Be a know-it-all on xylitol.
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables. Compared to sugar, it has fewer calories and zero carbohydrates.
But what’s really exciting about xylitol is that it’s a tooth-friendly sugar. Along with not encouraging tooth decay, it has been shown to actively aid in repairing minor cavities caused by tooth decay. How sweet is that!
Recent research shows that xylitol attracts and then “starves” harmful micro-organisms. Since bacteria don’t absorb well on the surface of the teeth when xylitol is present, the amount of plaque decreases. This helps stop tooth decay.
Where small cavities are beginning to form, xylitol helps there, too. Through a slight rise in pH due to the xylitol, calcium and other “good” nutrients begin to fill into the parts of a tooth’s enamel that need them. With continued use, calcium-deficient enamel sites begin to harden again.
Today, xylitol can be found in a variety of sugar-free products — most commonly in chewing gum — as well as in some newer toothpastes. Watch for “nature’s cavity fighter” next time you’re shopping.
The scoop on sealants.
Ever wonder what the back of your teeth look like? For kids, teh chewing surface you can't see looks a lot like a mountain range from above - complete with deep canyons, plenty of ridges and valleys galore. Surprisingly, these canyons and grooves can be quite deep. And the deeper they are, the harder it is to keep them clean - especially at the very bottom.
That's where sealant comes in. Sealants are a great way to protect new permanent teeth. Liquid sealant flows into and over the grooves of the back teeth. When it hardens, it turns a deep groove into a shallow one that a toothbrush can easliy clean. The sealant also acts as a barrier, protecting the teeth's enamel from plaque and acids.
Sealants are easy for us to apply and it only takes a few minutes to seal each tooth. They hold up well under normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. Think of it as an ear-to-ear 100,000 mile warranty for your teeth.
The facts on fluoride.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that is abundant in soil, rocks and the earth's crust. Good thing there's lots of it, because it's also nature's answer to tooth decay. Fluoride helps prevent cavities in five different ways:
- Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to decay. It works its way into the structure of teh tooth to make the enamel stronger and more resistant to acid.
- Fluoride helps the enamel on baby teeth develop before the teeth erupt.
- Fluoride stops bacteria in the mouth from producing acids that cause tooth decay.
- Fluoride makes the enamel on teeth harder and stronger.
- Fluoride use can replace minerals in tooth surfaces that have been broken down by acids. This can help repairing early decay or damage before it causes a cavity.
Fluoride and kids.
Topical fluoride gel or foam treatments can begin after the age of three. The treatment is given at the dentist office and is not only painless, but comes in a rainbow of flavors.
Fluoride rinses are recommended for kids six and older. They're especially good for kids who drink soft drinks and/or have braces. If used daily, they can cut decay by approximately 30%.
Fluoride toothpaste can be used at any age. Forget about what you see in commercials, all it takes is a pea-sized blob of toothpaste. The key is to brush for three to four minutes.
And during routine dental visits, fluoride polishing paste is used to clean your teeth. Surprise, you're getting the proven benefits of fluoride and you didn't even know it!
Picking a toothpaste.
As logn as your toothpaste contains fluoride, it doesn't really matter which branch you use. It can be paste or gel, mint or bubblegum, white or green, tube or squeeze bottle - just make sure it contains fluoride. Look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval on the package and you're good to go.
No matter how you get, fluoride = healthy teeth.
|