General Health Topics - Dr. Michael Dagostino, D.D.S.
General Health News
Effects of Soda Pop
As many patients are keenly aware, we are strongly opposed to soda pop
because of its ability to destroy teeth.
The August 2004, edition of the American Medical Association gives more
reasons to stop buying this insidious liquid. “Sugar sweetened soft drinks
constitute 7.1% of total energy intake and represent the largest single food
source of calories in the U.S. diet. Coincidently or not, the rise of obesity
and type 2 diabetes parallels the increase in soft drink consumption. One study
states the odds ratio of becoming obese increases 1.6 times for each additional
soft drink consumed per day.
Most people are unaware that there is the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar
in one 12oz can of soda.
Keep this in mind the next time you go to buy a 12 pack or 2 liter of soda
pop. Breastfeeding versus Bottle-Feeding
There exists a huge volume of scientific literature that relates dental,
maxillofacial developmental malformations occurring as a function of infants
being bottle-fed. The problem with bottle-feeding is that the infant will not
develop a proper swallowing pattern, thereby preventing the tongue from properly
developing the maxilla (upper jaw). During the feeding the child will bring its
tongue forward and against the nipple of the bottle to allow the child to
swallow the formula. This often results in a tongue thrust, which is deleterious
to normal growth and development. Untreated a tongue thrust can lead to an open
bite (front teeth don’t touch), and or a very narrow upper jaw.
Breastfeeding is beneficial to the infant in countless ways, see www.laleche.com
. Of significant dental importance is the proper development of the maxillo-facial
skeleton. Be cognizant that when breastfeeding, the infant should be held
vertically, not horizontally, or the child can develop the same improper
swallowing pattern.
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