More habits that you may be unaware of that could be harming your teeth.         

1. Potato Chips. Seem like an innocent snack alongside your sandwich, but the bacteria in plaque will break down starchy foods, like potato chips, into acids. This acid can attack your teeth for the next 20 minutes after you have eaten—-even longer if the food remains stuck between your teeth, or you snack often. Flossing after eating starchy snacks and foods is the best way to avoid problems.

2. Constant Snacking. Snacking produces less saliva than a meal, leaving food bits in your teeth for  hours longer. Avoid snacking too frequently and stick to snacks that are low in sugar and starch–for example, carrot or celery sticks.

3. Drinking Coffee. Coffee’s dark color and acidity can cause yellowing of the teeth over time. Fortunately it is one of the easiest stains to treat with whitening methods. Talk to Dr.Shlafer if you are concerned about the discoloration of your teeth.

4. Smoking. Cigarettes, as well as other tobacco products can stain teeth. Smoking can also lead to periodontal disease which can cause teeth to fall out as a result. Tobacco can also cause cancer of the mouth, lips, and tongue. If you were looking for one more reason to quit———–think of your smile.

5. Drinking Red Wine. The acids in the wine eat away at tooth enamel creating rough spots that make teeth vulnerable to staining. Red wine also contains a deep pigment called chromogen and tannins, which help the color stick to teeth. This combination makes it easy for the wine’s red color to stay with you long after the glass is empty.

6.  Binge Eating. Binge eating often involves excessive amounts of sweets, which can lead to tooth decay. Binging and purging can also cause extensive damage to teeth. Regular purging can erode teeth, making them brittle and weak. These acids can cause bad breath. Bulimia can lead to some very serious health  problems, so be sure to seek help from your doctor.

7. Drinking White Wine. You might think that sticking to white wine would spare your teeth, but the acids weaken enamel, leaving  your teeth porous and vulnerable to staining from other beverages, such as coffee. Swishing with water after drinking or brushing with a whitening toothpaste can fight the staining effects of red and white wines.

We all have habits that may not be good for us, but we may not realize what they are doing to our teeth!                                                                                                                               

1. Chewing on Ice.  It’s natural and sugar free, so you might think it is harmless. But munching on frozen ice cubes can chip or even crack your teeth. Mindless chomping will irritate the  soft tissue inside the tooth and a toothache may follow. Next time you get the urge to chew some ice, reach for some sugar free gum.
2. Playing Sports Without a Sports Guard.  Whether you play football, hockey, or any other contact sport, don’t get in the game without a mouth guard! By not wearing a sports guard your teeth could get chipped or even knocked out when the action gets rough.
3. Bedtime Bottles. It’s never too early to your protect teeth. Giving a baby a bedtime bottle of juice, milk, or formula, can put new developing teeth on the path to decay. The baby may become used to falling asleep with the bottle in her/his mouth , bathing the teeth  in sugars overnight. It’s best to keep the bottle out of the crib.
4. Tongue Piercings. Tongue piercings may be trendy, but biting down on the metal stud can crack a tooth. Lip piercings pose a similar risk and when it rubs against the gums it can cause gum irritation and tooth damage. The mouth is also a haven for bacteria, so piercings raise the risk of infections and sores.
5. Grinding Teeth. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can wear teeth down over time. It is most often caused by stress and sleeping habits. This makes it hard to control. Wearing a custom mouth guard at night can prevent grinding while sleeping.
6. Cough Drops.  Just because cough drops are sold in the medicine aisle doesn’t mean they are healthy. Most are loaded with sugar. So after soothing your throat with a lozenge, be sure to brush well. The cough drop reacts with the plaque that coats your teeth, then the bacteria in the plaque converts the sugar into acid that eats away at tooth enamel. Hello, cavities!
7. Gummy Candy. All sugary treats promote tooth decay, but gummy candies stick in your teeth, keeping the sugar stuck to your teeth for hours. If your day just isn’t the same without a gummy critter, try having them along with a meal instead of a separate snack. More saliva is produced during meals, which helps to rinse away candy bits and acid.
8. Opening Stuff With Your Teeth. Opening bottle caps or plastic packaging with your teeth may be convenient, but this habit will make Dr. Shlafer shudder! Using your teeth as tools can cause them to crack or chip. Bottom line, your teeth should only be used for eating.
9. Sports Drinks. There is no doubt a cold sports drink may be refreshing, however these drinks are loaded with sugar. Like soda or candy, sugary sports drinks create an acid attack on the enamel of your teeth. Drinking them frequently can lead to decay. A better way to stay hydrated at the gym is to drink sugar-free, calorie-free water.
10. Fruit  Juice. Fruit juice is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, but unfortunately, many are loaded with sugar. For example, there are only 10 grams more of sugar in orange soda than in orange juice. Fruits are naturally sweet, so look for juice that has no added sugar. You can also reduce the sugar content by diluting juice with some water.

