Archive for the ‘Fillings’ Category
Xylitol- the natural sweetener that prevents tooth decay
Friday, August 20th, 2010Xylitol is a natural sweetener now used in may chewing gums and mints that can drastically reduce tooth decay. In study after study, it has shown an ability to improve oral health. Chewing gum is the best delivery method since it stays in the mouth for a prolonged period of time.
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 leave a message on this website.
Tags: good chewing gum, improve oral health, reduce decayPosted in Fillings | No Comments »
The Problem with Mercury Fillings
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
People want to keep their teeth for a lifetime. We have found that one of the major reasons teeth are lost is that they break because they have been weakened by decay and drilling. Each time a mercury filling is replaced, the new filling is larger and more of your tooth is cut away. Many surveys show that the average life of mercury filings is 9 years, so you can expect a filled tooth to be refilled several times, with the replacement filling larger than the previous one. For very small areas of decay we now use micro air abrasion system with tooth colored bonded fillings. For larger areas that need to be rebuilt and strengthened we can use full coverage crowns or bonded onlays to restore the damaged teeth. These two options are much stronger and last longer than large bonded fillings.
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.
Posted in Fillings | Comments OffBeverages That Cause Beginning Tooth Decay
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009The acid level in beverages plays a large part in demineralization of tooth enamel. Enamel starts to breakdown or demineralize at a pH (acid level) of 5.5. The lower the pH the higher the acidity. Each numerical decrease in pH is 10 times more acidic than the higher number.
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
Tags: acid level in beverages, tooth decayPosted in Fillings | Comments Off