Who would believe a dentist that actually encouraged you to consume between 6 and 8 grams of a natural sugar product each day? Even more unbelievable, who would guess that by doing so, you would actually reduce your chances of getting a cavity?
No, this isn’t science fiction. Xylitol was actually discovered in the late 1800s by German and French chemists and was originally discovered in birch bark. Since then, it’s been found naturally in some fruits, vegetables, including corn.
It was first used in Europe as a safe sweetener for diabetics, since it minimally impacts insulin levels, has no aftertaste and has a low glycemic index of only 13 versus glucose, which is about 100. The higher the glycemic index of a food is, the greater its effect on blood sugar levels, and on tooth decay.
Today, xylitol is used as a sweetening agent in many products, including chewing gum, toothpaste, fluoride tablets and mouthwash. Many bitter medications are sweetened with xylitol to make them more palatable to consumers. Of particular interest to me is xylitol’s effect on teeth. Research has shown a definitive plaque-reducing effect that seems to work by fooling the cavity causing bacteria, Strep Mutans into thinking that the xylitol is actually regular sugar or sucrose. The bacteria then starve for lack of the real nutrition they need to survive. This allows the calcium in your saliva to actually begin to re-mineralize any weakened enamel areas before a cavity can form.
In the studies I found, the amount of xylitol ingested each day was important. Using less than 3.5 grams per day did not produce any protective effects on teeth. Today, the recommended daily dosage for dental protective effects is 6-8 grams per day. Higher amounts are safe, but do not result in increased cavity protective effects. Chewing gums and mints may advertise that they “contain xylitol”, but the amounts vary widely. Check the labels carefully to ensure you get the proper amount. Xylitol can be purchased in granulated form to use in baking and as a sweetener on cereal and in your coffee.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, xylitol also is being studied as a potential treatment for osteoporosis. In a study done in Finland, it prevented weakening of bones in lab rats and actually improved their bone density. It also has been shown to reduce the incidence of ear infections, since the presence of xylitol prevents the growth of bacteria in the Eustachian tubes that connect the nose and ear. Pregnant women can safely use xylitol products, since it has no known toxicity level in humans. The only occasional complaint from those using excessive amounts of xylitol is a mild laxative effect. It might pose a hazard for dogs in very high doses, causing low blood sugar and elevated liver enzymes, but studies have not been conclusive.
So where do you get this naturally occurring wonder? There are many products that contain advertise its inclusion on their ingredients list, but amounts vary widely. In our practice, we send our patients online to www.EpicDental.com. This environmentally responsible company has a very informative website and allows you to purchase their products online. I have absolutely no financial interest in the company, but do recommend their high quality products to our patients.
If you prefer, you can actually speak to a real person there by calling 800-494-3742. Give xylitol a try. You will be doing your blood sugar, your waistline and your teeth a favor.
Reach Stuart Rich, DDS, at 253-939-6900 or info@stuartrichdds.com.
