Food Allergies

Food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein as if it were a pathogen. Ingestion of the offending food may trigger the sudden release of chemicals, including histamine, resulting in symptoms of an allergic reaction. Scientists estimate that approximately 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies.
Food allergies can be diagnosed using a skin prick test or a blood test. A skin prick test is usually less expensive and can be done in the doctor’s office. A Positive skin prick tests or immunoassay test results will show that IgE antibody is present in the body, but cannot alone predict that a reaction will occur if the patient were to eat a suspected allergy-causing food. The results of the tests are combined with other information, such as a history of symptoms and the result of a food challenge to determine whether a food allergy exists.

Strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to avoid a reaction. Reading ingredient labels for all foods is the key to avoiding a reaction. If a product doesn’t have a label, individuals with a food allergy should not eat that food. If you have any doubt whether a food is safe, call the manufacturer for more information. There is no cure for food allergies. Studies are inconclusive about whether food allergies can be prevented.
Symptoms may include one or more of the following: a tingling sensation in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and the throat, difficulty breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and even death. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after the person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic.
Studies are inconclusive about whether food allergies can be prevented. Parents should become familiar with the early signs of allergic disease such as eczema, hives, repeated diarrhea and/or vomiting in reaction to formulas, wheezing, and talk to a doctor about those symptoms.
At this time, no medication can be taken to prevent food allergies. Strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to prevent a reaction. Epinephrine, also called adrenaline, is the medication of choice for controlling a severe reaction. It is available by prescription as a self-injectable device (EpiPen® or Twinject®).

Nutrition Tips for Healthier Teeth and Gums.

The types of foods you eat can affect your smile as much as brushing or flossing. Every time you eat sugary or starchy foods, the bacteria in plaque get another chance to form decay-causing acid. But choosing foods that naturally fight bacteria, remove plaque, strengthen enamel, and freshen breath is a good way to preserve your teeth.
1. Celery
Celery protects your teeth in two ways. The extra chewing it requires produces plenty of saliva, which neutralizes the bacteria Streptococcus Mutans that causes cavities. Additionally, chomping on naturally abrasive foods massages gums and cleans between teeth.
2. Cheese
Studies from the last decade show that cheese, with its low carbohydrate and high calcium and phosphate content, provides several benefits for your teeth. It helps balance your mouth's pH (an acidic pH encourages the growth of cavity-causing bacteria). Cheese also preserves and rebuilds tooth enamel and produces saliva, which kills the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.
3. Green Tea
Green tea contains substances called Catechins that kill the bacteria in your mouth that turn sugar into plaque. Catechins also wipe out the bacteria that cause bad breath.
4. Kiwis
For their size, kiwis pack more vitamin C than any other fruit. In fact, one large kiwi supplies more than 100 percent of your recommended daily amount. If you don't get enough vitamin C, research shows that the collagen network in your gums can break down, making your gums tender and more susceptible to the bacteria that cause periodontal disease.
5. Onions
Onions contain powerful antibacterial sulfur compounds. In a 1997 test tube study, onions killed various types of bacteria, including S. Mutans. Research indicates that they are most powerful when eaten freshly peeled and raw. Of course, raw onions can do a number on your breath, so be sure to have some fresh parsley on hand.
6. Parsley
Chewing parsley or mint leaves after a pungent meal will help you maintain sweet-smelling breath. These herbs contain Monoterpenes, volatile substances that travel quickly from your bloodstream to your lungs, where their odor is released via your breath.
7. Sesame Seeds
According to fossils, our Paleolithic ancestors had great teeth. Anthropologists suggest that this is partly due to the cleansing action of primitive foods like seeds, which slough off plaque and help build tooth enamel. Sesame seeds, for example, are also high in calcium, which helps preserve the bone around your teeth and gums.
8. Shiitake Mushrooms
A 2000 study in Caries Research showed that lentinan, a sugar found in shiitake mushrooms, prevents mouth bacteria from creating plaque.
9. Wasabi
Otherwise known as Japanese horse-radish, this condiment not only provides zing to sushi, it also protects your teeth. A 2000 study in Biofactors revealed that the substances that make wasabi taste hot, called Isothiocyanates, also inhibit the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.
10. water
Drinking water keeps your gums hydrated and is the best way to stimulate saliva--your body's greatest defense against the bacteria that cause plaque and cavities. Rinsing your mouth with water also helps wash away trapped food particles that decompose in the mouth and cause bad breath.

