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Sugar, acid and teeth (2009)

dbskeptic.com

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Re: Sugar, acid and teeth (2009)

#4
post #2

Where "worst" is defined by a function of pH and sugar content pulled out of the air by a dentist.

How do you know the dentist pulled it out of thin air? A dentist would seem to have a decent likelihood of being familiar with the science.

Re: Sugar, acid and teeth (2009)

#5
Interesting, but their choice of weighting of sugar and pH is not based on any evidence.

Also, would the amount of time that the drink is in contact with your teeth not have an impact? Perhaps wine would have more of an impact because you might keep it in your mouth longer, offset by the small likelihood you you drinking as much of it?

Re: Sugar, acid and teeth (2009)

#6
I didn't get the impression they looked at serving size. In other words, the Merlot's average serving size is smaller than that of the Guiness, even though the latter is "better".

Re: Sugar, acid and teeth (2009)

#7
post #4
post #2

Where "worst" is defined by a function of pH and sugar content pulled out of the air by a dentist.

How do you know the dentist pulled it out of thin air? A dentist would seem to have a decent likelihood of being familiar with the science.

If the dentist is being scientific, it's up to him to back up his claims about sugar and acid being the most (or only) important indicators for what's bad for teeth.

EDIT: For example, there's been some interesting work discussed here: http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.ca/2009/03/reversing-tooth...

Re: Sugar, acid and teeth (2009)

#8
post #7
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you know the dentist pulled it out of thin air? A dentist would seem to have a decent likelihood of being familiar with the science.

If the dentist is being scientific, it's up to him to back up his claims about sugar and acid being the most (or only) important indicators for what's bad for teeth. EDIT: For example, there's been some interesting work discussed here: http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.ca/2009/03/reversing-tooth...

I was just suggesting that the dentist might be familiar with the best science we have directly or indirectly, not even that he was acting scientifically per se.

Re: Sugar, acid and teeth (2009)

#9
One hears that Bulimia and certain drug addictions (Crack, Meth) are very bad for your teeth. Bulimia because of the strong acid, and drugs because they interfere with the mouth's self-cleaning instinct.

I'd guess the best teeth live in a mouth with: 1. Active high-volume saliva glands 2. A population of healthy bacteria

How do you encourage that?

Re: Sugar, acid and teeth (2009)

#10
post #6

I didn't get the impression they looked at serving size. In other words, the Merlot's average serving size is smaller than that of the Guiness, even though the latter is "better".

I wonder how much serving size would even matter? I'm told the damage comes after the drink really, when your teeth sit around covered in it.

I'm sure it'd make some difference, it takes longer to drink a pint than a shot there'll be a bigger concentration there during those initial minutes, but I doubt it'd be linearly proportional.

I'd guessed a red-wine. My dentist certainly goes on about my drinking booze more than me downing Ribena by the pint. I wonder if alcohol can have some unmeasured effect apart from sugar content and PH.

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