From:
deevecchione@cs.com
Date: 2001-06-08 07:38:00 UTC
Subject: Soda: Another dental lesson!
Hi everybody!
Wow...two dental related posts in one week. A hygienist's dream come
true!
;-) Sorry, but I love what I do!
>Subject: Addicted to Soda?
>My ferret is in love with Soda. She will hunt it. I have read
though that
>it can cause respiratory problems and can lead to death, but I
can't seem to
>get her away from it. If it is on the desk, high above her, she
finds a way
>to it. I can't seem to figure out what is going on with her..:) I
had
>wanted to know what I could do to make it less appealing or, maybe
get her
to
>kick the horrible addiction. Rehab maybe? I mean what is the worst
thing
>that it can do?
I have to say that I am as concerned for you as I am for her. Next
time you
pick up a can, read the ingredients. It will list phosphoric acid.
Acid
destroys tooth enamel and results in rampant decay. I've been a
hygienist for
14 years and I have seen countless patients with horrible decay from
frequent
soda intake. Sometimes their mouths look more like bombed out cities
than a
dentition of teeth. One guy with such a mouth, actually used to make
a
pyramid of 10 cans on his desk everyday! He was addicted to the
caffeine!
It is amazing when you think about it....we would never dream of
pouring soda
on the paint of our cars, yet we pour it into our mouths without
giving it
another thought. It is very sad. :-(
If you must have it, limit your soda to meals only and brush
afterwards. Do
not sip on it over longer periods of time (such as while you read
the FHL).
You will be constantly bathing your teeth in acid and sugar(if it's
not diet
soda). This results in even more acid, because the bacteria in your
mouth
digest the sugar and produce acid, as well. That is how decay forms.
It's not
worth losing your teeth or thousands of dollars in restorative
treatment. I
hope you'll take my advice seriously and change your habits ASAP. A
smile is
a terrible thing to waste! ;-)
If you don't have the soda around as much, then your ferret can't be
tempted
either. I would never allow my ferrets to drink soda. The sugar,
nutrasweet,
caffeine and acid could be far more harmful to their little bodies
than to us.
Water is the healthiest thing that you can drink and the only thing
your
ferret should be drinking. Mine will even try to get my glass. It's
not so
much what you're drinking as they want what you've got!
Take care!
Dodie in South Jersey
Registered Dental Hygienist
Mom to Five Fabulous Ferrets