Xylitol and Tooth Decay

While strolling through the candy aisle at the drugstore have you ever noticed a sweet treat that contains xylitol? If so, you should grab it if you want to protect your teeth from decay. Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables. It tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. Our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates encourage the use of xylitol due to its unique and clinically proven dental benefits.

Xylitol prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to the teeth. With the dental benefits of xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over 30 minutes after food consumption is stopped. Because the bacteria in the mouth that are causing cavities are unable to digest xylitol, their growth is greatly reduced. In addition to reducing cavities, xylitol also reduces plaque formation and increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel. So next time you’re strolling through the candy aisle at a convenience store, you may want to look for a label that mentions this sugar substitute.

If you have questions about tooth decay, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Clareview & Belmont Dental Associates here in Edmonton, AB, call 780-475-5922.

Facts on Fluoride

Fluoride is a natural mineral found throughout the earth’s crust and widely distributed in nature and is often added to water to help reduce tooth decay. Research has shown that fluoride not only reduces cavities in children and adults, but it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, even before the decay is visible. Here at Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates, we can discuss professional fluoride treatments with you to see if you are a prime candidate.

When fluoride reaches your teeth, it is absorbed into the enamel. Fluoride helps to repair the enamel by replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorus to keep your teeth hard through a process called remineralization. When fluoride is present during this process, the minerals deposited into the tooth enamel help strengthen your teeth and prevent dissolution during the next demineralization phase. The results are stronger tooth enamel and a cavity-free grin.

If you think you may benefit from a fluoride treatment, please give us a call. To schedule an appointment with Clareview and Belmont Dental Associates by calling 780-475-5922 or visiting our website, www.clareviewbelmontdentist.com.