It's the most wonderful (and sweetest!) time of the year!

The holiday season is about to kick off, and that means lots of fun, lots of parties, and most of all…lots of sweets! From Halloween candy to Thanksgiving pies to Christmas cookies, Shabbat cake, and holiday cocktails all December long, it takes an amazing amount of willpower not to overindulge in each and every one of these.

We believe in the mantra of everything in moderation - holiday sweets included. So while we aren't telling you to turn down your Grandma's famous homemade pumpkin pie, we ARE telling you to make sure your oral care game is up to the task this holiday season. After all, don't you want to go into the new year with a  healthy smile?

At Elims, two of the ingredients we use in our toothpaste are coconut oil and Xylitol; we like to think of them as the Dynamic Duo of oral care. They're great on their own, but when combined, they pack a powerful punch that can stand up to the sweetest of seasonal indulgences.

Here are four reasons to add coconut oil & Xylitol based products to your oral care routine now:

1.  THEY FIGHT GERMS

Our mouths contain all sorts of harmful bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and cavities. The main culprit is Streptococcus mutans. This nasty fella likes to feed on the glucose from leftover food in your teeth (it's like its food supply). Xylitol and coconut oil can both help kill this bacteria by cutting it off from its supply of glucose - and with no energy source, it can't survive.

2.  THEY ARE PLANT-BASED

Both Xylitol and coconut oil are naturally derived plant-based ingredients. Xylitol can be found in both fruits and vegetables (we use vegetable-based, like what's found in corn and pumpkins), and coconut oil is extracted directly from the coconut itself.

3.  THEY GIVE YOU FRESHER BREATH

Xylitol stimulates the saliva production in your mouth. Saliva acts as a natural mouthwash, so the extra production helps eliminates cavities and keeps your breath fresh longer. Meanwhile, coconut oil contains antimicrobial properties that can also fight the bacteria that cause halitosis. (Which is good because you never know when you may find yourself under the mistletoe.)

4.  THEY TASTE GREAT…NATURALLY

 It's one thing for your chocolate-covered cherries to contain artificial sweeteners -- but they certainly don't belong in your toothpaste! Xylitol (we like to call it nature's sweetener) has grown in popularity for its use in sugar-free candies and treats. And the natural flavor of the added coconut oil is so mild it doesn't overpower the blends of essential oils we use for added taste. (Which means our toothpaste is foodie-approved!) Additionally, Xylitol has a low glycemic index which means it doesn't make blood guars spike, and some studies have shown coconut oil can actually help lower blood sugar levels.

This holiday season, we encourage you to experience and enjoy all the sights, smells, and, yes - tastes - that come with it. Just make sure you are starting each day and ending each night with a toothpaste that will "beat the sweets" and give you a bright, healthy, cavity-free smile for the new year!

Do you already use coconut oil and/or xylitol in your oral care routine? Tell us about in the comments below!