{"id":173,"date":"2013-03-11T02:16:04","date_gmt":"2013-03-11T02:16:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bghdental.com\/blog\/?p=173"},"modified":"2022-09-13T15:56:08","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T15:56:08","slug":"greenfield-family-dentists-quiz-you-on-xylitol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bghdental.com\/blog\/greenfield-family-dentists-quiz-you-on-xylitol\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenfield Family Dentists Quiz You on Xylitol"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TrueOrFalseBlocks\"Do you enjoy chewing on a stick of sugarless gum after a meal, or whenever your breath doesn\u2019t feel fresh? Over the years there have been some concerns about the long term health effects of various artificial sweeteners. Xylitol, however, is derived from natural substances, making it a safe means of sweetening gum without added calories and detriment to your dental health. In fact, not only does xylitol make gum taste good, but it can actually protect your teeth from decay and gum disease. Your <\/span>Greenfield general dentists<\/strong><\/a>, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda would like to challenge you to a quiz on xylitol facts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Questions<\/h2>\n

Q1. True or false \u2013 Xylitol has been used as a sugar substitute for the last 20 years.<\/p>\n

Q2. True or false – Xylitol is derived from fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n

Q3. True or false – Xylitol can halt tooth decay and repair tooth enamel damage.<\/p>\n

Q4. True or false \u2013 A proper pH balance in your mouth can be acquired from xylitol.<\/p>\n

Q5. True or false \u2013 One drawback of all artificial sweeteners is that they make you crave fatty foods and thus contribute to weight gain.<\/p>\n

Answers<\/h2>\n

A1. FALSE – Xylitol has actually been used as a sugar substitute since as far back as the 1960s.<\/p>\n

A2. TRUE \u2013 Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate that is extracted from fibrous fruits and vegetables. Perhaps surprisingly, xylitol can also be produced by the human body. A person with an average metabolism is likely to produce up to 15 grams of the compound each day.<\/p>\n

A3. TRUE – Even though xylitol is a sugar substitute, it is much better for your teeth than sugar. Whereas sucrose feed the bacteria that cause cavities, xylitol can destroy said bacteria. Beyond fighting cavities, xylitol can also repair tooth enamel damage, clear nasal passages, prevent ear infections, reduce your chances of diabetes, lower risk of hypoglycemia, and help stop weight gain.<\/p>\n

A4. TRUE – Xylitol is not metabolized in the same way as sugar. This helps to keep a neutral oral pH balance. Plaque is a result of the bacteria in your mouth mixing with food particles and the acid that they produce when they are exposed to sugar. \u00a0Xylitol, on the other hand, keeps all of this from sticking to your teeth.<\/p>\n

A5. FALSE – As a sugar substitute, xylitol has approximately 75% fewer carbs and 40% fewer calories than sucrose. Swapping traditional sugar for xylitol not only helps your dental health but can also contribute to a healthy weight.<\/p>\n

Dental Checkups from Greenfield Family Dentists<\/h2>\n

If you have questions about xylitol, ask us at your next\u00a0biannual dental checkup<\/a>. Please don\u2019t hesitate to schedule an appointment. Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda would love to be your\u00a0Greenfield general dentists<\/strong>. Contact our\u00a001301\u00a0dentist office<\/a>\u00a0by calling 413-772-0842. We are happy to serve patients in the western region of Massachusetts, close to the surrounding states of CT, NH, VT, and NY.
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