As many of you know, I am a strong supporter of getting kids to the dentist by age 1 so that we can head off tooth decay. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a significant health problem today affecting a large population of kids.
One "tool in my belt" against ECC is the use of Xylitol products. Xylitol is a natural substance found in fibrous vegetables and fruit, as well as in corn cobs and various hardwood trees like birch. To read more about Xylitol and its use in the dental field, click here.
One "tool in my belt" against ECC is the use of Xylitol products. Xylitol is a natural substance found in fibrous vegetables and fruit, as well as in corn cobs and various hardwood trees like birch. To read more about Xylitol and its use in the dental field, click here.
A multitude of studies have suggested that Xylitol is an effective treatment that prevents tooth decay. We sell many of these products in the office and you can also find them online and even in stores.
A new study has now re-confirmed the effectiveness of Xylitol in younger kids. As reported in the July issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medpage Today reports as follows:
A new study has now re-confirmed the effectiveness of Xylitol in younger kids. As reported in the July issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medpage Today reports as follows:
"These results provide evidence for the first time . . . that xylitol is effective for the prevention of decay in primary teeth of toddlers," the researchers said.
Some children -- especially those in poor socioeconomic situations -- are susceptible to severe tooth decay early in life -- a condition known as early childhood caries (ECC).
The disease has been linked to several species of bacteria, particularly mutans streptococci, with its ability to colonize tooth surfaces and produce lactic acid that demineralizes tooth enamel.
Xylitol has been shown effective in preventing tooth decay through its selective antibacterial action against mutans streptococci, the researchers said.
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"Our results suggest that exposure to xylitol in a twice-daily topical oral syrup during primary tooth eruption could prevent up to 70% of decayed teeth," the researchers said.
However, the researchers cautioned that use of Xylitol is only one means to fight tooth decay and that brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist are imperative:
The researchers said their findings support the position of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and of an NIH consensus statement that "xylitol is an important tool for the prevention of dental caries."
They added that more work is needed to develop strategies for the public health application of xylitol.
In an accompanying editorial, Burton L. Edelstein, DDS, MPH, of Columbia, added that the report highlights the need for more work in refining and standardizing risk assessment, creating interventions, and developing prevention and management tools.
He added that the findings are "encouraging" and "hold strong promise to significantly dampen ECC occurrence." They also "suggest the addition of this approach to pharmacologic management in public health and individual care settings."
While xylitol "will likely become a routine element of ECC control," Dr. Edelstein said, the high prevalence of tooth decay (24 to 41%) even among treated children "reminds us that no single silver bullet is going to solve the problem of ECC."
Read the full article here.
2 comments:
Oh, a suger substitute, this is something new. Now, our child can avoid cavities at an early age, thanks to Xylitol. But we should still instill brushing, rinsing and flossing to them. It is not only cavities that we are all fighting. :)
Patsy Dupre
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