|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye  |
| |
Ellie Phillips, DDS, has made it her life's mission to empower and educate dental patients and professionals about dental disease and how to prevent it.
"Spend 15 minutes with me, and you'll most likely hear how anyone can improve his or her own dental health," admits the feisty Upstate, NY dentist. "Unfortunately, I can’t talk to everybody, so writing Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye (Greenleaf Book Group Press) became a necessity for me."
Dr. Ellie, as she prefers to be called, admits to being frustrated by her profession's acceptance of practices that don't prevent cavities and gum disease, and by the guilt that patients are often made to feel as a result. On the other hand, reactions to her passionate advocacy of the daily use of a naturally-occurring sweetener called xylitol (pronounced ZIE-lih-tol) can be skeptical at first.
"I know it sounds contrary – and almost too good to be true – that xylitol tastes exactly like sugar and actually promotes dental health, but it's a fact," she says, and backs it up with scientific evidence in her book.
Xylitol is extracted from the fibers of fruits and vegetables, most notably from birch trees. It has been used for centuries as diabetic sugar substitute, and as a public health measure in the prevention of oral health problems in many countries for decades. "In China, you can find xylitol gum at any Wal-Mart checkout, but most people in America have never heard of it," she says. Out of necessity, Dr. Ellie began distributing her own brand of 100% xylitol products called Zellies in 2003.
Xylitol use, along with a simple regimen of specific over-the-counter mouth rinses and toothpaste, make up Dr. Ellie's do-it-yourself daily mouth care system. These items, in the order they should be used daily, include:
Pre-Rinse -- Before brushing your teeth, a pre-rinse neutralizes mouth acids to protect your teeth from damaging toothbrush abrasion and wear. Dr. Ellie suggests using a stabilized chlorine-dioxide rinse called Closys, which removes bacteria found in the gum pockets around your teeth. Regular use of this rinse also breaks down food particles and removes unpleasant breath odor that often contains bad-smelling sulfur.
Brushing -- Using a clean toothbrush, Dr. Ellie recommends Crest toothpaste, never any of dozens of new varieties that feature whitening and breath fresheners. Good old Crest regular paste is sufficiently cleansing, without being abrasive.
Listerine Rinse -- After brushing, it’s good to give your mouth a strong antiseptic rinse with basic Listerine to kill germs still lurking in your mouth after the first two steps.
ACT Rinse -- Now, Listerine can be too acidic for your teeth, so Dr. Ellie recommends a protective rinse immediately after the Listerine. ACT is very effective for this, and it mirrors the way dermatologists recommend a moisturizer right after you use a toner. It mutes the acidity Listerine can cause, and helps add luster and strength to your tooth enamel, helping teeth look whiter.
Chewing Gum --100% xylitol gum will truly clean your teeth. Xylitol is a naturally occurring substance that is safe for diabetics, tastes like sugar, but has 40percent fewer calories. Studies on xylitol have shown that it can safely remove plaque, help prevent decay, and promote healing of early cavities.
"Dental damage, gum disease and even early cavities can be reversed in the comfort of your own home. Just imagine the benefits, especially for at-risk children, the elderly and the un-insured."
About Ellie Phillips, DDS: Dr. Ellie believes in minimal intervention dentistry, and the development of new oral health education materials aimed at public empowerment. She has specialties in pediatric and geriatric dentistry from Eastman Dental Center, and experience with special needs children and the developmentally disabled. Find out more at www.CleanWhiteTeeth.com .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|