Do You Love Sugary Drinks?

Statistics show that 50 percent of us have a sugary drink every day; that;s pretty scary considering that new studies suggest that drinking as little as one sugary drink per day can raise a man's risk for heart disease by 20 percent. Another study has shown very
similar studies for women, too. While studies are still underway, the American Heart Association recommends no more than the equivalent of three soda cans per week.

While we know that sugar is not good for our bodies, from a dental perspective, it causes irreversible damage to teeth and can lead to gum disease, which is linked to heart disease. Good oral health care, including brushing, flossing, and regular visits to a great dentist- is essential to a healthy body and gorgeous smile!

Any questions or concerns? Call or visit Rubino Dentistry! 

Tips for Brightening a Tween's Smile

It can be tough to be a tween. Kids between the ages of 10-13 are in the no man's land between two worlds: adolescence and teenage years. Negative peer pressure take on a whole new meaning for people in this age range; it can be rough.

As a dentist in Park Ridge and father myself, I know what it can be like for kids to begin realizing their appearance matters, which includes their smiles. Adults can even start to worry about their tweens and the pressures of smoking and oral piercings being in the future. There are other less-visible gestures of independence that can threaten the oral health of your tween.

Do any of  these ring a bell?

• Sports and energy drinks
• Ditching lunch in favor of sugar-packed snacks
• Forgetting to brush in the morning or during sleepovers
• Forgetting to wear performance mouthguards during sports
• Using implements other than floss to clean between teeth

Poor goal hygiene can lead to things other than cavities, such as gum disease. It places your tween's self-esteem at risk. 

What can you do about it?

1. Take a deep breath. 
2. Offer choices like a cool electric toothbrush and toothpaste your child will want to use.
3. Practice what you preach; also practice good oral hygiene. 
4. Keep soda and sugary snacks to a minimum at home. Have chilled water (fluoridated, preferably) at home as well as veggies, fruits, and whole grains. 

Are you looking for a good general dental office in Chicagoland? Then contact Rubino Dentistry about any one of our dental services. 

Effects of Soda on Your Teeth

Soda, or pop, can be a tasty beverage, especially when we pair it with a hot day or our favorite food. However, just because it tastes good does not mean that it is something we can indulge in anytime we want, the truth is that pop can be harmful for your teeth.

No matter what you call the beverage, the drink has the same effect on your pearly whites. Soft drinks have proven themselves to be a good source of tooth decay, which can impact people of any age, not just the elderly. The sugar and acid in the soft drinks can be a cause of softening tooth enamel, w
hich can lead to cavities and sensitive teeth. Drinking soft drinks, along with a poor oral hygiene habit, you can experience some poor oral health.

Statistics from 2013 say that nearly 80 percent of youth, children and teens, consume at least one soft drink a day (that can be cans, bottles, cups, etc). Some reports have mentioned that some teens drink as much as 12 pops a day.

What can you do to help resolve the consumption of so much pop?

• Swap the soft drinks for other beverages like water, 100% juice, milk, etc. Go for things that are more natural and have less sugar and acid. If you are a parent, then you can partake in this venture as well, encourage your kids to do it as well. If you are drinking more natural, teeth friendly beverages, then your teeth will look and feel a lot better. 
• Rinse your mouth with water. If you enjoy a soft drink now and then, that is fine. However, after you finish, try rinsing your mouth out with some water to rid your mouth of the sugars that try to attach to your teeth. Also, this will rinse out the acid that can have long exposures on your teeth. 
• Brush your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride and use an oral rinse. The fluoride in your toothpaste (and possibly even the rinse) will help strengthen the enamel and reduce chances of cavities. 
• Get fluoride applied to your teeth by your dentist. If you stop at your dentist's office, they can apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of gel, foam, or rinse. 

If you have any questions, then contact Rubino Dentistry - a Park Ridge dentist. As a dentist in Chicagoland, I see a lot of patients and we make sure each patient gets quality care and attention. We rarely make our patients wait for their appointment.