A-Z Challenge is
Aging into Longevity
A number of years
back, I was somewhat
shocked when my
biological dentist
told me about the
benefits of xylitol,
like actually helping
prevent cavaties. He suggested I take both the gum and
the little candy pellets. It tasted so sweet and was far
too yummy for me to believe this was actually good
for my teeth. Why was my dentist telling me to eat
something that tasted like sugar and had half the calories?
Xylitol was the big name around 15 years ago and even
promoted as a tooth savior by my dentist. I
bought the gum and candy but never felt this sweet-
mint could protect my teeth. The original boxes are
still sitting, nearly full, in my herb room.
Then I stopped hearing about xylitol and a report
recently appeared in the "Journal of American
Dental Assoc" suggesting the claims that
xylitol stops cavities, needs further studies.
Well I guess I called that one right. Anyone have
any thoughts on xylitol?
Not a single thought on Xylitol here. it's a sugar substitute I believe, used in gum so chewers can feel good about chewing. Really it's the chewing of the gum, not the ingredients that help prevent cavities, by increasing the flow of saliva which them washes away sugars etc from the teeth. choose sugar free gum of course and chew for just a few minutes after eating, 20 minutes has been suggested as maximum. People who chew all day long just look like cows chewing cud for hours at a time.
ReplyDeleteRiver
DeleteTo chew or not to chew. Your reasons for chewing are valid for saliva flow and perhaps xylitol has some great value. At least it is a good X word for a dfficult letter. LOL
Hi Manzanita - so often I question what I hear ... and as you say in due time .. the questioning starts ... like drink red wine - but don't drink it ... don't eat dairy products, but eat some ... and it goes - common sense, healthy eating, exercise and checking your own body for any changes .. it's a crazy life .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary
DeleteAlso like the egg controversy. When "they" said, Don't eat eggs, my sister-in-law took it to heart and woudn't let my brother have one egg. He kept sneaking eggs.... so funny and now everyoe is eating eggs again. LO
I never would have guessed that. Maybe he just wanted to keep business going? lol I'll stick to oil pulling
ReplyDeletePat
DeleteSo will I now, thanks to you. I'm more diligent with it now.
The minute I'd have tasted sweet, I would have been convinced it was bad for me. Who knew your dentist was ahead of his time. Like Hilary says, good and bad change places daily.
ReplyDeletePatti
DeleteSo many things to think about . I've also read that sugar on the teeth won't do harm, it's the bacteria. Who knows???
Small amounts are fine, but large amounts can be bad. I am pretty sure that I read that eating large amounts can have a negative effect on gut flora. But, a lot of people are buying it and baking with it.
ReplyDeleteRuth
DeleteI still have a bag of it in my cupboard that I did buy for baking. But I always wondered about it.
I think your making it up just to get an X word relating to you subject.
ReplyDeletejoeh
DeleteGeez, caught red handed.
I thought you were going to explain how a xylophone can calm your nerves and improve your health.
ReplyDeleteJK.
Waiting to see what you do for Z.
joeh
DeleteAnd xylophones do lull the nerves and good health will rush through the body. I think you're on to something.
At this point so am I. LOL
I've never heard of a biological dentist, how are they different from a usual dentist?
ReplyDeleteRiver
DeleteI think they just have fancy titles and charge more.
They're like holistic destists. Everything is done for the whole health of the patien.t
Very interesting. A couple years ago, a naturopathic doctor gave me a quart-size bag of xylitol. She told me to substitute it for sugar in my coffee, baking, and anything else. I politely took the bag and thanked her, but did not use it. I chose to without additional sugar at the time rather than subbed something for it, especially something that sounded synthetic. It's a natural substance, I think.
ReplyDeleteSusie
DeleteIt's probably really a good thing but people like you and me who are so conscious of good health are forever doubting new health ideas because they so often prove to be wrong. Wish I really knew. Ha
Never trust a dentist
ReplyDeleteHoly Ghost
DeleteOr anyone wearing a white jacket.
I've never heard of it. My dentist just harps on flossing. Which I do twice a day.
ReplyDeleteAlex
ReplyDeleteFossing is the best practice. I buy the big box of little flossies at Costco and then seem to find them in every pocket and drawer.
I'm going to have to agree w/the never trust a dentist thing Ghost said above. Could just be the bad experiences I've had with 'em. My opinion is def. tainted. ;)
ReplyDeleteRosey
DeleteAnd to that I say, YAY, amen, trurer words, right on, girl. Me too... I always seem to run into bad dentists who gave me bad experiences and drilled away at my pearlies. Now I see how wrong that really was, There are other ways to save a tooth but I guess the dentists were not informed of it.