Stay tuned for more habits that will make Dr.Shlafer cringe!

Worn Teeth—Why should I be concerned? When the enamel of a tooth is worn away, the tooth often becomes sensitive and may be more susceptible to decay. If the tooth has worn down significantly, a crown may be necessary to save the tooth.

Tooth enamel may be worn away in several ways. One or more of the following factors may cause premature wear:

Attrition—Attrition is the gradual loss of enamel through”wear”. A small amount of attrition may be caused by normal speaking and eating, but this doesn’t typically produce excessive wear. More extreme cases of attrition are typically caused by bruxism, the grinding or teeth against teeth. Bruxism typically occurs at night while a person sleeps, so often you are unaware of what is happening.

Abrasion—- Abrasion is wearing away of tooth enamel by a foreign object. Common causes of abrasion are:

• Brushing to hard or to long
• Fingernail biting, chewing on pens or pencils, holding needles or pins between your teeth, chewing ice, etc.
• Oral piercings–patients with pierced lips and/or tongue often wear away the enamel on the adjacent teeth from the jewelry rubbing on a daily basis.

Erosion—-Erosion is the chemical wear of tooth enamel. Typically  this kind of wear is caused by an acid. Citric acid is one of the most common agents. Citrus fruit–lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit all contain citric acid, as do most soft drinks and citrus juices. Some candies also contain citric acid. Coffee and tea also contain corrosive acids. Bulimic individuals also expose their teeth to very strong stomach acids.

Occasional exposure to most dietary acids is rarely a problem, but repeated exposure to high levels of these acids can cause premature wear. Some common habits to avoid are:

• Regularly sucking on lemons and limes
• Regularly eating or sucking on candies, especially “sour” candies as they often contain sugar and citric acid.
• Drinking several soft drinks daily, even “diet” soft drinks
• Drinking several glasses of lemonade daily
• Drinking several cups of coffee or glasses of tea daily

Even if you only occasionally eat or drink acidic foods, it’s a good idea to at least rinse your mouth with fresh water when you are finished to reduce the amount of time your teeth are exposed to the acids. If you are concerned, Dr.Shlafer can examine you and determine if you have premature wear of your enamel.

A healthy attractive smile is not only a boost to self-esteem; it is also a barometer of your overall health for you and your family members. Discolored teeth, cavities and gum disease can cause other health problems or may be signs of an existing condition. Poor oral health can cause painful problems, along with serious health issues.

It has been shown that excessive plaque and oral bacteria can lead to clogged arteries, which can cause strokes and heart disease. Another concern are diabetic patients who are more susceptible to gum disease. People with respiratory issues may be linked to poor oral health as well. Concerns over children’s dental habits, behavioral and developmental challenges are associated with children who have untreated cavities. Your digestive system may also suffer additional stress if teeth are in such poor condition that you find it difficult to chew and in turn not allow you to get the proper nutrition your body needs.

Smoking, as we all know is detrimental to your overall health (lungs, skin, heart and more) and it is also responsible for oral cancer and dental disease. It is our goal to assist our patients in any way possible to help them stop smoking when they are ready.

Dental problems occur in senior citizens and can frequently go undetected until they become painful, which may create an infection and more serious dental treatment needs. If aging parents or elderly family members oral health is left untreated for long periods of time, gum disease can occur and lead to lost teeth and other medical complications. The bacteria in plaque can travel from the mouth to other parts of your body, aggravating  existing conditions. Preventing cavities and gum disease are the keys to maintaining good oral health.

Change your lifestyle for a healthier smile by starting with a consistent dental routine. This would include, regular hygiene visits and exams, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, using a mouth rinse to cut down the bacteria in your mouth and maintaining a healthy diet. We can help you with specific suggestions based on your individual needs at your next appointment!

Most people make New Year’s Resolutions that never make it past week 2 of January. This year, perhaps setting more reasonable goals and doing something  easy and healthy at the same time will work. Deciding to improve your oral health is do-able and achievable.

If you are going to make a New Year’s resolution,why not make one that you could smile about? Setting a goal for good dental health is easy and can be a benefit to your overall health as well.

