Xylitol

Dental 6: What is Xylitol?
 Xylitol is a natural, five carbon polyol sweetener found in many fruits and vegetables, and is even produced by the human body during its normal metabolism of glucose. Xylitol is extracted from birch trees, corncobs and other naturally xylan-rich sources.

Xylitol is fast becoming a popular naturally occurring sweetener in products such as chewing gum, candy, toothpaste, oral rinses, breath drops and other “sugar-free” items.

Why should I use products containing Xylitol?
Xylitol is important in the prevention of dental caries (cavities). It also disrupts the transmission of decay-causing bacteria from person to person, most importantly, parent to infant.

How does Xylitol prevent decay?
 Xylitol is just as sweet as sucrose, or regular granulated sugar, but it is not digested by oral bacteria. If oral bacteria, such as Strep. Mutans, cannot digest the Xylitol, it cannot produce the acid waste-product which causes cavities. Besides decreasing the cavity-causing bacteria, it also returns acidic saliva back to basic saliva which has a therapeutic effect on teeth. Chewing a piece of Xylitol gum after meals creates caries protection when brushing and flossing is not an option.

Who benefits most from the use of Xylitol?
 School-aged children benefit most from the use of Xylitol as they are more prone to tooth decay during this period. Mothers of small children, adults with low saliva production, those who have difficulty brushing and flossing and anyone with a high rate of decay should also use Xylitol products.

How do I use Xylitol effectively?
 The primary source of Xylitol is chewing gum, candy and mints in addition to oral health products. Therapeutic doses call for 6 to 10 grams of Xylitol per day. When reading the labels on products containing Xylitol, Xylitol should be the first sugar listed and ideally, the only sugar included. Any gum or mint containing Xylitol should be used 3 to 5 times per day and chewed for a minimum of 3 to 5 minutes. Its use should be encouraged after meals and snacks.

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