Why Toothpaste Makes Everything Else Taste Bad (and How to Fix It)

Ever brush your teeth, then take a swig of orange juice only to curse yourself for drinking such a vile combination? Magazine and weblog Mental_Floss explains why this happens, and how to avoid it. The strong minty flavor is probably part of the problem, as you’d expect, but   Mental_Floss notes that it goes deeper than that. Most toothpastes contain sodium laureth sulfate (and its counterparts, sodium lauryl ether sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate), which is responsible for making the  toothpaste foam up in your mouth. Its also responsible for everything tasting bad afterward:

While surfactants make brushing our teeth a lot easier, they do more than make foam. Both SLES and SLS mess with our taste buds in two ways. One, they suppress the receptors on our taste buds that perceive sweetness, inhibiting our ability to pick up the sweet notes of food and drink. And, as if that wasn’t enough, they break up the phospholipids on our tongue. These fatty molecules inhibit our receptors for bitterness and keep bitter tastes from overwhelming us, but when they’re broken down by the surfactants in toothpaste, bitter tastes get enhanced.

Basically, they enhance bitter tastes and inhibit sweet ones, making everything taste bad. There are lots of theories out there, but this is currently the most widely accepted one.

The solution? You could brush your teeth after breakfast, but many dental professionals say it’s better to brush beforehand. So, the better option is to search for an SLS-free toothpaste the next time you’re shopping. Speaking from experience, an SLS-free toothpaste changes everything—I used one for a little while and never had the “disgusting orange juice” debacle in the morning. Generally it doesn’t matter what kind of toothpaste you buy, but if you must brush your teeth before breakfast, buying one without SLS is a good idea. Of course, you could always brush your teeth in the shower, too.

By Whitson Gordon
Article appeared on www.Floss.com

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193 

Smile Makeovers - Cosmetic Dentistry Gettysburg PA

Creating Your Beautiful Smile

A beautiful smile makes you look and feel better. Bright, well-shaped teeth can enhance your smile and build your confidence. Tooth-colored fillings, implants, teeth whitening, veneers, inlays, or crowns are options for stained, crooked, or damaged teeth. You can transform these imperfections into beautiful teeth and a pleasing smile to improve your overall image. The professional bleaching process, which is safe and fast, can give you a bright, radiant smile. You will feel good about how you look and how you feel about yourself. Our cosmetic dentistry staff in Gettysburg, PA, gives you the smile you have always wanted.

You Don't Have to Endure Damaged Teeth
Crowns are a long-term treatment for replacing missing tooth structure when there is no longer sufficient tooth remaining to support a filling. Bridges have all the qualities and characteristics of crowns and are employed to replace missing teeth. Several types of materials and combinations of materials can be used to fabricate the crowns or bridges, depending on the clinical situation.

Dental inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay or to restore cracked or fractured teeth if the damage is not severe enough to require a dental crown. Made of tooth-colored materials, they can be used to replace metal fillings for a more natural-looking smile. They are more durable than metal fillings and strengthen teeth to prevent the need for more extensive treatment later.


Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193  

Invisalign Dentists Gettysburg PA

Clear Dental Braces - Invisalign
We are excited to be able to provide our patients with Invisalign™ invisible aligners. These innovative orthodontics mean many patients can have straight teeth in as few as 9–15 months! If you have overcrowding, widely spaced teeth, overbite, underbite, or crossbite, these solutions may be for you. 

Instead of wires and brackets that need frequent adjustments, with this technique, we change the clear custom-made aligners approximately every two weeks. This reduces your time in the chair getting adjustments. Invisalign gently moves your teeth into a straighter position step by step, until you have a more beautiful smile. No braces, wires, or headgear are required! This means no mouth irritation, and even better, no one will know you’re straightening your teeth because — it’s invisible! The clear aligners are easily removable so you can not only eat and drink what you want while in treatment, brushing and flossing are no problem!

Join the vast number of patients who have already discovered the joy of straightened
teeth — invisibly!

Are you a candidate for Invisalign? Find out for free! Call for a no cost/no obligation consultation at (717) 334-8193.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193  

Children's Dentistry Gettysburg PA - Kids Dentist

We Love Kids, and They Love Us!
Children of all ages have unique dental needs. We offer preventive care and treatment for the very young, preteens, adolescents, and children with special needs in the greater Gettysburg community. In keeping with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommendations, we encourage infant wellness visits before a child’s first birthday. Dr. Stephanie DeFilippo and Dr. Erik Smith are our pediatric dentists. They both have engaging, fun-loving personalities that put children – and their parents – at ease.

We offer dental education for children and the most up-to-date, thorough treatment for a wide variety of pediatric dental needs. Our hygiene department staff and the Tooth Fairy teach good dental hygiene practices at nursery and elementary schools, day care centers, and other community events. Establishing a sense of trust and comfort with a dentist at an early age is essential to your child’s continuing dental health. Our goal is to help children feel good about visiting the dentist so they develop good habits that will keep their teeth and mouth healthy for a lifetime.

Preventing Child Tooth Decay — the Easy Way!
Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are found. Made of clear or shaded resin, sealants are applied to the teeth to help keep them cavity-free.

Healthy smiles for your entire family! Give us a call today at (717) 334-8193 to schedule your child's next visit.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193

Why Are Minerals and Nutrients Important for Oral Health?

You must include minerals and nutrients in your diet in order for the body's tissues to resist infection. The presence of too much or too little of any nutrient can have harmful effects, particularly on the mouth and teeth, and may contribute to oral diseases and infection.

Which vitamins and minerals are good for me?
There are many minerals and nutrients that are good for the entire body. Here are just some of the minerals and nutrients your body needs to stay healthy:

Calcium. Your teeth and jaws are made mostly of calcium. Without enough calcium in your diet, you risk developing gum disease and tooth decay. Calcium is found in many foods and liquids, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, beans, and oysters.