Bad Oral Habits

While it is obvious that our teeth's main purpose is the initial processing of foods before swallowing, it is sometimes not so clear what other functions should be expected! As capable as our teeth are in biting and chewing food, there exists many limitations outside of this realm. 
In all my years of  clinical experience, I've come across lots of pathologies that are self-inflicted through misuse of teeth. As a general rule, I always tell my patients that when in doubt don't do it. It is easy to forget sometimes that our teeth can be quite fragile under certain circumstances and misuse could cause chips and fractures, resulting in unnecessary dental work. Here is a short list of some common things to avoid; Chewing ice, chewing non-food objects such as finger nails and pens, chewing some hard nuts either with or without shells, cutting strings and aggressive use of toothpicks, just to name a few.
We also recommend night guards to those who have a tendency to clench and/or grind their teeth. They are a small investment to make that can go a long way in preventing reversible or irreversible damage.
Lastly, please remember that it is not that we do not want to see you in the dental office. We just do not want to have to treat you in preventable situations! Please try to avoid using your teeth as a multi-purpose tool, unless of course it is for processing food!

Good Nutrition

Good nutrition and healthy eating habits are essential to maintaining optimal oral and overall health. The food and beverage choices you make have a direct effect on the health of your entire body. Each time a sugary snack or beverage is consumed, the sugar, along with the bacteria in your mouth, bathe your teeth in harmful acids that attack your teeth for at least twenty minutes. Each bite or sip brings on another acid attack. After repeat attacks, teeth are susceptible to tooth decay.
While it’s important to eat a variety of nutritious foods from the five major food groups grains, dairy, fruits, vegetables and meat/poultry/fish, it’s not necessary to throw out everything in your pantry that contains sugar. Almost all foods, including milk and vegetables, contain some form of sugar, and many offer key nutrients that are part of a well-balanced diet. Instead of cutting out sugar from your diet altogether, one should read the labels on foods and beverages and set a goal to reduce those that contain added sugars, such as soft drinks, candy and cookies. Soda, whether regular soda containing sugar or diet sugar-free soda, is high in acid content and contributes to the erosion of enamel. The enamel layer which covers the outer surface of teeth is the hardest substance in the body and normally protects the inside of the tooth by acting as a barricade.
Also we should be limiting snacking between meals. Foods eaten as part of a meal cause less harm to your teeth because more saliva is released during mealtime. Saliva naturally protects our teeth and helps to wash food particles from your mouth, lessening the acid build up that leads to tooth decay.
When you need a snack, make nutritious choices, such as fruit, raw vegetables, cheese, plain yogurt or other snacks that are low in sugar. Instead of soda, choose healthy beverages, such as water or milk.
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily to help remove plaque, the sticky film of bacteria, which gets stuck between your teeth and gums.
Schedule regular checkups with your dentist at least every six months to help prevent problems from occurring and detect possible problems in their early stages.

