Zellies Xylitol for Ultimate Oral Health

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Ultimate Oral Health is just around the corner…

The pathway to ultimate oral health is not a mystery. It comes down to knowing why dental problems occur (it’s not as complex as you may think) and the easy things you can do to protect, improve, and heal your teeth.

In this booklet we’ve outlined the basic reasons why oral health problems exist and we’ve filled you in on nature’s best kept secret for oral health – xylitol! Xylitol is a natural, tooth-friendly sugar that will keep your smile bright and healthy.

Towards the back of the booklet, we’ve addressed some of the unique oral health concerns at every stage of life and have provided you with tips on how to use xylitol for ultimate oral health!

Here’s to bright, healthy smiles for life!

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introduction to zellies xylitolZellies Xylitol Mints, Gum, and Candies are made from 100%

xylitol, a delicious sugar that is extracted from fruits, vegetables, corn husks, or most notably, birch and hardwood trees. Xylitol is a familiar health sugar in Scandinavia, and its amazing dental

benefits are well recognized in Europe, Asia and Japan. In Finland, xylitol gum is given to kids during preschool as a public health

measure to prevent cavities.

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Why do we need Zellies Xylitol?

Today we know that bad teeth or gums can put other areas of our body at risk for disease, including our heart, lungs, digestive tract, and brain. This is why oral health is vital for our general health, especially as we age. This is also why preventing dental disease could translate to an incredible savings for our nation in the years ahead.

For a healthy mouth, plaque must be controlled. Good brushing and flossing is difficult and not an efficient way to clear plaque from teeth. An experienced hygienist can only remove 40 percent of plaque with floss and a toothbrush. However, many people enjoy great oral health when they use xylitol to help clean and protect their teeth.

Reduce dental plaque formation

Make plaque less adhesive

Neutralize plaque acids

Reduce levels of harmful mouth bacteria

Demonstrate significant long-term reduction in cavities (85-95%)

Reduce cavities by up to 80%

Assist in the remineralization of teeth

Make teeth less sensitive

Reduce gum inflammation

Help with dry mouth and bad breath

• • • Xylitol has the ability to • • •

52 million school hours are lost

each year in the US because children need fillings and dental work to

fix cavities.

2 out of every 3 US adults have

dental disease, and most seniors have missing teeth and

many fillings by the time they

reach retirement.

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Infected plaque damages teeth, because harmful bacteria stick together and form thick layers on tooth enamel. Plaque bacteria make acids that are strong enough to erode teeth, creating a space where bacteria enter inside the tooth – forming a cavity.

Harmful plaque needs energy from our diet –sugars and carbohydrates from foods, drinks, crackers, chips, cakes, cookies, and even healthy products like fruits and honey. A gluten-free, or sugar-controlled diet may help, but cannot starve plaque bacteria or stop their growth. The good news is that xylitol can!

Plaque absorbs xylitol, as if it were sugar, but the plaque bacteria cannot process the five carbon xylitol molecule –

How does xylitol work?

Xylitol makes plaque bacteria slippery, so it is easier to clean teeth and get rid of damaging plaque from teeth and gums. Xylitol’s effect is directly on the teeth and its effects are cumulative. This means that xylitol should be eaten in small amounts, often, and preferably after meals, drinks, snacks and (for anyone without a toothbrush) before sleeping or napping.

which is a different shape from the six carbon molecule of other sugars. The result: harmful bacteria are depleted of energy, cannot multiply, and can no longer form acids. Since they have no resources to produce sticky strands, they cannot bind together or stick to the tooth surface. This explains why xylitol makes harmful plaque slippery and unable to form thick layers on teeth.

An acidic mouth creates ideal conditions for acid-loving plaque. Acidity can be from eating healthy fruits and vegetables, drinking juices, herbal teas, or coffee, and even from breath exhaled through your mouth. In a dry mouth, acids seriously damage teeth and make it easier for plaque to cause cavities. Fortunately xylitol balances mouth acidity, moistens the mouth, and stimulates a flow of alkaline saliva to clean and protect teeth.

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Who needs Zellies Xylitol?

Xylitol benefits everyone, especially those who need an easier way to clean teeth or extra protection from acidity. People with a lot of decay, soft teeth or who have constant fillings, often find xylitol the answer to their dental problems.

Xylitol can be a wonderful tool for special needs children and adults, especially those unable to clean their teeth with a toothbrush. Toddlers, teens, adults and seniors can all enjoy xylitol’s benefits by nibbling a few Zellies 100% Xylitol Polar Bears, Mints or Gum every day.