Iron. Iron deficiency can cause your tongue to become inflamed, and sores can form inside your mouth. Iron is found in many foods, including liver and red meat. Other iron-rich foods include bran cereals, some nuts, and spices.

Vitamin B3 (niacin). A lack of vitamin B3 can cause bad breath and canker sores in the mouth. To boost your B3 levels, eat chicken and fish.

Vitamins B12 and B2 (riboflavin). You also can develop mouth sores when you do not consume enough of the vitamins B12 and B2. Red meat, chicken, liver, pork, fish, as well as dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese, are good sources of vitamin B12. Vitamin B2 is found in foods like pasta, bagels, spinach, and almonds.

Vitamin C. Too little vitamin C will lead to bleeding gums and loose teeth. Sweet potatoes, raw red peppers, and oranges are great sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin D. It is very important to consume enough vitamin D because it helps your body absorb calcium. A diet lacking or low in vitamin D will cause burning mouth syndrome. Symptoms of this condition include a burning mouth sensation, a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth, and dry mouth. Drink milk, and eat egg yolks and fish to increase your vitamin D intake.

Which foods may be bad for my mouth and why?
Not all foods are good for your teeth. If you consume these foods, do so in moderation, and be sure to practice good oral health care.

Carbohydrates. Bacteria feed on leftover foods in the mouth and produce acid, which causes decay. Carbohydrate-laden foods, such as chips, bread, pasta, or crackers, can be as harmful to the teeth as candy.

Sticky, chewy foods. Raisins, granola bars, jelly beans, caramel, honey, and syrup stick to teeth and make it difficult for saliva to wash the sugar away.

Sugary snacks. Snacks like cookies, cakes, or other desserts contain a high amount of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.

Gum and candy. Chewing gum and eating candy is very harmful to your teeth. As you eat, sugar coats your teeth, which can lead to cavities.

Carbonated soft drinks. Regular soda (or pop) contains an extremely high amount of sugar. Both regular and diet sodas also contain phosphorous and carbonation, which wears away the enamel on your teeth (causing them to become stained and brown).

Fruit or vegetable juices. Fruit and vegetable juices tend to be high in sugar, which can damage tooth enamel and lead to decay.

To ensure that you're getting the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals your body needs, check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Web site at www.mypyramid.gov.

Above article from: KnowYourTeeth.com

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193 

Dentists in Gettysburg PA

Cleveland L. Null, DDS, has established a tradition of excellence in dentistry, patient care, and oral health in the Gettysburg community, earning the practice the first Adams County Chamber of Commerce Award for Exemplary Service. Selected as “Top Dentist” in both Susquehanna Style and Harrisburg magazines for the past several years, he continues to provide for the growing needs of the community and makes a difference in the lives of those he treats. This is exemplified in his many community contri5butions. Dr. Null was one of 11 founding members of Hospice in Adams County and served for years on The Adams County Children Youth Services board. A strong supporter of the YWCA and local businesses, he and his wife immersed themselves in the local community upon their arrival 33 years ago. A graduate of the University of Virginia and the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry, Dr. Null proudly served in the Army Corps of Engineers (1966–69) and in the Dental Corps in Korea (1977). He is affiliated with the Columbus Center for Cosmetic Dentistry and the Study Club of the Pacific Training Institute for Facial Aesthetics. He enjoys spending time with family, working on mechanical things, reading, sports, and travel. Dr. Null is married to Betsy Bliley of Richmond, Virginia, and has three children and five grandchildren.

Eric C. Seidel, DMD, earned his dental degree from the Temple University School of Dentistry, after earning his bachelor’s degree from Grove City College. Prior to entering private practice, he served a general practice residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He has recent postgraduate training in endodontics (root canal treatment), restorative dentistry, CEREC™ one-visit crowns, and Invisalign™ clear orthodontic aligners that allow him to offer his patients smiles as healthy as they are beautiful. Dr. Seidel commits a great deal of his time to the community, volunteering with the Heart Walk, Relay for Life, and Operation Gratitude Candy Buy-Back program, as well as Head Start — where he reads and provides dental care — and Sealant Saturdays for needy patients. Dr. Seidel and his wife Jennifer have three beautiful children, and in his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking, biking, and spending time with his family and friends.

Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS, (formerly Dr. Stephanie Porter), obtained her dental degree at West Virginia University and her bachelor’s degree at Penn State University. She served her residency in pediatric dentistry at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and has focused her continuing education on a pediatric specialty. In addition to the American and Pennsylvania Dental Associations, Dr. DeFilippo is a member of the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She got married this past October, and in her spare time enjoys reading, shopping, and absorbing the atmosphere of historic Gettysburg.

Erik J. Smith, DMD, is dedicated to the belief that a lifetime of good oral health practices begins in childhood, and that the experiences children have in the dental office should positively guide them in learning to care for their overall health. He recognizes that every child requires an individualized approach, and strives to meet their dental needs with compassion, concern, and a smile.

Dr. Smith earned his dental degree from A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. With a desire to focus his skills on the care of children, he successfully completed two years of specialty training in pediatric dentistry at Boston University.

Dr. Smith enjoys being involved in the community. He has worked with the Boy Scouts of America to teach young men to value their country and gain skills that will improve themselves and others. He lived in Ukraine for two years, serving a church mission, where he learned to speak Ukrainian and Russian. These experiences have taught him the importance of respecting different people and cultures.

Dr. Smith and his wife Celisa are parents to three wonderful children. He enjoys spending time with them camping, hiking, and visiting historical sites that enrich their knowledge of this great country we live in.
 

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193