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Are Energy Drinks Bad for Your Health?
An Article in the April 2009 issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter says that they very well could be. Energy drinks come in a variety of formulations, but most contain lots of caffeine and sugar- and possibly herbal stimulants and a supplementary amino acid known as taurine. However, it can be difficult to determine what is in the and how much.
Having an occasional energy drink isn’t necessarily bad, especially those that contain about the same amount of caffeine as a cup or two of coffee, and a similar amount of sugar as a can of soda. But many energy drinks contain much higher amounts of caffeine and other substances.
High amounts of caffeine and sugar- and whatever herbal stimulants may be added can have a variety of serious effects. The may cause a markedly faster heartbeat, irritability, nervousness, impaired sleep and nausea. In addition, the acids and sugars in these drinks promote tooth decay and the sugar contains a lot of extra calories and little other nutritional value.
By itself, massive amounts of caffeine can increase your blood pressure and sometimes impair blood flow to your heart. It may trigger abnormal heart rhythms, which can be life threatening in some people. Increased risk of a potential heart problem rises when energy drinks are consumed along with alcohol, when you’re dehydrated, or when consumed quickly before a sporting event. Serious medical problems, including fainting or even heart attack can occur due to consumption of energy drinks in these situations.
Is it Possible to Whiten Teeth Too Much?
This question was asked in the March 2009 issue of the Mayo Health Clinic Letter. There’s no documentation that whitening of teeth causes a detrimental change in the tooth composition. However, there’s evidence to support the fact that whitening of teeth can create sensitivity or pain upon eating food that are cold, hot or even sweet foods. Often, these changes are seen within a few days of starting the whitening process and usually subside after whitening is discontinued. Certain whitening products list specific treatment durations, and if careful controlled, don’t typically lead to these problems. Still, caution is advised. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry-which includes procedures to whiten teeth-it’s recommended that you first get a clean bill of oral health from your dentist.
Your dentist can determine if your mouth is free of cavities and gum disease-or address any problems that are found-before discussing whether whitening is appropriate for you.
If you’re thinking about purchasing a nonprescription whitening kit, other considerations in whitening your teeth should also depend on how many teeth are filled or capped, as these will not change color appreciably. Also, the amount of enamel on your teeth is a strong indication of how well your teeth will lighten in color. For example, teeth that are severely worn or have root system exposure don’t whiten as easily. Finally, if teeth are relatively white to begin with, it may not be reasonable to expect them to whiten several shades.
We also archive our previous Dental Health Topics. To view a previous article, please click on the topic you are interested in below:
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