subject: Will Your Teeth Flunk Out Of School This Semester? [print this page] College is difficult and stressfulCollege is difficult and stressful. Students cram late into the night studying for tests, then wake up early each day for class. This schedule causes students to choose sodas, coffee, chips, starchy foods like pizza or pasta, and sports drinks. This on-the-run nutrition contains acids and sugars that can deplete the tooth of needed minerals to stay healthy. Without the protective minerals your teeth can become weak and vulnerable to decay.
So, don't let your teeth flunk out of college. There are many ways to improve the health of your teeth and your nutritional habits. Substitute water for soda, sports drinks, or coffee. A New York University College of Dentistry study published in the June 2009 edition of the Academy of General Dentistry finds that highly acidic sports drinks can eat away at a tooth's hard enamel coating. The results of the study are grim for consumers of sports drinks. Scientists found that the bonelike material underneath the enamel becomes soft and weak, therefore making the tooth more at risk for tooth decay. In fact, sports drinks can damage the teeth even more than soda and coffee because of the acidic components, sugars, dyes, and additives. The high acid content of sodas, coffees, and sports drinks can weaken the enamel and cause bacteria to sneak into cracks and crevices in the teeth, and sugar exacerbates that situation.
Eat carrots or other crunchy vegetables instead of chips for a snack. Studies show the rigidity of the vegetables can actually help to scrape off some plaque as you chew. It is fine to have sweets in moderation, but try to chew a gum containing xylitol, like Trident immediately after eating to help prevent decay-causing bacteria. In several studies, scientists have found that people who regularly chew gum containing xylitol after meals and snacks, have a lower occurrence of tooth decay than people who do not chew gum that contains xylitol. Xylitol decreases the levels of Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria found in both plaque and saliva. By chewing gum that contains xylitol five times daily it can reduce plaque and make it easier to remove plaque when brushing. Look for sugar-free candies and gum that contain xylitol instead.
It takes less than 5 minutes to brush and floss, so make sure you are doing this morning and night. Even if you are far from home, you should still see a dentist twice yearly for a cleaning and an exam. Often your campus health office will have a licensed dental hygienist or a dental hygiene student who can clean your teeth for a lesser cost if you do not have insurance. Dr. McCargar, a dentist in Scottsdale, Arizona says, "Remember, you are studying hard to better your mind and your life. Don't sabotage your health and your teeth by neglecting them. You will want to make a good first impression at your first job interview after graduation!"
