The simple act of chewing xylitol gum for 5 minutes, 5-10 times per day, reaps benefits that can’t be disputed.  Xylitol works its magic by starving the decay-causing bacteria and reducing acids that break down enamel.

Who benefits from the use of xylitol?   EVERYONE!!!

-  Parents of infants (6-24 months in age) who chew gum containing xylitol can reduce the amount of strep bacteria that is passed to their children by as much as 70%.  Babies are not born with these bacteria;  we give it to them.  There is also a benefit of reduced ear and lung infection.

-  Children should start chewing xylitol around age 5 for long term benefits and to help avoid early tooth decay.

-  College students can use xylitol to reduce decay that can be caused by poor diet and stressful life style.

-   Anyone with dry mouth concerns due to medications or medical conditions can benefit by using Biotene dry mouth products or Tom’s of Maine toothpastes containing xylitol

-   Nursing home patients, who can chew gum safely, but who have lost the ability to care for their teeth can reduce decay by using xylitol.

Look for xylitol in other foods and snacks .  It provides almost magical help in preventing tooth decay.

For more information on xylitol or any dental questions St. Louis Hills Dental Group is located at 6979 Chippewa (one block west of Ted Drewes).  We can be reached by phone at 314-644-0440 or our website is www.stlouishillsdental.com.

Diabetes is a group of chronic diseases resulting from defects in insulin production, action, or both. It is characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). High blood sugar interferes with normal metabolism and eventually tissue healing and health. Diabetics whose disease is controlled either by diet or medication can expect reasonable healing and tissue response in treatment of gum disease.

Uncontrolled diabetics may develop diminished salivary flow leading to xerostomia (dry mouth). They may also develop improper response to infections and inflammation of gum tissues. These conditions often lead to poor response to gum treaments and require more agressive treatment.

Some dental patients do not know that they have diabetes. This can lead to disappointing treatment results for gum disease. Diabetes Screening Tests are important for:
>Every new dental patient with a familiy history of diabetes
>Annually for all patients over the age of 60
>All existing patients during health history and risk assessment
updates and thereafter every 5 years unless over the age of 60

At St. Louis Hills Dental Group we will continue to keep current with changes and advancements in the treatment of diabetes and gum disease. 

For more information contact us at our website www.stlouishillsdental.com or call St. Louis Hills Dental Group at 314-644-0440

Fortunately, keeping your gums and teeth healthy requires relatively low-tech means: Daily brushing and flossing plus regular trips to your dentist for cleanings and checkups. Now we know that maintaining good oral hygiene could help prevent more serious conditions. This should be a great incentive for both young and old.

• Ventilators, an infectious pathway~

When hospitalized patients are connected to a ventilator, their risk of pneumonia can increase 20 times. This is a leading killer among hospital acquired infections. Oral bacteria in dental plaque can travel down the ventilator tube and into the lungs and begin to grow. Healthier gums and teeth will reduce this risk.

For more information use our website or call St. Louis Hills Dental Group at 314-644-0440

Dr. Steven Offenbacher, director for Oral and Systemic Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill says, “When oral bacteria in the mother’s blood reaches the placenta and then reaches the fetus, it triggers an immune and inflammatory response, stressing the unborn child. Infections may account for up to 50 percent of premature births.” In the United States one in 10 babies are born too early, nearly double the rate in other industrialized countries. There are many risk factors, which include race, smoking, alcohol and drug use, etc., and more than 255 of complicated pregnancies occur for no know reason. However, it is known that the chemicals and hormones that mediate the inflammatory response can also dilate the cervix and trigger uterine contractions.

Heart health and inflammation:

 Researchers believe that there is a link between heart disease and gum disease due to bacterial pathogens or inflammatory chemicals carried by the blood from the mouth to the heart. One study of 10,000 Americans between ages of 18 and 74 found that people with gum disease were much more likely to by diagnose with heart disease than those without gum disease. Doctors know that the inflammation that causes gum disease is the same that narrows coronary arteries. Everyone should be conscientious about treating gum disease, but it is not yet clear that doing so will protect you from heart disease.

