Try Xylitol to Promote Dental Health and Reduce Cavities

My family has a history of bad teeth with weak enamel. We could brush, floss, and use mouthwash five times a day and still get cavities. When my son's teeth came in, they had very weak enamel, and he had to have a lot of dental repair done when he was only two. This was when I started searching the internet for something that could help his teeth; and I discovered Xylitol.

Xylitol is a white substance that tastes like sugar. It is found in various items in nature including hardwood, raspberries, berries, and lettuce-it is truly a natural sweetener. It is often derived from birch. Testing confirms that Xylitol reduces tooth decay in people who are prone to dental cavities, and even in those who are not. Children who chewed the recommended amount of Xylitol gum each day (approximately 4-5 pieces) had a significant reduction in the amount of dental decay in their mouths. Xylitol works by inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that causes dental caries. The FDA confirmed the safety of Xylitol in 1986.

Xylitol is available in a sugar form to use as a sweetener instead of sugar, but this is somewhat cost-prohibitive for the average person. However, the Xylitol dental products are quite reasonable in cost. Currently, there are a wide range of Xylitol dental products available including mouthwash, chewing gum, mints, candy, toothpaste, and baby products.

I have tried the toothpaste, mouthwash, and gum (in the Xlear brand of Xylitol products) and found them to be refreshing and good tasting. My four year old son enjoys Xylitol candy and the fruit-flavored gum. There are also Xylitol products available for babies such as a gel to rub on gums and teeth from Xlear products, and Xylitol wipes to clean the teeth from Spiffies. Most of these products have to be ordered online, although Dentyne and a few other major gum brands now carry gum with Xylitol in it (great to chew between meals for extra teeth cleaning). The Spiffies baby teeth wipes are now available at some major pharmacies such as CVS.

Probably, what you are wondering now is if Xylitol actually works. There are numerous scientific studies that prove it works, and since my son has started using it he has not had any cavities. Like anything, you have to be consistent, and use the suggested amount on a regular basis. If you are one of those people who get frequent cavities, it is definitely worth giving Xylitol products a try.