extraordinarily Painful – This is likely the biggest lie told about root canal treatment. While some may think that root canals are complex and uncomfortable, many patients report that it feels no different than receiving a filling. Dr. Moscattini will apply a local anesthetic before beginning treatment, so you remain comfortable and relaxed.

• Root Canals Damage your Teeth – Quite the opposite, a root canal is specifically intended to save teeth and does not “kill” a live tooth. Before root canal treatment was honed, the standard course of action for an infected or damaged tooth was extraction. But extracting teeth creates a host of other oral health problems that root canals can prevent. By removing affected material from inside your tooth, Dr. Moscattini can save your tooth’s structure and further protect your oral health by capping off your treatment with a dental crown.

• If You Get Another Tooth Infection, It’s Better Have the Tooth Extracted – Extraction is always a worst-case scenario. Dr. Moscattini takes every tooth-saving measure possible to ensure that you get to keep your natural teeth as long as possible. If you’ve previously had a root canal and experience another infection at the same site, your tooth can be successfully re-treated with root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy is a great way to save teeth and prevent the need for tooth extraction, or other, more extensive oral health treatment. Patients in need of root canals can trust their oral health to the Duluth, GA dental office of Dr. Roy Moscattini. Dr. Moscattini takes the time to go over your treatment plan and answer any questions you may have about getting a root canal. For more information, contact our dental office to set up your consultation.

5 Things You May Not Have Known about Caring for your Children’s Teeth

Keeping healthy teeth and gums at every age is an important part of overall well-being . Kid’s oral health needs often require special attention from both little ones themselves and their caregivers. Here are some important things to keep in mind when considering your children’s oral health needs:


1.) Kid’s Teeth are More Porous – Baby teeth are home to pores and pits that aren’t found on adult teeth. This means that kid’s teeth require special protection to prevent debris and bacteria from settling in these spaces and causing damage. As a family dentist, Dr. Moscattini can apply sealants and fluoride varnishes for young smiles, to help them stay strong and seal out agents of decay.

2.) Keeping Baby Teeth Healthy is Important – Many parents believe that baby teeth don’t need special care, as they’ll eventually fall out. However, keeping up good oral health for these teeth is crucial to ensuring a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. If a child’s baby teeth begin to decay, they are at a higher risk for developing more complicated oral health problems in the future.

3.) Kids Need to Keep up Routine Dental Checkups, Just like Adults – Children don’t get to put off going to the dentist just because their permanent teeth aren’t in yet. Dental cleanings, for any patient, allow Dr. Moscattini to spot potential problems ahead of time and to thoroughly clean teeth to remove buildup of plaque. Because children are still learning how to take good care of their teeth, keeping regular dental appointments for x-rays and teeth cleanings is vital.


4.) Children Sometimes Need Help – As kids learn what it means to successfully clean their teeth each day, they’ll need guidance to make sure they’re doing it right. Young children may need help from caregivers to floss and reach all of their teeth with a toothbrush to keep them healthy.


5.) Your Children’s Oral Health Habits Will Be Modeled after Your Own – Children’s parents or caregivers are their role models for many behaviors, including hygiene care. If you brush and floss your teeth regularly, children will take a cue from you and follow the same habits. It’s important to keep up with your own oral health needs, in order to set the right example for kids.


With the right care, it’s possible for every member of your family to have beautiful, healthy smiles. For more information on family-friendly dentistry, contact the Duluth family dental office of Roy Moscattini, DDS.

One-Appointment Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’re looking to get a more attractive smile, cosmetic dental treatments can get you there by addressing teeth staining, misalignment, missing teeth, or signs of decay. However, if you’re worried that your cosmetic dental treatment plan will involve repeated trips back to a dental office, Dr. Moscattini is happy to offer many cosmetic procedures that can be completed in one office visit.

• Teeth Whitening – If your teeth are severely stained, you can get a fresh new smile the same day with professional teeth whitening services at Dr Moscattini’s Duluth dental office. Dr. Moscattini uses the trusted Zoom!® whitening brand to help lift stains off of teeth. The best part is, Zoom!® whitening treatment typically only takes an hour. Zoom!® is safe, comfortable and effective!
  
• Composite Fillings – Cavities are, unfortunately, a common oral health concern that used to be addressed with metal amalgam fillings. However, metal is dark and stands out in contrast to your natural dental enamel. Dr. Moscattini uses tooth-colored filling material to treat cavities at his Duluth cosmetic dental office. No one but you and your dentist will know that you have had cavity treatment -- your smile will remain naturally beautiful.
  
• Root Canal Therapy - Decayed teeth are a serious oral health problem and can stand out as darkened or yellowed in the rest of your smile. Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure that corrects issues of tooth infection and decay by removing affected material from inside your tooth, saving your natural tooth from needing extraction and restoring it to its natural appearance. A root canal can typically be completed in a few hours and can later be topped with a dental crown for furthered support and improved aesthetic.
  
• Bonding – Cosmetic dental bonding makes your teeth appear more even and symmetrical in the face of uneven wear and tear on teeth. Dr. Moscattini will apply and shape a tooth-colored resin to enhance your smile’s appearance. Dental bonding is affordable, convenient, will last for years, and only takes a short time to complete.

You don’t have to wait forever to get a more appealing smile. Dr. Moscattini’s dental office offers same-day cosmetic dental procedures in Duluth that improve your appearance, as well as your oral health.  For patients requiring additional or extended treatment plans, Dr. Moscattini also offers Invisalign®, dental implants, veneers, and fixed bridges. To get more information on one-appointment dental visits, contact Dr. Moscattini’s Duluth dental office today!

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Here's to your best oral health ever!