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Hormones and Dental Health: What Every Woman Needs to Know

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Women are mostly affected with oral health problems because of the unique hormonal changes they experience. Increased female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, cause increased blood flow towards the gums which causes overreaction to anything that may irritate the gums such as bacteria and plaque. This overreaction leads to gums being inflamed, swollen, and even bleeding.

If left untreated, ongoing gum inflammation can lead to bone loss and eventually tooth loss. Hormones are a fact of life, but not gum disease. Gum disease is preventable and often reversible at early stages.

If you’re a woman reading this, you should now start paying extra attention and take good care of your mouth during these stages of your life.

Puberty

During puberty, hormones are very active and can cause a teenage girl’s gums to become reddish, swollen, and bleeding. It is because the gums are overreacting to plaque buildup around the teeth. That is why it is important for parents to educate their teenage girls to refrain from frequent snacking to lessen plaque accumulation. Also, brushing 2-3 times a day or every after meal is vital.

Menstrual Period

Most women fail to notice that their gums are more red and swollen days before or at the onset of menstrual period. It is because the female hormones are at their peak. It is very important to keep home oral hygiene care a priority to prevent it from developing into gum disease.

These symptoms should subside after your period has ended. If your gums remain swollen after a few days or weeks after your period, you should visit your dentist.

Use of Birth Control Pills

Using birth control pills with high dosage of female hormones – estrogen and progesterone – then it can also cause overreaction of gums to plaque. Fortunately, modern birth control pills are now regulated to have the right amount of female hormones.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women’s body is in hormonal hyperactive state. Some women develop Pregnancy Gingivitis, a mild type of gum disease that causes gums to appear red, tender, and sore. It is very important to visit your dentist during pregnancy for routine professional dental cleaning and staying on top of toothbrushing and flossing at home.

Menopause

During menopause, there’s hormonal imbalance that may result to altered taste, burning sensations in your mouth, and increased sensitivity. Dry mouth and bone loss are common during menopausal period. It is important to consult your dentist regarding dry mouth. Low saliva flow can cause increased tooth decay, and it is thus recommended to drink a lot of water to keep you hydrated.

Also, during menopause there could be low estrogen levels which can result to bone loss. To help you reduce the risk of bone loss, talk to your dentist to make sure you’re getting the right amount of calcium and Vitamin D.

In summary, whether you have high or low hormone levels, it is important to make and keep your oral health care a priority. Brush twice or thrice a day, especially every after meal; stop smoking, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Anesthesia and Sedation for your Child

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Most parents feel anxious for their children whenever the dentist mentions anesthesia and/or sedation is required for a procedure. If you are one of these parents, you might have a long list of questions to ask your dentist. If it is your child’s first time to undergo dental procedure under anesthesia, continue reading below as we run through important questions that might be on your mind.

What is the difference between Anesthesia and Sedation?

Anesthesia is a way to control pain during a procedure or surgery. It has two types: Local Anesthesia and General Anesthesia.

Local Anesthesia uses an anesthetic agent administered directly to numb a particular area while the patient remains fully conscious.

General Anesthesia is most commonly used for surgical procedures that requires the patient to be unconscious. Administered through a mask or intravenously, children under general anesthesia are completely unaware of their surroundings and are not responsive.

On the other hand, Sedation is considered a “lighter sleep”. During sedation, children is unaware of the surroundings but will respond to stimulation and following directions such as asking them to open their mouth.

When to use Local Anesthesia, General Anesthesia, and Sedation

Whether to use Local Anesthesia, General Anesthesia, or Sedation is based on the type of procedure and the behaviour of your child.

If it’s a minor surgery such as removal of loose baby teeth and your child is highly cooperative, then a local anesthesia will suffice. However, sedation is needed for kids undergoing minor surgery who are fearful and can’t stay seated for a long time.

For major surgical procedures, such as multiple extraction of baby teeth or endodontic treatment, general anesthesia is often given to the child.

