Sodas, snacks, smoking soil student smiles


Monday, March 2, 1998	Sodas, snacks, smoking soil student smiles By KELLY BRADISH Collegian Staff Writer With spring break a week away and finals creeping ever closer, students are not likely to worry about having a million-dollar smile. But as dentist Paul Hughes said, dental health is something students should be thinking about throughout the year. Suzi Kilareski (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said her dental habits are the same or better than those of her friends. "I just take good care of (my teeth) because I don't want to have to get fake ones," she said.
(Collegian Photo Illustration/Aimee C. Toberman - click for full size image)	When students are stressed out because of classes and finals and do not maintain a healthy diet, Hughes said they become more susceptible to infections. Among University students with dental emergencies, the most common problems are infected wisdom teeth and acute gum infection, he said. Hughes, whose office is at 532 Brittany Drive, said smokeless tobacco users can develop gum problems. Chewing tobacco causes leukoplakia, a condition in which mouth tissue thickens and gums recede, which creates a higher risk of mouth cancer, he said. Smokers may have gum problems as well because of nicotine's drying effect on the mouth, Hughes said. Cigarettes also contain tooth-staining tar, but frequent professional cleanings may remove them, he said, adding that smokers' toothpastes and home-bleaching products should only be used occasionally.
`American Dental Association Online`	"There's a lot of things that can make teeth whiter, but they can really damage teeth and gums," Hughes said. Most of the products used for professional cleanings are too strong to be used regularly, he said. Amanda Webster (sophomore-industrial engineering) said she has considered using tooth-whitening products but isn't planning on it right now.
Collegian Photo Illustration/Aimee C. Toberman - click for full size image)	To ensure a healthy smile, Hughes said students should brush their teeth thoroughly at least once a day to remove bacteria. Bacteria can grow where tooth enamel has been weakened by acids found in refined sugars, Hughes said. Frequently sipping sodas or sucking on candy and other sugary items can lead to decay, he said. Flossing also helps remove bacteria by scraping it off the sides of teeth where toothbrushes can't reach, but most students and adults don't floss, he said. Anne Zummo (freshman-elementary education) said she does not floss her teeth, nor does she make dental health a main priority.
`American Dental Hygienists' Association Online`	"I always felt like if I didn't have a cavity, why ruin a good thing?" Zummo said. Chewing sugarless gum is one way to keep breath fresh and remove food particles from teeth, Hughes said, but chewing gum with sugar can lead to tooth decay. Visiting the dentist twice a year, or even more frequently if problems develop, is a good way to ensure good dental health, he said. Also, wearing a mouth guard while playing sports is another protective measure, Hughes added.