By following a few simple tips, you can easily maintain good oral health all year long:

1. Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day. Brushing your teeth properly removes plaque from the surface before it hardens into calculus.
2. Use a fluoride toothpaste, this will help prevent decay.
3. Change your toothbrush every 3-6 months.
4. Floss your teeth daily. Flossing is the only way to remove plaque from between teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach.
5. Use a mouth rinse. An antimicrobial mouth rinse can provide extra help in controlling plaque.
6. Eat healthy meals and snacks. Good nutrition is an important aspect in maintaining good dental health.
7. Maintain your routine dental hygiene visits and exams. This is the best way to make sure you teeth and gums stay healthy.

Follow these simple tips, and you can have a great smile as well as the satisfaction of knowing that you are sticking to your New Year’s resolution of maintaining good dental health.

ALKALINE FOOD SUGGESTIONS:

If your blood’s pH, (the level of its acidity or alkalinity) is too acidic, this is not good for your overall health. In fact, the typical American diet, rich in protein, grains and other largely acid-producing foods can lead to mild metabolic acidosis that you can relieve by eating potassium-rich alkaline foods such as fruits and vegetables.

The alkaline diet, focuses on eating foods that leave an alkaline residue in the body. These foods consist of fresh vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains, roots and a limited amount of fruits. Although it is classified as a diet, the purpose of an alkaline diet is not to help you lose weight–it is intended to help balance the potential hydrogen pH in your body and improve overall health.

VEGETABLES:

Fresh vegetables are an important part of an alkaline diet. There is no limit to the amount of vegetables you can eat. Try adding the following to your meal plan: asparagus, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, green beans, spinach, peas, lettuce, broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, garlic, eggplant, squash, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, and legumes.

BEVERAGES, FATS, AND PROTEIN;

Beverages, seeds, grains, nuts, oils and fats can also be a part of an alkaline diet. Limit your drinks to fresh vegetable and fruit juices, herbal tea, organic milk, green tea, distilled water, soy milk, vegetable broth, ginseng tea, mineral water, almond milk and lemon water.

Almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, lentils, flax seeds, sesame seed, buckwheat and tempeh are sources of protein you should include. Yogurt is another source of protein that is acceptable, but consumption of other dairy products should be limited because of their sugar content.

OTHER ALKANIZING FOODS:

Other foods you can eat include, hummus, tahini, hemp, avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, wheat grass, barley, mustard, cinnamon, ginger, sea salt and all herbs. For a sweetener, Stevia may be used in place of sugar. Meat, eggs, and dairy products are not recommended. To experience the full benefits of an alkaline diet, most food should be eaten raw, eat more salads and drink eight glasses of distilled water a day.

FRUITS:

Unlike most diets, fruits will play a small role in the alkaline diet. In fact, it is recommended that fruits not be eaten in excess, eaten alone or before a large meal. They should never be eaten after a large meal due to the high sugar content which becomes acidic once digested. Fruits that are acceptable are: apples, apricots, berries, cherries, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi, lemons, limes, mango, melons, oranges, pears, pineapples, tomatoes, dates and raisins.

The word habit sometimes has a negative connotation. It may be associated with bad habits like biting your nails, smoking or thumb sucking. However, there are a lot of habits that are worth embracing to keep us mentally and physically in check.

Here are some habits worth trying to adopt into our everyday lives:

Cleaning your teeth after every meal:  Obviously brushing and flossing  your teeth twice a day is recommended, but brushing in between meals when snacking or after lunch can go a long way to promote good oral health.

3 to 6 Months dental visits:  Making it a habit to return to your dentist in the time-frame recommended for your individual needs. Preventative medicine is the best medicine.

Eating a healthy breakfast each day: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it’s not just a saying. Without breakfast your energy levels will be low and chances are you will be burned out before lunch. Eating unhealthy or skipping meals can lead to serious energy and focus problems throughout the day.

Grabbing a piece of fruit rather than candy: You may love candy, like many of us do, but by grabbing a piece of fruit instead, the body gets a natural sugar hit and slowly the candy cravings will become less and less.

Walking: Whenever time and weather permits, always try to walk a little longer or a little further than needed. Park your car a little further away, you will be surprised how these little spurts of physical activity add up to help your overall fitness and health.

Drinking more water: Keeping a bottle of water in sight  is a great reminder to drink it. Now that the holiday season is upon us and the parties are underway, consider making every other drink water–it’s healthier all the way around.

These 10 foods will help your breath smell fresh all day long.

