Most of us are familiar with fluoride and the dental benefits that go along with it, but you may not know about the positive attributes of xylitol. This naturally occurring substance can be found in many different fruits and vegetables. The only problem is that it’s very difficult to consume enough produce to reap the benefits provided by xylitol.

Several categories of dental patients are good candidates for xylitol, including the following:

• Older patients
• People who have a problem with dry mouth (often brought on by certain medications or breathing with your mouth open at night)
• Patients who have undergone chemotherapy treatments
• People suffering from acid reflux on a regular basis
• Patients who eat and drink a lot of acidic foods and beverages

All of these people are likely to have an acidic pH, and when pH is low tooth decay is more likely to form. Xylitol helps return pH balances to normal, as well as relieving the discomfort associated with dry mouth. Although there are many advantages of xylitol, too much of it can cause gastric upset, so you should be careful and avoid ingesting too much xylitol. It’s also important to remember that you should avoid giving xylitol to your pets, since this is one of many food products that may be harmful to the non-human members of your family.

Ask your dentist for more information about xylitol and whether it would be an appropriate choice for you and members of your family.

Source: http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2014/12/the-benefits-of-xylitol-for-your-dental-patients-are-numerous.html

In this day and age, when dental technology has come so far, you may be surprised to learn that cavities are still a persistent dental issue for children and adults alike. Simply put, a “cavity” is the term used for tooth decay, a condition that forms when plaque builds up and erodes the enamel of the tooth. Left untreated, cavities can lead to the more serious problem of gum disease. And gum disease, in turn, has been linked to such serious health problems as heart failure, strokes and even cancer. All of which makes it important to treat cavities once they form or, even better, to prevent them from developing in the first place.

Fortunately, following these simple steps can help you prevent your family from developing tooth decay:

• Make it a habit to always brush twice each day and to use a fluoride toothpaste when you do so.
• Make sure your diet is healthy. Eat plenty of nutritious foods, and limit snack foods that may encourage cavities to form – such as sugary sodas and candy.
• At least once a day, make it a point to floss between teeth. These are areas where food can get left behind, even with regular brushing, and that leftover food can form bacteria that can eventually lead to plaque buildup and cavities.
• If your drinking water doesn’t contain fluoride (or even if it does), ask your dentist about using supplemental fluoride. This will help to strengthen your family’s tooth enamel.

Remember that it’s also important to visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. Following these simple steps on a regular basis can save you and your family from tooth decay and the more serious problems that can follow.

Call today to schedule an appointment with Austin dentist, Dr. John Glennon – (512) 454-0414

Source: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/cavities

It’s unfortunate but true –dental insurance coverage may not always pay for all of your family’s dental needs. If that’s the situation you find yourself in, there is another option that might work for you and your family. CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that you can use for your own or your family’s out-of-pocket dental expenses. It works very much like any other credit card. Once you apply and are approved, you’ll be able to pay for dental expenses with convenient monthly payments. You may even be able to afford finance charges if you pay within a certain period of time.

Here are some of the dental procedures you’ll be able to obtain using your CareCredit card:

• Semi-annual checkups
• Professional cleanings
• Fluoride treatments
• Ceramic fillings
• Periodontics
• Endodontics
• Gingivitis prevention

You may be surprised to learn that you can even use your CareCredit card for cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as:

• Invisalign braces
• Root canals
• Dentures
• Dental implants
• Ceramic crowns
• Dental veneers
• Lumineers
• Tooth repair
• Headgear

No one should have to postpone treatment or avoid dental procedures altogether because of finances. Recent studies have shown that poor dental health and gum disease are linked to other health problems. The oral health of you and your family is too important to ignore. Fortunately, thanks to CareCredit, there is a way to afford the dental care that you and your family need and deserve. This convenient healthcare credit card makes it much easier to fit dental expenses into your budget.

Source: http://www.carecredit.com/dentistry/

We all know that good oral hygiene habits – such as regular brushing, flossing, use of antibacterial mouthwashes and regular trips to the dentist – will most likely help to prevent tooth loss and gum disease. But what you might not know is that practicing good oral hygiene habits may also help to prevent other diseases as well. Just look at what some recent studies suggest:

• Gum disease – and most likely the inflammation that goes along with it – has been linked to a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease.

• The inflammation caused by gum disease may make it harder to conceive if you’re trying to have children. And if you’re already pregnant, gum disease could increase your chances of having a child that’s born prematurely.

• You may be more likely to develop diabetes if you have gum disease.

• People with gum disease may also be more susceptible to pulmonary diseases, such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia.

• Worried about developing dementia later in life? Then keep brushing and flossing! Recent studies show that people who lose a greater number of teeth prior to the age of 35 are more likely to develop dementia than those who lose fewer teeth.

If you thought that good oral hygiene habits just prevented tooth loss and gum disease, think again! As it turns out, regular brushing and flossing, as well as visiting your dentist for professional cleanings and dental exams every six months, could be saving you from all kinds of physical problems later in life. Putting it succinctly – healthy mouth, healthy you!

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/01/oral-hygiene-health-problems_n_914565.html#s319360title=Reduced_Risk_Of