Top Dentists Page 4

XYLITOL: ONE MORE WEAPON IN THE WAR AGAINST CAVITIES

A natural-sugar alcohol alongside mannitol and sorbitol (names you may recognize from sugarless products), xylitol, which inhibits the growth of cavity-causing bacteria, shows the greatest cavity-preventing promise of them all, according to the California Dental Association.

Local dentists are seeing the value in xylitol, too, including David Crippen, D.D.S., a board-certified pediatric dentist with Capital Pediatric Dentistry, a private practice in Sacramento.

“I recommend xylitol to my patients (ages 0–18) and their parents,” says Crippen. “Not only can adults benefit from the same anti-cavity effects that children experience, but cavity-causing bacteria are first transmitted to children by their primary caregiver, and the longer a child is without these bacteria, the lower their risk of cavities throughout childhood.”

Xylitol is most commonly found in gum and mints, and the longer it’s in contact with teeth, the more effective it is, making gum perhaps the better choice. But the chosen product must be age-appropriate, notes Crippen. “For children too young to chew gum, I recommend a product called Spiffies, which are individually packaged xylitol-sweetened tooth wipes,” he says.

Optimally, xylitol gum or mints should be used three to five times daily, for a total intake of 5 grams, according to the CDA. But don’t rush the process: Gum should be chewed for at least 5 minutes, and mints should be allowed to dissolve, to ensure adequate exposure to teeth.

Though xylitol has been approved for safety by the FDA and other agencies, everything has a downside—and here it is: Xylitol can cause abdominal distress or diarrhea (especially in higher doses) and should be kept far away from Fido, as it can be lethal to dogs.—Cathy Cassinos

​LISTINGS

Shane R. Panter, 1420 East Roseville Parkway, Suite 220, Roseville; (916) 773-1977, doctorpanter.com