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Xylitol - For the love of teeh

Written by North Shore dental on July 20th, 2016.

New Zealanders on average consume 53.8kgs of sugar per person per year. That is equivalent to 37 teaspoons of sugar per person per day. The problems arising from this consumption are well documented and include obesity, Type 11 diabetes and dental caries*. 
 
Increasingly people are searching for alternatives, however many sugar-replacements leave a bitter aftertaste, are difficult to bake with, or have their own health-hazards.
Xylitol front-637-38

Spry offers a comprehensive, natural, and cavity-fighting dental defense system.  It has been shown that levels of 6-10gms of xylitol a day is required to help against caries when used in conjunction with patients daily dental routine.
 
  •   SPRY FOR 5 – a complete line of products for convenient xylitol exposure throughout the day
  •   Includes fluoride toothpaste for FDA-approved cavity prevention
  •   Contains xylitol, a natural sweetener backed by thousands of clinical studies
  •   Xylitol has been proven to promote salivation and moisturize oral tissues
  •   Refreshing  flavors freshen breath while cleaning teeth
Clinical Studies have shown that the use of xylitol on a daily basis spread throughout the day, may reduce the risk of tooth decay and improve overall oral health. 

Patient can choose from the range of Spry Xylitol products including -
 
  • Spry Chewing Gums
  • Spry Gems
  • Xylosweet
  • Moisturising Mouth Gel
  • Moisturising Nasal Spray
  • Spry Kids Tooth Gel
  • SparX Sugar-Free Candies   
  • Spry Toothpaste with xylitol and fluoride (0.24% w/w) 1000ppm
  • Natural Oral Mouth Rinse
  • Moisturising Mouth Spray with soothing Aloe Vera.
 
Jessica's Final Journey to a Beautiful Smile

060A3350-148
 
After almost two years of wearing braces my patience has paid off. They've been removed and they look fantastic! Thank you to Mike and the team at North Shore Dental for the amazing work they've done on my new pearly whites.

It was the greatest feeling having them taken off. I'm finally able to bite into apples and no longer have to worry about food getting stuck in my teeth! This is perfect timing because the final of Miss World New Zealand is this weekend. With my new teeth I know I'm going to feel confident on stage, smiling my heart away. 

I've also been using a teeth whitener, compliments of North Shore Dental, which has given my teeth that extra white shine. The whitener has been working so well and I can't wait to show you my end results.

After the braces came off, two wires where inserted behind my top and bottom rows of teeth to make sure they the don't move in the future. 

Thank you North Shore dental for your support throughout my journey with braces as well as at Miss World New Zealand.
 
Jessica Tyson
 

For the last couple of months I have had a new best friend – my new plate.

What does it do? It is stopping my overbite!

20150731 124416-521

The plate is permanently attached to my teeth so I can't take it out until 6 months after it has been in there. It has a plastic piece attached to it so when I bite, the plate restricts me from biting back. So over time I will get use to biting correctly, hence getting rid of my overbite.

I found it very difficult to speak when the plate was first attached to my teeth. I found it especially uncomfortable at night as I felt uncomfortable resting my mouth in a new position. However over time that has improved.

The biggest challenge Ive had with this plate is that it has given me a lisp. At times I have felt embarrassed since I have been studying a new language and also work in retail. I communicate to people every day and I find it a little difficult having to repeat myself if somebody hasnt understood what I have said.

​I've also recently began an internship at TVNZ's Maori news show Te Karere as a news reporter. I have found it difficult to speak a new language, speak in a “newsy” tone and pronounce my voice clearly with a plate in my mouth. However a great positive that has come from this is that the plate has trained me to try and speak and pronounce my words more clearly. So when the plate is removed my voice will be even more clear than what is was without the plate!

Jessica Tyson

 My Journey to a beautiful smile.

Jessica pic 2
 
"So far I am 13 months into my journey wearing braces.  Time has gone really fast and my teeth are looking great!! 
 
The most recent change is wearing a removable appliance (plate) for the last 3 months. Its purpose is to develop my upper jaw width, especially my first left-side molar.  Before wearing the plate the molar had been a bit stubborn and hadn't straightened up with the other teeth. The plate I'm wearing has a screw in it that I turn every 5 days, to push the tooth out from the inside.  As well as that my braces are pulling the tooth from the outside to straighten it up.
 
Since wearing the plate I have seen a huge change. The molar has shifted more into line with the other teeth and I think it won't take long until it's completely straight! 
 
WHAT IS IT LIKE WEARING THE PLATE?
 
When I was first given the plate to wear I found it difficult to speak clearly for a few days. Since I work in retail and have to talk to customers a lot, I found it a little uncomfortable at work as I couldn't fully pronounce my words.  As well as that I am studying a full-time Te Reo Maori course where I am required to speak a lot of Te Reo Maori.  When I first wore the plate I found it very hard to pronounce these words and always wanted to take the plate out when I needed to do a speech.   For the first few days I also found the plate to be very uncomfortable. It felt as though it took up too much room in my mouth and it was very hard to eat food wearing it - and I was always tempted to take it out when I was eating (which I am not supposed to do). 
 
However, over time I have become very used to wearing the plate.  I don't mind eating with it and after about a week of wearing it my speech returned to normal again.  I also get excited seeing how my tooth is slowly straightening up alongside the other teeth. The plate is not painful at all so that’s also a bonus! 
 
