Dentists Hawaii

Bright Smiles

Hawaii Dentists While Traveling

A sunset from a beach in :en:Honolulu
Image via Wikipedia

Nothing can ruin a Hawaii vacation more than toothaches and other oral problems. While many brave visitors choose to tough out the pain in anticipation of seeing their own dentist or health care provider at home, the best thing to do is seek a local dentist to treat problems immediately. Not only is this the best decision for one’s body but it also will help to make the remaining part of a Hawaiian vacation fun and enjoyable. For tourists staying in local hotels, a quick visit to the concierge is most likely the best first step. Not only will a concierge be able to refer you to a qualified doctor, he or she will also be able to assist in setting up an appointment.

If this doesn’t work, a simple browse through the yellow pages will certainly do the trick. The majority of local doctors are highly trained and qualified, providing exceptional service and treatment. The bottom line is for travelers experiencing discomfort to seek medical help immediately rather than waiting to return home. Most insurance providers will cover such emergency treatments by Hawaii providers. It will make the whole experience much more worthwhile and memorable!

Line 'em up!
Image by SuperFantastic via Flickr

Many people know that sugar causes tooth decay, which is why parents are always telling their children not to eat too much candy and of course, soda pop. However, soda pop is a lot more harmful for your teeth than you think. The process of carbonation that all sodas go through, which gives soda its bubbly and fizzy nature, make the sugary drink pretty acidic. You may not know it but acid can be much more harmful for your teeth than sugar.

Acidity is measure on the pH scale, with 1 being highly acidic and 14 being highly basic. To put things in perspective, the saliva in your mouth has a pH of 7, which is considered “neutral.” Anything with a pH below 5.5 will cause damage to your teeth. Lemon juice has a pH of 2, while Coke and other sodas have a pH ranging from around 3 to 4. However, the pH scale is logarithmic, so a soda with a pH of 3 is ten times more acidic than one with a pH of 4. Sugars promote tooth decay because many of the bacteria on your teeth that cause the decay feed on sugar, but brushing and using mouthwash will get rid of those bacteria. However, acid literally causes tooth decay because it strips the protective enamel from your teeth. Using a fluoride toothpaste will help to rebuild and protect your enamel. Therefore, with soda’s high sugar content and acidic nature, it is doubly bad for your teeth.