Many years ago, I wrote an office newsletter called Speedbumps on the Road of Life. It was a little bit about dentistry but mostly about my desire to explore the common experiences that make us human. It was also about relationships and how, once in a while, something happens to make us slow down and notice that beneath the fast pace and complexity of life we are all connected.

But that was many years ago and time marches on. This blog is the twenty-first century equivalent of my old newsletter and technology now allows my postings to turn into a conversation. Please join me.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Xylitol – How to Use It, Where to Get It


Getting the cavity prevention benefits of xylitol depends on using the right amount at the right time. For adults and school age children, that means consuming 6 to 10 grams per day. It is available in several forms including chewing gum, mints, various types of hard and soft candies, granular (as a substitute for table sugar), mouthwash, toothpaste and mouth spray. It’s important that the first ingredient listed on the label is xylitol and it is very helpful to know the amount of xylitol in each serving so that you can be sure you are getting 6 to 10 grams a day.  (Avoid products that contain sorbitol or mannitol as the main ingredient and have xylitol in amounts too small to have any beneficial effect.)

Here are some tips on how to use xylitol products:

  • Have 3 to 5 servings of any 2 gram combination of xylitol products daily so that total consumption is 6-10 grams. (More than 10 grams is okay as xylitol is very safe.)
  • Consume after meals if possible.
  • Try to make each serving last 5 minutes.
  • Add to your diet gradually rather than all at once. 
Sources for xylitol products - A Google search will turn up many websites that sell xylitol. Here are some we like:
 
  • Epic Dental (www.epicdental.com) - Good prices on gum, mints, bulk sweetener for use in coffee, tea and cooking, mouthwash, toothpaste.
  • Dr. John (www.drjohns.com) - Dr. John specializes in all kinds of candies made with xylitol. Check out the tab called "Simply Xylitol" for specific suggestions on how to create your own program.
  • Carifree (www.carifree.com) - This website has a lot of good information and high quality products. Click on the "Solutions" and "Cavities A-Z" tabs to see how xylitol (and other products) can be used for specific problems like dry mouth of bad breath in addition to dental decay. 
  • Xlear (www.xlear.com) - Toothpaste, mints, gum, candy, mouthwash and nasal spray. Sold in stores under the "Spry" brand. Click the "Where to Buy" tab to find local stores that carry Spry products.

 CAUTION!  Xylitol is toxic  to dogs.

Side Effects – Add xylitol to your diet gradually rather than all at once. If eaten in large amounts too quickly, it can lead to gas, bloating and diarrhea. As the body adjusts, symptoms will disappear.

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