For anyone with a dry mouth the benefits of xylitol are immediate. Zellies quickly make a dry mouth comfortable, moist and less sensitive. Enjoy Zellies 100% Xylitol Polar Bears or Mints after meals or whenever your mouth feels dry.

Chemotherapy is a time when the mouth is dry, acidic, and at extreme risk for dental problems. Zellies 100% Xylitol Products help balance mouth acidity and also offer protection from cavities and dental damage.

Bad breath can be a challenge at any age, affecting children, teens, and adults. Zellies Polar Bears and Mints are a wonderful way to freshen breath, clean teeth, and improve underlying problems – all at the same time!

The sooner in life you begin using xylitol, the more protective it

can be, but it is never too late to enjoy the help that xylitol offers.

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Xylitol FAQ’s:

Q: Is xylitol safe?

A: Xylitol is FDA approved and has a long history of use spanning more than 100 years. Xylitol is used for baking in Europe and has been distributed in Finnish preschools, to protect children from cavities, for 40 years. It has a low glycemic index (7.0), is diabetic safe, and small amounts of xylitol are produced in our bodies naturally. However, please keep xylitol away from your pets as it is not recommended for animals.

Q: What is an effective dose?

A: For dental health, adults need at least 6 to 10 grams of xylitol daily. Many diabetics use xylitol to replace all sugar in their diet, but for larger amounts it is best to increase the amount slowly. Xylitol can help people with digestive problems, but start slowly with half the recommended dose and gradually increase to 5-10 grams. Xylitol for oral health is best at the end of meals and snacks.

Q: How often should I eat xylitol?

A: Frequency is important. Eat about 6 to 10 grams of xylitol daily, and divide this amount into small doses throughout the day. Each gram of xylitol will help eliminate harmful bacteria in plaque, slowly and naturally, and the effects are cumulative.

Q: Is it possible to replace daily tooth cleaning by using xylitol?

A: Brushing is important for gum health, but it is hard to clean teeth with a toothbrush. Xylitol offers a simple way to loosen plaque and make it easy for brushing and rinsing to completely clean teeth. When toothpaste cannot be tolerated, a liquid solution of xylitol can be used to clean the teeth of babies, children, and adults of all ages.

Q: Can xylitol cure bad breath and whiten my teeth?

A: An acidic mouth promotes bad bacteria, bad breath and the softening of teeth, which will then become worn and stained. Xylitol helps balance acidity, eliminates harmful bacteria, and helps build minerals into teeth, making them stronger and brighter.

To see these benefits of xylitol, eat at least 6-10 grams of xylitol per day. Less than 5 grams may not work. Frequency is important, and studies show about five small amounts of xylitol, after meals, is best.

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Women’s Teeth are Different!

Many women experience cavities and gum problems when their saliva becomes acidic and damages their teeth and gums. A variation of hormone levels in blood has a direct effect on the flow and chemistry of saliva and these fluctuations can cause damage to teeth and gums.

Estrogen fluctuations cause saliva to become so acidic that it will erode teeth and darken them, making enamel weaker and more likely to flake and fillings to loosen and fall out.

Progesterone fluctuations take away saliva’s protective effect on gums, leaving them more prone to bleeding, ulcers and infection.

The first sign of acidic damage is usually acute sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures – often felt at the gum line and accompanied by a little gum recession. Sensitivity is noticed as liquids or air touch the exposed part of teeth, an area not protected by enamel, so temperature is felt as acute pain.

It may not be possible to control hormonal fluctuations, especially in young women or during pregnancy, so it is important to understand these problem and fight to protect your mouth from acidity and gum recession with xylitol.

• Zellies 100% Xylitol can protect teeth and gums from mouth acidity and sensitivity, better than the pastes that only mask problems.

• Use Zellies 100% Xylitol after drinks, snacks, meals or whenever your mouth feels dry or sensitive.

• Strive for at least 5 exposures to xylitol every day. Have at least 6-10 grams of xylitol to control the plaque that thrives in an acidic mouth.

• Clean your toothbrush every day and store it dry and away from any toilet area.

• Clean your teeth twice daily, brushing the gums around teeth to stimulate a blood flow to the place where teeth and gums connect. Do this on the inside and outside of every tooth.

