Here! Have a piece of gum! Bet you never expected to hear that from a dentist. Asheville dentist Dr. John White routinely encourages his patients—especially young children—to chew gum with Xylitol. In fact, we have a box full of different flavors for you to choose after your appointment. Read on to learn about the oral health benefits of Xylitol.
What is Xylitol?
According to the website Xylitol.org, “Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate, that looks and tastes just like regular table sugar. It is a natural sweetener that can be extracted from any woody fibrous plant material. Commercially it is extracted from renewable resources such as corncobs, and also from less environmentally sustainable sources such as hardwood. Xylitol also occurs naturally in our bodies – in fact, an average size adult manufactures up to 15 grams of xylitol daily during normal metabolism.”
Why Use Xylitol?
Dr. White encourages his patients to enjoy products made with Xylitol, such as chewing gum and gummy bears, because this sweetener has been shown to help prevent dental caries, reduce the acid that causes cavities and reduce plaque formation.
How Does Xylitol Work?
The main bacteria responsible for causing cavities are called Streptococcus mutans. Two other bacteria, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus, also play a role in dental caries, but to a lesser degree. These bacteria cannot metabolize Xylitol. Therefore, they can’t grow so replacing sugars with xylitol reduces acid production from these bacteria.
What’s the Research on Xylitol?
Reasearchers from the University of Washington conducted a study among elementary school children. 154 children were randomly selected from grades one through five at two elementary schools. Two groups received gummy bears with different concentrations of Xylitol, while a third group received the candy with a different sweetener. The children ate four gummies three times a day.
Researchers took samples of the children’s plaque at the start of the study and after six weeks. The levels of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were reduced in all of the groups. Results for Lactobacillus were mixed.
Children that received the higher level of Xylitol sweetened gummy bears had reduced plaque levels.
How Can You Include Xylitol in Your Day?
As mentioned, xylitol is a sweetener that can be found in a variety of treats including chewing gum and gummy bears. In addition, there is toothpaste, floss and mouthwash available for purchase that is Xylitol based.
Contact Our Office Today
Dr. White, your dentist in Asheville, offers gum with Xylitol to all of his patients. Call our office today to schedule a dental checkup and to receive your Xylitol sweetened gum!