Xylitol - Who Can Benefit?

In my last post I noted that xylitol can reduce cavities by as much as 85% when used properly. It works by correcting the balance of acid producing bacteria in the mouth; that is, reducing the number of bacteria that produce acid and increasing the number that do not. In this entry we will look at who should be using it.

1.     People who get frequent cavities.  When bacteria are in proper balance, saliva flow is normal and the diet is low in refined carbohydrates, people don’t get cavities. If you have had a cavity within the last three years or especially if you have had multiple or frequent cavities, you are a candidate for xylitol.

2.     People who have dry mouth (xerostomia). We are seeing more and more patients with dry mouth syndrome, which often appears as a side effect of taking lots of medications. Nothing is more frustrating for us than to see patients who have had no problems for many years begin to get cavities as the number of meds they take increases.

3.     People who have physical problems that compromise their ability to brush. This often happens to people who are in nursing homes or assisted living.

4.     Mothers of newborn babies. Babies are born essentially germ-free but very quickly acquire the bacteria present in the mouths of their main caregiver through kissing, food tasting, etc. If the mother has good oral health, the baby is less likely to acquire the bad bacteria.

5.     Children whose permanent teeth have not yet erupted. Cavities in baby teeth are a sign that bad bacteria have already colonized a child’s mouth. If the child is old enough to chew gum or dissolve xylitol-containing candies in the mouth, the bad bacteria can be eliminated before the permanent teeth come in.

6.     People with poorly controlled acid reflux (GERD). In addition to minimizing bad bacteria, xylitol also changes the pH of the mouth to a non-acid environment. This reduces the likelihood of acid erosion damage to the teeth as well as reducing the possibility of decay.

If you suspect that xylitol would be beneficial for you please ask us about it at your next visit.

There is one more post to follow in the “xylitol trilogy.” In it, we will look at where to get xylitol, how to use it, and possible side effects.

Xylitol - Sugar That Prevents Tooth Decay?

For years I have been lamenting the effects of excessive sugar in the American diet. We see the dental consequences (namely tooth decay) as well as general health problems like Type 2 diabetes, on a daily basis. Our attempts to defeat decay by getting folks to reduce sugar consumption have met with less-than-complete success.  Now there is increasing evidence that it might be possible to indulge your sweet tooth without the risk of decay.

The potential answer is xylitol. It’s a natural sugar, not an artificial sweetener. It is derived from corncobs or corn stalks but is NOT like high-fructose corn syrup. It looks and tastes like table sugar but has different chemical composition and 40% less calories. It also has a low glycemic index and is not metabolized by insulin, making it ideal for diabetics.

Sucrose, the chemical name of good, old, cavity-producing table sugar, is digested by  oral bacteria to produce a sticky, acid slime that coats the teeth. This acid biofilm dissolves the calcium in tooth enamel and causes decay. In the presence of xylitol, however, the bacteria can't produce either the acid or the sticky slime so the bacteria just slide off the teeth. Because there is no acid, the calcium stays in the enamel where it belongs. In fact, there is evidence that, in the presence of xylitol, there is actually enough calcium in saliva to remineralize small cavities. Reputable studies have consistently shown up to an 85% reduction in decay when xylitol is used in the correct doses.

There is a lot more to the xylitol story, including how to use it, where to get it, side effects and the fascinating idea that it can be used to prevent future decay in unborn children. We will cover all of that in future posts, so stay tuned.