• A healthy diet, nutritional supplements, and probiotics help gums heal as antioxidants and nutrients travel to the gums in the blood supply and deliver necessary nutrients for natural gum repair and healing.

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Pregnant Women

Women often experience dental problems during pregnancy. These problems include: sensitive teeth, bleeding gums, soft tooth enamel, new cavities and broken fillings. Oral health problems are easily explained when you know how hormones change the chemistry of saliva and leave gums and teeth less protected and at greater risk for erosion and infection.

Gum disease has been implicated in substantially raising a woman’s risk for pre-term birth, and research shows that traditional dental cleanings may not diminish this risk.

Estrogen fluctuations can cause saliva to become so acidic that it will erode teeth and darken them, making enamel weaker and more likely to flake and fillings to loosen and fall out.

Progesterone fluctuations take away saliva’s protective effect on gums, leaving them more prone to bleeding, ulcers and infection.

A pregnant woman may also have additional damage from stomach acidity if she experiences morning sickness, nausea or acid reflux during pregnancy.

• 6-10 grams of Zellies 100% Xylitol can help protect teeth and eliminate plaque that causes gingivitis and cavities.

• After the baby is born, it is especially important for parents to have good mouth health as bacteria are easily passed to babies when families are sharing food and kissing.

• Change your toothbrushes often and store away from any toilet area.

• Clean your teeth twice daily, brushing the gums around teeth to stimulate blood circulation to the place where teeth and gums connect.

• A healthy diet, nutritional supplements, and probiotics help gums heal since antioxidants and nutrients travel to the gums in the blood supply and deliver necessary ingredients for natural gum repair and healing.

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Parents of Infants

Tooth decay is an infectious disease, and parents infect their baby with germs that travel in saliva during kissing or sharing food.

Studies show that in families where mothers chewed xylitol gum for approximately two years, only 10 percent of their children showed any detectable levels of harmful plaque (Streptococcus mutans) bacteria.

It appears far more important to balance mouth health with xylitol than worrying about flossing children’s teeth. One suggestion for very young children is to use a solution of xylitol and brush over teeth in place of toothpaste.

Germs are passed from a parent’s mouth to a baby’s in seconds, and as a baby grows, these plaque germs will multiply on erupting baby teeth.

Any caretakers, babysitters and grandparents should be aware they can transfer harmful cavity and gum disease bacteria to infants in the family.

Regular use of xylitol can stop this transmission of “bad teeth” bacteria through the generations.

• 6-10 grams of Zellies 100% Xylitol every day can clean an adult’s mouth and interrupt the transmission of harmful tooth-destroying germs to their baby.

• It may take 6 to 10 months of eating xylitol to rid an adult mouth of harmful germs completely.

• Wiping a solution of xylitol over baby teeth ensures that any harmful plaque germs will become slippery and not stick to new teeth.

Xylitol makes harmful plaque

bacteria slippery

and easy to remove.

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Kids: Birth to Age Five

Baby’s first tooth erupts around 6 months of age. Cavity bacteria attach to a baby tooth almost immediately, as it comes into the mouth. As more teeth erupt, they become infected with bacteria that spread from this first tooth. The strain or kind of bacteria on the first baby tooth is of vital importance to the future dental health of this child. (This process of bacteria spreading from one tooth to the other is called colonizing.)

When friendly bacteria colonize new teeth, the child’s chance of future cavities can be reduced by 80% or more.

Many toothpastes contain ingredients that are bad for children’s oral health. Instead, use a soft toothbrush dipped in half a teaspoon of Zellies Granular Xylitol dissolved in a little warm water.

To ensure cavity bacteria do not attach to baby’s teeth, start wiping them with a solution of xylitol as they erupt to prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to them.

Studies show that children without cavities at age 4 are more likely to have healthy teeth for life.

New teeth are soft and easily damaged by acids – especially acidic drinks like soda, citrus or sugary juices, and even formula milk. A small amount of xylitol (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon) dissolved in water makes a safe tooth-friendly drink.

• To ensure harmful bacteria do not grow in the crevices and grooves of molar teeth, wipe or brush your child’s teeth with xylitol several times each day.

• If your child’s molars remain healthy, other teeth will remain healthy.

• Use xylitol directly off a spoon, dissolved in water, or on a tooth wipe.

• Clean your child’s teeth by giving them some xylitol to eat or drink after meals and before naptime.

• Xylitol can help prevent thrush. Use 1/8th teaspoon of xylitol in 1 oz water as a drink or wiped onto affected areas.

