Before digging into to enjoy Thanksgiving's bounty of food on one of the most indulgent holidays of the year, you should know which items affect oral health for better or worse. DrBicuspid made it easy by sharing its top nutrition stories.
Check out our top five stories of 2024.
1. Heart attack, stroke linked to no-calorie sweetener in toothpaste
A zero-calorie sugar substitute commonly found in toothpaste and chewing gum may be associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes, according to a large study published in the European Heart Journal. In the future, more studies should be conducted to examine the cardiovascular safety of xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol found in plants but which is considered an artificial sweetener because it contains no sugar.
2. Skip breakfast? Gum disease may be in your future
Regularly skipping breakfast may be linked to periodontitis prevalence, according to a large study published in the Journal of Periodontology. Individuals who regularly skipped breakfast may be more than 1.23 times more likely to have periodontitis compared to those who ate in the morning.
3. What pomegranate juice may do to patients' teeth
Despite its nutrients and perceived health benefits, regular consumption of pomegranate juice may not be good for one's teeth. The acidic beverage may demineralize teeth and have the tooth erosion potential equivalent to that of cola, according to a study published in PLoS One.
4. Here's the tea: This mouthwash may fend off gum disease
A mouthwash containing matcha, a finely ground powder of green tea, may inhibit the growth of one of the main bacteria involved in periodontitis, indicating that it may be used to prevent and treat gum disease. Patients with gum disease who gargled with a matcha mouth rinse had significantly less Porphyromonas gingivalis in their saliva, according to a study published in Microbiology Spectrum.
5. Pumpkin spice craze sparks oral health concerns
Pumpkin spice lattes may be a fall favorite, but their high sugar content and acidity can weaken enamel, increase the risk of tooth decay, and cause staining, according to recently published research.
