- Xylitol is a natural sugar from birch trees that is used to sweeten
some types of chewing gum....and it does not promote tooth decay! Some
xylitol gums to try are "Ice Breakers" "Spry" and "Epic."
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Great Links!
FAQ's
About Fluoride Varnish
Directions for
Care After Fluoride Treatment
FAQ's About Xylitol
More Xylitol
Information
American Dental Hygienists’ Association
Oral Health Resource Center |
- Teeth are the hardest substance in the human
body! They are even harder than bone
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- Dogs have 42 teeth. Cats have 30 teeth. Pigs have
44 teeth. Adults have 32 teeth. Armadillos have as many as 104
teeth, more than any other land animal!
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- Beavers must gnaw on wood and other materials to
wear down their teeth. Otherwise, the incisors would grow too big
for their head.
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- Sharks have an unlimited supply of teeth that are
set in layered rows in their gums. If one tooth falls out, a tooth
from another layer takes its place. A shark may shed as many as
50,000 teeth in its lifetime!
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- "Arachibutyrophobia" is the fear of peanut butter
sticking to the roof of the mouth.
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- "Strep
mutans" are the bacteria in our mouths that are responsible for tooth
decay.
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- When
an infant is born, they do not have any bacteria living in their
mouths. Infants get "inoculated" with bacteria by their caregivers.
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- Tooth
decay is actually a bacterial infection that can be transferred from
caregiver (mother, father, siblings) to baby at a very young age (by
sharing eating utensils, food, cups, etc.)
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- When a
mother is expecting and after delivery, it is a good idea to chew on
a xylitol gum to reduce the bacteria in her mouth.
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- Brush
after meals and before bedtime with a fluoride toothpaste. You can
wipe a baby's teeth and gums with a wet washcloth.
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- Always
use a soft toothbrush!!!
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- Avoid
between meal sweet snacks and drinks.
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- Don't
sip on sugary liquids all day long - this includes:
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- milk
- juice
- soda
pop
- sweetened tea , coffee, cappuccino
- sweetened water
- sweetened sports drinks
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- Don't
put your baby/child to sleep with a bottle in his/her mouth - this
could cause painful cavities AND ear infections!!!
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- Visit your
dentist twice a year. Check ups help catch little dental problems before
they become big, serious, painful dental problems.
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* (A special thanks goes out to "Gumlines" and
"Contemporary Oral Hygiene" and the American Dental Association for the "Did You
Know?" information.) |