November is almost here, and then from there we just have two short months until the start of 2013. That means, of course, that a new holiday season is on its way, but it also means something else—your current dental benefits are about to expire, and what money you have available to you now will be lost.

Don’t let that happen.

Instead, use this time between now and January to meet your oral health needs. Maybe that means coming in to our Mt. Pleasant office for something as simple as a checkup and professional cleaning. Or maybe it means starting work on a restorative procedure you already know you need. It may even mean giving your smile the cosmetic boost you’ve always dreamed of having.

Whatever you have in mind, don’t wait any longer. While some procedures may only take a single appointment to complete, others might take multiple visits. By starting on your smile makeover now, you’re more likely to get all those visits in before the year ends and your current benefits go the way of 2012 itself.

Give Dr. Kevin Hogan’s Mt. Pleasant dental office a call today to reserve your appointment. We serve patients from Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Daniel Island, and West Ashley.

Halloween is right around the corner, which means another night of trick-or-treating is almost here. What kind of candy will you be handy out?

You could go with an old favorite like Snickers, Hershey bars, or just about any other chocolate or fruit-flavored choice. But you could do also choose something that maybe you’ve never chosen before—candy made with xylitol.

What Is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a sweetener, but unlike cane sugar or corn syrup, you’ll find xylitol naturally in foods like fruits and vegetables. What’s more, it doesn’t have a corrosive effect on teeth, the way those other sweeteners do.

Instead, it’s well known among dentists for its positive effects on teeth. Instead of exciting the bad bacteria in our mouths and causing a reaction that produces acid, xylitol promotes a neutral pH, preventing bacteria from feeding, from producing acid, and from sticking to teeth,thereby reducing the likelihood of cavities.

That explains why a company like Toms of Maine and other companies use xylitol in some of their oral care products. And it explains why, of all the candies you could hand out to kids this Halloween, candy made from xylitol is one of the best options.

To find xylitol candy, check with your local grocery store and health food store or you can shop online at sites like Amazon or xlear.com.

And if you have any more questions about xylitol, or if you’d like to schedule your next checkup with Dr. Hogan, call our Mt. Pleasant office today. We serve patients from Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Daniel Island, and West Ashley.