From Grin Pediatric Dentistry: Artificial sweeteners and your child's health

Grin Pediatric Dentistry knows that there is always a lot of debate in the health community about the health effects of artificial sweeteners, and aspartame is most surely one of the most controversial food additives to ever be approved by the FDA. We try to provide you with the most up to date information on topics relating to the health of our patients and their loved ones. That is why we want to share with you a few facts that we recently learned in a Huffington Post article.

Did you know that aspartame is now sold under many commercial names, including NutraSweet, Canderel, and AminoSweet? Yes, that’s right. When checking nutrition facts, it is important to keep an eye out for all of these ingredients! This sweetener can be found in diabetic foods, jams, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, soda, and even prescriptions and vitamins.

What’s so harmful about aspartame?
With over 10,000 official complaints, aspartame reactions are more commonly reported than that of all other food additives combined. Of these reports, two-thirds consist primarily of headaches, mood alterations, and hallucinations. Determining your nutritional type and the foods that your body craves is key to satisfying sugar cravings. The recommended fructose level is below 25 grams per day, which includes both natural and artificial sweeteners.

Next time you're in for an appointment at Grin Pediatric Dentistry let us know if you have any questions about aspartame or this article. As always, please remember to use a straw if you choose to sip soda, coffee, or other dark colored beverages to take care of that beautiful smile!

Meet Dr. Ryan

A native Texan, Dr. Patrick Ryan became interested in dentistry in college while working with children as a dental assistant. After attending Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas for his four years of dental training, he completed two additional years of pediatric dental training at Baylor, where he was a Chief Resident at Children's Hospital and Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. In 1998, Dr. Ryan began practicing at Grin Pediatric Dentistry with one goal: to treat patients and their parents as he would like to be treated.

Dr. Ryan and wife, Kristin, have four wonderful children: Whitney, Hannah, Grant and Will. When not working he spends most of his time with his family, playing and coaching sports, and traveling. He also enjoys reading.