Avoid Snacking As You ‘Shelter-In-Place’ For Your Waistline AND Your Smile!

Posted on May 07, 2020 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Americans love their great outdoors. Our country is so blessed to have beautiful parks, patios, backyards, and trails that enable us to get much needed exercise, sunshine and fresh air.

While these wide-open spaces are good for us, our lives have been turned upside down since March. Stay-at-home mandates have left us struggling in this area and now our indoor time has increased greatly.

Fortunately, social interactions have been possible through tele-conferencing for work, church services online and visiting with family and friends through Zoom or Skype. However, what many people are finding is too-easy access to the pantry and refrigerator!

Lately, many of us are a little surprised when we step on the bathroom scales. If we really stop to think about it, though, it’s no wonder the needle is moving upwards.

Since the ‘shut down’ began, the only “essential” establishments that have been dependably open are grocery stores or places that sell food. Combine that with our open time that has us experimenting with new recipes and Ta-Da!, you have more time to cook, eat, and repeat.

Having three healthy meals a day is not the problem, when it comes down to it. It’s what we eat and how often we eat that becomes the issue, and not just to the detriment of our weight.

Every time you eat or drink something (other than plain water), an acid flows into the mouth through saliva. This acid begins the first stage of digestion and is designed to break foods down so they can continue on the journey once you swallow, giving more efficiency to the body’s ability to utilize what is consumed for its own good. (This is also why your Mom always said to chew your food well. It gives these acids more time to do their job.)

While this acid is beneficial to digestion, it is not good for teeth. As a matter of fact, this acid is so potent that it can soften tooth enamel for a period of about 20 – 30 minutes. And, that’s for every bite.

So, once you pop that first pretzel in your mouth, the acid attack begins and will continue for a half an hour after the last sip of cola you’re washing those pretzels down with. Yes, an acid attack is triggered by beverages as well.

This is why colas are so harmful to teeth, and wine, and coffee — anything that is sipped over extended periods of time. For example, people tend to drink a glass of wine slowly, perhaps over the course of 30 or so minutes. So, from the initial sip to 30 minutes after the last sip, your teeth have endured an acid onslaught for a full hour!

When tooth enamel is softened, it is more vulnerable to wearing away or bacterial penetration. Enamel is the protective coating for the interior structure of teeth. Once it is worn down, your teeth are forever at risk.

As far as wine, caffeinated colas, tea and coffee, these beverages are also very drying to oral tissues. This makes saliva less efficient and less capable of rinsing bacteria out of the mouth as you swallow. Add sugar to the mix, and you have quite the ‘cocktail’ of challenges for your smile.

Sugar changes the Ph balance in the mouth, which adds an even greater burden by ramping up the reproductive pace of oral bacteria. Think of sugar as creating oral bacteria on steroids. When bacteria are super-charged for reproduction, saliva can only manage a certain portion and the rest are left to riot their way through the mouth.

Rampant bacteria levels are the reason for periodontal disease. Referred to as gum disease (and sometimes ‘perio’), this is an inflammatory disease that destroys gum tissues and the bone structures that support teeth. Now, that’s serious bacteria!

Gum disease is from an overload of bacteria that the immune system cannot manage. It is infectious and gets “into” the gums, going below the surface. It can no longer be brushed or flossed away nor treated with a basic dental cleaning.

And, this harmful bacteria doesn’t necessarily remain in the area of the mouth. Through tears in diseased gum tissues, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, continuing on its path of destruction.

Research has found links of this bacteria to a long list of serious health conditions. Heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, some cancers, preterm babies, arthritis, diabetes, and impotency are just some. Studies are being conducted to track down its connections to Alzheimer’s disease, psoriasis, and more.

Body weight aside, all this should give you reason to relook at what you’re eating and the frequency for the well-being of your smile. Hopefully, this knowledge will start a new way of thinking for simple rules and guidelines that support your overall AND oral health.

Begin by being aware of the signs and symptoms of gum disease:

Red, swollen or tender gums
Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or when chewing rigorously
Sores in your mouth
Persistent bad breath
Receded gums that reveal darker areas of teeth or that cause teeth to look longer
Loose or separating teeth
Pus between your gums and teeth
A change in your bite when teeth are together
A change in how partial dentures fit

Keep in mind that some people are also more susceptible to oral bacteria. However, all individuals can maintain healthy teeth and gums by limiting snacking and caffeine, avoiding sugar, brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and drinking plenty of water to keep the mouth moist.

Just one last pointer: Comfort food is great during times of stress. After all, a large serving of Grandma’s rich and gooey Mac ‘N Cheese seems to satisfies both body and soul sometimes. But, keep in mind that carbohydrates (typically a big part of comfort foods) actually break down as sugar in the mouth. They just don’t come with the sweet taste.

As our nation gets back to normal and your dental visits resume on schedule, take pride in knowing that you are in control of what can impact the well-being of your smile. This knowledge will hopefully save you time and money in the future by helping you avoid the need for dental repairs.

If you are experiencing gum disease symptoms, our Asheville periodontal office will be happy to discuss your needs or concerns. Call us at 828-274-9440.