The average American consumes 22.2 teaspoons of sugar every day.  That’s waaayyyy above the recommended daily amount of no more than 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men.  Is it any wonder there is a tooth decay crisis?

Most people realize the importance of a healthy diet, but find it difficult to give up convenience foods and treats.  No one is saying you shouldn’t enjoy a special treat here and there, but if you’re having trouble limiting your sugar intake and want to avoid spending money on expensive dental repairs – consider adding xylitol to your day.

What is xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sweetener used as a sugar substitute which is commonly derived from birch trees and corn, but can also be found in fruits and vegetables.  In fact, our bodies naturally produce about 10 to 15g of xylitol every day during metabolism of carbohydrates.  Unfortunately this occurs in our digestive tract which doesn’t allow us to reap the oral benefits.  Xylitol is different from other sugar substitutes, such as sorbitol and aspartame found in many     sugar-free products, because it can’t be processed by oral bacteria to form plaque and cause cavities.

How is xylitol good for teeth?
Even though xylitol was discovered in the late 1800’s by German and French researchers, studies in the last few decades have unveiled its beneficial uses in oral health.  Supported by the American Dental Association as a good cavity prevention method, xylitol is a way to enhance your dental hygiene regimen of brushing, flossing, and regular appointments with a dentist.

1.    Starves bacteria – Bacteria use sugar to multiply, stick to teeth, and produce acid which erodes enamel leading to cavities.  Because they can’t metabolism xylitol, the number of tooth-decaying bacteria in your mouth is controlled, plaque buildup is reduced, and harmful acids are prevented from damaging teeth.
2.    Remineralizes teeth – Another amazing aspect of xylitol is that it can restore weakened enamel.  When you consume acidic foods and drinks or have a lot of acid producing bacteria, minerals that make up tooth enamel are broken down.  You can replenish minerals by drinking more water and eating nutrient-rich foods, but xylitol can also increase your absorption of vital tooth-friendly minerals like calcium to rebuild strength.

How much xylitol do I need?
The recommended daily intake to gain the oral health benefits of xylitol is 6 to 10g.  However, don’t take it all at once for two reasons.  One reason is that some people are sensitive to its effects and can experience indigestion and stomach cramps.  The other reason being is that xylitol is most effective when used after eating or drinking.  Typically the best practice is to use it after each of your three daily meals in 2 to 3g doses.  Check with your dental care provider first before giving to children because recommended amounts can vary by age and size.

Where do I get xylitol?
Xylitol-containing dental products come in many forms, the most popular being sugarless chewing gum.  If gum is not your thing, you can look for it in toothpastes, mouthwashes, lollipops, mints, candies, or granulated like regular sugar.  Products may be difficult to find in your local Austin TX grocery stores because it’s still a relatively new and unknown ingredient.  In addition, many of the name brand sugarless chewing gums you see in the checkout lane only contain a minimal amount of xylitol.  If it’s not listed as the first ingredient, there’s a good chance you’d have to chew 30 to 40 pieces to get the recommended daily amount.  More concentrated xylitol products are available online.

What else should I know about xylitol?
1.    Despite having 40% fewer calories than sugar, xylitol is much sweeter tasting.  Be prepared so you’re not overpowered!
2.    While xylitol is safe for people to use, don’t give it to your pets in the hopes of keeping their teeth clean and saving money on dental work.  It has been shown to cause vomiting, seizures, and in extreme cases deadly for dogs.

Remember: Using xylitol doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about brushing your teeth, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist for a professional cleaning.

Do you know where to find xylitol products around Austin, TX?

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with us, please call our office at (512) 943-6502.  Also, we’d love for you to join us on Facebook!  Like our page to stay up-to-date with what’s happening in our office, as well as the latest trends in the dental industry.
 

(Image courtesy of Alessandro Vernet via Flickr)

Think you know everything there is to know about toothpaste?  

Usually kind of minty, goes on the business end of a toothbrush, and doesn’t pair well with a glass of orange juice.  

While these loose facts are good to have on file, there are some interesting tidbits you may have missed about this dentifrice (fancy dentistry word for tooth-cleaning goodness).  

Take this short quiz to find out how much you really know and then get Alex Trebek on the phone to schedule your appearance on Jeopardy.
 

1.    Before toothpaste was invented, people brushed their teeth with some crazy stuff.  Which one did people actually use to clean their teeth?
a.    Crushed dinosaur bones
b.    Mint leaves. That’s why toothpaste is minty, right?
c.    Charcoal powder (Yum.)

2.    During World War II, toothpaste tubes were collected for the metal they were made out of?
a.    TRUE – Toothpaste tubes contained lead, which was used to help meet the demand for manufacturing bullets.
b.    FALSE – Toothpaste tubes have always been made of plastic.

3.    In 1914, what was added to toothpaste for the first time?
a.    Sugar to make it more appealing for people to use.
b.    Abrasive crystals to help scrap plaque off teeth when brushing.
c.    Fluoride, even though it wasn’t officially approved by the American Dental Association until the 1950s.

