ScienceDaily (May 1, 2012) — A recent study published in the May/June 2012 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, found that an alarming increase in the consumption of sports and energy drinks, especially among adolescents, is causing irreversible damage to teeth — specifically, the high acidity levels in the drinks erode tooth enamel, the glossy outer layer of the tooth.

“Young adults consume these drinks assuming that they will improve their sports performance and energy levels and that they are ‘better’ for them than soda,” says Poonam Jain, BDS, MS, MPH, lead author of the study. “Most of these patients are shocked to learn that these drinks are essentially bathing their teeth with acid.”

Researchers examined the acidity levels in 13 sports drinks and nine energy drinks. They found that the acidity levels can vary between brands of beverages and flavors of the same brand. To test the effect of the acidity levels, the researchers immersed samples of human tooth enamel in each beverage for 15 minutes, followed by immersion in artificial saliva for two hours. This cycle was repeated four times a day for five days, and the samples were stored in fresh artificial saliva at all other times.

“This type of testing simulates the same exposure that a large proportion of American teens and young adults are subjecting their teeth to on a regular basis when they drink one of these beverages every few hours,” says Dr. Jain.

The researchers found that damage to enamel was evident after only five days of exposure to sports or energy drinks, although energy drinks showed a significantly greater potential to damage teeth than sports drinks. In fact, the authors found that energy drinks caused twice as much damage to teeth as sports drinks.

With a reported 30 to 50 percent of U.S. teens consuming energy drinks, and as many as 62 percent consuming at least one sports drink per day, it is important to educate parents and young adults about the downside of these drinks. Damage caused to tooth enamel is irreversible, and without the protection of enamel, teeth become overly sensitive, prone to cavities, and more likely to decay.

“Teens regularly come into my office with these types of symptoms, but they don’t know why,” says AGD spokesperson Jennifer Bone, DDS, MAGD. “We review their diet and snacking habits and then we discuss their consumption of these beverages. They don’t realize that something as seemingly harmless as a sports or energy drink can do a lot of damage to their teeth.”

Dr. Bone recommends that her patients minimize their intake of sports and energy drinks. She also advises them to chew sugar-free gum or rinse the mouth with water following consumption of the drinks. “Both tactics increase saliva flow, which naturally helps to return the acidity levels in the mouth to normal,” she says.

Also, patients should wait at least an hour to brush their teeth after consuming sports and energy drinks. Otherwise, says Dr. Bone, they will be spreading acid onto the tooth surfaces, increasing the erosive action.

Buffalo, NY

The Expo was very well attended and several college students expressed the desire to walk on the road to better health. One of Gentle Dentistry’s licensed hygienists were on hand to answer the many questions that the students had with regard to their oral health.

Some of the questions asked were: what is the best way to brush my teeth, how often do I brush or floss, what happens if I brush too hard, which tooth brush should I be using as far as hard or soft bristles?

One of the recurring subjects that kept arising was the subject of Invisalign Clear Braces.  It was found that Invisalign is a hot item with students because these braces can be worn without others even knowing!

We were told that many people would straighten their teeth, but didn’t want to have to wear unsightly metal in their mouths.  Also, aside from the looks, the uncomfortable qualities of metal braces and the inability to clean teeth properly while wearing metal braces also steers people away from wearing them.

We were very pleased to be a par of the Bryant and Stratton Family Health and Wellness Expo, as it gave us valuable insight into what college students today care about and hopefully, we helped them as well.

Gentle Dentistry is having an Invisalign open house the week of May 7, 2012 at 5007 Transit Road, Depew.  Call 716 652 7080  today or log onto www.WeAreGentleDentisty.com to get your FREE Invisalign Consultation. .

Washington, DC

As seasoned real estate brokers, Mr. Cramer and Mr. Shandler are well versed in the subject of leases and lease negotiation and are willing to help others understand and negotiate their lease with the property owner.  If need be, they will negotiate directly with the property owner on your behalf.

“This seminar was amazing.  They covered things that most of us were completely unaware of!  McBride Realty can help reduce the intimidation of the confusion of contracts and help you find the best solution for your office,” says Dr. Virginia Lee of Capital Oral and Facial Surgery, “They sure helped us when we needed them.”

When Capital Oral and Facial Surgery moved their offices, Mr. Cramer negotiated directly with the property owner and gave owner Dr. Virginia Lee a better perspective with regard to her options and responsibilities.  The owner found the help to be invaluable and the fact that Mr. Cramer and Mr. Shandler have firsthand experience with commercial real estate lent a level of expertise seldom found.

Attendees had the opportunity to meet the presenters and get questions they had about their own leases answered.

Capital Oral and Facial Surgery will be holding informative events such as this throughout the year.  For more information on upcoming events call: 202-296-6600.

About Capital Oral and Facial Surgery – Located in the newly renovated space at 1145 19^th St NW, Washington, DC, owner Dr. Virginia Lee has created an aesthetic space for cosmetic and surgical procedures with a professional, soothing atmosphere which is comfortable to the patient.

