The Sugary Substance Dentists Actually Recommend
Xylitol Starves the Bad Bacteria in Your Mouth
If you’ve ever seen the 1971 classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” then you are familiar with the fictional sugar- filled labyrinth from which some of the most scrumdiddlyumptious sweets are delivered to the world’s candy stores. To children, the chocolate river, Everlasting Gobstoppers, and Fizzy Lifting Drinks are the mouthwatering epitome of fun, but adults might look at all that sugar and run away screaming. According to the American Diabetes Association, added sugar may be the unhealthiest aspect of the modern diet. Fortunately, the natural sweetener xylitol provides a healthier alternative. What Is Xylitol? Xylitol is a white, crystallized sugar alcohol. It looks and tastes like sugar, but it has fewer calories and only has a negligible effect on blood sugar levels. You can find small amounts
of it in many fruits and vegetables, which is why many define it as “natural.” You can also find xylitol in birch trees, but more often than not, scientists make it in a lab using the plant fiber xylan. Xylitol is considered a healthier choice than fructose, especially high fructose corn syrup, which spikes blood sugar and insulin levels. This spike can lead to insulin resistance, weight gain, risk of heart disease and cancer, and several other serious health- related issues. Why Do Dentists Recommend It? Many dentists recommend using xylitol- sweetened chewing gum — no, not the kind that turned Violet into a giant blueberry. Studies indicate
factors for tooth decay is a type of oral bacteria called Streptococcus mutans. Having traces of this bacteria on your teeth is normal, but when there is an abundance, your immune system starts attacking it. These attacks often lead to inflammatory gum diseases that can cause gingivitis. To stay alive, these bacteria feed on sugar from the food you eat, but oddly, they can’t process xylitol. If you replace your sugar intake with xylitol, the bacteria will still eat it, but their energy pathways will become clogged and they will starve. It is not often that a dentist recommends that their patients chew on sweets, but consuming this sugar can do wonders for your teeth and gums.
that xylitol can prevent tooth decay. One of the leading risk
Don’t Miss Kids’ Day
Dr. Stuckey’s Playlist
Have you heard about Kids’ Day? Once a month, Briarfield Dental Care throws a special celebration focused exclusively on our youngest patients. The office is transformed with fun decorations, the whole team gets dressed up, and there are lots of prizes for kids who come in to join the fun. Plus, we have special spin brushes and offers on sealants and mouthguards only available during our Kids’ Days. Upcoming Kids’ Day Schedule
Big Head, Small Ego, Smooth Sound
This month, I’m recommending a band most people haven’t heard about here in our neck of the woods but that has gathered a big following out in the Mountain States: Big Head Todd and the Monsters. I was lucky enough to see this band here several years ago at an outdoor concert held at the zoo. They were opening for another group, and I really enjoyed their set. Their sound is a sort of a rock/blues fusion with influences from early jazz. When you listen to their songs, you’d never guess there were only three guys up there; it sounds so much bigger. And their lead singer, Big Head Todd himself, has a really memorable voice. After the show, I got to meet the band and get a signed T-shirt, which I still have. Despite the band name, I wouldn’t say any of them have big heads or big egos.
The band is a trio of high school friends: Todd Park Mohr (guitar and vocals), Brian Nevin (drums), and Rob Squires (bass). They started out playing gigs at clubs around their college campus before they began touring the west in a van they dubbed “The Colonel.” They’ve been around since 1984 and have released a few charting singles and a platinum album, “Sister Sweetly,” but they’re still pretty underground. That said, when people hear them for the first time, they tend to become fans. They’ve been writing music and touring for decades. A few of my favorite songs by them are “Bittersweet,” “In the Morning,” and “Resignation Superman.” They recently put out a new album called “New World Arisin’,” which I haven’t heard yet, but you can bet I’ll be checking it out.
Oct. 18: Football Day
Nov. 15: Dinosaur Day
Dec. 27: New Year’s Party
Jan. 17: Snow and ‘Frozen’ Day
Don’t miss out! Mark your calendars for the next Kids’ Day celebration and be part of the fun.
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