Top Oral Health Benefits of Xylitol

Do you suffer from plaque buildup and frequent cavities? Here’s how Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol, can help enhance your dental hygiene and keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy.

Many Canadians worry about the extremely high costs of dental treatments but did you know that for every dollar you spend on preventative oral care, you can save yourself thousands more down the road?

Some of the best preventative methods of keeping your teeth healthy include:

• Daily brushing and flossing
• Biannual checkups at your local dental clinic
• Quitting smoking
• Following a healthy diet

Introducing Xylitol: The Big Dental Hygiene Game Changer

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that has been approved as a sugar substitute in more than 40 countries. However, more than just a natural sweetener, Xylitol is proving to be a valuable strategy for promoting oral health and general well-being.

At our Calgary Dental Clinic, we practice holistic dentistry, which focuses not only on patients’ dental health but their overall health as well. We work with only biocompatible, non-toxic materials and are constantly looking for products, such as MI paste and Xylitol, that can help our patients lead healthy and happy lives.

Want to know more about our holistic practice?

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Everything You Need to Know About Xylitol

Xylitol is categorized as a sugar alcohol. It is found in small amounts in many fruits and vegetables and is therefore considered natural. In fact, even humans produce small quantities of xylitol through the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Top Facts About Xylitol

• Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a sweetener.
• It is added to a range of foods, medications, and oral health products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, candy, and chewing gum.
• Chewing gum that has been sweetened by xylitol has been shown to promote dental health by neutralizing plaque acidity on teeth and repairing tooth enamel.
• Xylitol is extremely beneficial to humans but very toxic for your pets.
• An average-sized adult manufactures up to 15 grams of Xylitol daily during normal metabolism.
• It differs from other artificial sweeteners such as aspartame because it isn’t chemically produced.

How Does Xylitol Prevent Cavities?

Not only has it been shown that Xylitol is effective in promoting weight loss, increasing bone density, and reducing insulin levels, but it also prevents you from developing cavities.

It does this in several ways, including:

• It interferes with the bacteria’s ability to produce acid.
• It raises the pH of your mouth, producing an alkaline environment that is conducive to oral health.
• It blocks communication between bacteria so that they stop producing the polysaccharide slim that holds the biofilm together.

In fact, it has been shown that in the presence of Xylitol, the number of acid-producing bacteria can decrease by as much as 90%. In addition, since this natural sugar slows destruction caused by bacteria, it not only prevents new cavities from forming but can also work towards rebuilding enamel and reversing the tooth decay that has already occurred.

How Often Should You Use Xylitol?

A total daily intake of 5 grams of Xylitol is considered by oral healthcare professionals to be optimal. This means that Xylitol gums should be used 3-5 times a day.

Note: Because frequency and duration of exposure are key, gum should be chewed for at least 5 minutes and mints should be allowed to dissolve.

Call Today

To find out more about how to use Xylitol and how it can help promote your oral health, contact our Calgary dental clinic at 403-245-9099 or book an appointment.