Napa Register: 'Grazing' during holidays may cost you teeth

I was fortunate enough to help provide information on cavities to Napa Register reporter Isabelle Dills who wrote this wonderful, informative article on how "grazing" can be harmful to teeth. To be directed to the site, please click here. Otherwise, the article is copied below...
Here's to the holidays,
Dr. Lynda Tran





'Grazing' during holidays may cost you teeth
Isabelle Dills

With the holiday season and its many sweet temptations well under way, Napa dentists are urging caution. They warn that frequent snacking is harmful to teeth, and sugary treats can be the most damaging.
The frequent consumption of sugar, dentists say, is often more harmful than the sugar itself.

“I tell the kids that I’m not an anti-sugar dentist,” said Nancy Azizi of Vineyard Dental in Napa. “Just eat it all at once. And then immediately brush and floss afterward.”

What makes sugar harmful to teeth is that bacteria in the mouth quickly convert it into acid. This acid is what causes cavities to form.

Giving bacteria in the mouth a constant food source increases the risk of developing cavities, which is why dentists warn against “grazing” throughout the day.

“Unfortunately, it’s often our guilty pleasures that are the worst offenders,” said Napa dentist Lynda Tran-Clark, of Redwood Dental.

“Liquid” sweets, like soda and juice, and “sticky” sweets, such as peanut brittle and fruit snacks, linger on the teeth and bathe them in sugar. People who eat these treats on a regular basis and have poor dental hygiene have an increased risk of developing cavities. That’s why dentists say it’s OK to indulge on desserts, as long as it’s done quickly and infrequently.

“Eating an entire candy bar is less ‘risky’ than eating small bits of the same candy bar over a period of time,” Tran-Clark said.

Cavity risk isn’t based solely on snacking habits and sugar consumption. Other risk factors include having plaque, exposed root surfaces, low saliva flow, and having deep pits and grooves where food can get trapped.

According to dentists, one of the most common misconceptions about cavities is that they don’t require treatment until they cause pain.

“Usually, when the tooth is starting to hurt, it means that the cavity has progressed close to the nerve, which means increased risk of infection and tooth loss,” Tran-Clark said.

When cavities go untreated for too long, the tooth will often require a root canal and crown instead of a small filling. Some cavities, when caught early enough, can be treated with fluoride, which eliminates the need for a filling, Tran-Clark said.

“Fluoride helps strengthen the enamel, which prevents the cavity from progressing further,” she said. “So don’t wait until your teeth hurt to visit the dentist.”

Once a cavity forms, a tooth is permanently damaged, and fillings have to be updated, on average, every 10 years, Azizi said.

While cavities have no age limitations, they do occur more frequently in children.

The enamel on baby teeth is thinner than on adult teeth, and it’s more difficult for children to establish good hygiene habits, like proper brushing and flossing, said Napa dentist Angie Ring, of Napa Pediatric Dentistry.

To get through the holiday season without increasing cavity risk, dentists advise: Keep snacking to a minimum and opt for healthier foods.

“Be mindful of what you’re eating during the holidays,” Ring said. “Try not to graze as much, and maybe add in snacks that are better for your teeth, like cheese or nuts.”