1. Herbs such as Parsley, Mint, Tarragon and Basil. Usually parsley is included as a garnish in many restaurants, but there are plenty of other herbs that work just as well. Some include, coriander, spearmint, tarragon, eucalyptus, rosemary and cardamon. Basically, you should aim to find any herb with a strong, pleasant smell. Experiment a bit and find the one that works best for you.
2. Green Tea. Green tea can be very effective in reducing bad breath because of its disinfectant and deodorant activities. Green tea is able to reduce the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds while other foods cannot.
3. Lemons. They have such a strong pleasant odor that they are able to mask your bad breath. Squeezing the lemon into your water may be the safest way to use the lemon, because the strong acid in lemons can slowly eat away at the enamel on your teeth.
4. Sugar Free Mints and Candy. The mints will increase your saliva production. That extra saliva running through your mouth will help remove bad-breath causing substances from your teeth.
5. Crisp Fruits and Vegetables. Such as apples, celery, and carrots are great for stimulating the flow of your saliva. This will help wash away offending substances that cling to your teeth.
6. Yogurt. A single serving of yogurt without any sugar added everyday can help to prevent bad breath.
7. Berries, Melons, and Citrus Fruits. Are rich in Vitamin C and will be able to scare away much of the bacteria in your mouth by creating an environment in which bacteria do not want to live in.
8. Cinnamon Sticks. These contain an essential oil that is actually able to kill a certain type of bacteria in your mouth.
9. Chewing gum. This is a great way to get your salivary flow stimulated. It can also help keep your teeth clean. Look for chewing gums with xylitol and sorbitol used as its sweetener. As an added bonus, these sugar alcohols can help reduce plaque levels.
10. Hazelnuts. If they are slowly chewed and eaten, this can help alleviate bad breath.

Do you have any other favorite foods you use to fight bad breath?

Excess stress may give you a headache, a stomachache, or just a feeling of being on the edge. But too much stress could also be doing a number on your mouth, teeth, gums and overall health. The potential fallout from stress and anxiety that can affect your oral health includes:

• Mouth sores, including canker sores and cold sores.
• Clenching and grinding of teeth (referred to as bruxism).
• Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating routines.
• Periodontal (gum) disease, or worsening or periodontal disease.

Mouth sores

Canker sores–small ulcers with a white or grayish base and bordered in red—appear inside the mouth. They are not contagious.  Although experts are not sure what causes them, it could be an immune system problem, bacteria, or viruses–they do think that stress, as well as fatigue, and allergies can increase the risk of getting them. Most canker sores disappear in a week to 10 days. To reduce irritation, don’t eat spicy foods,  or foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits.

Cold sores

Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by herpes simplex virus and are contagious. The often appear on or around the lips. Emotional upset can trigger an outbreak, so can a fever, a sunburn, or a skin abrasion. Canker sores also heal in about a week. Ask Dr.Shlafer about the treatments he has available to help heal canker sores and cold sores more quickly. It is important to start treatment as soon as you notice the sore forming.

Teeth Grinding

Stress may make you clench and grind your teeth–during the day or at night, and often unconsciously. Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism. If you already clench and grind, stress could make it worse. Grinding your teeth can lead to problems with the tempromandibular joint (TMJ), located in the front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. Dr.Shlafer may recommend an appliance to help you stop or minimize the actions.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Being under extreme stress may affect your mood and cause you to skip oral hygiene routines, like flossing and brushing. When you do not take care of your mouth, your teeth and overall health can suffer. When you are under stress you may also develop unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking on large amounts of sugary foods or drinks. These habits increase the risk for tooth decay and other problems. Boosting or resuming an exercise routine can help relieve stress and help you feel more energized, which would allow you to cook healthier meals and resume your oral hygiene routine.

Gum Disease

Stress can increase dental plaque, even when the high stress levels are short lived. Long-term, the stress can increase the risk of bleeding gums, or gingivitis, or may progress to serious gum disease. Healthy coping with active and practical strategies to deal with stress can reduce the risk of gum problems. Also, eating a balanced diet, seeing Dr.Shlafer regularly, and good oral hygiene will help.

A new study suggests eating foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as salmon and nuts, may help prevent gum disease. Periodontal disease is a type of gum disease in which the gum tissue separates from the teeth and allows bacteria to build up. If untreated, this condition can lead to bone and tooth loss.

Researchers found that people whose diets were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids were as much as 30% less likely to have gum disease than those who ate little or none of this type of fat.

Researchers say polyunsaturated fats have already been shown to have beneficial effects on other types of inflammatory  conditions, such as heart disease and may play a role in fighting the inflammation that causes gum disease.  Foods that are naturally  high in polyunsaturated fatty acids include fatty fish, nuts, margarine, and peanut butter.

Researchers have also found that even increasing  modest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in your diet was enough to significantly reduce the risk of gum disease. It’s worth the effort–so consider a change in your diet today!