Dr. Virginia Lee Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon began her practice in 1998. She provides wisdom tooth and surgical tooth extraction, placement of dental implants, bone grafting and sinus lifts. She offers cosmetic procedures including Restylane and Botox® treatments, eyelid surgery, laser hair removal and laser resurfacing.

Dr. Lee is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Dental Association, and the DC Dental Society. For more information: www.docvlee.com or call (202) 296-6600.

About McBride Realty – (MRES) Seven senior real estate professionals driven to provide clients with the best solutions at the best value that champion the clients’ business objectives. Partners’ backgrounds include work in the legal, financial, construction and architecture sectors, plus an average real estate experience level exceeding 10 years. MRES clients enjoy: customized solutions, access to the best professionals for every phase of a project and the personal attention of the company’s principals.

MRES is a Tenant Representation firm providing real estate services to support their tenant clients, including: representing clients in acquisition and disposition of leased and owned facilities, lease audits, lease administration, strategic planning, enterprise integration and project management for a wide variety of real estate projects. For more information: (202) 463-6600  www.mcbrideres.com

Lancaster, NY – On February 27th & 28th, Gentle Dentistry took their show on the road as hygienist Melissa Zajac visited Noah’s Ark Preschool.  She and Al E. Gator enchanted the 3 and 4 year old kids with tips about the importance of brushing and flossing, as well as the impact of nutritional foods on dental health.

Al E Gator was the perfect patient for the students as they assisted in a dental exam.  Melissa joined the class in constructing their own dental models using paper plates for mouths, construction paper tongues and marshmallow teeth.

“I just love doing this for the kids.  It’s so fun to watch them learn and to see how they really get into what you are teaching them.  From experience, I know that this type of early education sticks with the kids as they grow older and the one’s who have had hygiene education at an early age show fewer problems as they get older, “ says Ms. Zajac.

During her visit, Melissa also walked the students through an informational packet, which included several fun activities and pages for coloring, some vocabulary and even a chart that tracks the children’s brushing habits for at home use.

Buffalo, NY

“This is a big deal,” says Rick Matthews, Pres. Of Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, “James Toomey, Secretary to the Board of the newly founded Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame contacted us to let us know that they will be joining our organization as a fellow Music Hall of Fame and asked for our official acknowledgement, to which we gratefully complied.“

This looks like the start of a great relationship. The congratulatory statement from the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame will go into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame’s permanent collection.  The induction ceremony will be the first of many more to come and promises to be a good time for all who attend.

The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame’s Grand Opening and First Annual Induction Ceremony will be held this coming Sunday, February 26^th, at 7 PM in Pawtucket, RI. For more information on the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame go to: www.rhodeislandmusichalloffame.com

Among this year’s inductees into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, Anders and Poncia, Eileen Farrell, Ken Lyon, Jerry Granahan, Dave McKenna, Roomful of Blues, and Oliver Shaw.

About The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame – Celebrating its’ 30^th anniversary this year the BMNHOF was created in 1983 to honor the great musical heritage of Buffalo and Western New York and to recognize groups and individuals who have had a significant impact on WNY music. Inductees have achieved success in the music industry on a national and often international scale and are chosen by a formal induction process.

For more information about the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame visit their website at www.buffalomusic.org

About the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame – a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating, honoring, and preserving the legacy of Rhode Island musicians, educators and industry professional who have made significant contributions to the national and Rhode Island music scene. The Hall will carry out its mission through the annual election of inductees, creation of a museum of artist- and music-related exhibits honoring inductees and commemorating the state’s musical legacy, and an online music archive of information about, and audio recordings by, those involved in Rhode Island’s past and present music scene.

By Teresa Reile – Lancaster, NY

Invisalign, the ‘clear alternative to braces’ makes it possible for you to have that perfect smile that you have always wanted without having metal in your mouth.  And what’s more, is that most people won’t even notice that you are straightening your teeth with Invisalign, because it is virtually transparent.  The clear, comfortable appliance fits right over your teeth with the added benefit that you can take it out when you brush your teeth and you won’t have to put up with uncomfortable metal or having to clean food particles that get stuck in the braces every time you eat.

Invisalign is great for your teen too!  The teen years are awkward enough without having to add the sometimes embarrassing feeling of having to wear braces.  If your teen has expressed the thought of wanting to have beautiful, straight teeth but was apprehensive about having braces, Invisalign may be the answer.

So, if you have ever thought about Invisalign, or straightening your teeth, call 716 652 7080 today and reserve your spot for your Free Invisalign Consultation.

*Invisalign Consultation Value $79.25

By Teresa Reile – LANCASTER, NY – Gentle Dentistry of Lancaster, PLLC will be holding a Blood Drive for the Red Cross of Buffalo on Wednesday March 7, 2012 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at their practice located at 5007 Transit Road Depew, NY.  Pre-registration available by calling 716 652-7080 or by visiting their website at www.wearegentledentistry.com and clicking on the ‘schedule an appointment’ button.

