What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar. It is a naturally occurring 5-carbon sugar alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables and produced in small amounts by the human body. It has the same sweetness as sugar (sucrose) but with 40% fewer calories and none of the negative tooth decay or insulin release effects of sugar. It does not break down like sugar (sucrose) and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth and prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth.
Tooth decay takes place when bacteria in your mouth consume the sugars we eat. When you eat food containing ordinary sugar (sucrose), it feeds the bacteria on your teeth, providing energy, that allows them to multiply. Bacteria will begin to make acids that will destroy the teeth by eating away at the enamel of the teeth. This “acid attack” causes tooth decay and promotes cavities to begin to form. Xylitol helps to reverse the decay process and to maintain healthy tooth enamel.
Is Xylitol safe for diabetics? Yes, Xylitol has a low glycemic index (7) and has little effect on blood sugar levels. Please consult your physician before taking Xylitol.
Xylitol is a natural and convenient way of supplementing daily dental care.
Research shows, for maximum dental benefits, an individual should consume 8-10 grams of Xylitol throughout the course of a day (i.e., 6-10 pieces of gum a day). Xylitol should be chewed immediately after a meal or snack.
Xylitol can be conveniently delivered to your teeth via chewing gum, tablets and candy. You don’t need to change your normal routine to make room for Xylitol.
Products available for sale that contain Xylitol:
- Spry Mints- Berry Blast, Power Peppermint and Lemon Burst
- Spry Chewing Gum – Peppermint, Fresh Fruit, Spearmint and Cinnamon
Spry products are available in our office. You may also order Xylitol products on the web at the following sites: www.Xylitol.org and www.Sprydental.com