Diabetes and Oral Health

Everyone is at risk of developing periodontal disease, but all people with diabetes, regardless of age or type of diabetes, are more susceptible. There are several reasons for this.
For one, people with diabetes can have more sugar in the mouth which provides a more hospitable environment for hostile bacteria. This makes all forms of periodontal disease and tooth decay more likely.
High and fluctuating blood sugar levels are also a factor in the increased risk of periodontitis and more vulnerability to complications. Patients with diabetes may also experience dry mouth as a result of reduced saliva. Neuropathy and certain medications may be the cause of reduced salivary flow which is a natural protectant against oral disease. Healing is also more difficult once an infection sets in. Just like diabetics with poor control have a hard time healing wounds and infections on their feet, their bodies have a hard time fighting infections and healing wounds in the mouth.
If and once an infection takes root a vicious cycle ensues making metabolic and infection control a struggle. This cycle can have drastic consequences. If oral infections get out of control they can lead to problems serious enough to land a person with diabetes in the hospital, to say nothing of the damage to the teeth and gums. Infections can also impact Insulin needs. Authors of a study cited in September's 1997's Practical Diabetology concluded that when an infection is rampant, patients with diabetes often have increased insulin requirements. If periodontal disease is treated and gingival inflammation is eliminated, these insulin needs often decrease. Collagen, which is a building block of the tissue that attaches teeth to bones and the surrounding soft tissue, is also affected by diabetes which make an infection potentially more destructive. 
In conclusion diabetics have an increased risk of dental problems and for this reason not only should they keep their diabetes under control with a healthy diet and meds if needed, they also need to be especially vigilant with their hygiene and visit the dentist on a regular basis.

Veneers

If you are looking to improve your smile, custom-fitted veneers can provide the answer. Veneers are thin, custom-made moldings that cover the fronts of unsightly teeth. They are crafted from tooth-colored, high-tech materials to portray a natural, bright smile. Veneers provide a safe and less invasive alternative to traditional crowns and unlike most bonding materials, they will not change color or wear over time. Veneers cover unattractive gaps, and can mask stained, misshaped or crooked teeth and are intended to last for many years.
 
Initially the tooth is minimally reshaped to allow for the added thickness and proper contour of the veneer. An impression is made of the reshaped tooth and sent to a dental laboratory where the veneer is custom-made to fit your mouth. The veneer is applied with adhesive material which bonds it to the original tooth structure and essentially becomes one with the tooth. Since veneers are individually sculpted for each patient, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. They resist stains and wear because they are made of high-tech, extremely strong and polishable materials.

Veneers generally cannot be damaged by abrasion from your toothbrush or floss. Good oral hygiene will ensure your veneers stay strong and provide you with a long-lasting, attractive smile.

Dental Care During the Holiday Season.

The holidays can be rough on daily dental and oral care habits. Frequent parties and snacking can constantly expose teeth to sugar and cavity-causing bacterial acids. Travels and overnight stays can disrupt daily brushing and flossing regimens. However, just because the holidays are here does not mean that one should give up on proper oral hygiene. With some preparedness, the festivities of the holidays can still be enjoyed without neglecting one's gums and teeth. Here are some important tips for a realistic dental care plan during the holiday season:

1. Don't leave home without it. Whenever traveling to a friend or family's home, don't forget to pack a spare toothbrush, toothpaste, and some floss. Make sure to pack enough dental supplies should the meal extend into an overnight stay or even longer.
2. Don't delay brushing/flossing. When festivities carry on for many hours and include multiple courses, it is easy to put off or neglect one's dental care. However, once the main course is finished and dessert has been served, it is a good time to excuse oneself to brush and floss. Even if the evening continues with drinks, the excessive sugars and acids that can damage teeth have been mostly cleared out of the mouth.
3. Don't over-indulge in sweet cocktails and food. Not only can excessive sugars cause weight gain and other unhealthy affects, but they can also result in tooth decay. try to make healthier choices and remember moderation is the key!
4. Don't forget about emergency dental contacts. Many dental offices close over the holidays. Be sure to ask your dentist when he is planning on taking a vacation and obtain some emergency dental contact phone numbers. One can never predict just when an emergency may occur.
5. If you know that you need some treatment, don't put off dental work until after the holidays.  Doing so will probably make current dental issues worse. Likewise, it may lead to unnecessary toothaches during the time when one is supposed to be relaxing and having fun. Even if there are only a few days left until the big winter break, it is wise to take care of business first, so that there are no painful episodes later.

By following my advise, you will not be neglecting vital oral care during the holiday season. After all, smiling for photos, and tasting different holiday foods, would be difficult without healthy teeth and gums! 

Happy Holidays!