Chocolate & Candy Festival… AKA Easter Time

If you have been to our office around Halloween or the Holiday season, you will know that I am a nut for dressing up and being festive. While recently searching the aisles at our local department store for the perfect pair of bunny ears, I couldn’t help looking at the shelves through a dentist’s eyes. I left with the bunny ears and found myself thinking, “When did Easter become associated with a bunny and mass amounts of chocolate eggs, jelly beans and Peeps®”?

I decided to do a little bit of research on this. Did you know that candy at Easter has become a relatively recent addition? In Europe, the bunny was a symbol for new life and marked the beginning of spring. Traditionally, in European Folklore, the Easter bunny would bring a basket of toys or real decorated eggs to good children the night before Easter Sunday. In the early 1800’s, German settlers
brought the tradition to America. Sometimes the eggs would be hidden and children would have to take their baskets and hunt for them. Following the hunt, the eggs would be eaten.

So when did chocolate and candy get brought into this? As it turns out, children liked chocolate more than hard boiled eggs… who knew? In Europe around the early 1800’s, chocolate eggs, the most popular Easter Candy, were first made and the rest is history. But how much candy is actually consumed on this holiday?

The National Confectioners Association reported that Easter is the second highest occasion for consuming candy. Of course Halloween being the first, followed by Christmas and then Valentine’s Day. In 2011 alone, Americans consumed 7 billion pounds of candy during the Easter Holiday.

Some fun facts

• Each Easter season, Americans buy more than 700 million Marshmallow Peeps, as well as Marshmallow Bunnies and Marshmallow Eggs, making them the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy.
• As many as 4.2 million Marshmallow Peeps, bunnies, and other shapes can be made each day.
• In 1953, it took 27 hours to create a Marshmallow Peep. Today it takes six minutes.
• Americans consume 16 billion jellybeans at Easter. If all the Easter jellybeans were lined end to end, they would circle the globe nearly three times
• 70% of kids aged 6–11 say they prefer to eat Easter jellybeans one at a time.

What Can I Do to Prevent Cavities for my Kids?

Obviously it’s not realistic to completely cut out candy during Easter so here are a few tips to help reduce the chance of your kids (or even you) getting cavities.

1. If you can, choose your candy wisely. Stick to candy that dissolves relatively quickly. You want to limit the amount of time sugar is in the mouth and in contact with the teeth.
2. Try and have them only consume candy during the Easter weekend, then throw the rest of it away. Again, try to limit the amount of time sugar is in contact with the teeth.
3. If they can’t brush their teeth, try getting them to at least rinse their mouth out with water to dilute the sugar.

So as a Dentist, I am faced with an ethical dilemma. Refined sugar is my professional enemy, but my best friend as a family member wanting to be the coolest when handing out Easter gifts to my little cousins. Maybe this year I will pack Easter baskets with more toys, crafts, a little bit of candy… and a tooth brush to ease the guilt.

Dr. Nicole Maciel, Winston Churchill Dental

What is the Number One Cause of Adult Tooth Loss?

Many people would be tempted to answer “cavities.” In fact, the top cause of tooth loss in adults is periodontal disease, or gum disease. And surprisingly, you may not notice any signs until gum disease is quite severe and tooth loss becomes a real possibility.

How does gum disease happen?

Teeth are held in our jaws with bone surrounding the tooth roots. Bone covers almost the entire height of roots, and firm pink gingiva, or gums, covers the bone. When bacteria-containing plaque builds up along and under the gum line surrounding teeth, it hardens into calculus, or tartar, if it is not frequently removed by brushing and flossing. The layer of tartar then serves as a rough surface to which more bacteria can stick. These bacteria are the culprit of gum disease, because they cause our gums to become red and swollen. As the disease progresses, the bone anchoring the teeth is reduced in height, which means loss of support for the teeth. The gums then cannot stay firmly around the teeth, resulting in pockets, which are deep spaces between the teeth and the gums. Eventually, teeth may become loose, develop gum abscesses, or fall out.

Who is at risk for gum disease?

