5 Ways Pumpkin Spice Lattes Affect Your Teeth

With the shift of seasons from summer to fall, we experience many long, anticipated changes such as crisp, chilly weather, shorter daylight time, colorful foliage and last but not least, pumpkin spice everything! When you head out to your local coffee shop and you step in to the aroma of fresh brewed coffee and pumpkin spice, you simply cannot resist. Just remember to brush and rinse after drinking your favorite autumn drink, your teeth will thank you.

Our top 5 ways pumpkin spice lattes affect your teeth:

1. The Jitters – Coffee contains high levels of caffeine. A large volume of caffeine in your diet can lead to teeth clenching and tightening of the jaw. This can result in dental problems such as tooth sensitivity, cracked teeth and jaw pain.

2. The Sugar Shocker – Pumpkin spice lattes typically have more than 12 teaspoons of sugar. That’s more than double the recommended daily limit per person. Oh my! All that sugar sticks to your teeth and if it’s not brushed away, it can quickly be the culprit to cavities.

3. Coffee Breath – As coffee sticks to your tongue, bacteria grows and causes bad breath (Halitosis) and various other dental problems. Adding a tongue scraper to your normal dental care routine helps cut down on the build-up and keeps bad breath at bay.

4. The Dark Side –  Your enamel is porous and coffee can enter the tiny gaps and cause tooth discoloration. This is where teeth whitening treatments come in. Even a rigorous home oral hygiene routine may not be enough to combat the staining effects caused by drinking coffee.

5. The Breakdown – The acid in coffee can wear away the enamel on your teeth. This process weakens the enamel and leaves your teeth more prone to decay.

At Trinity Premier Dental, we want everyone to be able to still enjoy their morning lattes in moderation. We provide our patients and community with health and nutritional information to keep your smiles beautiful and healthy. Remember to brush as soon as possible following a sugary drink, maintain a vigilant hygiene routine at home, and stay on top of your regular cleanings and checkups.

For those seeking a healthier option, here is one of our favorite recipes we have found to be much easier on your smile: The Ultimate Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte

Give us a call at (727) 835-7076 to schedule your next dental checkup or to discuss teeth whitening to combat staining and bring back your bright, beautiful smile. We look forward to hearing from you!

Can You Reverse Tooth Decay?

Cavities begin to form in the outermost layer of the tooth, the enamel. They progress at different rates in different people depending on many factors such as diet, enamel composition, tooth structure, and saliva. Decay can develop rapidly and spread to the layer beneath the enamel called the dentin. Once a cavity reaches the dentin it progresses much more rapidly. If it goes to the nerves and blood vessels, it can lead to an infection (abscess). Cavities may also take on a more slow progression and remain painless for years without spreading further than the enamel.

Demineralization is the initial stage of cavity formation. Acid byproducts from bacteria begin softening the enamel by removing calcium and other minerals. It is at this stage of development that you can prevent weakening the enamel further and reverse tooth decay before it becomes nonreversible. Demineralization can only be reversed if there is sufficient time to allow remineralization to occur. Remineralization counteracts the acids that strip away calcium and strengthen the enamel back to a healthy state. Though a cavity cannot be completely cured, you can prevent it from progressing as long as it is only in the enamel.

Things you can do to aid in the remineralization process and reverse tooth decay:

• Healthy Diet – Maintain a well-balanced diet, including foods low in acidity and sugars.
• Personal Oral Care – Keep a rigorous home dental hygiene routine to remove the plaque that harbors bacteria from the teeth.
• Fluoride – Fluoridated toothpaste and professional treatments help re-harden the enamel and offer sensitivity protection.

The only way to know what stage a cavity is in during its development is through a dental examination with x-rays. Trinity Premier Dental will do a complete and thorough exam to diagnose any presence of decay, its progression, and determine the best form of treatment.

If you think you may have a cavity, call us immediately. Don’t wait around and let what could be a simple filling turn into something more serious and invasive. Our friendly staff is ready to help! (727) 835-7076

Can You Reverse Tooth Decay? Resources:

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth Decay – Topic Overview

Fight Receding Gums

Gum recession is a very common dental condition, especially as we age. Receding gums happen when the soft tissue surrounding the teeth begin to slip away from their normal position. As your gum line moves further down, you may experience tooth sensitivity. This is due to part of the root of the tooth being exposed. The root of the tooth houses the nerves and with this area of the tooth being more unprotected, you may become more susceptible to pain and infection.