HOW TO KEEP IT CLEAN
 
I have to clean my plate after I have eaten food.   At night I clean it with my toothbrush and toothpaste, and every three days I soak it for 3 minutes with a specialised cleanser which leaves my plate fresh and minty clean! “
 
Jessica Tyson
 

 
Jessica's Journey to a Beautiful Smile
 
 "My name is Jessica Tyson and welcome to my journey with braces. I’m 21 years old, from a small town named Whanganui and I moved to Auckland to study.  I am happy to say I recently graduated AUT University with a Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in journalism. With my degree I would like to become a news reporter which is part of the reason I decided to get braces. Before I had braces I felt uncomfortable on camera because my teeth were not straight. With a career in television I think it’s important for me to feel as comfortable as possible.  I’m so excited to have straight teeth to give me that extra confidence on camera.
 
jessica (1)-395
Another reason I decided to get braces is because I’d like to enter Miss World New Zealand in 2016. I began doing pageants when I was 15 years old. Pageants have taken me around the world, after winning Miss Teen World Supermodel 2009 in Australia. Since winning an international teen pageant I have always had a dream to become Miss New Zealand and represent our country again. I’m so thankful for the help I am receiving from North Shore Dental. I’m happy that when I enter my next pageant I won’t feel camera shy because my smile will have the x-factor quality!"
 
 
 
 
 
For the last couple of months I have had a new best friend – my new plate.

What does it do? It is stopping my overbite!

20150731 124416-521

The plate is permanently attached to my teeth so I can't take it out until 6 months after it has been in there. It has a plastic piece attached to it so when I bite, the plate restricts me from biting back. So over time I will get use to biting correctly, hence getting rid of my overbite.

I found it very difficult to speak when the plate was first attached to my teeth. I found it especially uncomfortable at night as I felt uncomfortable resting my mouth in a new position. However over time that has improved.

The biggest challenge Ive had with this plate is that it has given me a lisp. At times I have felt embarrassed since I have been studying a new language and also work in retail. I communicate to people every day and I find it a little difficult having to repeat myself if somebody hasnt understood what I have said.

​I've also recently began an internship at TVNZ's Maori news show Te Karere as a news reporter. I have found it difficult to speak a new language, speak in a “newsy” tone and pronounce my voice clearly with a plate in my mouth. However a great positive that has come from this is that the plate has trained me to try and speak and pronounce my words more clearly. So when the plate is removed my voice will be even more clear than what is was without the plate!

Jessica Tyson

 My Journey to a beautiful smile.

Jessica pic 2
 
"So far I am 13 months into my journey wearing braces.  Time has gone really fast and my teeth are looking great!! 
 
The most recent change is wearing a removable appliance (plate) for the last 3 months. Its purpose is to develop my upper jaw width, especially my first left-side molar.  Before wearing the plate the molar had been a bit stubborn and hadn't straightened up with the other teeth. The plate I'm wearing has a screw in it that I turn every 5 days, to push the tooth out from the inside.  As well as that my braces are pulling the tooth from the outside to straighten it up.
 
Since wearing the plate I have seen a huge change. The molar has shifted more into line with the other teeth and I think it won't take long until it's completely straight! 
 
WHAT IS IT LIKE WEARING THE PLATE?
 
When I was first given the plate to wear I found it difficult to speak clearly for a few days. Since I work in retail and have to talk to customers a lot, I found it a little uncomfortable at work as I couldn't fully pronounce my words.  As well as that I am studying a full-time Te Reo Maori course where I am required to speak a lot of Te Reo Maori.  When I first wore the plate I found it very hard to pronounce these words and always wanted to take the plate out when I needed to do a speech.   For the first few days I also found the plate to be very uncomfortable. It felt as though it took up too much room in my mouth and it was very hard to eat food wearing it - and I was always tempted to take it out when I was eating (which I am not supposed to do). 
 
However, over time I have become very used to wearing the plate.  I don't mind eating with it and after about a week of wearing it my speech returned to normal again.  I also get excited seeing how my tooth is slowly straightening up alongside the other teeth. The plate is not painful at all so that’s also a bonus! 
 
HOW TO KEEP IT CLEAN
 
I have to clean my plate after I have eaten food.   At night I clean it with my toothbrush and toothpaste, and every three days I soak it for 3 minutes with a specialised cleanser which leaves my plate fresh and minty clean! “
 
Jessica Tyson
 

 
Jessica's Journey to a Beautiful Smile
 
 "My name is Jessica Tyson and welcome to my journey with braces. I’m 21 years old, from a small town named Whanganui and I moved to Auckland to study.  I am happy to say I recently graduated AUT University with a Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in journalism. With my degree I would like to become a news reporter which is part of the reason I decided to get braces. Before I had braces I felt uncomfortable on camera because my teeth were not straight. With a career in television I think it’s important for me to feel as comfortable as possible.  I’m so excited to have straight teeth to give me that extra confidence on camera.
 
jessica (1)-395
Another reason I decided to get braces is because I’d like to enter Miss World New Zealand in 2016. I began doing pageants when I was 15 years old. Pageants have taken me around the world, after winning Miss Teen World Supermodel 2009 in Australia. Since winning an international teen pageant I have always had a dream to become Miss New Zealand and represent our country again. I’m so thankful for the help I am receiving from North Shore Dental. I’m happy that when I enter my next pageant I won’t feel camera shy because my smile will have the x-factor quality!"