• Granular xylitol can protect and strengthen teeth, sooth sore gums and help teething. Rub gums with chilled xylitol as a great way to sooth teething pain.

Baby molars erupt during the second year of life. These teeth have crinkled biting surfaces where bacteria lodge and multiply. The specific bacteria in these crevices and grooves will begin to dominate the mouth and cover all the teeth.

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Kids: Ages 5 to 12 Years

There are specific moments when parents can change the future for their children’s teeth. These moments are always just as new teeth erupt. The fight to brush a defiant child’s teeth can be difficult. Xylitol can be an ally in these situations to protect and clean teeth.

Use xylitol to eliminate harmful cavity bacteria in the mouth, before the first baby teeth erupt and then before the age of 6 when adult molars come into the mouth.

Dissolve a teaspoon of granular xylitol in water and encourage your child to drink a little at school or at the end of every meal.

Give your child mints or gum made with 100% pure xylitol after every meal.

Sprinkle xylitol on a strawberry as a tooth-healthy dessert.

Fruits and juice may be healthy for a child, but prolonged acidity from juice can damage baby teeth and lead to tooth-decay.

Soda, fruited waters (diet and regular), vitamin waters, orange, lemon and fruit punch are acidic and will damage teeth.

Give your child xylitol after any snack, meal or drink.

Xylitol can be dissolved in water and used as a drink before naptime to protect toddler teeth, especially if he or she breathes through his or her mouth as they nap.

Research shows the regular use of xylitol can reduce the incidence of middle ear infections in toddlers by over 40%.

Over 52 million school hours are lost each year to dental problems that require treatments.

Children ages 11 to 12 in a small Finnish rural town ate 7 to 10 grams of xylitol in chewing gum daily over the course of two years. The decay rate was already low, but test groups using xylitol showed a 30 to 60 percent reduction in new dental caries development compared with the control group not chewing xylitol gum.*

Xylitol can help prevent up to 70% of tooth decay. Xylitol mints and gum makes it easier for you to give your children the “gift of healthy teeth” by protecting teeth from acids, controlling unhealthy bacteria, and helping to rebuild damaged teeth. Your children will love the sweet taste of xylitol. You will love the fact that every time they eat xylitol, their teeth are being protected.

*Source: Hujoel, P.P.; Makinen, K.K.; Bennett, C.A.; et. Al. “The optimum time to initiate habitual xylitol gum chewing for obtaining long-term caries prevention.” Journal of Dental Research 78 (1999): 797-803.

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After 5 weeks of eating at 6-10 grams of xylitol each day, teeth will be clean.

After 6 months of xylitol use, the teeth, saliva, tongue and mouth will be cleaned.

Teens

As teens experience hormonal changes, this will affect their body chemistry. Often this lowers their resistance to gum disease, and makes their mouth more acidic –putting them at risk for cavities.

Adolescents may have a hard time maintaining oral health with a toothbrush and floss, but regular use of xylitol will help them WOW their dentist and keep their mouths healthy and clean.

Teens with braces can have a difficult time cleaning teeth and plaque often accumulates more easily. Braces make it difficult to close your mouth and the unintended consequence of this is that it will make the mouth drier. Plaque in a dry mouth will drastically increase risk for cavities and gum disease.

• Use at least 6 grams of xylitol daily (in small, frequent doses throughout the day) for 6 to 12 months prior to the start of any treatment and while your teen has braces.

• Eat xylitol mints or drink xylitol dissolved in water to help keep teeth cleaner and healthier.

• Xylitol is a convenient (and tasty!) way for teens to care for their teeth.

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Adults

Adults with perfect teeth are only a small number of the population in the US. Unfortunately about 70 percent of US adults have cavities and fillings.

An even higher percentage of US adults suffer gum disease and lost teeth, which can have consequences for general health.

The mouth has been called the window of the body. We know that poor oral health can seriously impact body health in many ways. New tests show that families share the same mouth bacteria. If your family has a history of bad teeth and health problems like dementia, Alzheimer’s, heart problems, stroke, digestive problems, rheumatoid arthritis or autoimmune problems, consider taking steps to protect yourself from poor oral health.

Regular use of Zellies 100% Xylitol can eliminate plaque from teeth.

Zellies 100% Xylitol products help balance mouth acidity and also offer protection from cavities and dental damage.

• After 5 weeks of eating at least 6-10 grams of xylitol each day, teeth will be clean.

