Halloween is just a few weeks away; after that, there’s one holiday after another until the end of 2013. With these holidays come a string of parties and a parade of treats. Sweets high in sugar are bad for your overall health, but they also post a threat to your oral health. That’s because sugar spurs the production of bacteria and acid, which wreak havoc on the layer of enamel protecting your teeth.

But despite how harmful sugar is, you don’t have to give up on holiday sweets. Xylitol, a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous part of plants, will give your treats that great taste you’re looking for but with far fewer calories and without putting your smile in danger. That’s because xylitol doesn’t lead to the creation of bacteria and acid; it creates a neutral environment instead. Some toothpaste brands even use xylitol to protect teeth from decay.

How can you include xylitol in your treats this holiday season? If you’re baking it’s as simple as just substituting sugar for xylitol, with a ratio of 1:1. For Halloween, you can look for candy sweetened with xylitol. Natural food stores sell xylitol candies, but you can also find plenty of options online at Amazon and other online retailers, like Dr. John’s Candies and Ice Chips.

Do you have questions about xylitol, or do you need to schedule a checkup with Dr. Gene Drake or Dr. Jayson Voto? Call Drake & Voto Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. We serve patients from Owasso, Claremore, Sperry, Collinsville, Tulsa, Skiatook, and beyond.