Having a serious sweet tooth can mean bad news for your dental health. But your dentist in Modesto has a little secret that can allow you to satisfy your desire for something sweet and benefit your oral health at the same time. It’s true! This special sugar substitute is called xylitol, and it’s pretty powerful.    

A Closer Look at Xylitol
While you may be familiar with the name xylitol, its benefits are far and plenty, and not many people know exactly what it can do for our bodies and oral health. First, xylitol is a sugar substitute, but unlike other sugar substitutes, xylitol is natural. It’s found in both vegetables and fruits as well as in our bodies. Second, xylitol tastes like sugar and looks like sugar, but it certainly doesn’t act like sugar. Xylitol has fewer calories than sugar, which can help maintain weight or assist in weight loss. Xylitol also has a low glycemic index, meaning it doesn’t cause spikes in blood glucose the way that sugar does. These two things alone make xylitol a pretty solid substitute for sugar. But your dentist in Modesto wants you to know that while xylitol can certainly help overall health, it can protect teeth, too.  

How Does It Work? 
In short, xylitol helps eliminate bad bacteria from the mouth, thus decreasing the chances of the bacteria wreaking havoc and causing decay. Let’s take a closer look at how xylitol does this. 

One of the most common “bad bacteria” found in the mouth is something called Streptococcus mutans. Streptococcus mutans is the bacteria responsible for plaque buildup and decay. Now, these bacteria love to feed on sugar. In turn, sugar gives the bacteria energy and allows them to multiply. Basically, the more sugar we eat, the more powerful we make Streptococcus mutans, and the more likely it is that we’ll suffer from tooth decay. However, what makes xylitol so great is that while the bacteria will still eat it, it doesn’t fuel them. Instead, xylitol actually starves the bacteria. In fact, xylitol can effectively lower bacteria levels, sometimes up to 75%. 

Xylitol Gum
Perhaps the most common place to find xylitol is in certain chewing gums. This is great news for your oral health because not only does the act of chewing gum help stimulate saliva production (more on that in a bit), but chewing xylitol gum also provides all benefits offered by xylitol.  

As we mentioned, chewing gum produces more saliva. But is more spit actually a good thing? Yes! You see, saliva helps wash away bacteria and neutralize acids in the mouth. This further protects teeth from enamel erosion and decay. Additionally, saliva helps remineralize teeth with calcium and phosphate, making them stronger over time.

Now, even though xylitol is beneficial to oral health, it doesn’t replace good oral hygiene. It’s still (and forever will be) important to brush and floss your teeth every day. That, along with maintaining regular visits to your dentist in Modesto, is a recipe for a happy, healthy smile.  

May is Asthma Awareness Month, a time when both healthcare professionals and asthma patients come together to raise awareness of the common chronic disease, as well as share things that can improve asthma sufferers’ lives. Your dentist in Modesto may seem like an odd person to talk about asthma, but the truth is, there is a connection between asthma and oral health, and we’d like to do our part to help.

What’s Dentistry Got To Do With It? 

Asthma affects 1 in every 13 Americans, or close to 25 million people just in our part of the world. This life-long condition affects the respiratory system and can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. It’s a very serious condition that can be treated, but if it’s not treated properly or quickly enough, it can lead to death. So how exactly does this relate to dentistry? 

• Mouth Breathing

People with asthma tend to have a hard time breathing and feel as if they can’t get enough oxygen with each breath. Because of this, many asthma patients will breathe out of their mouths instead of their noses, since they can get more air into the lungs this way. However, your dentist in Modesto wants you to know that mouth breathing doesn’t come without risks. Mouth breathing can reduce saliva amounts, as well as the body’s ability to produce more saliva, resulting in dry mouth. Dry mouth is an oral health condition that may seem like only a minor, uncomfortable nuisance, but the truth is dry mouth can increase the risk of decay, cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Usually, saliva will rinse away bacteria and neutralize acids in the mouth, protecting teeth against their damaging effects. However, when a mouth is too dry to do this, bacteria and acids can attack teeth, resulting in decay. Additionally, when bacteria are left to linger around, it can lead to bad breath. 

