Dentist Creates a Sweet Tea with Dental Benefits

Dr. Kenneth Banks displays his beverages

"Sweet" Tea is very popular in the United States and with its HIGH sugar content reeks havoc on American's teeth. But, now there is an alternative which actually promotes good dental health.

Dr. Kenneth Banks decided five years ago to create a tropical beverage, merging a love of tea with his dental health experience.

Launching its first product this year, Tropical Breeze Beverages is a small, privately held, family operation that micro brews Banks' Sun Tea that he says not only tastes great but has health benefits, too.

The tea leaves used in Banks' tea are from the South African red bush plant. The naturally decaffeinated Rooibos "red bush" tea is infused with all-natural flavoring and uses the key ingredient, xylitol, a natural sweetener that has fewer calories, carbohydrates and is a natural insulin stabilizer. There are no additives, preservatives or colorants in the tea, Banks said.

The oral health benefits of using xylitol can lead to a reduction in tooth decay by significantly decreasing bacteria that causes increased acids in the mouth. Xylitol is found in some fibrous fruits and vegetables, corncobs and stalks and can be extracted from birch trees. Xylitol is the only sweetener accepted by the American Dental Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce or eliminate dental decay.

Good luck to Dr. Banks and hopefully soon his sweet tea can replace the high sugar content one at McDonalds and other fast food restaurants.