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.