Xylitol is a sweetener that comes straight from Mother Nature herself. It can be found, for instance, in foods like fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. But the most common source of Xylitol comes from birch wood. Xylitol differs from other sweeteners because it is not actually a sugar but it is an alcohol sugar. What sets it apart from other sweeteners is that xylitol molecules have 5 carbon atoms instead of six. Because most bacteria’s in mouth are unable to make use of such sugars, this is one reason why xylitol helps prevent decay.

 

When you eat or drink the acid from sugar and bacteria that attacks your mouth. This acid attack would normally last for over half an hour, but when you take xylitol it is stopped. This is because the bacteria in the mouth causing caries is unable to ferment xylitol in their metabolism, and then their growth is reduced. The amount of acid-producing lactobacilli and streptococci may decrease as much as 90%. No acid can be formed because the pH of saliva and plaque does not fall. After taking xylitol, the bacteria doesn’t adsorb into teeth’s surface and the amount of plaque decreases drastically.

 

Researchers have found that the use of xylitol can also correct incipient damage to the enamel. Saliva is a powerful agent that the body has to help naturally protect the mouth and teeth. In different studies stimulated saliva in particular, contained all the components needed to correct incipient caries. When sugar is only consumed a few times a day, your saliva can do its job correctly, however most people over use sugar and the mouth’s own defensive mechanisms are not enough. That’s where xylitol comes in.

 

Saliva that contained xylitol was more alkaline than the saliva stimulated by other sugar products. In patients that took xylitol products, the concentration in their basic amino acids and ammonia in their saliva and plaque rose, making their plaque pH rises as well. When this happened, the calcium and phosphate salts in saliva started to precipitate into those parts of enamel where they are lacking. Making soft, calcium-deficient enamel spots harden again. Xylitol is a natural and convenient way of supplementing daily dental care. Research shows that a mere 5-10g/ day is enough. This means 3-8 pieces of chewing gum a day. The gum should be chewed immediately after a meal or a snack.

Xylitol is one of the most important alternatives to sugar. Xylitol is more than a mere substitute; it is a therapeutic sweetener. That is why xylitol chewing gum and other xylitol products play an important role as instruments of dental care, in a part of caries prevention. It is not a substitute for regular, brushing flossing, or regular visits to the dentist.

 

Check out our new selection on Xylitol gum, mints, and tooth gel on smilewarehouse.com

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 6th, 2009 at 11:17 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.