Completely You

Are honey and agave syrup just as bad for my teeth as regular sugar?

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

As a dentist, I'm sweet on using honey or agave. You know bees make honey, but agave actually comes from a plant that looks like a cactus. The Egyptians used it to reduce inflammation, and they were on to something. It might help prevent swollen and puffy gums.

But I have an even better reason to switch from a spoonful of sugar to a squirt of honey or agave. These other sweeteners contain more complex carbohydrates, so they break down more slowly and are less likely to cause problems in your mouth. Here's what happens: After eating any kind of sugar, molecules start to adhere to your teeth, and cavity-causing bacteria sticks to the sugar molecules. The bacteria use the sugar as food, and when they're done, they create waste called lactic acid that weakens tooth enamel. It's some nasty stuff.

If you rinse your mouth or brush your teeth right after eating regular sugar, you can wash away these troublemakers before they cause damage. But who wants to jump up from the table? Since honey and agave take longer to break down, you don't have to be in as much of a hurry to brush -- though you should do it at your first opportunity. In fact, honey and agave are great sugar substitutes when dissolved into any drink or baked into dessert. Just avoid squirting them directly on things like pancakes, for instance, because the food will make them to stick to your teeth and result in the same problems caused by regular sugar.

My gums seem to be receding, and I’m only 35! Is there anything I can do?

Sun, 12 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

“Receding gums” refers to a loss of gum tissue, which leaves you with uneven gum lines, exposed tooth roots and sensitive teeth. According to Dr. Ramin Tabib, a cosmetic dentist in New York City, although your genetic code may play a role -- especially if thin, fragile gum tissue runs in your family -- the most common causes of receding gums are overly aggressive brushing, periodontal disease (aka gum disease), extremely crowded teeth, or tooth-grinding. Bulimia, the eating disorder that involves self-induced vomiting, can also cause gums to recede.

To manage your gum problem, practice good oral care. Use a very soft toothbrush and brush very gently, advises Tabib. If an overcrowded mouth is to blame, you may want to talk to an orthodontist about whether some type of braces might help. If the recession stems from gum disease, controlling progression of the gum disease can slow or stop the problem.

The only way to truly repair an area that has receded is with a gum graft. This involves a dentist or periodontist taking tissue from the palate of the mouth (or another source) and surgically transferring it to the receded gum area. “It is a difficult procedure. You can never predict what the final outcome will look like,” says Tabib. The healing process may take as long as six months, he adds.

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Is any one type of floss more effective than another?

Sun, 5 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

With so many types of floss out there, it can be confusing to figure out which is best for you. Your personal preference is most important: The best dental floss is the one you'll use (and use correctly) on a daily basis. Plaque -- or biofilm, as we're calling it these days -- needs to be removed every 24 hours, before it has a chance to cause tooth decay or gum disease.

My advice is to experiment. Some people find waxed floss easier to use, while others like the unwaxed variety or dental tape, which is flatter and wider. You may prefer a particular flavor, such as mint or cinnamon. If your teeth are very close together, a fine or extra-fine floss might feel best. But if there's any shredding, try another kind.

Still not sure? At your next cleaning, ask your dental hygienist for recommendations based on your personal oral history.

I hate lifting weights. Is strength training really necessary?

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

You might hate veggies, but you know you still have to eat them. The same goes for strength training. As we age, women lose 5 pounds of muscle every decade, and men lose 7. This loss doesn't just affect muscle appearance and tone; it also decreases your resting metabolic rate. The only way to build muscle is by strength training.

The good news is that research has shown you can achieve significant results in just two 15- to 20-minute workouts a week. Here's the minimum you can get away with per workout:

One upper-body pushing exercise (push-up or bench/chest press)
One upper-body pulling move (bent row, chin-up or seated row)
One leg exercise that involves all major muscles (squat, lunge or leg press)
One move each that targets the abdominals (crunch or curl) and lower back (prone trunk extension)

Choose a move or a weight that will allow you to perform one set of 10 repetitions with good form; if you can do 11 or 12 reps, you need a harder move or more weight. Optimally, try to repeat a set of these exercises two to three times.

This minimum-effort strength-training plan will result not only in muscle gain and fat loss, but also safeguard your body against a host of degenerative diseases.

Photo: Corbis Images

Can you straighten your own teeth by pushing them with your fingers?

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

No, you can’t, and trying to do so might damage your teeth, advises Vincent G. Kokich, a professor of orthodontics at the University of Washington School of Dentistry and an orthodontist in private practice in Tacoma, Wash. Tooth movement requires continuous and constant pressure -- that’s why your dentist recommends braces or aligners to straighten teeth.

When braces are continuously worn for a period of time, the bone around teeth responds to the pressure, allowing your teeth to move in the direction of the force. Intermittent pressure, such as that from a finger, however, will not stimulate the bone to respond and will not move the tooth. On the other hand, over time, it can even loosen it, increasing your risk of tooth loss!

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Does drinking water before eating help you lose weight?

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Yes, my weight loss research at Virginia Tech shows that drinking water before eating can make a difference in how many pounds you drop.