• Asthma Treatments

Similar to mouth breathing, many asthma treatments, such as inhalers, also cause dry mouth. As we know, a dry mouth is a perfect environment for bacteria and acids to cause damage. If patients do notice a dry mouth after taking their medication, they should talk with their doctor and dentist in Modesto to find ways to relieve dry mouth. Never stop taking a medication without first consulting with your physician. 

What You Can Do

There is some good news for asthma patients who are dealing with dry mouth as a result of either medication or mouth breathing. There are things you can do decrease your risk of oral health problems such as: 

• Staying Hydrated. Water is one of the most important things for everyone, whether they’re an asthma patient or not. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps keep the mouth moist and helps to wash away bacteria and food particles as well as neutralize damaging acids. 

• Rinsing With Water. A quick rinse of water after taking asthma medication will help get rid of any ingredients that contribute to dry mouth so they aren’t left lingering around all day. The more remnants of medication you can remove, the lower the chance of dry mouth. 

• Talking to Your Dentist. Your dentist is a part of your healthcare team and needs to know about any health conditions you have, including asthma. Knowing your health history helps your dental team customize treatment for you and notifies them to be on the lookout for any oral health concerns that may result from other health problems in the rest of the body.

As always, the best ways to protect oral health against decay, bad breath, and gum disease are to brush and floss every day and to see your dentist in Modesto every six months for checkups and professional cleanings, whether you’re an asthma patient or not. 

Everyone knows that your bi-annual visits to the dentist help get your teeth squeaky clean. After all, they’re called hygiene visits for a reason. But your dentist in Modesto believes that these twice-a-year appointments are more important than the cleaning alone. In fact, your bi-annual dental appointments do so much more. 

Prevention is Key

Every six months, you head on over to your dentist’s office for your cleaning, and in between those appointments, you make sure to brush and floss your teeth every day. So why, exactly, does your dentist in Modesto need to see you two times a year (at least)? Isn’t that a little much? Quite the opposite. Your dental checkups and cleanings serve a bigger purpose and can help identify and treat any lingering problems related to your oral health as well as keep your overall health protected. How? We’re glad you asked. 

The Truth is in The X-Rays

You’re probably familiar with getting dental x-rays taken at least once a year, and these images can tell your dental team a lot about what’s going on below the surface. Your dental hygienist and dentist will review your x-rays in detail will be able to see things such as decay that is not yet visible to the naked eye, the overall health of your gums, as well as identify an abscess before you may even know you have it. As a result, your dental team will be able to treat any problems early, before they have a bigger effect on your oral health or even your overall health. 

Gum Disease

Let’s say that your dental x-rays show some concern with your gums. Perhaps your gum pockets are too deep or your gums bleed when you brush or floss. Usually, those are the top signs that gum disease is lurking. Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissue and can be treated if caught early. However, if it’s left untreated, gum disease can cause problems in the mouth as well as the rest of the body. Gum disease has been linked to an increased risk of: 

• Tooth loss
• Heart disease
• Respiratory disease
• Diabetes
• Stroke 

Seeing your dentist in Modesto twice a year can help diagnose and treat gum disease before it has a chance to affect the rest of your body. 

It’s About Than Just Teeth

There’s a very clear connection between oral health and whole-body health. Besides the risks of gum disease discussed above, many other health problems may first show signs in the mouth. Some of the things that can be identified at your bi-annual dental visits include, but are not limited to, diabetes, kidney disease, certain cancers, and heart disease. So while your dental team is certainly focused on getting your teeth clean during your appointments, they are also keeping an eye out for other possible problems that can affect your overall health. As with many health problems, the earlier these conditions are properly diagnosed and treated, the more successful treatment tends to be. That’s why we want to see you every six months, so we can proactively protect both your oral health and overall health. 

The truth is, your dental team is an extension of your healthcare team, and your dental cleanings are the best way to prevent any serious problems from affecting your body. Besides maintaining a good at-home oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing, make sure to see your dentist at least twice a year. 

