Dentist Blog

Tooth decay amongst children remains one of the biggest health epidemics in the industrialized world. Dr. Ling Zhan of UCSF has a sincere interest in this epidemic as a professor and pediatric dentist. She recently set out to study the possibility of using xylitol wipes on babies as a preemptive method of avoiding tooth decay and cavities. Her results were quite significant. Dr. Zhan found that babies who had their gums wiped down with xylitol wipes, twice each day, were far less likely to develop cavities. As a long time proponent for xylitol, I am happy to pass this information on to the parents of my pediatric clients.

Children should start to see a Springfield pediatric dentist soon after their first birthday, if not before. From that point forward they should come in at least two times per year to have a deep cleaning and an oral health evaluation. Though many parents at least try to stick with these ADA recommendations, cavities are still a problem in our country. This is particularly true in rural areas where water may or may not contain natural fluoride deposits. If xylitol were made readily available to these children, we may finally see the dramatic decrease in tooth decay amongst children that we have been working toward for decades.