In our study, reported in the journal Obesity, we divided participants aged 55 to 75 into two groups: One group was instructed to drink 2 cups of water 30 minutes before each meal, the other was not. Both groups followed the same meal plan, eating 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day.

While the water group lost, on average, 15.5 pounds over 12 weeks, the non-water group lost 11 pounds -- a notable difference. We also received fewer complaints of hunger from the water group, and they seemed to have an easier time following the diet.

In older adults, food takes longer to leave the stomach, so they’ll feel full longer by drinking water half an hour before mealtime. Younger people may need to drink water 15 minutes or even right before a meal to see the same effects. (This is something we’ll probably explore in future research.)

At the very least, caloric beverages are definitively linked to weight gain. So switching to water is an easy way to reduce the number of total calories you consume.

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Are cavities contagious?

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Yes, cavities are actually an infectious and transmittable disease!

Most often, and especially in children, cavities are caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus mutans, says Mark Reynolds, dentist and chairman of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Maryland. The bacteria can spread from one mouth to another, usually through kissing or sharing of food.

Research has shown that infection occurs in 30 percent of 3-month-old babies who don’t even have teeth yet, and as many as 80 percent of 2-year-olds who have their primary teeth. In general, moms who harbor more Streptococci mutans are more likely to have infants whose mouths are infected with the cavity-causing bacteria. The same transmission can occur between adults too.

Chewing gum that contains xylitol and maintaining good oral health and hygiene habits (regular brushing and flossing) throughout life can help reduce the risk of spreading the bacteria.

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I hate vegetables! How can I make them tastier?

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

The No. 1 mistake people make with veggies: overcooking them. There's nothing worse than mushy vegetables! The best way to cook vegetables is to plunge them into boiling water for no more than two to three minutes. (This is called blanching.) Adding salt to the water really brings out veggies' color and flavor.

Once you cook your veggies, try tossing them with chili pepper, lemon or your favorite chopped herbs -- yum! I also love to get my daily dose with soup. Soups have such great flavor, and you can easily pack two or three servings of the green (and red, purple, orange) stuff into a single bowl.

My other standby: Stir-frying vegetables in sesame oil and light soy sauce, which has a lot less sodium but the same bold taste. Use precut veggies and just enough oil to coat the pan for a quick, delicious meal or side dish.

I also tell people who "hate" a certain veggie to avoid feeling traumatized by one bad experience. So try cooking your broccoli a few different ways before writing it off completely!

Is it mean to switch dentists without letting my old dentist know?

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

Lucky patients know that a good dentist listens to them, works gently with personal care, produces results they expect and charges affordable prices with understandable billing. Good dentists often become friends with their patients and treat them and their family members for life.

But sometimes even a good dentist can turn into one that doesn’t meet your oral health needs. It can be a difficult decision to switch dentists, especially if you’ve been with the same one for many years. Here is a half dozen of red flags warning that it may be time to move on:

1. You can’t reach your dentist afterhours.
If you have a dental emergency, you need quick access to dental care. You should be able to reach your dentist or one of her associates easily, 24 hours a day.

2. The wait has become intolerable.
A well-organized office will take measures to reduce your waiting time. You shouldn’t have to wait more than 30 minutes for a scheduled appointment.

3. Your dentist doesn’t listen to you.
Does your dentist seem rushed, impatient or like he’s not hearing you? A dentist who doesn’t listen may miss a critical diagnosis.

4. He pushes a “discount” plan.
Discount plans in which you pay a fee upfront for supposedly reduced dental fees are not valid insurance plans and usually not a good deal for the consumer.

5. He gives you the hard sell for services you don’t want.
Offering cosmetic services such as porcelain veneers or tooth whitening is fine, but you shouldn’t feel pressured to go through with such procedures.

6. He does inferior work.
Occasionally, all dentists can have some work that fails, but it shouldn’t happen repeatedly.

If you decide to change dentists, write him a letter explaining why. That way you’ll feel less awkward if you have a chance meeting, and you can ask to have your records transferred.

If I don’t have time to brush, is it OK to use mouthwash instead?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

No! Despite ditzy Jessica Simpson’s confession that she rarely brushes her teeth -- relying instead on a swish of mouthwash to clean her famous choppers -- this is definitely not a move you should mimic. Your mouth constantly produces bacteria, known as plaque, even while you sleep. The longer plaque stays on your teeth, the greater chance it has to erode enamel and increase your risk of gum disease. (Think of it this way: If you knew you had disease-causing germs on your body, would you wait a few hours to shower?) Mouthwash can remove some plaque, but not the sticky, tenacious kind.

While mouthwash can be a fine addition to your dental arsenal, you also need a soft-bristle toothbrush and toothpaste. Look for a toothpaste formula that contains fluoride -- a mineral that helps strengthen teeth -- and boasts the American Dental Association seal. Your best bet: A paste with peroxide or baking soda, which creates a gentle foaming action that helps lift bacteria from beneath the gumline. And remember, when it comes to brushing, we’re talking two minutes of your time here; just grin and bear it.