What is Mountain Dew mouth and why is it a problem in the Appalachian region?
Mountain Dew Mouth refers to the tooth decay that accompanies the frequent consumption of soft drinks (pop soda), particularly — as you may have guessed — Mountain Dew. The phenomenon is common in the Appalachian region of the United States, where 98 percent of people experience tooth decay before turning 44 years old.
Why is Mountain Dew so bad for teeth?
The citric acid in Mountain Dew softens teeth, extracting the calcium components from teeth. The refined sugars in the soda feed bacteria (Streptococcus Mutans), which produces acid that further breaks down teeth. Here is an example that shows how harmful Mountain Dew can be.
How many teeth did Larry plan on getting removed?
As a result, Larry got hooked and now has around 12 cans of the Dew a day, again very common. You can only imagine what his teeth looked like. He was such a kind boy and here he was faced with having to have 26 of his teeth removed in the back of a van on the side of the road.
How bad is Mountain Dew for teeth?
However, Mountain Dew is the worst type of soda that you can drink. Dentists stated that this beverage causes the teeth to decay at an astonishing rate. In fact, soda can be just as damaging to the teeth as meth2. The sugar content is the main factor that makes Mountain Dew worse than other sodas.
What does MAI WIRU mean?
good health
It was called Mai Wiru, meaning good health, and managed by long-time community consultant John Tregenza.
Is that sugar film accurate?
Using 40 teaspoons of white sugar paints a sensational picture but it is not entirely true. The actual amount of added sugar we eat is more like 66 grams or about 16 teaspoons a day for the average adult. IN THE FILM: Gameau claims his weight gain happened despite eating the same amount of food before the experiment.
Is Mountain Dew bad for kidneys?
Mountain Dew is not toxic to the kidney. Patients who already have chronic kidney disease may want to limit Mountain Dew because of the content of phosphate in the soda. You should discuss this with a dietician, if you have chronic kidney disease.
Is there a problem with teeth in Appalachia?
While Harris says that there aren’t a lot of comprehensive surveys of dental health in Appalachia, signs of a rampant problem are unmistakable: Some 26 percent of preschoolers in the region have tooth decay, and 15 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds have had a tooth extracted because of decay or erosion.
What kind of people are the Appalachians?
The image of Appalachia as strange people in a strange land. It is the missionaries’ image of noble people who just need a little education and uplift. (My sisters were recruited by missionaries, sent to boarding school locally, then to finishing schools outside the mountains to become proper young ladies.)
What are the stories of the Appalachian culture?
Our stories are about how we took care of our families and helped each other in Appalachian neighborhoods. Appalachian culture is not to be found in lists of values or characteristics. It is to be found in honestly looking at the stories of our families and our people as a whole, the things that build us up and the things that drag us down.
How much tooth decay is caused by Mountain Dew?
With 26 percent of preschool-age kids suffering from tooth decay and 15 percent of young adults extracting a tooth because of erosion, Mountain Dew-mouth in Appalachia has created one of the worst