October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and with candy bowls filling up everywhere, it’s a good time to think about how we care for our teeth. Most of us wonder how much sugar is too much, but according to Dr. David Kurtzman, a retired dentist and longtime supporter of JF&CS’ Ben Massell Dental Clinic (BMDC), the better question may be how often we’re eating it.
“Repeated small inoculations of sugar are worse than a single exposure,” he explains. “If you slam a soda that’s not great, but it’s better than taking small sips of it all day.”
The same principle applies to sweets. Enjoying a treat in one sitting is generally better for your teeth than grazing on sugary snacks throughout the day. Each time you consume sugar, oral bacteria can produce acids that attack tooth enamel. Giving your teeth a break between exposures – and rinsing with water when you can’t brush right away – can help support better oral health.
Dr. Kurtzman also sees the mouth as a gateway to overall health. “The mouth is actually the top part of the digestive tract, and an opening to the lungs,” he explains. Maintaining good oral health is an important part of caring for your overall well-being – which is why consistent habits matter: brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing a dentist regularly.
For many Atlantans, that last part is easier said than done. The BMDC is the only resource in Atlanta offering a comprehensive, quality dental care at no cost to people who cannot afford it. Serving clients within 125% of the poverty line with no access to insurance, the clinic is fully staffed by volunteer dentists who give their time to provide life-changing care.
Dr. Kurtzman has spent years helping patients understand the connection between oral health and overall health, and his support of BMDC reflects a belief he’s held throughout his career: that everyone deserves access to that care regardless of what they can afford.