Benefits of Xylitol for Teeth

Xylitol has been clinically proven to fight tooth decay and gum disease.

Most everyone has heard of fluoride, a mineral naturally found in some water supplies (and added to others) that helps protect and strengthen teeth. But have you heard of xylitol? This natural compound has also been clinically proven to help protect teeth, without the negative side effects that can come with overexposure to fluoride.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that can be extracted from a variety of fibrous plants. It tastes just like sucrose, but has fewer calories and carbs, making it a much healthier sweetener than ordinary cane sugar. It has been used since the 1960s and is approved by the FDA.

Why Xylitol Is Healthier Than Sugar

Eating sugar is harmful to teeth because sugar feeds the plaque bacteria that reside in the mouth. When these bacteria consume sugar, they secrete acid that erodes tooth enamel. Eventually, the enamel may become so eroded that cavities develop. If populations of plaque bacteria really start to thrive on their sugary diet, they can spread beneath the gum line and cause inflammation or gum disease as well.

Unlike sugar, xylitol cannot be converted to acid by oral bacteria. This enables you to enjoy the sweet taste of sugar without the negative impact on your oral health.

How Xylitol Helps Teeth

Research has shown that xylitol can protect or even improve oral health in several ways.

• Xylitol has antimicrobial properties, which make it more difficult for plaque bacteria to stick to teeth and multiply. This helps reduce the risk of tooth decay.
• Xylitol enhances remineralization, or the process of vital minerals present in saliva being reintegrated into weakened tooth enamel. Again, this helps reduce tooth decay, arresting the growth of existing cavities and preventing new ones from forming. Remineralization can also help relieve tooth sensitivity.
• Xylitol has been shown to increase white blood cell activity for fighting bacteria. It is believed this is the mechanism behind xylitol’s ability to reduce harmful bacterial like H. plylori, a bacterium linked to gum disease and bad breath.

Using Xylitol

The most common way to use xylitol for protecting teeth is in a gum or toothpaste. To be effective, the product must have xylitol listed as the first ingredient. Research has shown that you need about 6 grams of xylitol per day to prevent cavities, and xylitol should be used at least 3 times per day, preferably after meals. Chewing xylitol gum has the added benefit of increasing saliva production, which further aids in the fight against tooth decay and gum disease by washing away plaque bacteria and restoring a healthy pH in the mouth.

However, if you already have a cavity or a case of gingivitis, xylitol alone will not help. You need to seek professional dental care instead.