The two main diseases resulting in tooth loss in patients which we treat on a daily basis are periodontal (gum) disease and dental caries (tooth decay).  Both of these diseases require the presence of disease causing bacteria found in plaque biofilms for damage to occur.  For many years now, treatment of these diseases have been aimed more at prevention before damage occurs rather than dealing with the problems after they have already taken hold in the mouth.

Traditional preventive measures of plaque conrol include immaculate oral hygiene measures, regular visits for tooth and gum care with dental professionals as well as dietary modifications and appropriate management of any medical conditions to minimise oral acidity.  Many chemotherapeutic agents have been employed to attempt to provide an oral environment less conducive to disease progression.  Strengthening and remineralising of tooth enamel through fluoridated water, toothpastes, gels and rinses have been used for many decades.  More recently the remineralising agent CPP-ACP (found in GC Tooth Mousse and Recaldent Gum) has also proved very useful and popular.  Reduction of levels of pathogenic bacteria through using mouthwashes and antibacterial gels (like Cervitec Oral Health Care Gel) is also used in attempts to provide a more stable oral environment.

We recommend all of the measures above to our patients.  In recent years Xylitol has become increasingly popular in use due to its sweetening ability as well as its antibacterial properties.  Xylitol is a naturally occuring sugar alcohol which is derived mainly from Birch and other hardwood trees.  Studies have shown that Xylitol reduces both the acid produced by decay causing bacteria and the ability of bacteria to form a biofilm.  Xylitol has been shown to reduce the occurence of dental decay in young children, schoolchildren, and mothers, and children via transmission from their mothers.  Xylitol has benefits for prevention of both dental decay and gum disease by fighting the causative agents of the disease processes.  Check out our range of Carifree and Biotene products containing Xylitol, and the new Xerostom Dry Mouth Toothpaste.