|
Patient Education
Here's a great resource for learning about some dental problems and procedures.
For more information on the latest Dental techniques and news on how to take care of your smile, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
At the office of Edward A. Belkin, D.D.S., we'll be regularly adding Dental Articles describing various Dental procedures, with tips on how to keep your teeth healthy throughout your life.
Did You Know?
Xylitol sweetener and ACP(Amorphous Calcium Phosphate) "A new way to help control decay"
In the battle to maintain a healthy mouth, it has been known that refined sugar is the main cause of tooth decay. Currently there are two different approaches in addition to traditional home oral hygiene namely, brushing and flossing that are possible in preventing and protecting teeth from decay.
First substituting Xylitol instead of sucrose as a sweetener decreases the cavity causing bacteria. Xylitol, along with other sugar alcohols, is not fermented by oral bacteria. In fact bacteria concentrations actually decrease, because Xylitol is taken in as food by cavity causing bacteria, but bacteria can't use a five-carbon sugar alcohol , so they die. The primary source of Xylitol is birch trees and other hardwood trees; it is very expensive to produce so it is not often found in products. The most recent discovery however, has been that chewing gum immediatley after a meal or a snack reduces the acidity in the mouth to a level that does not allow tooth decay to occur. By chewing gum, saliva is produced which neutralizes the cavity producing acid and prevents decay. Saliva also has valuable amoutns of calcium that also repairs acid damaged teeth.
The second method to prevent or reverse the effects of decay producing bacteria is to use products containing ACP(Amorphous Calcium Phosphate). ACP is currently being added to products such as toothpaste, chewing gum, and mouth rinses. When applied to the tooth surface, ACP releases calcium and phosphorus that repairs surface defects etched from bacteria producing lactic acid. In addition it has been found that scratches can be filled and the tooth luster restored with ACP.
In our office we have ACP in our prophy paste as well as our Topical Fluoride Varnish. We also give samples of Orbit chewing gum in your hygiene bags that contains Xylitol. One product that is available and is the only toothpaste that contains ACP at this time for purchase is Arm & Hammer Age Defying Toothpaste. We do offer several other products in office that contain Xylitol/ACP, but you can find many products over the counter at your local grocery and pharmacy stores.
Have a great day!
Edward A. Belkin, DDS
|
