Do You


Like Your Smile? We create


beautiful smiles!! 27 years experience


Steven R. Adams D.D.S., P.A.


Restorative, Cosmetic, Implant & Preventitive Dentistry


26 Reynolds Mountain Boulevard Asheville, NC • 828.658.2100


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many sodas can be hazardous to your health. Numerous studies have linked soft drinks to obesity, diabetes and bone fractures. If you need one more reason to


cut back on your consumption of soft drinks, consider this: Recent re- search suggests that excessive intake can lead to a type of irreversible tooth damage known as dental erosion. Dental erosion is the breakdown


of the enamel and other hard tissues of the teeth, typically caused by the corrosive effect of acids. Te condi- tion is becoming increasingly com-


Come as you are.


If you are saying to yourself, “As soon as I lose weight, look good in tights or touch my toes, I am going to try yoga” –


Don’t hesitate! You are the very one we are hoping to serve.


&


Advice for a beter life! h


Too much acidity can lead to dental erosion It’s no secret that drinking too


mon in the United States, thanks to a growing preference for acidic foods and beverages. When consumed in excess, these


acid-containing products can eas- ily strip the enamel from teeth, leav- ing them thinner, more brittle and exquisitely sensitive to pain. As the dental enamel wears away, the under- lying tissue, called dentin, becomes exposed, making teeth far more vul- nerable to cavity-causing bacteria. Researchers at the University of


Texas Health Science Center re- cently reported that adolescents are especially vulnerable to the condi- tion. After conducting a study in- volving 900 middle-school students, they determined that nearly a third of youngsters between the ages of 10 to 14 suffered some degree of dental erosion. Acid-containing soft drinks are a


1 Florida Avenue, Weaverville – Across from the Well-bred Classes Every Day / Every Level See Schedule at www.WeavervilleYoga.Com or Call 348.4171


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common culprit. Although artificial- ly sweetened sodas may seem to be safe for teeth because they’re sugar- free, even “diet” drinks aren’t totally benign. Like sugar-sweetened sodas, carbonated diet drinks still contain phosphoric acid or citric acid, two ingredients that are well known for their ability to cause dental erosion. Researchers at Southern Illinois


University School of Dental Medi- cine recently compared the corrosive effects of 20 commercial brands of soft drinks. After immersing freshly extracted teeth in samples of the bev- erages, they measured the subsequent enamel loss. Te results of the study demon-


We’ve been taking care of Weaverville’s pharmacy needs for over 100 Years…


strated that non-cola beverages, in- cluding lemon-lime-flavored sodas and ginger ale, caused significantly greater enamel loss than colas and root beer. In similar studies com- paring popular beverages, research- ers have demonstrated the corrosive


Spa and Salon an Our practice makes perfect!


Call for an appointment


828-645-8525 Now participating with MedCost


www.weavervilletribune.com


201 Flat Creek Village Drive • Weaverville, NC I-26, Exit 17 (next to N.Windy Ridge Elementary School)


645-3087 • weavervilledrug.com 3 North Main St. Weaverville • M–F: 9 to 6:30, Sat: 9 to 4 828.645.2529 three south main street


weaverville nc 28787


3 N. Main St. Weaverville, NC 28787


potential of sports drinks, energy drinks, lemonade, fruit juices and iced tea. Liquids aren’t the only substances


capable of causing dental erosion – acidic foods can be just as hard on the teeth. Pickles, citrus fruits and yogurt are


acidic in nature, as are tart and tangy candies, chewing gums and breath mints. Enamel-eroding acids can be found


in some medications and nutritional supplements, including aspirin and vitamin C. Dental erosion can also be caused when stomach acids are introduced into the mouth by acid reflux or vomiting. Normally, saliva dilutes and neu-


tralizes acids and helps protects teeth from damage. But if acidic foods and beverages are consumed on a regular basis, the saliva is washed away, in- creasing the potential for dental ero- sion. Fortunately, there are a number of


steps you can take to protect and pre- serve your teeth. Te smartest strat- egy might be to significantly curtail your consumption of acidic sodas, sports beverages and energy drinks. If you feel that you must drink


these beverages on occasion, be sure to drink them chilled, as cooler tem- peratures are less likely to promote dental erosion. Using a straw posi- tioned at the back of your mouth is helpful, since it minimizes the amount of time that the acidic liquids


are in contact with the teeth. Acidic beverages are best con-


sumed quickly, rather than sipped and savored. Holding them in your mouth before swallowing bathes the teeth with acid, increasing the likeli- hood of damage. Although it might be tempting to


brush your teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods or beverages, it’s probably not a good idea. After exposure to acid, the dental enamel can become soft for a short period of time. To avoid causing even greater


damage to the weakened enamel, you should wait at least 20 minutes before brushing your teeth. While you’re waiting, it’s a good idea to swish wa- ter around in your mouth to wash away the acid, or chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva production. If you’re a hardcore soda drinker,


you may suspect that you’ve already got some degree of tooth damage, but it’s not always easy to tell. In its early stages, dental erosion is typically painless, and affected teeth may ap- pear smooth and shiny. A dentist can diagnose the condi-


tion and make recommendations for treatment. In the meantime, drink- ing more water and fewer soft drinks is a smart strategy for protecting your teeth and improving your overall health.


For more on dental health, go to Dr. Adams’ office in Woodfin.


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Massage can help with stress, TMJ, depression, chronic pain and injury, fibromyalgia, scoliosis and more!!!


828-808-9477


Linda Sommer, LMBT NC License #5483


Locations in Weaverville and Fletcher


Your Hometown Pharmacy for over 100 years 645-3087 May 13 - May 19, 2010 - THE TRIBUNE 3


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