How will my child come out of anesthesia?

For local anesthesia, numbness may persist after a few more hours after the dental procedure. The dentist may instruct you to keep your child from talking and eating after a few hours to avoid injury to the lip or tongue.

For general anesthesia and sedation, your child will be groggy or drowsy afterwards. Your child will be monitored until fully awake.

Anesthesia and sedation are safe and effective for children undergoing dental procedures. If you have any questions regarding the anesthesia to be used for your child’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask your dental team. You and your child’s safety and comfort is every dental team’s utmost concern.

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

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Tooth decay in infant and toddlers is also known as “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay” or “Early Childhood Caries”. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth of your child.

Although baby teeth may seem to be temporary, importance should be given to baby teeth.  As previously discussed, baby teeth are important in development of speech and masticatory functions. They also serve as a guide to the position of the erupting permanent teeth.

What causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Failure to take care of the teeth properly may cause tooth decay, especially if children are put to bed with bottle of milk. Milk has sugar content and teeth will remain coated throughout night with it if your child is left with a bottle by its side for the night. Bacteria-eating sugar produces acid that causes teeth to soften, thus resulting in tooth decay.

Parents and caregivers can also transfer bacteria to children by kissing or letting them use an adult’s utensils.

What does Baby Bottle Tooth Decay look like?

  • Brown or black spots on the teeth especially upper front teeth
  • Swollen or reddish gums

How to prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

  • Limit your child’s intake of sugary food and drinks.
  • For infants, let them drink water in a bottle after drinking milk. You may also want to clean their teeth with a warm towel after they have finished drinking milk.
  • Train your child to drink milk in a cup before sleeping, followed by drinking water or brushhing teeth.
  • Avoid sharing utensils with your child. Let them use their own utensils.
  • Do not kiss your child directly on their lips.

If you think your child has Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, it is recommended to bring your child to the dentist as soon as possible. Mild Baby Bottle Tooth Decay can be treated simply with restorations. However, a more severe Baby Bottle Tooth Decay may require a more complex treatment such as apicoectomy (root canal treatment for baby teeth), crown, etc. The earlier it can be diagnosed, the earlier it will be treated with less invasive procedures.

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Part II: Toothpaste Ingredients, Yay or Nay

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We previously discussed the first three ingredients found in toothpastes – here are others that you can also find in your toothpastes.

Humectant System

This system is composed of humectant (ingredients that retains moisture) and binding agents (keeps all ingredients mixed). Without humectant and a binding agent, toothpaste would look dry and stirring will be needed to mix all ingredients prior to use. Sorbitol, Glyerin, and Aqua/Water are the most common humectants.

Thickeners

Thickeners create the “thickness” texture of toothpastes. Carrageenan, Cellulose Gums, and Xanthan Gum are the common thickeners added to toothpastes.

Preservatives

Preservatives are added to prevent growth of microorganisms in the toothpaste. Methylparaben, Propylparaben, and Sodium Benzoate are the common preservatives added to toothpastes.

Some people decided to stop using toothpastes and other beauty products with parabens due to studies linking it to cancer. Good thing is, there’s a lot of toothpastes in the market that are Paraben-free already. You just have to read the ingredient list.

Sweeteners

Toothpaste tastes different without sweeteners or flavorings. You often will see natural and artificial flavorings like Sodium Saccharin and Sorbitol.

Coloring Agents

Toothpastes comes in different colors all white or tri-color pastes. Titanium Oxide produces white pigment while artificial dyes are used to create blue, green, red and other colors. Artificial dyes are written alpha-numerically at the ingredients list (e.g. CI 73360, CI 74260).

Vitamins

Certain variants of toothpastes include synthetic vitamins in toothpastes. One example is Colgate Triple Action which has Niacinamide (Vit. B3), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Pyridoxine HCL (Vit. B6) and many other more.

