Xylitol
What is xylitol?
Xylitol is a sweetener that occurs naturally. It is found in berries, fruit, and vegetables.
How does xylitol differ from other sweeteners?
Chemically speaking, xylitol is not actually a sugar, but a sugar alcohol. It differs from other sweeteners such as sorbitol, fructose and glucose because the xylitol molecule has five, instead of six, carbon atoms. Most bacteria in mouth are unable to make use of such sugars – the bacteria ingest xylitol, can’t metabolize it and this kills them. This lowers the bacteria level in the mouth. Less bacteria equals less acid equals less cavities!
What is an acid attack?
Modern science tells us that cavities are the result of a combined effect of microorganisms and sugar. Certain bacteria, the worst being streptococcus mutans, stick to the surface of the tooth. Every bite of food containing ordinary sugar, i.e. sucrose, gives the bacteria energy, allowing them to multiply and start producing acids by a metabolic process. The result is the infamous "acid attack". When the pH of this mass of bacteria, or plaque, falls below pH 5,5, calcium and phosphate salts start dissolving from the surface of the enamel and cavities begin to form.
After eating sugar it takes over half an hour before the pH of plaque is restored to the normal level of around 7. If sugar is eaten several times a day, salts are dissolved off the enamel more and more deeply and the enamel becomes porous.
What is xylitol's tooth friendly effect based on?
When you take xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over half an hour, is stopped. Because the bacteria are unable to ferment xylitol, their growth is reduced. The number of acid-producing bacteria may fall as much as 90%. No acid is formed because the pH of saliva and plaque does not fall. After taking xylitol, the bacteria do not adhere well to the surface of the teeth and the amount of plaque decreases.
As you eat xylitol it works in two ways.
- It makes the mouth cleaner and less acidic (less cavity prone)
- It wipes out bad bacteria
We strongly believe in the success of cavity prevention products and we want every patient to have access to them. In order to maximize patient compliance with these products, each patient is thoroughly educated on correct application and provided the convenience of purchasing these products at the time of their appointment.
If you want to protect teeth from acidity ( apple juice or lemonade for example) - eat or swish some xylitol around the mouth AFTER the drink.
If you worry about cavities and want to protect your kids - make sure they eat or swish at least 6.5 grams of xylitol around their mouths each day.
You can eat or swish xylitol in any form that suits you, your kids, your lifestyle, your budget!
What is in a school snack?
Each time you eat a snack containing sugar or starch (carbohydrates), the resulting acid attack on your teeth can last up to 20 minutes, and a lot of snacks and drinks contain sugar. How much sugar? A single can of pop contains up to 10 teaspoons of sugar, and if you think that natural sugar (like the sugar in raisins or other fruit) is better for your teeth it’s not. Sugar is sugar, and the average American consumes over 40 kilograms of sugar each year! Click here for a list of how much sugar your favorite snack might contain!