Today: College Students and Decay
In the last few years, I've seen an increasing number of
adult patients in my practice getting new cavities, and the question I always
get is: “Why now?”
In my four-part series, we'll explore what’s happening with different adult age groups: college students, working adults, adults taking multiple medications, and senior citizens.
In my four-part series, we'll explore what’s happening with different adult age groups: college students, working adults, adults taking multiple medications, and senior citizens.
Let’s first address the mouth as an environment, with saliva
acting as our natural ‘friend’ that helps to buffer (or neutralize) the saliva
after eating and drinking.
College students lead busy lives, having to squeeze classwork, homework, athletics, and new social situations into each week. Sports and energy drinks are prevalent on college campuses, but have the worst effect on oral health. Gatorade and Red Bull (and most other sports and energy drinks) contain large amounts of citric and phosphoric acid. Students who sip such drinks throughout the day set up a very acidic mouth environment that the saliva struggles to neutralize. The acid-loving bacteria opportunistically attack the enamel surfaces, creating new cavities.
College students lead busy lives, having to squeeze classwork, homework, athletics, and new social situations into each week. Sports and energy drinks are prevalent on college campuses, but have the worst effect on oral health. Gatorade and Red Bull (and most other sports and energy drinks) contain large amounts of citric and phosphoric acid. Students who sip such drinks throughout the day set up a very acidic mouth environment that the saliva struggles to neutralize. The acid-loving bacteria opportunistically attack the enamel surfaces, creating new cavities.
My recommendation: Drink water instead! And (of course), see
your dentist regularly!
And next week: Working Adults and Decay
(415) 433-1970
311 California Street, Suite 450
San Francisco, CA 94104
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