Others/Fillers

Some toothpastes, like Aquafresh, contains Calcium Carbonate (chalk) and Bicarbonate (baking soda). These ingredients are just fillers and doesn’t do anything good in your teeth.

The best toothpaste will depend on your own preference. You might be okay with products that contain SLS or you’re very particular not to take any product with SLS. Some people want their toothpastes to be very minty while others prefer tasteless. It all depends on you and your family’s liking.

Choose a toothpaste that best suits your preference (taste and ingredients). On the other hand, the Canadian Dental Association recommends you the use of toothpastes from Colgate, Crest, and Sensodyne. And don’t forget to check the CDA seal before buying any toothpaste.

Equipped with a new understanding of toothpaste ingredients, you can now read and understand the toothpaste label with confidence!

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Part I: Toothpaste Ingredients, Yay or Nay

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Have you ever had a look at the ingredients list of your toothpaste? We usually check the ingredients of food in our grocery list, but we are forgetting to check one important item – our toothpaste.

Toothpaste is a paste used with a toothbrush to clean our teeth and tongue. Primarily, it is used to maintain good oral hygiene by removing plaque, preventing halitosis or bad breath, and delivers Fluoride which prevents tooth decay.

However, not all toothpastes are made with the same ingredients. Here’s a run-through of what you can find in your toothpaste and what it does.

Abrasives

Toothpaste’s abrasiveness is measured by its Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA). Toothpaste use abrasives like Hydrated Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate, Calcium Carbonate, and Aluminum Hydroxide. Abrasives give toothpaste its cleaning power. Toothpastes with an RDA rating of 0-70 are highly recommended because they are usually low abrasive. Most toothpastes have one abrasive ingredient. Any toothpaste that contains two or more abrasive components should be avoided.

A few Arm & Hammer toothpaste variants have a 48-70 RDA rating, while Colgate, Crest, and Sensodyne variants are found after 70.

Fluorides

Fluoride is the most popular active ingredient of toothpastes. Forms of fluoride like Sodium Fluoride, Stannous Fluoride, and Sodium Monofluorophosphate are found in every toothpaste. Sodium Fluoride, the most commonly added type of fluoride, can readily be used during brushing of teeth while Sodium Monofluorophosphate needs saliva or more moisture to be activated. People with dry mouth (i.e. someone under chemotherapy or taking certain medications that can cause dry mouth) are not recommended to use Sodium MFP-based toothpastes.

Surfactant

Surfactant, also known as detergent, is the foaming agent of toothpastes. Just like soap and shampoo, it is the reason why the product lathers or foams. Surfactant like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) gives a more cleaning effect to some people.

At present, SLS is one of the most controversial ingredients found in several beauty products. SLS was said to affect the endocrine system of the body and produce mouth ulcers. There are insufficient research studies to prove the toxicity of SLS in toothpaste, but a lot of people are switching to SLS-free toothpastes which some variants of Colgate, Sensodyne, and Tom’s of Maines have.

Fluoride, abrasives, and surfactant are just a few of the main ingredients found in toothpastes. These three primarily work together in removing plaque and food lodged in the teeth. Aside from these three, there are a few more ingredients you need to be familiarized with. Stay tuned for Part II!

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone our downtown Victoria dental office at 250 590 0166.

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Top 5 Dental Hygiene Tips for a Healthy & Beautiful Smile

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Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile which is why good oral hygiene is essential. Our teeth not only help us chew and talk, but also let us look good. Poor oral hygiene won’t only affect self-esteem but can also cause several dental and medical problems in the future.

To keep your teeth in tip-top shape, here are a few tips for a healthy and beautiful smile.

1. Visit your dentist regularly

Pain shouldn’t be the only reason why you’re visiting your dentist. You should visit your dentist at least twice a year or every 6 months to prevent any further development of decay or any dental problems.

2. Use a proper brushing technique

You might be brushing your teeth for so long now, but still don’t know how to properly brush your teeth. Take note that horizontal brushing can cause gums to recede. Try placing your toothbrush 45-degrees near the gum line and brush in an up-and-down motion. This removes plaque gently without exerting too much force on your gums.

