10 minute read
Ask the Expert
dental erosion the truth about
Written by Kelsey Lopez RDH, BSDH
Advertisement
Sweet Summertime! It’s almost here. Windows down, radio up and your favorite to-go beverage as you drive down the road. If you’re like me, there is something incredibly comforting about sipping on an iced americano in the heat of the day. Do you know though, that liquid sugar in drinks is the single largest source of added sugar in the American diet? Nowadays, most people are aware of these sneaky sugars filling up their coffee cups and have opted for healthier choices. However, being a dental hygienist has opened my eyes to something equally important when it comes to beverages and your oral health. I’m here to tell you more about this emerging public health issue in people of all ages.
Dental erosion is defined as loss of dental hard tissue that is chemically etched away from the tooth surface. The condition is distinctly different from cavity formation in that it has to do more with the pH in your mouth than cavity forming bacteria. pH stands for “potential hydrogen” and is a way to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The lower the number, the more acidic a substance is. The higher the number, the more alkaline the substance is. Water is right in the middle with a pH level of 7. The normal pH range for saliva is 6.2 to 7.6 and just like the rest of your body, your mouth needs a balanced pH. The pH level of your saliva can drop below 5.5 when you’re drinking acidic beverages. When this happens, the acids in your mouth start to break down causing dental erosion.
Interestingly enough, the greatest number of dental erosion cases occur in “healthy” individuals. This is because healthy diets include more fruits and vegetables which can be acidic. Fruit juices, herbal teas, energy drinks and even certain bottled waters can contribute to dental erosion when consumed excessively. Left unchecked, dental erosion can lead to pain, hypersensitivity, increased cavity risk, and yellowing of teeth.
It’s safe to assume that no one wants yellow teeth, let alone any other issue!
• Avoid sugary soft drinks. If you can’t resist, drink them quickly and follow up with a glass of water. Sipping on them over a long period of time will prolong the acid attacks. • Avoid black coffee. Adding dairy (not a sugary flavored creamer) can help counteract the acidity. • Avoid brushing your teeth after drinking highly acidic beverages such as soft drinks, cider, wine or beer. These drinks soften your tooth enamel and brushing too soon after can further damage your enamel. • Chew gum. Preferably with xylitol. Chewing gum encourages saliva production and helps restore pH balance. • Stay hydrated!! • Visit your dental hygienist! Make sure you’re keeping your regular dental appointments. Your dentist and hygienist are trained to see things in your mouth and on your teeth that you can’t see!
Enjoying an iced coffee with friends or a beer on date night won’t ruin your teeth but many years of acid attacks eventually can take their toll. As long as you’re staying mindful to the steps above, you can keep those pearly whites intact while still enjoying your favorite food and drinks! w
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Kelsey Lopez is a dental hygienist at Spokane Family Dental.
★★★★★ 20 ACRE MOUNTAINTOP RETREAT 5 STAR CAMPING
cabin rental + camping sites + amazing views experience
Just minutes from Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene
follow us @blossom.mountaintop.farm Book with us! airbnb & hipcamp
special price! $200
$350 value
(ex: 7.1.21)
MICROCHANNELING
With little to no downtime, Microchanneling with ProCell Therapies can achieve long-lasting improvements for a number of issues, including: • fine lines & wrinkles • acne scars • stretch marks • hyper-pigmentation • skin tone & tightening
Call NOW to book with Kelli! 208.610.5375
206 East Indiana Avenue • Suite 118 • Coeur d’Alene
lashes | facials | hydrafacials | brows | waxing | nails | hair
publisher’s picks
It’s time to go glamp-ing!
Last year, my family made the ultimate camping commitment and invested in a travel trailer to make our summer adventures even more enjoyable. We spent most of the summer exploring our neck of the woods and beyond and we can’t wait to hit the road again this year! I learned a lot last year on our maiden voyages and am thrilled to share with you my favorite camping tips and tricks. May they help make your tent or trailer trips a little smoother. Happy Trails!