Up to 4 out of 5 people are affected by gum disease at some point during their lives. Since bacteria are the ultimate cause of the disease, areas in our mouths that have plaque and tartar build-up are susceptible. Other risk factors include diabetes, smoking and genetic predisposition.

How do I know if I have gum disease?

Gums that bleed easily, such as during flossing and brushing, are showing a common sign of gum disease. Often, however, there are no noticeable signs. At your dental check-up or routine cleaning appointment, your dentist or hygienist may measure the depth of the spaces between each tooth and the gums. This allows to identify deep pockets and thus help diagnose gum disease. X-ray images can also show the height of the bone surround the tooth roots, indicating any bone loss that resulted from gum disease.

Other than tooth loss, what happens if gum disease is left untreated?

As gum disease destroys the support structure of affected teeth, it can cause pain and discomfort and in some cases loose teeth and gum abscesses. Further, research studies have found evidence linking gum disease to other serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes and problems during pregnancy.

What can I do to fight gum disease?

At home, daily brushing and flossing prevents the build-up of plaque and tartar. Regular professional dental cleanings removes the tartar both above and below the gum line to reduce the amount of bacteria on our teeth. Scheduling regular check-ups allows your dentist to identify oral diseases early and to recommend the appropriate treatment, including how often to have dental cleanings and whether antibiotic treatment is suitable. If gum disease has progressed too far, your dentist may refer you to a gum specialist, to have further evaluation and treatment such as gum surgery.

Dr. Yolanda Li, Winston Churchill Dental

References
www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/complications/diseases/gum_diseases.asp
www.ada.org/3063.aspx
www.perio.org/consumer/f1.html

Soft Drinks and Your Teeth:
Don’t Only Blame the Sugar

Never thought you’d hear that from a Dentist did you? As it turns out, when it comes to soft drinks and your pearly whites, the sugar content shouldn’t be your only concern. If, like many others, you think drinking the Diet version is harmless to your teeth, read on!

The Journal of General Dentistry conducted a study involving 20 different brands of soft drinks. The goal was to determine the influence of sodas on our teeth and the loss of enamel.

The enamel is the outermost protective layer of our teeth. It is constantly exposed to the ever changing conditions within our mouths. When these conditions become overwhelming and the tooth is unable to strengthen the enamel, a cavity is formed.

Although many factors contribute to the loss of enamel and the formation of cavities, this study focused on the direct effects of soft drink consumption.

Four categories were included in the study: Cola (Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper etc.), Non-Colas (Sprite, Mountain Dew, 7-Up etc.), Iced Teas (Nestea, Brisk) and Root Beer. Both regular and diet versions of each were tested.

The results were interesting:

• Regular versions caused more enamel loss than diet (sugar free) soft drinks
• Non-Cola beverages caused more enamel loss than cola beverages
• Iced Tea caused roughly the same amount of enamel loss as some of the diet colas
• Root Beer, surprisingly caused the least amount of enamel loss than all other soft drinks tested
• For all involved, the longer the drink was in contact with the tooth, the more enamel loss was reported

What Does This Mean?

Although the sugar free versions of soft drinks caused less enamel loss it doesn’t mean they are a safer option. Soft drinks are very acidic, containing both phosphoric and citric acids. These are the same components responsible for enamel loss seen with diet sodas. Adding sugar into this mix causes greater risk for enamel loss and the increase your chances of developing a cavity.

If you think sticking to light coloured or diet sodas or iced tea is a better option, think again! The acid content is higher in these drinks than in Cola drinks. The acid is also found in iced tea so that’s not a great alternative either.

Finally, it makes sense that the more you drink and the more you expose the enamel to soft drinks, the greater risk of enamel loss and cavities.

Bottom Line

I don’t believe in completely cutting out things you enjoy, but to enjoy them in moderation as long as you understand the risks. A well balanced diet with healthy alternatives such as good old water or milk is the best way to go. If you find yourself enjoying these soft drinks on a regular basis, it is especially important to see your dentist regularly to monitor your oral health.

Dr. Nicole Maciel, Winston Churchill Dental

References
Adapted from the Journal of General Dentistry. Commercial soft drinks: pH and in vitro dissolution of enamel. March/April 2007, Vol. 55, No 2, 151-154.