3. Floss at least once a day

This is one of home oral care routine that we always fail to do – or are too lazy to do. Flossing will aid in getting rid of food debris that accumulated in between your teeth. If not removed, it can turn to plaque and harden which will destroy your teeth. Try getting a floss holder (i.e. FlossAid) to make flossing easier.

4. Stop Snacking

Frequent snacking makes our mouth environment more acidic. The more sugar we eat, the more we feed these tiny creatures in our mouth. When fed, bacteria produces acids that softens the outer layer of the teeth which results to decay. Eating frequently won’t allow the mouth acidity level to drop.

5. Brush 30 minutes after eating

Several studies have shown that brushing right after eating or drinking can cause more damage to our teeth. As previously mentioned, our mouth is acidic after eating or drinking – especially acidic and sugary food and beverages. Brushing after eating will only let acid to be scratched more to the tooth surface. It is recommended to drink a lot of water after eating or drinking sugary beverages and wait for 30 minutes before brushing the teeth.

Oral hygiene care must be given high importance to prevent a cavity or decayed teeth. Follow these tips to make your smile appear not only beautiful but also help to keep your mouth healthy.

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Importance of Baby Teeth - Are the first teeth really important?

Importance of Baby Teeth

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Importance of Baby Teeth – Are a baby’s first teeth really important since they’re just going to fall out anyway?

Primary teeth, commonly called baby teeth, begin to develop in the fetus at about six weeks of age. A few months after birth – six months to be exact – baby teeth start to erupt one by one. The first tooth to erupt is usually the middle front tooth found in the lower jaw known as the central incisor. Most of the baby teeth will have fully erupted by 33 months or 3 years.

When a child reaches 3 years old, it is very critical to save as much decayed baby teeth as possible. As a matter of fact, preventive measures should be done already as early as when the first baby tooth erupted.

You, parents, might be asking – “Why do I need to take care of baby teeth, knowing that a new set of teeth will replace it after a few years?”  Parents often don’t know the importance of baby teeth and their effect on the eruption of permanent teeth.

So, why are baby teeth important? 

  1. Baby teeth act as a space maintainer or placeholder for the permanent teeth. It holds the spot where a larger permanent tooth will erupt. When a baby tooth is lost earlier than it should be, the adjacent tooth or the other permanent tooth can drift – thus, making it difficult for other permanent teeth to find room when it’s their turn to erupt. This can cause crooked teeth, misalignment, or malocclusion.
  2. Baby teeth guide the eruption pathway of permanent teeth. Certain baby teeth guide the permanent teeth on where they should erupt (i.e. more forward or more backward).
  3. Baby teeth aid in the speech development of toddlers. A good example of this is when the upper front teeth touch the lower lip to be able to pronounce an “f” sound. Absence of baby teeth may limit the vowels and consonants a child can pronounce.
  4. Baby teeth help children chew food easily and properly.

Given these points, parents should be giving their kids’ baby teeth thorough care. Keep in mind that baby teeth are very important to a child’s physical, social, and emotional development.

Follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1-250-590-0166, or email.

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Your Summer Oral Health Care Guide, Part 2

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In our previous article, we already discussed some tips on how to keep your oral health a priority while enjoying your summer vacation. In addition, we will share some more tips on how you can enjoy eating and drinking while attending summer barbeques and festivals.

Drink more water

It’s summer and humid – be sure to keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration can cause dry mouth or decrease in saliva which can damage your teeth. Saliva is an essential component of our mouth. It washes away food particles and bacteria from our mouth. Lack of saliva can make our mouth a good breeding place for bacteria which can cause tooth decay. So, be sure to drink plenty of water during the day.

