Juice Revealed - Not So Sweet!

For over 2 generations now juice has been espoused as a health food. Though dentists have been aware for decades this is not really true, it has not been until very recently that the health industry and the medical establishment has taken a closer look at juice. It is definitely not a health food. The question arises if it is even healthy!

Juice now sits on the top of the list as a probable causative agent for the medical chronic disease pandemic facing our children; namely diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis, among others. The journals of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have in recent years recommended that juice be avoided in an infant’s diet. They also recommend that if it is introduced to a toddler that it be limited to 6 oz. daily (a small glass) and consumed with a meal.

Juice is at the top of the list of causative agents for dental disease for our children and youth. For that matter, in today’s culture it probably is equally at cause for adult dental decay.

Juice is worse than soda! That doesn’t mean soda is good; it is also terrible for teeth and health. But, juice is worse. If you look at nutrition data for foods and compare juice with whole fruit, you quickly see what is lost when juice is squeezed from fruit. A couple highlights:

You do get water and calories; i.e., an 8 oz glass of orange juice has the calories squeezed from about 5 oranges. Who ever heard of eating 5 oranges in one sitting? And today we often do this at breakfast and again in the afternoon. Yikes… all those empty calories!

Lost with the fruit when we make juice is a) nearly all the vitamins except some of the water soluble vitamin C, b) insoluble fiber, roughage, c) soluble fiber, unique to fruit and an important aid in digestion, d) and minerals, key components to our enzyme systems that process our body functions. Without the minerals the enzymes cannot use the calories we consume so the calories get stored as fat.

Rarely mentioned about juice is the acid. Acid that will dissolve your teeth. Those of us that took analytical and organic chemistry in college know the issue here. Though organic acids are often called “weak” acids, they are far more effective in organic systems like mouths because of their sustaining power. They don’t register in the pH scale as strong (lower number) as inorganic acids because they hold their acid potential in “reserve.” As the acid is used (dissolving calcium out of teeth) the reserve releases more acid out of solution. This is part of the steady state (homeostasis) systems that sustain organic (life supporting) systems. When misused (juice rather than fruit) the power released can be devastating. It turns out the acid potential (titrateable acid) of juice is nearly twice that of colas!

So put juice at the very top of the destructive beverage list that includes: juice, sports drinks like Gatorade, sodas, juicers and sweet energy teas.

Dental Necessities for Your Child - Birth and up

Here's a list of dental care necessities from birth on up:

• Baby Teeth Cleaning: Baby teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt. Clean your baby's teeth with a soft washcloth or gauze after every bottle or meal. When molars erupt, use a small child-sized (age-appropriate) toothbrush with warm water to brush your baby's teeth, as instructed by your dentist.
  
  At age two begin using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.  In select special circumstances your dentist may recommend fluoride toothpaste younger than age two.   Encourage your children with a daily brushing habit.  Help them “finish the job until their hand skills develop adequately (Age 6 or more).   Replace toothbrushes every two to three months.
  
  Children taking regular medications need extra attention including brushing after taking the medicine.  Ask your dentist regarding the specifics.
• First Dental Visit:   It is important that your child see a dentist by age one to establish a long-term dental hygiene and professional dental cleaning plan.
• Dental Sealant Application:   Dental Sealants are used to protect teeth from decay and are appropriate as soon as permanent molar teeth erupt.
• Fluoride Treatments:  Check with your dentist and water authority about the need for fluoride treatments.  Fluoride is a major component in the prevention of childhood dental caries.  This is because fluoride alters the molecular structure of the tooth, making it more resistant to acid attack and decay.
  
  However, children require the right balance of fluoride treatment. Too much fluoride could be problematic and lead to fluorosis.
• Dental Flossing: Parent-assisted dental flossing should commence when two teeth erupt next to each other, especially the molars at age 2 1/2.  Independent flossing should occur when children have the ability to do it on their own (often by eight years of age).
• Mouth Washing: Mouth washing is recommended by age six if your dentist deems there are special preventive needs.  Mouthwashes not containing alcohol are fine for anyone age 6 and older who can rinse without swallowing the mouthwash.
• Orthodontics: may be appropriate by seven years of age.

Keep in mind that these age ranges are estimates only; you should follow your dentist's recommendations.

One of the gifts parents can give their child is a start at good dental health as well as a healthy relationship with the dentist.

Why Choose A Pediatric Dentist for Your Child?

Pediatric dentists are trained to create a positive enjoyable attitude about visiting the dentist.

Pediatric dentists have completed a two year specialty residency in pediatric dentistry in addition to their basic four years of dental school to be a general dentist.  The residency focuses on the special care of children from infancy through adolescence.  The residents learn about the complex process of a growing, changing and developing mouth, face, head and neck.  The residency also teaches how the growing body’s health relates to the oral health of the developing child.  During these advanced studies dentists learn how to calm an anxious young patient and how to use the equipment specially designed for children.

Pediatric dentists specialize in the care of infants, children and teenagers as well as those with special health care needs.  Preventive dental care for the infant begins as early as six months, or with the appearance of the first tooth.  A pediatric dentist understands the growth and development of a mouth, the exchange of the teeth and the guidance occasionally needed to create a solid bite and beautiful smile.

Pediatric dental offices function, look, and feel different from general dentist offices.  It is all part of helping a child and family build a positive attitude about the dentist as a partner in creating good health.  We also focus on helping the child understand the importance and simplicity of good oral health habits that will create strong beautiful teeth to last a lifetime.

Infants and toddlers are not immune to dental health problems.  The 2000, “Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General” found that dental caries (tooth decay) is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease – five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.  It has become an alarming and growing problem in children aged 2 to 5 years old.  This is why we stress the importance of establishing a dental home for your child for the first tooth and learn the simple preventive measures for your home.

We highly encourage you seek the care of a pediatric dentist for your children.  If you choose our office, we look forward to a happy and rewarding relationship with your family.

Is Candy the Culprit?

I got fed the line and so did you when you were a child. “Candy will cause cavities.” Well maybe it is still a good line. I do believe candy is a very grave health concern in our society, but those concerns lie more with the body health and the blood sugar balancing system (insulin) rather than the tooth health of each of us.

The threat to teeth is the frequency of exposure and one of your worst enemies is carbohydrate paste stuck between the teeth from meals and snacks (what I call cracker mouth). If it were just the carbohydrate there would be less worry. That paste, however, absorbs sugar from any source, including good fresh fruit and holds it between the teeth….for hours. The bacteria between the teeth are having a hay day with all that sugar just hanging around. And since we are a grain based eating society, this problem exists for everyone!

Now consider this.  If a person disrupts the bacteria from between the teeth once a day (every 24 hours) they never have a chance to accumulate to a level that will damage the teeth. I would much rather get the flossing done daily and focus on having healthy meals than struggling with the candy battle. As the kids get older I will have less and less control of their eating. A well-ingrained habit of flossing every day may do more in the long run to help them have healthy teeth.

Eating like a cave-man would protect my teeth, but I would rather floss.