FAQ

Over one hundred clinical research studies have confirmed that xylitol reduces tooth decay in children and adults when used anywhere between 2 and 5 times a day. It's best to use the tooth wipes in the morning and after every meal, and most importantly before bed. Cavity-causing bacteria thrive at night, because they have ample time and opportunity to flourish. We suggest cleaning your baby's mouth 2-3 times a day, and before bedtime.

Nope! Spiffies Tooth Wipes are dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free and gluten-free!

Xylitol is a natural, sugar-like substance that has been clinically proven to reduce cavities and cavity-causing bacteria. In the 1950s, Finland was looking for a way to utilize the waste created by their timber industry. They discovered that xylose, or wood sugar, could be extracted from birch tree pulp. With a simple chemical conversion to what we now know as xylitol, this natural sugar-like substance tasted just as sweet as regular sugar. Soon thereafter, a beet shortage necessitated widespread consumption of xylitol instead of regular old sugar, and an amazing thing happened. Dentists were all of a sudden reporting a drastic drop in the rate of dental cavities in their patients. Although the initial assumption was that this was simply due to patients eating less sugar, researchers soon discovered that xylitol was instead actively discouraging the cavities. The secret to xylitol’s success lies in its chemical structure. While traditional sugars have a 6-carbon atom structure, xylitol has a 5-carbon structure. Because the bacteria that grow on the teeth and cause dental plaque can only grow in the presence of 6-carbon sugars, when they are exposed to xylitol on a regular basis, they slowly lose their ability to form plaque on the teeth. As a kind of bonus effect, xylitol’s naturally sweet taste increases the flow of saliva in the mouth, which optimizes the pH level in the mouth, making an optimal environment for good dental health. Xylitol is a natural sugar that is found in fruits like plums and strawberries, and vegetables like cauliflower. It is also found in the human body. Just as it discourages cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth, it has also worked to inhibit bacteria that cause sinus infections and allergies. It’s a completely natural, life-sustaining way to reduce the incidence of cavities in people of all ages.

Each gram of xylitol has 2.4 calories. Table sugar has 4 calories per gram. One Spiffies wipe has 0.7 gram of xylitol, and one teaspoon of Spiffies gel has 1.75 grams of xylitol.

Foods with a high glycemic index raise your blood sugar level, which means that your body has to work hard to bring it back down. With these kinds of foods (refined sugars and starches such as table sugar, wheat flour, rice and potatoes), the body needs to produce insulin, the hormone that will help lower your blood sugar level down to a normal rate.

It's important that your blood sugar levels stay within a narrow range to support proper metabolism and to keep you healthy. The higher the glycemic index a food has, the more insulin your body needs to produce. Nothing is more important than your child's health, so we're thrilled to tell you that xylitol is a completely non-glycemic food! It does not raise the blood sugar at all after it's been consumed, which means that your child's body does not need to produce high levels of insulin. These types of foods are said to have a low glycemic index.

Spiffies provide an excellent way to combine two proven methods of relieving your baby’s teething pain.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that, when faced with a teething baby in pain, all parents start with a finger massage and chilled teething ring.

Spiffies tooth wipes are perfect because they can be chilled, giving the same effect of a teething ring, while also providing the comfort and closeness of a physical finger massage on baby’s gums.

The warmth of a cuddle and gentle massage by a parent is often all a little one needs. Spiffies is proud to provide an effective way to ease your baby’s pain while providing a golden opportunity for bonding.

Start cleaning your baby's mouth as early as 3 months of age. Start a tooth-brushing habit as early as 6-9 months, and help your child completely and effectively brush his/her teeth until around age 6 or 7.

It's a good idea to visit a dentist by age 1, especially if there are any risk factors [such as cavities in the family, or if you see signs of cavities in your child's teeth].

The first sign of a cavity is a white spot on your little one's tooth, right along the gum line. Inspect your child's mouth often for these early signs of cavities.

Great question! It's easy to assume that even if your child gets cavities, he or she will get a "clean slate" when permanent teeth come in. This is not the case!

Dental caries is the name of the infection that causes cavities, can [and often does] pass from the baby teeth straight to the permanent teeth. Childhood cavities can set your baby up for a lifetime of dental issues.

Baby teeth serve to help position the permanent teeth to come in straight, so less of a chance to need braces. Furthermore, healthy baby teeth are crucial for speech development and proper nutrition in your child's formative years. Poor dental health can easily cause weight gain and pain, which can affect your child's ability to pay attention in school, and even to sleep at night.

28% of American children age 2-5 have Early Childhood Caries, or ECC – basically, cavities. And by age six, 40% of American children have cavities.

Strep mutans (the bacteria that cause cavities) can be passed from mother or other caregivers to child, within even the first few months of a baby's life.

As your child grows, any food or drink containing sugar create an energy source for cavity-causing bacteria. These include juices, sodas, sports drinks and formula as well as cooked starch in foods like crackers, cereals, chips, and junk foods.

After eating or drinking foods that contain sugar, it is important to clean the mouth and teeth to remove those sugars.

NO! Absolutely NOT. Xylitol is very dangerous for dogs!

Xylitol has the reverse effect on dogs as it does on humans, meaning basically that it stimulates a very powerful insulin response in the dog's body which can cause their blood sugar level to drop very quickly. A low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) is dangerous because it can cause the cells in the body to run out of energy and quit working altogether. So please -- do NOT expose your dog to any Spiffies products!