Regulate your alcohol consumption

Alcohol increases the acidity level of our mouth. A very acidic environment can soften the outer layer of our tooth – making it more susceptible for tooth decay. Red wine and some other coloured beverages can also cause staining in your teeth. Drink responsibly and if possible, drink with a lot of water after drinking alcoholic beverages.

Avoid frequent snacking

During summer vacation, attending several festivals and banquets will make you want to eat all day. Make it a habit eating three meals a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Frequent snacking in between meals will make you highly susceptible in developing tooth decay.

As you eat, the acidity of your mouth increases. It will decrease slowly and will get back to its normal level after you eat – with the help of saliva flushing away food particles. As you eat more frequently, it will take some more time for the mouth acidity levels to get back to its normal state.

As previously stated, the more acidic the mouth is, the more chances of developing tooth decay.

Limit intake of sugary foods

We all wanted to beat the heat by eating ice cream, but be cautious with your sugar intake. As you eat sugary food, you also feed bacteria found in your mouth with sugar. And as you feed bacteria with sugar, it produces toxins as its by-product. These toxins are acidic in nature and destroys the tooth’s first layer (enamel) making it a good place for bacteria to latch on.

You might be too excited for all your summer activities; but you might also be neglecting the importance of dental hygiene. Remember, no one wants an aching tooth to ruin a wonderful holiday, so be sure to visit your dentist before your planned vacation. Conversely, drink plenty of water, if you can’t resist your sugar cravings. And don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth in the morning and before bedtime. Have an amazing summer!

Remember to follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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Your Summer Oral Health Care Guide, Part 1

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Summer is fast approaching and you, surely, are excited to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in the beautiful outdoors.

Locals and tourists alike  engage in activities like hiking, canoeing, watersports, camping, and a lot of festivals. With all these extra activities, it can be quite hard to keep up with a good oral hygiene and chances are you may experience some dental emergencies. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your teeth bright and healthy on top of enjoying heaps of summer activities.

Now’s the time for a dental appointment

It might not be on top of your pre-holiday to-do list, but it’s better to pay a visit to your dentist before you go on holiday. A quick check-up will identify early signs of decay. Your dentist can do dental fillings to prevent causing long-term damage that could develop while you’re on holiday. You wouldn’t like an aching tooth to ruin your vacation, right?

However, if you can’t do it before – do it as soon as you get back from your trip. Pamper your teeth with a quick scaling and polishing after indulging in food and drink.

Keep up with a good oral hygiene routine

Holiday doesn’t mean you’re also on break in taking care of your teeth. Be sure to brush your teeth 2-3 times a day and floss once a day. Don’t forget to include a new toothbrush and toothpaste in your travel bag. If you’re travelling light, you might consider bringing a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste.

Prevent dental emergencies

Summer is all about outdoor activities like swimming, camping, biking, and hiking. Unfortunately, outdoor activities are the number one cause of dental injuries. For example, you might fall while running on a slippery surface that may cause a chipped tooth or knock a tooth loose. Prevent dental emergencies from happening by being fully aware of your surroundings. You may also want to consider bringing an emergency dental kit which includes gauze, ibuprofen, your dentist’s phone number, and a small container with lid.

Summer is exciting, but make sure to be cautious at all times. And lastly, keep your oral hygiene routine a priority in the morning, throughout the day, and in the evening.

Remember to follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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The Negative Effects of Sugar, Part II

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Our friends from Health Ambition are sharing their knowledge and expertise this week; Helen Sanders is the guest author of this two-part series, explaining the negative effects of sugar.  The original post can be found on the Health Ambition site here.

By Helen Sanders, Health Ambition

The Negative Effects of Sugar

Sugar Has No Nutritional Benefits and Will Rot Your Teeth

There is literally no nutritional benefits associated with the consumption of sugar. There is no protein, vitamins, minerals or essential fats – just empty calories!

In fact, those who regularly consume 20% of their calories from sugar can end up with a whole host of nutritional deficiencies.

