A cup of coffee in the morning provides people with an energy boost. But, more than that, recent studies suggest that caffeine may have a number of health benefits such as decreasing the risks of liver disease and cancer, protecting against Parkinson’s disease and helping prevent diabetes.

The Leading Cause of Teeth Stain

In spite of these health benefits, dental practitioners cannot seem to look at this beverage in a positive manner. Nobody can blame dentists for disliking coffee, as it is one of the evident causes of teeth stains. A majority of patients who go to the dentists for whitening mentions that they drink at least a cup daily.

Caffeinated drinks can leave stains behind the teeth, causing them to turn yellow or unsightly brown. But, aside from staining, dentists also cite coffee as an instigator of enamel damage and teeth clenching. Studies relate that large consumptions of coffee degrade the enamel, which helps keep the teeth strong and healthy. Likewise, it induces the inability to sleep well – a main cause of teeth gritting.

Teeth discolouration is more common among heavy coffee drinkers. As it is difficult to persuade patients to stop drinking coffee altogether, dentists recommend avoiding or lessening the amount of creamer and sugar because these only speed up the growth of the bacteria that cause stains.

Instigator of Anxiety Attacks

Another reason every dentist has no love for coffee is the fact that it causes anxiety attacks. Not for them, of course, but for their patients. Some dental treatments take more time, as the practitioners have to wait for patients to settle down. There are also cases wherein people back out from an appointment because they cannot overcome their fear of the dentist, the equipment and the ambiance of the office.

Dental phobias are common for people who have had a traumatic experience in the past. This is very much understandable on the part of the practitioners. But, some patients get anxiety attacks not because of recollecting distressing occurrences, but because they consume too much coffee.

Dental anxiety is one of the principal factors that make treatments more difficult to carry out for many practitioners. To address this problem, David Madruga offers treatment under conscious sedation for nervous patients. This solution substantially lessens the possibility of stimulating fear during procedures, preventing the development of dental phobia. Contact us today for an outline of the available options.

Dental bonding is an ideal solution for broken, chipped and stained teeth because it costs less, does not usually need to use anaesthesia and only needs a single visit that lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. Many patients in London have visited my practice for this treatment alone, so I guess it is time to talk about what you should and should not do after having your teeth bonded.

Does Your Teeth Need Special Aftercare?

Bonded teeth do not need special aftercare. The tooth-coloured composite bonds well with the teeth, although they are more fragile than natural teeth. All you have to do is maintain good oral hygiene—brush your teeth three times per day, floss at least once a day, rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash and visit the dentist for check-ups every three to six months. Drinking plenty of water after meals helps remove food particles and minimise the acidity levels in your mouth, as well.

How Can You Take Care of Your Bonded Teeth?

The bonding material used on your teeth can last up to 10 years, but this depends on how you promote a healthy oral hygiene. Do not bite your nails, use your teeth to open packaging or chew on anything hard, like ice, candy, beef jerky and crunchy food and snacks. These can put your teeth under stress, making them prone to fracture.

Cut down on food and beverages that can stain your teeth and wear down the bonding material. These include coffee, tea, red wine, fruit juices, soft drinks, berries (blackberry, blueberry and cherries), soy sauce and curry. Stop (or at least cut down on) smoking because this can cause yellow and brown stains on the composite, affecting the appearance of your front teeth.

The dental practice of David Madruga aims to help patients achieve a beautiful-looking smile. Contact us today to book an appointment.

Decades ago, physicians were unlikely to refer a patient to a dentist or gum specialist, if they are suffering from diabetes or heart disease. However, times changed and research revealed that dental health may indicate the state of the rest of your body.

The Link Between the Mouth and the Rest of Your Body

The mouth-body connection is the idea that inflammatory chemicals or bacteria released by certain cells in the gums may enter the bloodstream and affect other organs or tissues. This is not exactly groundbreaking science; in 1900, William Hunter, a British doctor, proposed that focal infections in the gums and teeth caused a disease in another part the body.

Fast-forward to the 21^st century and more research linking dental health to ailments such as cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes are gaining traction. Inflammation may be the best explaining the connection between the two; chronic swelling is damaging to the cells and the DNA they hold.

The main cause of the inflammation is the formation of plaque on teeth and gums. The bacteria living in it create an acid that damages and erodes enamel and result in cavities. Other kinds of bacteria develop within plaque which may also trigger inflammation in some of the tissues surrounding your teeth.

The strongest connection of the mouth-body argument is between cardiovascular disease and gum health. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that deep cleaning gums and teeth resulted in healthier and more elastic arteries six months after.

More studies are underway to determine if there really is a direct link between dental health and other illnesses. However, you must not wait to have toothaches, decay or gum disease treated to avoid being the first person to prove the correlation.

David Madruga is Here to Help

Dr David Madruga Gonzales is a qualified and experienced dentist that provides multiple treatments for patients who have specific dental health problems. The dentist has worked in several practices in the UK for almost a decade. Dr Gonzales received an award from the Oxford Society of Oral Implantology with a Postgraduate Certificate in Comprehensive Oral Implantology and Prosthetics in 2008 along with other credentials since then.

Contact us to learn more about what treatment you need for your condition.

Scientists and dentists alike have marvelled at the ability of some animals – mainly sharks –to regrow individual teeth as soon as they lose one. Humans, along with every other mammal, lost that ability and only retained two sets of teeth. But, what if researchers found a way to turn back the evolutionary clock and gave us back that ability?

No More Permanent Teeth

Scientists are currently studying the embryonic development of the cichlid, a small fish found in Lake Malawi, which can also regrow its teeth. Unlike shark embryos, these fish are easier to cultivate and observe in a controlled laboratory setting.

Several researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and King’s College in London published their latest findings in the early edition of the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences.

The study is being conducted with another work attempting to record the dental differentiation in mice. Current results show that the process responsible for growing new teeth may remain active longer than previously thought. If confirmed, it could mean that the capability of growing teeth can be reactivated in human adults.

Tooth Loss Dangers

According to statistics, nearly 60% of the working population have lost one or two teeth once they reach the age of 60. If these patients do not receive the dental attention that they need, they can suffer through painful health issues and nutritional problems that can shorten their lives. These are the kinds of situations that can be avoided if humans can grow back teeth.

Some researchers caution that growing teeth, however, would not be enough as scientists will still need to learn how the pertinent nerves and blood vessels grow into the teeth. But, the first step still remains determining how far into adulthood the plasticity of teeth and taste bud cells extend.

If these kinds of studies continue getting support humans growing more teeth may not stay in the realm of science fiction for long. If you want to keep learning about the latest developments in the dental world, or want to see the status of your own dental health set an appointment with us today. We love talking to our patients about our craft, and want to share our knowledge with as many people as possible.