Dental Notes
Posts for tag: xylitol
One of the most common diseases in America is tooth decay! Children, teens, and adults all experience cavities…it is almost inevitable. Unfortunately, when cavities develop, so can other problems, like gum disease and tooth sensitivity.
Are you concerned about developing cavities?
Maintaining good oral hygiene habits, visiting your dentist, and eating healthy will help to keep your teeth strong and healthy. However, Dr. Samuels in Rockville, MD wants to offer a few additional ways to enhance your ability to keep cavities from developing.
1.) Dairy Is Your Friend
Like fluoride, dairy products will help to remineralize your teeth and keep your enamel strong. Dairy products contain both calcium and casein to strengthen your teeth.
2.) Use Products That Contain Fluoride
Your teeth are constantly demineralizing and remineralizing. When choosing which dental hygiene products to use, make sure you select products that contain fluoride. In addition to your dental products, tap water also contains fluoride. When you go to have a drink of water, choose tap water over bottled water.
3.) Look For Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is found in some sugar-free gum and sugar-free sweets. While xylitol is a sugar substitute, it also works as an anti-sugar in your mouth, preventing sugar, bacteria, and plaque from attacking your teeth and causing cavities.
4.) Prevent Dry Mouth
Saliva is the best natural defender against cavities in our mouth. Saliva helps to neutralize acids and keep your teeth clean. If you suffer from dry mouth (xerostomia), you will be more susceptible to developing cavities. To prevent dry mouth, drink more water, stay away from alcohol and caffeine, and try to breathe through your nose and not your mouth! Chewing sugar-free chewing gum will also stimulate your salivary glands.
Are you in need of a dentist in Rockville, MD?
If you are in need of a restoration, or would like to consider sealants or professional fluoride treatment, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at our office in Rockville.
Ways to Relieve Dry Mouth
In our last two blog posts, we discussed what dry mouth is, as well as some common causes. Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of dry mouth is as a side effect of medications. When this is the case, it is hard to avoid dry mouth, as you need many of the medications.
Though you may not be able to avoid dry mouth, there are many steps you can take to find relief. Below, Dr Samuels in Rockville, MD provides several ways to stimulate your saliva production and fight back against dry mouth.
- Increase the amount of water you consume.
- Maintain your regular brushing and flossing schedule.
- Chew sugarless chewing gum that contains Xylitol.
- Eat foods that promote saliva production (carrots, celery, pears).
- Use a humidifier at night.
- Make sure that your lips are hydrated. If you suffer from dry lips, keep lip balm handy.
- Use a product like Biotene, a saliva substitute.
- Maintain your routine dental checkups.
In our next blog post, we will conclude our blog series on dry mouth by looking at things to eliminate in order to avoid dry mouth. If you are suffering from dry mouth, or would like to schedule a routine dental check up, Dr. Samuels in Rockville, MD is always welcoming new patients. Feel free to contact us today!
Last week, we began a discussion about what food will benefit your oral health. Dr. Samuels continues the discussion giving five more food options.
1. Cheese:
High in calcium, and low in sugar and acid, cheese is an excellent choice for your oral health. Additionally, cheese contains casein, a protein that strengthens the enamel of our teeth.
2. Sugarless Chewing Gum:
Chewing gums that contain xylitol are excellent for your oral health. However, not all sugarless chewing gums contain xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that actually works as an “anti-sugar” of sorts. Xylitol prevents the bacteria and plaque in our mouth from proper metabolizing. Additionally, chewing gum helps to stimulate your saliva rid your mouth of bacteria and plaque.
3. Tap Water:
Unlike purified or spring water, tap water contains a good amount of fluoride. Fluoride helps to strengthen your teeth and protect against cavities. Tap water will help to reverse the affects that acids and sugars have on your mouth and revitalize your teeth.
4. Pears:
Similar to other fruits and vegetables listed, pears help to stimulate saliva production. An additional benefit of pears is they are much less citric than other fruits.
5. Yogurt:
Like cheese, yogurt is a great source of casein and phosphates that help to reverse the affects of acids and sugars.
As a rule of thumb of foods to avoid, avoid foods high in sugar, acid, and stickiness. These foods fuel the plaque and germs in your mouth that can wreak havoc in your mouth.
Dr. Samuels wants you to have a healthy smile. If you would like to schedule a visit at our office in Rockville, MD, we welcome you to contact us at 301-881-4200.
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