Every March is recognized as National Nutrition Month and is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Its purpose is to raise awareness of just how important it is to eat healthily. But good nutrition doesn’t only benefit our bodies, it can also help protect your oral health. Join your dentist in Modesto as we do our part in promoting good dietary habits for your oral health and whole-body health. 

Simplifying Nutrition

The truth is, eating right doesn’t sound too difficult. But fully understanding nutrition and those crazy nutrition labels can be confusing. The basics are, well, basic — don’t eat too much sugar, avoid indulging in fast food, eat more vegetables, etc. However, truly fueling your body with what it needs to perform at its best is complicated. In fact, even the Food Guide Pyramid from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has changed twice since it was created in 1992. And the current MyPlate dietary guidelines are individualized based on age, gender, height, weight, and daily activity level. Essentially, what’s right for one person may not be right for another. No wonder we’re all confused! The best way to find out the best dietary recommendations for you is to check out the MyPlate checklist to find your ideal combination of: 

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole Grains
• Lean Proteins
• Dairy

Nutrition & Oral Health

We know that eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can certainly benefit our bodies and help keep us healthy. The same is true for your oral health. Sugary foods, carbs, and acidic foods and drinks can definitely put teeth at risk for decreased enamel protection and, as a result, more susceptible to decay and cavities. Try your best to avoid those foods in high quantities. Instead, choose some of the best foods for your smile (and your body) including: 

• Cheese
• Fatty Fish
• Eggs
• Raw Veggies – especially the crunchy ones!
• Water

More on Sugar 

It’s no secret that your dentist in Modesto really, really doesn’t like sugar. This is because sugar is one of the top contributors to decay. When we eat sugary foods, the bacteria in our mouths feed on the sugar and release an acidic byproduct. This acid attacks tooth enamel, weakening it, which makes it easier for bacteria to find its way into teeth’s tiny nooks and crannies. The result? Decay, cavities, and the need for dental treatment such as fillings or even a root canal. Reduced tooth enamel can also make teeth very sensitive to hot or cold or change the color from bright white to a dull, darker appearance. 

However, sweet treats aren’t the only snacks that are packed with sugars. In fact, there are foods out there that don’t even taste sweet but have the same effect. Carbohydrates have something called the hidden sugar effect. As we eat them, carbs break down into simple sugars, and we know what happens in our mouth when we give the bacteria sugar. So even if you don’t have a traditional sweet tooth, check out the nutrition labels and try to limit not only foods with high sugar content but also those with a lot of carbs. 

Choosing healthier meals and snacks for you and your family can help you all live a healthy life. Eating foods that are good for your body can also protect your teeth from the damaging effects of sugar and acid. Try to pick foods that are good for you overall. Your body, your smile, your dentist in Modesto will thank you for it.

Have you ever found yourself laying in bed, trying to get comfortable, and you randomly think, “where am I supposed to rest my tongue?” Surprisingly, this is a very real and very common thought many people have but may not share. If you’re one of those people, you’re in luck because your dentist in Modesto has the answer. 

Tongue Posture / Tongue Positioning
Whether or not you’ve ever thought about where your tongue was supposed to rest in your mouth, it is a thing that your dentist may talk to you about. You may have heard this described as tongue posture or tongue positioning, both of which refer to how and where you rest your tongue naturally while at rest. Why does this matter? We’re glad you asked. 

Why Is Proper Tongue Posture Important? 
Tongue posture may sound a little silly, but the truth is, positioning your tongue properly can help protect your overall health. The tongue is a strong muscle and can affect not only your teeth, but your sinuses, eyes, nose, head, neck, and shoulders. Those who don’t have proper tongue placement can suffer from: 

• Sleep Apnea
• TMJ
• Problems with Vision
• Bad Body Posture
• Tooth Damage

How to Rest Your Tongue
There’s actually a right way and a wrong way to rest your tongue, and an estimated 50% of the population do it incorrectly. 

