Spread Healthy Smiles with Xylitol

What’s usually our primary goal as moms?

The main goal is to instill healthy oral habits early on, setting our children up for a lifetime of strong, cavity-free teeth.

Yes, this is something many of us moms constantly discuss.

I was fortunate enough to be invited as part of a group of top mommy bloggers for an afternoon get-together, where we learned more about the importance of good dental health for kids.

It was a bit unfortunate at first because I had difficulty finding a parking space, which made me an hour late for the event. Luckily, when I arrived, the mommies were still in the “introduce yourself” activity, so I didn’t miss too much of the program.

So, the speaker introduced us to one of the biggest brands from LOTTE in Japan, XYLITOL.

Lotte Xylitol is recognized as the first dental health gum in the Philippines to use xylitol as a key ingredient. It is designed to help support oral health by effectively helping prevent tooth decay, and it is completely sugar-free.

Doctor Fina Lopez, a pediatric dentist from the Oral Health Care Center, spoke about the importance of taking care of our children’s precious teeth.

As the saying goes, prevention is always the key. However, in the Philippine dental landscape, she shared a concerning statistic, 9 out of 10 children suffer from tooth decay, which is quite alarming.

The question is, why is this happening?

92.4% of Filipinos experience tooth decay, and as they grow older, this can eventually lead to gum disease. Naturally, when teeth are left untreated and become severely damaged, they may be lost over time.

In fact, the Philippines ranks second in the world for the highest number of people affected by tooth decay, possibly due to low awareness and prevention practices.

So what happens when children suffer from tooth decay?

They often miss school due to pain, which can lead to lower academic performance. In the long run, this may also develop into gum disease later in life. It can affect a child’s confidence and make social interaction more difficult.

Tooth decay may also weaken a child’s overall health and defenses. If gum infections are left untreated, bacteria can potentially spread to other parts of the body, including the heart and brain.

Children may also become irritable, lose weight due to difficulty eating, and in severe cases, untreated infections can lead to serious, life-threatening complications.

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria, so it can potentially be transmitted. If left untreated, it may lead to more serious health complications such as meningitis, rheumatic heart fever, and other systemic infections.

Transmission of bacteria

Moms, think about this, do we share food with our kids? Of course, we do, all the time. We also tend to share utensils with them or even blow on their food when it’s too hot. But did you know that these everyday habits can actually transfer oral bacteria to your child?

Even kissing can contribute to the spread of bacteria from parent to child.

This is why oral hygiene should start as early as the moment a tooth becomes visible. The most vulnerable period for bacterial transmission is between 6 months and 18 months of age.

Once bacteria are introduced, they produce acids that gradually weaken and damage the teeth, leading to decay. This process is further accelerated when sugary foods are consumed, as sugar increases acid production in the mouth.

How do you know if your child’s teeth are starting to show signs of decay? One of the earliest indicators is the appearance of white spots on the teeth. If left untreated, this can progress into more serious issues such as abscess formation beneath the tooth. Eventually, the affected tooth may die, and in some cases, it can even impact the developing permanent teeth underneath. Healthy milk teeth are essential for healthy permanent teeth.

Preventing tooth decay

Good oral hygiene habits are key in prevention. Brushing should always be supervised to ensure proper technique and consistency. Toothbrushes should also be replaced every three months to maintain cleanliness and effectiveness. Using toothpaste that contains fluoride is also highly recommended.

Interestingly, dentists often advise against rinsing with water immediately after brushing. At night, after brushing your child’s teeth, it is best to have them spit out the excess toothpaste without rinsing, allowing the fluoride to stay on the teeth overnight for better protection.

There are also newer and additional ways to help prevent tooth decay and strengthen oral health from an early age.

Chew on XYLITOL!

This is a natural sweetener that has dental benefits that is also produced in our body naturally. You can see it also in birch trees, berries and some vegetables.
If you taste it, it is rather sweet because it is a sugar substitute.

There are Different forms of Xylitol but the Xylitol in chewing gum form is a good preventive agent. Instead of Sucrose, Xylitol is placed as sugar substitute.

The recommended dose of chewing gum for Xylitol is 4 to 10 grams a day in 3 to 5 doses.
You chew 1 gram for 5 minutes after eating.

Xylitol can in fact reverse tooth decay.
This is most effective for children prone to tooth decay ages 6 and above.
It has considered as safe by the world health organization and US FDA.

How to Build Complete Dental Habits

To establish strong and lasting oral health habits, regular dental care and consistency are key. It is recommended to visit the dentist every six months so they can monitor your child’s dental development and provide guidance on their oral health progress.

A well-balanced diet also plays an important role in keeping teeth and gums healthy. Daily habits matter too—brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste helps protect against decay and strengthen enamel over time.

And of course, incorporating xylitol chewing gum after meals can also help support oral health by reducing harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Smile Champions Promo

But wait, moms, did you know that you and your child can win exciting prizes? You get a chance to win ₱10,000, ₱1,000 worth of Lotte Xylitol gum products, and even become Lotte Xylitol Gum’s Facebook page ambassador for one month.

Yes, you read that right! Join the Smile Champions Promo today.