BUGGYBANDS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you’ve ever camped in North Idaho, you know those pesky mosquitoes can wreak havoc on your camping trip. No one wants to spend a weekend itching and scratching after getting eaten alive. My favorite thing to buy for my family are Buggy Bands. Not only are they DEET free and non toxic but they are children and pet safe. I always have my whole family wear one either on their wrists or ankles. The best thing is that they are good for up to 300 hours! Pick them up at our local Lowe’s or on Amazon! - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lowes
901 Appleway Ave | Coeur d’Alene (208) 665-1313
FISHING GEAR
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My whole family loves to fish! It’s one of my favorite ways to spend time together whether we catch something or not. To gear up for the season, I head to Fins and Feathers. They have everything we need to cast off whether it be our licenses, new rods and reels, lures and other gear. You can even check lake conditions before you go on their website! - - - - - - - - -
Fins & Feathers Tackle Shop
1816 Sherman Ave Downtown Coeur d’Alene (208) 667-9304
HIKING GEAR
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - We love to explore our campsites and surrounding areas on foot. To dress my whole family for a hike, we head to Tri-State outfitters. It seems my boys need new hiking boots or water shoes every year and Tri State always has the best selection! I always seem to find something else we need for the summer there, they even have a section dedicated to pups so my dog, Murphee, is always ready for camping too! - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Tri-State Outfitters
6275 N Sunshine Street | Coeur d’Alene (208) 772-0613
CAMPFIRE BANANA BOATS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You can’t go wrong with this cross between a s’more and a banana split! My kids love them and love making them and frankly, so do I! Take a banana with it’s peel still on and cut it down the middle and pull slightly apart. Fill with your favorite ingredients like chocolate chips, strawberries, mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbles. I wrap them first in parchment paper then in aluminum foil and then place them on the campfire grate for a few minutes to warm. You’re left with a warm banana filled with melty, delicious toppings.
BAD WEATHER BOXES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It’s an unfortunate part of camping, the weather can change at any moment and sometimes you’re stuck in a small space with bored kids during a rainstorm. I always pack a couple small boxes with coloring sheets, markers, puzzles, card games and books to keep my boys entertained should bad weather or boredom strike. I love that I can pick up these items really anywhere in town but my favorite place is the local dollar store. Why? If these toys get lost or ruined, they were only a dollar!
Your families health is our mission FIRST STEPS
chiropractic
First Steps Chiropractic is a neurologically based Chiropractic office that specializes in pregnancy, pediatrics and whole family care. We are here to serve you and your kiddos to make sure everyone in the family is functioning at their absolute best.
Visit our website or give us a call to see if you can benefit from neurologically based Chiropractic care! call today: 208.758.9335
WWW.FIRSTSTEPSCHIROPRACTIC.COM
8836 N Hess Street Suite E Hayden, ID 83835
KINDER GYM GYMNASTICS NINJA CLASS LITTLE NINJAS TUMBLING + MORE
We build CONFIDENCE, encourage self-esteem and INSPIRE children to DREAM BIG! Our talented, caring sta seeks to connect with and empower each and every child who walks through our door, and inspire our Momentum families through sports, learning & fun! Call Today 208-966-4535 for a TOUR!
245 W Bosanko Ave. #1, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 WWW.MOMENTUMSPORTSANDPLAY.COM
On a journey to feed me & my family whole food and live a more natural lifestyle & inspire YOU too!
PREP:
COOK, CHOP & PORTION Make a meal plan, then break each meal down to see what you can cook, chop or portion out ahead of time. That might mean fully cooking some of your meat. If it is something like chopped grilled chicken or taco meat, after it is fully cooked and cooled I store it in a gallon zip lock bag then freeze it. Keep the bag lying flat while freezing so that it is easier to thaw and reheat the day you are using it. If you are making something like a coleslaw, pre-chop and portion your ingredients so that all you have to do is assemble at meal time. And if you’re making your favorite homemade pancakes, measure out all of your ingredients ahead of time. This eliminates the need to pack full containers of ingredients as well as measuring cups and spoons. I joke with my hubby about how “family vacations” are not really “vacations” for moms. I prefer “family trips” instead, as there are always mouths to feed, right? Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE family trips! Unplugging and detaching from the normal daily distractions is a huge blessing. In order to make meal time easier I’m sharing my favorite tips for feeding your family while camping!
KEEP IT SIMPLE: I don’t know if you are like me, but I’m really good at over complicating things. When you are planning out your menu, do your best to keep it simple! Think of meals that only require one pot or just the grill to avoid extra dishes to wash after the meal. I don’t use single use paper, plastic or metal items very often, but camping might be the time to do that to save on time. You’ll also be saving on water if you don’t have to wash them!
MAKE SMART SPLURGES:
As a mom, I’m always trying to make the best choices when I feed my family. I take the responsibility of feeding and nourishing my family well very seriously. It’s a constant balancing act that I do between choosing organic, nutrient dense whole foods and using convenience items that I know my kids might love. When it comes to camping, I try to choose the things that I KNOW they will eat. We like to do some “splurge” items while camping, just try to keep it the best quality you can afford. If you have some fun family camping trips on the schedule this summer, I hope these tips will make meal planning & meal time easier, allowing for the MOST time and energy to be on connecting, adventuring and making fun memories with your family and friends!
Happy & Healthy Adventuring! @kara_thewholemomma
advertise with us!
contact@northidahowellness.com
reach your target demographic | no contract advertising readership of 15,000 + online viewing and blog