The Wrong Way – A common, yet wrong, way to hold your tongue in your mouth is to rest it on the bottom teeth or the at the bottom of the mouth. This can cause the tongue to put constant pressure on the teeth and make them shift, become crowded, or create a bad, sometimes painful, bite. 

The Right Way – Your dentist in Modesto will recommend that you gently rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth and about a half an inch away from the back of your front teeth. At the same time, your lips should be closed, and your teeth held slightly apart to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on your teeth. Practicing proper tongue posture over time, and especially while we’re growing, can help expand the palate, leaving enough room for your teeth to develop properly without crowding.

Benefits of Proper Posture
We’ve already talked about how properly resting your tongue on the roof of your mouth can help teeth develop properly without overlapping, but there are other benefits to having good tongue posture, including: 

• No neck, jaw, or head pain
• Better breathing
• Better sleep
• Improved appearance 

Proper tongue posture can help people have a better overall posture and a natural appearance. Those who tend to rest tongues on the bottom of the mouth can accidentally create a longer, flatter face shape and a chin or forehead that juts forward. Go ahead, try it out. First, rest your tongue properly on the roof of your mouth then move the whole thing to the bottom of the mouth. You should feel a pretty obvious shift in your chin, neck, and head.  

If you think you may have bad tongue posture or you have questions about whether you hold your tongue properly or not, your dentist in Modesto can help. Schedule an appointment today.

What Can You Do For Sensitive Teeth?

Having sensitive teeth is an all too common problem that’s not only annoying… but painful, too. The shooting zings of pain when you eat something hot or cold can be unbearable. So what exactly can you do to help ease the pain of sensitive teeth? Let’s check-in with your dentist in Modesto.

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Before we dive into a few ways that you can relieve sensitive teeth, let’s take a look at a few things that can cause tooth sensitivity in the first place. 

First, it’s important to know that our teeth have an outer layer called enamel. This enamel surrounds and protects the inner workings of the teeth, including the nerves. When enamel is damaged or wears away it leaves nerves exposed and can cause tooth sensitivity. Some common things that damage enamel and contribute to sensitivity include:  

• Brushing Too Hard 

• Gum Disease

• Damaged/Cracked Teeth

• Acidic Food

How to Ease Sensitive Teeth

We always recommend talking with your dentist about any dental problems you may have, including sensitive teeth. However, there are some ways you can ease tooth pain at home before your appointment. 

Watch What You Eat – A diet that’s high in acid can easily wear away tooth enamel and leave you at increased risk for sensitivity or more sensitivity. Also, really hot or really cold foods can make sensitivity worse so try your best to limit these foods. 

Be Careful How You Brush – It’s a common belief that we need to really scrub our teeth in order to thoroughly clean them, but the opposite is true. When you brush your teeth, use gentle, soft circles to avoid causing damage or increasing pain.  

Use the Right Tools – How we brush isn’t the only thing that can cause or increase tooth sensitivity. Using the wrong tools can also play a role. Always select a soft-bristled toothbrush and if you’re dealing with sensitivity, a toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth. 

Professional, long-term treatment of sensitive teeth depends on what’s causing it. Your dentist in Modesto will have solutions for your specific case and may include: 

• Fluoride – Perhaps the quickest and easiest way to help combat tooth sensitivity is with a fluoride treatment. Your dental hygienist can easily apply fluoride at your regular dental checkups to areas that are sensitive.

• Bonding – Bonding is also an easy dental treatment that can be completed in only one office visit. It’s best used in treating decay or a cracked tooth. Essentially, your dentist will fill your tooth with a composite resin that matches the rest of your teeth. This can help alleviate pain. 

• Root Canal – If necessary, your dental team may recommend a root canal if other treatments haven’t been successful or aren’t appropriate. But don’t worry, root canals are not the scary and painful thing you might imagine. They actually get you out of pain!

If you’re one of the Academy of General Dentistry’s estimated 40 million Americans that suffer from tooth sensitivity, schedule an appointment with your Modesto dentist to find the best way to treat your sensitive tooth pain.