Last year in March, the Lancaster location of Gentle Dentistry, PLLC held a very successful blood drive and this year they are continuing the successful action of helping those in need.  Blood is always needed to avert disaster and to save lives, and when disaster strikes, the Red Cross is there.

Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for your donation.  When you make a blood donation, you join a very select group. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood.

“Without people like you and I, the Red Cross would not exist, nor would it be able to save as many lives as it does.  Every single day the Red Cross needs people to donate blood to help another.  What better purpose is there than to help others?  Please help us to help you. You never know when the blood that you donate today could save the life of someone you love tomorrow,” says Dr. Glassbrenner of Gentle Dentistry, PLLC.

Pre-registration, though not required is encouraged to give the Red Cross volunteers an estimate of how much equipment they will need for that day.

Let’s join together and make this the most successful Blood Drive ever held in Lancaster. All are encouraged to participate in this lifesaving endeavor. When you see the Travelling Donor bus, don’t hesitate to stop in and see if you can give blood.  It’s easy and painless and goes a long way.

About the American Red Cross – Founded in Washington, DC, May 21, 1881 by Clara Barton, The American Red Cross provides first aid, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Automated external defibrillator (AED), water safety and lifeguarding, babysitting, disaster preparedness, and home safety training throughout the United States and teaches approximately 12 million Americans these skills annually, ranging from youth to professional rescuers.

The American Red Cross supplies roughly 44% of the donated blood in the United States, which they directly sell to hospitals and regional suppliers. Community-based blood centers supply 50% and 6% is collected directly by hospitals.

Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters.

By Teresa Reile – Orchard Park, NY – Hygienists from Gentle Dentistry of Lancaster, PLLC will be at Ellicott Elementary in Orchard Park in celebration of Dental Health Month to teach the first graders there proper oral health techniques on Wednesday Feb. 29, 2012 from 9:00 – 11:00 am.

“We have been doing this for many years and I personally really love it.  From my experience I have found that kids who learn this information at an early age really do keep up with proper dental hygiene.  For some reason, this information resonates with the kids and they take it to heart – which is a very good thing later on in life,” says Iolanda Abate, Hygienist from Gentle Dentistry of Lancaster.

The hygienists will be presenting to 120 first graders with two sessions of sixty children each.  Each child will receive a free toothbrush and will learn how to brush and floss properly.

The hygienists use very ‘kid friendly’ techniques to get the message across to the children about oral health.

Parents are encouraged to work with their children regarding proper brushing and frequent brushing.  People who take good care of their teeth and healthier all around.

The WNY Health Expo offers the community the opportunity to attend lectures on health issues, demonstrations, health screenings, receive free samples and have one-on-one time with the vendors who have expertise with health, mind and body.  This successful Expo draws in people from 4 counties in WNY and has an average of 2,000 – 2,300 people in attendance annually.

“We like participating in community events such as this.  Not only does it give the vendors exposure, but it gives the public the chance to really connect with health care providers in the area and spend time with them that they may not otherwise have to opportunity to do,” says Dr. Glassbrenner of Gentle Dentistry of Lancaster PLLC.

This show is the perfect informative, fun-filled event for people of all ages. Meet local healthcare vendors, see live demonstrations, attend seminars, visit the children’s area (complete with bounce house and slide) and get free samples at this one-day show. It’s your chance to get all your healthcare questions answered in one place.

All are invited to attend.  Be sure to stop by Gentle Dentistry’s booth and receive a free gift!  Admission is open to all and is a FREE event to the public.

About Gentle Dentistry – Located at 5007 Transit Road, Depew, NY, and 3 time winner of Buffalo Business First’s Fast Track 50 Award which celebrates WNY’s fastest growing companies, Gentle Dentistry of Lancaster, PLLC welcomes patients of all ages to take care of all your oral needs.  Welcoming  patients from the Lancaster and surrounding areas with their State-of-the-Art 5,000 square foot facility, they are equipped to handle all oral needs for you and your whole family.

Serving a wide variety of patients and offering a vast array of services, their competent, skillful dental practitioners will help you with a gentle, caring attitude.

The staff contributes greatly to the community with outreach programs, charity events and being a part of the economic engine that drives the economy.

About WNY Health Expo 2012 – Metro Group, Inc. proudly presents the 5th Annual WNY Health Expo. There will be health & fitness related products & services, health screenings, The Red Cross Blood Mobile & more. For additional information, or if you are interested in exhibiting at this event, please call the Metro Group Sales Office at 716-668-5223×2142, or email djensen@metrowny.com.

About WNY Health Magazine – Award winning publication is a bi-monthly publication available throughout WNY that focuses on timely health issues. For more info log onto: www.wnyhealthmag.com