4.    What area of the world is said to have invented toothpaste?
a.    Egypt.  An ancient recipe was discovered recently on a dusty piece of papyrus in a Viennese museum.
b.    England, because they were tired of all the ‘bad teeth’ jokes.
c.    Texas.  We’re the friendly state who likes to smile BIG AND BRIGHT! (clap, clap, clap, clap)

5.    Toothpaste can be used to clean more than just teeth.
a.    TRUE – Studies have shown it can clean stains off synthetic kitchen countertops.
b.    FALSE – That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

How do you think you did?!  Let's find out...

ANSWERS:  C, A, C, A, A

Feel free to share your score or leave us a comment on Facebook!

What’s the point of all this?

Knowing toothpaste trivia may not necessarily increase your oral health, but using toothpaste will.  Toothpaste is important for cleaning away food particles, plaque, and bacteria from your teeth and tongue.  It’s an abrasive substance to use in conjunction with a toothbrush to scrap off sticky debris, because simply rinsing with water or mouthwash is not enough to get clean teeth and protect your gums.

Whichever brand or flavor you choose for toothpaste, make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day for a total of two minutes each time.  This greatly reduces your risk of cavities and gum disease.  However, having your teeth professionally cleaned at the dentist once or twice a year makes up for the ruthlessly tough plaque or tartar that brushing with toothpaste can’t get rid of.

If you’re due for a dental cleaning and would like to schedule an appointment, please call our office at (512) 943-6502.  Also, we’d love for you to join us on Facebook!  Like our page to stay up-to-date with what’s happening in our office, as well as the latest trends in the dental industry.
 

(Image courtesy of mauren veras via Flickr)

Mmmmmm gingerbread cookies…

You’re bound to eat some treats during the holidays that you would normally avoid as a dental hygiene enthusiast.  

While we always encourage healthy eating, you don’t have to say “No thanks” to everyone offering you Christmas goodies in the name of good oral health.  

Besides, nobody wants to break Grandma’s heart after she slaved away baking your favorite cookies.

But we did want to give you a few pointers about some typical holiday foods.  If Santa was a dentist, these would be on the Naughty List for sure. (P.S. Elves were consulted for the making of this list.)
 

Who’s On the Naughty List?

Wine

Most people are aware that red wine, while heart-healthy in moderation, can stain your teeth and lips.  But don’t be fooled, white wine can also stain teeth!  Researchers found that white wine can leave your teeth a brownish-red color.  The acids in both red and white wines wear away tiny holes and cracks in your enamel which is where the staining can take place.  Simply alternate with water between glasses or sips to wash away acids.  Wait 30 minutes to an hour before brushing your teeth after eating or drinking anything acidic.

Hard candies

Stockings full of hard candies and peppermint bark are a special treat for anyone to chomp on.  The Debbie Downer side of things is that they can also crack or chip an old filling or temporary crown.  You can still enjoy these, just be aware of which side of the mouth you chew on and make sure to break anything hard into small pieces.

Crackers

As yummy as they are with all the things you can pile on top of them before carefully lowering it into your mouth—they stick to your teeth.  Guess who else likes crackers?  Bacteria.  So try to swish some water while you’re eating those bite-size crunchy breads.  And be sure to brush and floss later to get all the bits stuck in all the little nooks around your teeth.

Figgy Pudding

This Victorian dessert sounds like it’d be pretty tasty if Christmas carolers can demand it from you via song.  However, once we found a recipe and realized it’s a sort of bread pudding we could only imagine the sticky goodness all over our teeth.  We’re also sure oral bacteria would think it tasted pretty good too.  If this is a regular dish at your house, we’d suggest rinsing with water along with brushing and flossing before bedtime.

Pecan pie

Well, this is Texas.  Most of us will be in the presence of at least one pecan pie this holiday season.  As far as occasional foods go, pecan pie has actually been voted by experts (same ones that said fettuccine alfredo was a “heart attack on a plate”) as the worst for your health.  From their standards it’s mainly about fat and calories.  Not that we don’t agree on the importance of those, but think of how sticky that mouthwatering sugary filling is! Again, try washing it down with water until you can really get in there with heavier dental equipment for proper cleaning.

You may have noticed we tried to STICK to an easy to remember theme.  Anything that’s sticky is ok to indulge in during the holidays, as long as you remember to brush and floss it all away.  We do love our patients, but we’d rather see you for a cleaning than a cavity in January.

We know people get a little relaxed in their daily oral hygiene routine, but keeping up with it can really safeguard your teeth when there’s so much extra food lying around to nibble on…all…day…long.  Eating snacks consistently throughout the day leaves your teeth virtually defenseless against the acid attacks and hungry bacteria.  Partake in the festivities all you want! Just make sure you protect your teeth soon after.

By the way, has anyone actually HAD figgy pudding??

We’d like to wish all of our patients happy holidays.  We take pride in providing your dental care and getting to know you and your loved ones.  If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call our office at (512) 943-6502.  Also, be sure to check our Facebook page where you can stay up-to-date with what’s happening in our office, as well as the latest trends in the dental industry.

(Image courtesy of Dano via Flickr)