Is Kombucha Safe for Teeth? The Answer Might Surprise You!
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? Weakened enamel exposes the sensitive nerves inside your teeth to more air, food, and beverages, making them more susceptible to cavities. Additionally, increased exposure to the elements can make those pearly whites super sensitive, leading to heat, cold, or sweet- related pain. Once gone, enamel cannot be regrown, so it’s essential to protect it by making your acidic beverages an occasional treat, using straws whenever possible to limit contact, and using remineralizing products with hydroxyapatite such as Bliss Energetics, Dr. Jen’s and SalivaMax. Taking a holistic approach to care requires zooming out and looking at the whole picture. Instead of saying, “This is good for gut health, I better drink it!” step back and consider the side effects. Although kombucha may have some health benefits, check the sugar content. Not all kombucha is created equal. Also split up the bottle and drink only half or a third, and rinse your mouth with water after. The goal is to find balance in the body’s ecosystem.
Soft drinks are notorious for their health- damaging side effects, prompting many people to switch to kombucha as a healthy alternative. This fermented tea drink is rich in probiotics, which promote gut health. Additionally, it offers numerous reported benefits, such as providing antioxidants, aiding digestion, boosting the immune system, and lowering blood sugar levels. Before you rush out and fill your fridge with kombucha, though, it’s important to remember that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing! For example: Is kombucha good for your teeth? Let’s find out. LET’S CRUNCH THE NUMBERS. The pH scale measures a substance’s acidity. Kombucha has a pH between 2.5 and 3.2. By comparison, sodas are in the 2.3 to 2.9 range. That means kombucha is nearly as acidic as soda — and can erode your enamel just as quickly. This fact is alarming as enamel deteriorates and cavity-causing bacteria emerge at a pH of 5.5 or below. In other words, this “healthy alternative” can still erode enamel and cause cavities.
HOMEMADE VEGAN DOLE WHIP The summer heat is on! And what better way to cool off after a long day in the sun than a refreshing bowl of Dole whip? This frozen treat has everything you need in a summer dessert.
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He enjoyed coming with me when I was shopping for new dental equipment like chairs (as they are the price of a car), and he even came with me to several of my dental conferences. For him, learning never stopped, and he loved seeing the expansion of our practice. Losing a parent rattles one’s existence and individual place in the world. It provides perspective of what is important and what’s less important. It is a sorrow we will all feel at one point. But it has made me slow down and reassess my priorities. What else do I want to accomplish? What and who is important? How am I doing taking care of myself? These are some questions that I’ve been exploring on my journey. I share this to ignite your interest in exploring these topics in yourself. I find it helps bring more purpose and love into life. I hope you have a beautiful summer! –Dr. Bernice Teplitsky
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
• 3/4 cup pineapple juice • 1 cup non-dairy vanilla ice cream • 2 cups frozen pineapple
1. In a high-powered blender, combine all the ingredients. Blend on medium-high speed until smooth, stopping to push the pineapple chunks down into the blender as needed. 2. Transfer to a bowl; cover and freeze for 30 minutes. 3. Scoop and serve. Alternatively, transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, then pipe into small serving bowls. (This method will make it look like it came out of a soft serve machine.)
• 1 tbsp lime juice • Pinch of sea salt
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