How Holiday Sweets Affect Your Teeth

Dr. Jay Jorgensen D.D.S.

The holiday season is in full swing, and you know what that means…cookies at the office, cakes at parties, and gift baskets full of sweet treats. But did you know these holiday delights can do more damage than just expanding your waistline? Sugary foods can have a not-so-sweet impact on your teeth too.

When sugars and starches from food (and drinks) get left behind on your teeth, acids formed from bacteria in your mouth digest these foods and build up to form plaque. This plaque then eats away at your tooth’s enamel, leaving holes—or “cavities”—in your teeth. Snacking on sweets during a holiday party can be especially harmful to your teeth, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Here are a few tips you can use to keep your teeth in good condition throughout the holiday season:


Try to brush and floss after every meal, especially those rich in sugar. If that’s not an option for you, swish water around in your mouth to help rinse out some of the sugar and starch. This applies to treats besides just candy and sweets, it includes things like fruit and wine, as well.

Try to avoid long periods of snacking. This can be really difficult, especially at a party, but the longer those sugars and starches stay on your teeth, the higher your chances for tooth decay.

Come prepared. Bring a toothbrush—travel size will do—so you can freshen up after a party, work event, or snack session. Bonus! This strategy may even help you prevent further snacking. Avoid sticky and chewy foods. They may taste great, but these foods tend to be some of the worst for your teeth—even if they’re healthy!

For more information about how you can take care of your teeth and prevent cavities, or to schedule your next teeth cleaning, contact our office at 760-323-2771.

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Canker Sores, Cold Sores & Common Mouth Sores

Dr. Jay Jorgensen D.D.S.

They are annoying and painful and there are plenty of things that can cause them – infections from bacteria, viruses or fungus; a loose orthodontic wire; a denture that doesn’t fit; or a sharp edge from a broken tooth or filling. Mouth sores may be symptoms of a disease or disorder. A dentist should examine any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer. Among the most common mouth sores are:


Canker sores. Small ulcers with a white or gray base and a red border. Canker sores appear inside the mouth. They are not contagious. There may be only one canker sore or several and they can return frequently. Their exact cause is uncertain but some experts believe that immune system problems, bacteria or viruses may be involved.


Fatigue, stress or allergies can increase the likelihood of a canker sore. Some women may be more prone to them in their premenstrual cycle. A cut caused by biting the cheek or tongue, or reactions from hot foods or beverages may contribute to canker sore development. Intestinal problems, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, also seem to make some people more susceptible.


Treating Canker Sores: They usually heal on their own after a week or two. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics and antimicrobial mouthrinses may provide temporary relief. Stay away from hot, spicy or acidic foods that can irritate the sore. See your dentist if the sores do not heal or are painful. Antibiotics from your dentist and some oral bandages can reduce secondary infection.


Cold sores. Annoying and painful, cold sores, also called fever blisters, are groups of fluid-filled blisters. They often erupt around the lips and sometimes under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and are very contagious. The initial infection (primary herpes), which often occurs before adulthood, may be confused with a cold or flu and can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the mouth.


Once a person is infected with primary herpes, the virus stays in the body and causes occasional attacks. Recurring cold sores look like multiple tiny fluid-filled blisters that most commonly appear around the edge of the lips. For some people, the virus remains inactive or dormant. For others, cold sores can follow a fever, sunburn, stress, emotional upsets or a break in the skin.


Treating cold sores: Cold sore blisters usually heal in a week by themselves. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide some relief. Your dentist may prescribe antiviral drugs to reduce these kinds of viral infections.


Leukoplakia.Thick, whitish-color patches that form on the inside of the cheeks, gums or tongue is known as leukoplakia. These patches are caused by excess cell growth and are common among tobacco users. They can result from irritations such as an ill-fitting denture or the habit of chewing on the inside of the cheek. Sometimes leukoplakia is associated with oral cancer. Your dentist may recommend a biopsy if the patch appears threatening.


Treating leukoplakia: The dentist examines the lesion and checks the biopsy results to help determine how to manage the disease. Treatment begins with removing the factors that contribute to the lesion: quitting tobacco or replacing ill-fitting dentures or bridges.


Candidiasis. This fungal infection (also called moniliasis or oral thrush) occurs when the yeast Candida albicans reproduce in large numbers. It is common among denture wearers and most often occurs in people who are very young, elderly, debilitated by diseases like diabetes or leukemia, or who have a problem with their immune system. People who have dry mouth syndrome are very susceptible to candidiasis. Candida may flourish after antibiotic treatment, which can decrease normal bacteria in the mouth.


Treating candidiasis: Control focuses on preventing or controlling the conditions that caused the outbreak. Good oral hygiene is essential. Clean dentures to remove Candida and remove the dentures at bedtime. Saliva substitutes and prescription medications may be helpful when the underlying cause of dry mouth is incurable or unavoidable.


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An Apple A Day Might Keep The Doctor Away, But Not The Dentist

Dr. Jay Jorgensen D.D.S.

An apple a day might well keep the doctor away, but the dentist is another matter. Eating apples and other acidic fruit, as well as drinking fruit juices, is roughly four times more potentially harmful to teeth than drinking pop, according to a study published by the U.K.’s Journal of Dentistry.

Surveying more than 1,000 men and women aged 18 to 30, the study found that apple eaters were 3.7 times more likely to suffer damage to their dentine (the layer of the tooth inside the enamel). At the same time, it was shown that fruit juice was four times as damaging as pop, and lager beer three times as harmful.

The research also showed that the speed of consumption was a factor. “Doctors quite rightly say that eating apples is good, but if you eat them slowly the high acidity levels can damage your teeth,” said study leader David Bartlett, a professor at the King’s Dental Institute. “The drinks most often associated with associated with dietary erosion, particularly cola, showed no increased risk in this study.”

“The results emphasize that dietary advice should be targeted at strong acids rather than some of the commonly consumed soft drinks.” The researchers did not advise giving up otherwise healthful fruits and juices, but recommended making short work of their consumption.

“Snacking on acidic foods throughout the day is the most damaging, whilst eating them at meal times is much safer,” Bartlett said. “It’s not what you eat, it’s how you eat it. An apple a day is good, but taking all day to eat the apple can damage teeth.”

Dr. Harry F. Hoediono, president of the Ontario Dental Association, responded to the study by stressing the healthful benefits of apples, but advised rinsing the mouth with water after eating fruit to neutralize the acid. “Also, don’t clean your teeth right after eating,” he said. “If you brush while the acid is still in your mouth you are removing some of your teeth’s surface. If you wait about an hour, the saliva helps remineralize the enamel and makes the enamel more resistant to acid attack.”

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