• After 6 months of xylitol use, the teeth, saliva, tongue and mouth will be cleaned.

To see these benefits of xylitol, eat at least 6-10 grams of xylitol per day. Less than 5 grams may not work. Frequency is important, and studies show about five small amounts of xylitol, after meals, is best. Avoid xylitol mixed with sorbitol (since the sorbitol inactivates the benefits of xylitol).

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Seniors

There is no reason for teeth to deteriorate as we age. Most tooth damage in older mouths is caused by mouth dryness, or a lack of saliva. Protect your teeth from dryness and acidity with xylitol in its various forms – as a mint, gum or dissolved in water as a drink to sip during the day or night.

Xylitol safely moistens the mouth and stimulates a flow of healthy saliva to help preserve teeth and keep them cleaner and healthier.

When minerals are lost from a tooth, xylitol can contribute to the process of putting minerals back – especially into the deeper layers of demineralized enamel.

• Xylitol can be added to water and sipped as a drink. Xylitol mints and gum can be eaten at the end of every meal, snack and drink to protect teeth from mouth acidity.

• Xylitol offers protection for the teeth of anyone unable to brush and floss or who is not able to care for their mouth for some reason.

Seniors with dentures, those who take antibiotics, or anyone with a weak immune system, is at greater risk for developing thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth.

Along with its oral health benefits, xylitol may reduce osteoporosis and offer protection against age-related bone loss. It has been speculated that this effect is the result of xylitol’s ability to promote intestinal absorption of calcium and B vitamins that may aid in bone remineralization.

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A band of staining may form around the gum line and between teeth when oral health improves rapidly. This stain is not unhealthy – it is remnants of inactive plaque bacteria. The adjacent gum health should be noticeably improved and dental professionals can easily clean this staining away.

Xylitol has been shown to reduce cavities by up to 80% in people who do not clean their teeth. It can help prevent fungal mouth infections, seen in debilitated and dehydrated patients (a white coating on the tongue, roof of the mouth and often seen as sores at the corners of the mouth).

People with Special Needs

Dental treatment may be a frightening and traumatic experience for people with disabilities. Crowded teeth may be hard to clean especially when patients are unable to rinse or spit. If plaque grows, cavities and gum disease will result. And medicines that dry the mouth, or are sweetened with sugar, can make dental problems worse.

Regular consumption of xylitol daily will reduce plaque and help control its build up. The change in plaque will begin immediately but benefits may take 6-12 months to be noticed.

Xylitol helps promote healthy, tooth-protective

bacteria on the tooth surface.

Zellies

Zellies Xylitol Products are made with 100% xylitol, a naturally occurring substance that has incredible oral health benefits for all ages. 6 to 10 grams of xylitol daily can safely protect and strengthen teeth, prevent decay, and help heal early cavities.

Z E L L I E S M I N T S

• Made with 100% non-GMO xylitol

• Each mint contains 0.5 grams of xylitol

• All-Natural

• No colors or artificial flavors

• Flavors: Cool Mint, Cool Fruit & Cinnamon

Z E L L I E S G U M

• Made with 100% non-GMO xylitol

• Each piece of gum contains 1.0 gram of xylitol

• All-Natural

• No colors or artificial flavors

• Flavors: Fresh Fruit, Spearmint, Peppermint & Cinnamon

Z E L L I E S G R A N U L A R X Y L I T O L

• Made with 100% non-GMO xylitol

• 4-5 grams of xylitol per teaspoon

• Great for adding to water or taken off a spoon

• Available in 1 pound bags or in individual 4 gram packets

Z E L L I E S P O L A R B E A R S

• Made with 100% non-GMO European hardwood xylitol

• Each Polar Bear contains 1.3 grams of xylitol

• All-Natural

• No colors or artificial flavors

• Kosher Certified

For more information on oral health, the benefits of xylitol, and to order Zellies Xylitol Products, please visit:

www.Zellies.com

© 2013 Dr. Ellie Phillips & Zellies Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or translated into any language in any form by any means without written permission. Information herein is NOT intended to be taken as medical advice. No therapeutic or medical claims are either implied or made. DO NOT ALTER ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT, OR THE USE OF MEDICATION WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDER. FDA regulations prohibit the use of therapeutic or medical claims in conjunction with the same of any product not approved by the FDA.

Discover why dental problems exist and how xylitol can empower you to take

control of your oral health. Ultimate oral health can be yours!