How the sugar industry shaped key government research about your teeth

Re:How the sugar industry shaped key government research abo... by rickdale on Friday March 13, 2015 @11:00AM (#9197466)

I feel the same way. A few years ago I became convinced that any well known brand name toothpaste was doing more damage to my teeth than help. I switched to using clay based tooth pastes as well as some other powders, and sometimes Ill take some tea spoons of cod liver oil. I grew up with cavities every visit and now it seems like going to the dentist is pointless. They tell me my teeth look great and I must be brushing and stuff, but really I just don't eat much sugar and brush my teeth with toothpaste that is edible, floss occasionally. I think dropping the listerine was the hardest part and also the most helpful. But ultimately it just makes sense in my own mind to brush with a paste that won't poison me if consumed.

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Re:How the sugar industry shaped key government research abo... by Someone1234 on Friday March 13, 2015 @12:06PM (#9197881)

It is interesting, my NHS dentist recommended I avoid alcohol-based mouthwash (which is the majority) since it dries out gums and also whitening toothpastes (because they're abrasive by design).

Both things are extremely common on supermarket aisles (even in the UK). But yet dentists suggest you avoid them. That's a rather interesting state of affairs.

Actually my dentist recommended Sensodyne (non-whitening) and a fluoride mouthwash without alcohol (the brand escapes me).

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Re:How the sugar industry shaped key government research abo... by com2kid on Friday March 13, 2015 @01:46PM (#9198511)

I stopped eating all sugar for 3 years (all carbs actually).

My dentist loved me. My dental visits consisted of me walking in, getting briefly looked at, the dental hygienist doing a quick go over my teeth, complementing me on how clean they are, and sending me on my way.

When I want back to eating sugar, my dental visits suddenly got a lot longer. The cleaning of plaque alone is now at least twice as long.

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Re:How the sugar industry shaped key government research abo... by lumpypua on Friday March 13, 2015 @03:26PM (#9199399)

Why did you go back to eating sugar?

Dropping the low carb thing I can understand. I do low carb paleo on and off as my fiscal and lifestyle circumstances dictate... but I keep my sugar intake low regardless.

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Re:How the sugar industry shaped key government research abo... by nilkn on Friday March 13, 2015 @02:52PM (#9199124)

If you cut back on sugar a lot, that almost surely is the most major factor in the change. Sugar is amazingly bad for your teeth, and many sugary beverages (like soda) are also naturally acidic, which leads to erosion of enamel.

That said, you're right to have some skepticism about heavily marketed tooth pastes. For instance, I have four veneers and my dentist recommended against using any "whitening" toothpastes, because they're naturally abrasive against your teeth and can very slowly damage them over time. I just use Sensodyne and follow-up with a non-alcoholic flouride mouthwash, and I've had no dental issues since, even with a sugary diet. But I brush/rinse three times a day.

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