DON'T pour some sugar on me

By Beth Newcomb

Just over 25 years ago, when Drs. Tom Thomas and Mario Pavicic, of Five Points Dentistry, were preparing to graduate from dental school, cavities, they were told, were going to become a thing of the past.

“Our instructors were talking about cavities essentially being cured,” Dr. Tom recalls. “Possibly being a thing of the past, there weren’t as many cavities on kids or adults.”

“Yeah, that idea is long gone,” comments Dr. Mario. “Today, cavities are more prevalent than ever.”

The main reason, adds Dr. Jessica Sinick, who joined the Five Points Dentistry team a few years ago, is linked to a surprisingly modest change in our habits.

We don’t drink as much tap water anymore.

“Tap water contains fluoride, which helps to prevent cavities,” Dr. Tom says. “Everyone drinks bottled water nowadays, so the protection afforded by fluoride in tap water doesn’t exist for most people.”

Our other daily habits have changed as well, with a swell in the sales of coffee and sports drinks offered up as proof. 

“Pour some sugar on me.” —Def Leppard, Pour Some Sugar On Me”
“Energy drinks, sports drinks and fancy flavored waters are mainstays in our diet, but these beverages typically contain a ton of sugar. Sugar in the mouth converts to acid, and that acid eats away at the enamel on our teeth. The bacteria that exists in mouth love the acidic environment. The acid forms soft spots on our teeth. These soft spots are perfect areas for bacteria to get into the teeth, causing cavities,” Dr. Tom says. 

“Coffee is highly acidic, and most people take theirs with caramel, whipped cream, sugar, milk, chocolate drizzle or any other number of additives that contain sugar. It’s a double whammy. Not only do you have the acidic factors of the coffee itself in play, you also have the sugar factor. Coffee stains on your teeth might be the least of your concerns.”

Soda is another diabolical culprit. In addition to containing a mountain of sugar, soda is actually almost as acidic as battery acid. 

“Most people think drinking milk instead of soda is a good thing,” adds Dr. Jessica. 

“But there’s a hidden ingredient in every glass people don’t realize exists—sugar. There are 13 grams of sugar in one cup of one percent milk; 12 grams in a cup of skim milk; and 49 grams in a cup of powdered milk. And people of all ages drink milk; not just kids.” 

“We’re seeing as many adults with cavities as the kids get,” Dr. Tom states. “People are drinking sugary drinks all day, the sugar is converting to acid, weakening the teeth and allowing bacteria to feed on them, and cavities are in abundance. It’s a constant assault—all day, every day.”

“Dangerous. I’m addicted to your poison. Dangerous. I never felt a thing.” —Def Leppard, Dangerous
“Bottled water can be as acidic as soda,” Dr. Tom says. “To maintain a stable shelf life, producers of bottled water add preservatives to it so the pH is decreased and the acidic content is increased.”

Fruits like citrus, certain grains, some fish and many processed foods are acid heavy. Lemon juice is highly acidic, as are the aforementioned coffee and soda.

“Acid makes tooth enamel softer,” Dr. Mario points out. “Even if you’ve had a crown placed, you can still get a cavity around that tooth. The tooth has soft spots. Although it’s beneath a crown, bacteria can still attack and form a cavity.”

“Won’t take a minute. Won’t take long. So get on in it. Come on, come on, come on.” —Def Leppard, Let’s Get Rocked
The Five Points team specializes in helping people stay cavity free. “Be sure to visit twice a year for a cleaning and exam. Have your X-rays done and drink some tap water if you can,” Dr. Jessica recommends. 

“We like to keep a visit to the dentist fun,” Dr. Tom chimes in. “We connect with our patients in a variety of ways, like throwing appreciation events, sending out an email newsletter with special discounts and even handing out flowers on Valentine’s Day.”
To keep the cavities at bay, the doctors say, preventative care is key. 
“Floss, brush, rinse your mouth with tap water and give it a break from sugar during the day,” Dr. Mario advises. 
You can take your ounce of prevention a step further by having your teeth sealed and fluoride treatments periodically applied. “These services aren’t just for kids,” Dr. Tom notes. “Sealants fill in grooves where cavities love to form. And where your toothbrush can’t get into. They can prevent cavities from even starting.”
 The average American consumes 150-170 pounds of sugar per year. In the early 1800s Americans ate five pounds per year. The consumption number rises every decade.
“Our environment is warm and relaxing, like a spa,” Dr. Mario shares. “We offer extras other dentists don’t, like warm paraffin hand dips and scented neck pillows. We also regularly invest in the latest technology and can offer things like same-day crowns, and conveniences like evening appointments.”

Five Points Dentistry is located at 19712 W. 130th Street in Strongsville. Open daily, with evening hours available. To schedule an appointment, call 440-878-4444. Find them online at FivePointsDentistry.com and on Facebook at FivePointsDentistry.