a strange thread...

Apparently a lot of the sugary carbonated drinks are really deadly to teeth... stop drinking them. Don't open beer-bottles with your teeth either ;) You'll probably have to brush more and cut down on the amount of sugar you consume. Other than that, I don't know - not being a dentist... at least, not a real one [sad]

*** evolutional puts away his Black & Decker

For now, go with calcium, and don't drink soda. The carbonic acid (that's what makes the little bubbles) and sugar probably aren't too good.

For some reason, my teeth have always been really good (except for my left front tooth, but that's only because I shattered it on the floor ;)) even though dentists always tell me I'm taking bad care of them because my gums bleed/get sore when they attack me with that satanic "brush." I brush them just fine though, I'm convinced that my gums are just overly sensitive, since I've never had a cavity. I'll shut up about my teeth now, I just wanted to get that rant about dentists that have slowly driven me insane over the years out of the way.

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Original post by cowsarenotevil For some reason, my teeth have always been really good (except for my left front tooth, but that's only because I shattered it on the floor ;)) even though dentists always tell me I'm taking bad care of them because my gums bleed/get sore when they attack me with that satanic "brush." I brush them just fine though, I'm convinced that my gums are just overly sensitive, since I've never had a cavity. I'll shut up about my teeth now, I just wanted to get that rant about dentists that have slowly driven me insane over the years out of the way.

Weird.. I'm exactly like that too.. My teeth are always just fine, but the gums bleed a bit.. and my left front tooth was chipped because of a little ... uh ... bicycle accident.

I've got no constructive advice at this time however. I should probably stop drinking so much pop too [grin]

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Original post by evolutional Apparently a lot of the sugary carbonated drinks are really deadly to teeth.

This is true. I switched from mountain dew to root beer because it was doing bad things for the enamel.

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Original post by cowsarenotevil For now, go with calcium, and don't drink soda. The carbonic acid (that's what makes the little bubbles) and sugar probably aren't too good. For some reason, my teeth have always been really good (except for my left front tooth, but that's only because I shattered it on the floor ;)) even though dentists always tell me I'm taking bad care of them because my gums bleed/get sore when they attack me with that satanic "brush." I brush them just fine though, I'm convinced that my gums are just overly sensitive, since I've never had a cavity. I'll shut up about my teeth now, I just wanted to get that rant about dentists that have slowly driven me insane over the years out of the way.

My dentist tells me that too, he says if I brush a little harder there won't be as much bleeding when they pick at them.

Calcium pills won't necessarily help greatly with teeth especially if you're already got problems. Calcium mouthwash is availiable but I don't know how well it works either.

If you've done advanced chemistry, you may have discussed enamel and acids. Enamel is somewhat different than bone. Enamel is a complicated calcium-containing molecule with a hydroxide group attached. Its equilibrium constant in saliva is such that it is slowly dissolving and reforming on the surface of the tooth. If we introduce an acid, the acid will react with the basic hydroxide group in the dissolved chemical and form an ionic compound which will not redeposit on the tooth, but rather "float" away.

If we introduce flouride compounds, the flouride will replace the hydroxide group and redeposit. This helps, because the flouridated enamel will both not dissolve as much and is marginally less reactive to weaker acids.

That said, rinsing with flouridated mouthwash(the non-alcoholic is now non-prescription and much less harsh on the mouth) as per the directions on the bottle may help. But note I am not a dentist and that is who you really need to see. I've heard in other countries they're cheaper, if you live near the border.

Thanks a lot guys. I would have to say my problem is soda. On an average day, I drink a 44 oz fountain drink and a couple of cans. I may go down and pick up some floride based mouth wash tomarrow. Thanks for your replies!

yay universal healthcare!

my personal theory on dental health: just keeping your mouth clean after having eaten something is much more important than brushing your teeth. after youve eaten something containing sugar, make sure nothing is stuck between your teeth, or better yet, drink a glass of water. if the sugar sticks around for a while, bacteria will start turning it into acids, with the well know result on the integrety of your teeth.

how much good can brushing your teeth do if you look at it logicly? the effect only lasts at most till you eat something. its almost purely a cosmetical thing. although a bad breath is also much more effectively countered by just making an effort of not letting any food stay your mouth, and yellow teeth depend mostly on other factors aswell (coffee, cigarettes)

