Tag Archives: SODO District Dentist

Tooth Decay: Are Pickles to Blame?

It’s not just sugary foods like candy and soda that threaten to rot your teeth and cause cavities. There are many foods with this potential, some of which may not be what you’d expect. According to a British study, one of these may be pickled foods.

This study, which was conducted back in 2004, took a look at the eating habits of a cross section of English teenagers. Many of these youths were in the habit of eating many pickles as a regular part of their diets, and exhibited a certain amount of tooth decay as a result. It would seem that this excessive decay can be attributed to the highly acidic vinegar found in the pickles, which can have the same effect on your enamel that the acid produced by your oral bacteria can have.

If you like pickles, the good news is that this is only a problem if you eat a notable amount of pickles more than once a day. Anyone who can remain reasonably mindful of their eating habits should be able to avoid excess decay from eating pickles. Further, be sure to get your regular cleanings at our SODO district dentist.

Avoiding Childhood Dental Anxiety

It is very important for your children to feel comfortable during their visits to the dentist’s office. Most adults who struggle with dental anxiety can trace their phobia back to a childhood trauma. If a child cannot overcome his or her fears at an early age, he or she may very well avoid the dentist well into adulthood. With this in mind, consider the following tips for making the dentist a pleasant experience for your kids:

  • Get your child started early. The general recommendation is that a child’s first dental visit should occur when he or she turns one. This serves to make the child feel more accustomed to the experience.
  • Don’t show any anxiety when you discuss the dentist’s office. You may not even be aware of the the emotional clues you give, but your child will pick up on this and likely mirror your attitude.
  • Do not attempt to offer your child a bribe for going to the dentist’s office. This is sending him or her a clear message that there is something to be afraid of.
    Avoid using phrases like “everything will be okay”. This can cause you to lose your child’s trust in the event that he or she experiences some pain in the dental chair.