Have you ever had a cavity? At Greenville Family Smiles, we recommend cosmetic white fillings to restore your tooth and reduce your risk of further tooth decay, but that’s not all. Dr. Goldston also has a “sweet therapy” that he encourages all of his patients to indulge in - even people who have never had a cavity.
A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, but it can wreak havoc on your teeth. While a little sugar in your daily diet can be handled by your mouth’s natural defenses, the standard American diet is excessively sweet and can increase your risk of dental decay. There’s a better alternative - and you can pick it up at the checkout counter of your grocery store. If you’ve never heard of xylitol – a unique sweetener – here are a few reasons you should be using it:
- Xylitol Is All Natural - If you’re cleaning up your diet and you want to avoid the latest fake sweetener, be sure to give xylitol a try. It’s 100% natural and you’re already consuming it in small amounts when you eat fruits and vegetables. The only problem is that it’s in such small amounts, most people don’t eat enough to enjoy a therapeutic dose for their smile.
- Xylitol Protects and Improves Your Smile - If you don’t have the greatest brushing habits, xylitol can help. Due to its unique nature, xylitol actually reduces the stickiness of cavity-causing plaque, minimizing the odds that it will cling to your teeth.
By reducing plaque formation, your risk of cavities is reduced - and that means a healthier smile. Even better, its sweet taste can make your mouth water, which helps your mouth repair damage that’s already happened to your tooth enamel.
- You’ll Never Know the Difference - With xylitol, you can have your cake and eat it, too, but with ⅓ less calories, when compared to sugar. Best of all, it tastes great and keeps your mouth (and taste buds) happy.
- Xylitol Is Safe - It doesn’t take much xylitol to reduce your risk of cavities. With as little as 15 grams a day, to enjoy the benefits, everyone in your family can take advantage of it. In fact, the World Health Organization has given xylitol its highest food additive safety rating.
- You May Already Be Using It - If xylitol sounds like a great addition to your health regimen, you’ll be happy to know how convenient it is to incorporate. You don’t need to go down the supplement aisle of your favorite store to pick it up, just stroll down the dental care aisle - or head straight for the candy.
Not only do many toothpastes contain xylitol for better taste and dental benefits, but many candies do as well. Check your sugar-free gum! It may already contain xylitol. Just be sure that xylitol is listed as the only sweetener, since many sweeteners (artificial or otherwise) can actually increase your risk of cavities.
Enjoy a better smile by adding xylitol to your daily diet - and be sure to keep it healthy with regular dental checkups at our Greenville office. If it’s been awhile since you saw the dentist, call Greenville Family Smiles today!