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Original post by Eelco yay universal healthcare! my personal theory on dental health: just keeping your mouth clean after having eaten something is much more important than brushing your teeth. after youve eaten something containing sugar, make sure nothing is stuck between your teeth, or better yet, drink a glass of water. if the sugar sticks around for a while, bacteria will start turning it into acids, with the well know result on the integrety of your teeth. how much good can brushing your teeth do if you look at it logicly? the effect only lasts at most till you eat something. its almost purely a cosmetical thing. although a bad breath is also much more effectively countered by just making an effort of not letting any food stay your mouth, and yellow teeth depend mostly on other factors aswell (coffee, cigarettes)

Yes, flossing after meals and rinsing with water will help. But brushing contributes in two other ways, to remove plaque and tiny food particles(which will not come off with just rinsing water, especially if it has been allowed to dry) and to apply flouride. Flouride in toothpaste is scientifically shown to help cavities, in children if no one else.

Chewing on some types of gum is supposed to help with plaque also in between brushing, but I don't trust that. I'll keep brushing.

Remeber there will always be bacteria, acids, and food on your teeth, no matter how much you brush or rinse with listerine. The trick is getting what you can't see down to an acceptable level.

And to the OP: what indications do you have for teeth trouble? Because minor pain while drinking or eating could be any number of things, better or worse than cavities. Like I said, only a dentist will be able to tell for sure. The most we can do is point you in some directions.

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Original post by Jinx3d1 Thanks a lot guys. I would have to say my problem is soda. On an average day, I drink a 44 oz fountain drink and a couple of cans. I may go down and pick up some floride based mouth wash tomarrow. Thanks for your replies!

ok that's just insane.

I'll add one more thing: try to go to the dentist ASAP. I know that's not what you asked about but delaying a dentist visit will usually just end up costing you a lot more.

Oh, and... yay what's left of out universal health-care. P|-|34r our used-to-be-socialist government.

shmoove

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Original post by Xtremehobo Quote: Original post by cowsarenotevil For some reason, my teeth have always been really good (except for my left front tooth, but that's only because I shattered it on the floor ;)) even though dentists always tell me I'm taking bad care of them because my gums bleed/get sore when they attack me with that satanic "brush." I brush them just fine though, I'm convinced that my gums are just overly sensitive, since I've never had a cavity. I'll shut up about my teeth now, I just wanted to get that rant about dentists that have slowly driven me insane over the years out of the way. Weird.. I'm exactly like that too.. My teeth are always just fine, but the gums bleed a bit.. and my left front tooth was chipped because of a little ... uh ... bicycle accident. I've got no constructive advice at this time however. I should probably stop drinking so much pop too [grin]

Hmm that's odd. My teeth have always been perfect too, and strangely my bottom right tooth is chipped thanks to a swift kick in the head in a Taekwondo fight when I was younger =/ .... maybe there's something good about chipped teeth!!

Steve

use mouthwash too

i don't floss all that much but i've used mouthwash forever and i haven't had a cavity yet and im almost 19

Looks like it's time for me to stop drinkin dew

Wow. I've never had a cavity, and I've never flossed. I brush my teeth once, maybe twice a day.

But I don't drink much but water, really. OJ for breakfast. Not that I don't eat sugary food, but still.

I rarely brush, I drink lots of Coke and eat lots of sugary snacks, and I haven't one cavity. The trick? Lots of calcium, and balance out the unhealthy stuff with stuff that is healthy (veggies and nuts). Keep in mind that there's quite a bit of sugary stuff in your average toothpaste, so you might want to go to baking soda or a sugar-free, unflavoured toothpaste. Your tongue might not like it, but if you're scrubbing your teeth with the very stuff that is damaging them, you gotta stop.

soda / pop also often contains additional acids (citric & phosphoric is common). So light sodas are still not good for your teeth.

I've never had problems with my teeth, even back when I was disgustingly unsanitary and went several months without brushing. But I soon found that if I eat anything sugary, I'd damn well better clean out my mouth thoroughly afterwards, or else the bacteria will do their thing and leave a disgusting taste in my mouth, along with bad breath. >___<

If you make sure to get rid of all excess sugar in your mouth and keep it minty fresh, it should help protect your teeth as well.

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Original post by denver Quote: Original post by Jinx3d1 Thanks a lot guys. I would have to say my problem is soda. On an average day, I drink a 44 oz fountain drink and a couple of cans. I may go down and pick up some floride based mouth wash tomarrow. Thanks for your replies! ok that's just insane.

Unfortunately, it's not at all uncommon in the US.

If it hasn't already been said, try listerine.