Some common causes and how to fight receding gums include:

Brushing Too Hard

Being too aggressive with the toothbrush not only can cause tooth abrasion, but can also lead to your gums pulling away from your teeth. Ease up on the force applied while brushing and make sure you are using a soft-bristled tooth brush. Some people may find it helpful to use an electric toothbrush to provide a more smooth and steady motion.

Infrequent Brushing & Flossing

On the opposite end of the spectrum, not following a proper home care routine can cause receding gums as well. Not brushing and flossing your teeth often enough can cause bacteria to build up between your teeth. This can lead to inflammation of the gums and problems with the underlying bone structures surrounding your teeth. Be sure to discipline yourself to brushing and flossing each morning and night to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Gum Disease

Receding gums can often be a sign of a more serious condition, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease. Make sure to keep up with your dental checkups every six months to evaluate the health of your gums. Early detection is important to keep any problems from becoming more serious, expensive and painful.

If you are showing signs of receding gums or other dental issues, give us a call at (813) 475 – 4528. Make sure you are up-to-date on your dental checkup and make your next appointment with Trinity Premier Dental if it’s been 6 months since your last visit. Your gums will thank you!

Further Reading: Receding Gums

How Tea Affects Your Teeth

June is National Iced Tea Month! Nothing quenches your thirst quite like a tall glass of iced tea on a hot summer’s day. This is the time to celebrate this refreshing drink of choice for so many. Without taking away from the pleasure of this beloved summertime favorite, we would like to take this opportunity share exactly how drinking iced tea affects your teeth.
The Good – Drinking unsweetened tea is a good source of fluoride. Tea contains antioxidants, which may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. Studies also show that black tea can actually inhibit growth of bacteria in your mouth and possibly ward off a precancerous oral condition called leukoplakia.

The Bad – Tea contains tannic acid, which stains the enamel on your teeth. The tannic acid can settle in the grooves of your teeth, which can cause discoloration over time. This is purely cosmetic and does not cause any oral health issues.
 

Ways to combat how iced tea affects your teeth negatively:

• Drink unsweetened, brewed tea and try to stay away from bottled and canned tea that is loaded with sugar.
• Drink lots of water, which can help you maintain a healthy supply of saliva, which protects teeth by neutralizing acid.
• Using a straw when drinking tea can minimize the coating of tannin and sugars on the teeth.
• Maintain proper brushing and flossing at home.
• Get regular, professional cleanings.
• Your dentist may also remove the staining through bleaching procedures.

It’s important to take the necessary steps to keep your teeth in optimum shape so you can enjoy sweeter things in life without compromising your smile. Stay vigilant with your home dental routine and make sure to keep your dental checkups current. Give us a call at (813) 475 – 4528. Our friendly staff at Trinity Premier Dental is ready to assist you.

For further reading on How Tea Affects Your Teeth in a positive way, go to PacificCollege.edu.

May is Melanoma Awareness month! Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of melanocytes. The incidence of melanoma of the skin has increased over the years. It is important to be informed of the causes and symptoms for early detection and treatment. Though melanoma of the oral mucosa is rare, everyone should be knowledgeable and be able to detect unusual lesions and other symptoms of this potentially fatal disease.

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Symptoms of Melanoma Oral Cancer Include:

• A Colored Patch (Red, White, Blue, Black)
• An Ulcer or Canker Sore
• A Thickened or Swollen Patch
• Numbness and/or Pain
• Difficulty Swallowing or Moving the Tongue
• Sudden Tooth Loosening

If oral lesions with these characteristics present in the clinical differential diagnosis, a biopsy would be needed.  If the lesion is flat and not thickened, a biopsy may still be indicated if it has atypical color, borders, or size. Treatment for oral cancer is complete surgical excision with the most important prognostic factors being the thickness and depth of the lesion.

Factors that increase the risk of developing melanoma oral cancer include:

• UV Sunlight Exposure
• Fair Skin
• Light Hair
• Male Gender
• Moles
• Older Age
• Family History
• Poor Diets
• HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
• Smoking
• Heavy Alcohol Consumption

But having a risk factor, or even many risk factors, does not mean that you will get the disease. And some people who get the disease may have few or no known risk factors.

Read more about risk factors on Cancer.org

If you have any noticeable changes in your gum tissues or lips that have been present for more than 2 weeks, visit your dentist immediately. Early detection is crucial and can have a great impact on the extent of treatment and outcome. Contact Trinity Premier Dental for your next dental exam and cleaning at (727) 835-7076. Our friendly staff is ready to help!