Plus, being told “sugar will rot your teeth” as a child was not just your mother’s way of coaxing away those chocolate chip cookies. It’s actually a cold, hard fact.

Science tells us that sugar actually provides energy for the bad bacteria in your mouth, making it very bad for your teeth (source).

Fructose Can Overload Your Liver

It is important to understand that sugar comes in two forms: glucose and fructose.

Now glucose is natural, it is found in every living cell and if we don’t get any in our diet, our body will produce it anyway.

Fructose however is different. Our body is only capable of dealing with small amounts at one time.

It doesn’t cause a significant problem if we get a small amount like from fruit, or we just finished a workout. When this happens, the fructose will be turned into glycogen and stored in the liver until we need it (source).

With that said, if the liver is already full of glycogen, which is usually the case, eating a lot of fructose will overload the liver and cause it to turn the fructose into fat (source).

When this happens time and time again, this process can lead to a fatty liver which can cause a plethora of serious problems (source).

One of them being the potential development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), which is becoming a serious problem in Western countries (source).

Sugar Can Give You Cancer

Cancer is that word we all dread and unfortunately, is one of the leading causes of death throughout the world.

Cancer is when cells grow and multiply uncontrollably and can affect pretty much any part of the human body.

Insulin is a key hormone in the body and one of its functions is to regulate cell growth. However, overloading your body with sugar can lead to insulin resistance, meaning the cells your cells become able to resist the effects of insulin.

This is why many scientist believe that too much sugar can cause cancer (source).

Insulin Resistance Can Lead to Type 2 Diabetes

When your cells start to become resistant to insulin, your body produces more of this important hormone in order to level out blood sugar.

However, insulin resistance is progressive and as the situation gets worse, your body simply cannot keep up with the demand for insulin.

This is when your blood sugar levels go through the roof and you are left with type 2 diabetes.

Take into account that science tells us that people who drink sugar sweetened beverages are actually 83% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (source)

Alternatives

Luckily, there are some sweet alternatives to sugar. While there have been, and continue to be, many artificial sweeteners on the market, there are some choices that are better than others.

First and foremost, satisfying your sweet tooth with the goodness of fruits and berries is a good option. But again, too much of a good thing is still too much. You don’t want to consistently fill your diet with high glycemic foods, even healthy choices like fruits. Your goal should be to keep your blood sugar low and stable.

Try stevia for a great sugar substitute. Stevia comes from a leaf and does not affect blood glucose levels. It is a great sugar alternative, especially for those with diabetes. Stevia comes in various forms like liquid drops or powders. You can purchase it in packets as well. Some of the brand names for stevia are Truvia, Sweet Leaf, Stevia In The Raw, and PureVia.

Read also: What is the best tasting Stevia?

Splenda, also known as sucralose, is another popular sweetener. Although it doesn’t share the healthy reputation of stevia, splenda has been used for years. It’s not a natural sweetener. It’s a chlorinated artificial sweetener, so user beware.

Xylitol is yet another sweetening option. It is a “sugar alcohol”. Sugar alcohols often cause diarrhea and bloating, so test your tolerance first with xylitol before consuming large amounts.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, the best thing to do, if you’ve been on a sugar binge for most of your life, is to start phasing sugar out of your life. You don’t have to go cold turkey.

If you don’t believe sugar is all that bad for you, just eliminate it from your life for a while and see how you feel, watch your energy levels soar, your immune system come to life, and your skin glow. Then, decide for yourself.

The bottom line is, try to wean yourself from sugar. And, learn to enjoy the truly natural sweetness of fruits and berries. And, if you must use sweeteners to make your food more interesting, there are many alternatives from which to choose. However, if your goal is to be as healthy as you can, your best choice is stevia. Moderation is key. Make the best choices you can most of the time, and your life can be pretty sweet.

Thanks very much to Helen and Health Ambition for sharing the informative  For more health articles, be sure to visit Helen and Health Ambition’s site here.

Remember to follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips.  To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages.  To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!

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