Gum disease, obesity, and diabetes are linked:

Two decades of biomedical research has shown that the three are linked. It is believed that obesity intensifies infections, including gum disease. Fat cells release elevated levels of cytokines into the bloodstream. It is now known that elevated levels of cytokines accelerate gum disease. Once a diabetic patient has gum disease, their sugar control worsens and they suffer further complications, including nerve damage and kidney disease.

At St. Louis Hills Dental Group, if we can help with further information on these or other topics please call us at 314-644-0440 or use our website www.stlouishillsdental.com .

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding mercury fillings or any other dental questions.  St. Louis Hills Dental Group is located at 6979 Chippewa (one block west of Ted Drewes).  We can be reached by phone at 314-644-0440 or our website is www.stlouishillsdental.com.

Listed below are common beverages arranged from the least acidic to the most acidic.

Brewed tea 7.2
Soy Milk 7.0
Water 7.0
Coconut Milk 6.6
Goat’s Milk 6.5
Milk 6.5
Club Soda 6.0
Coffee 5.5
Barq’s Root Beer 4.5
e load 4.5
Buttermilk 4.4
A&W Root Beer 4.3
GU20 4.3
Tomato Juice 4.1
Pear Nectar 4.0
Dad’s Root Beer 4.0
Prune Juice 4.0
Vegetable Juice 3.9
Powerbar Endurance 3.9
Enervit G 3.9
Accelerade 3.9
Cytomax 3.8
Diet 7-Up 3.7
Wine(dry) 3.7
Iced Tea 3.5
Juicy Juice 3.5
Ultima 3.5
Sprite 3.4
Diet Dr. Pepper 3.4
Apple Juice 3.4
Diet Coke 3.4
Orange Juice 3.3
Pineapple Juice 3.3
Diet Mountain Dew 3.3
Red Bull 3.3
Mountain Dew 3.2
Twist Up 3.2
Propel 3.2
Fresca 3.2
Orange Slice 3.1
V-8 Splash Berry Blend 3.1
Pepsi Blue 3.1
Pepsi One 3.0
Surge 3.0
Sierra Mist 3.0
Kool Aid Jammers 3.0
Nestea Sweet Lemon Tea 3.0
Gatorade 3.0
Dr. Pepper 2.9
White Cranberry Juice 2.9
Wine(sweet) 2.9
Lipton Brisk 2.9
Squirt 2.9
Hawaiian Fruit Punch 2.8
Mr. Pibb 2.8
Welch’s White Grape Juice 2.8
Diet Cherry Coke 2.8
Mellow Yellow 2.8
Powerade 2.8
Extran 2.7
Monster 2.7
Hi-C Lemonade 2.7
Tang 2.7
Orange Crush 2.7
Capri Sun 2.6
SoBe Strawberry-Grape 2.6
Coke Classic 2.5
Cherry Coke 2.5
RC Cola 2.5
Country Time Lemonade 2.5
Pepsi 2.5
Gatorade Clear 2.4
Sunny Delight 2.4
Cranberry Juice 2.3
Lime Juice 2.0
Stomach Acid 1.0-2.0
Battery Acid(for comparison only) 1.0

For more information contact us using our website, www.stlouishillsdental.com  or call St. Louis Hills Dental at 314-644-0440

As a team we all take pride in our dental experience and the years we have worked together.  I joined the team twenty three years ago,  some have been here more than thirty years.  We have all accomplished many goals together in our work and personal lives.

To keep our office running efficiently we start each day by reviewing our schedule and checking each patients individual wants and needs.  We also discuss what is expected of the team.

Once a month we all meet to discuss new materials, procedures, and any continuing education members of the team have experienced since the last meeting.  These meetings allow us to incorporate the latest technology for treatment that is needed and but comfortable for our patients.

So, I can assure you that we will all do out best to demonstrate to you, our patients, that this is a job worth doing and how much we enjoy doing it together.

If anyone has any questions or comments please contact us at 314-644-0440 or use our website www.stlouishillsdental.com .  We are located one block west of Ted Drewes at 6979 Chippewa.

Tina