The Benefits of Xylitol for Teeth

If you are looking to eat less sugar in your diet, you may have heard of xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener that can replace sugar in food and drinks. It contains a fraction of the calories of table sugar and does not spike insulin. This makes it great for weight loss and for people with diabetes.

The best thing about xylitol is that while it tastes like sugar, it is actually good for your teeth. Research has found that xylitol is even able to remineralize deeper layers of the tooth structure. Read on to learn how xylitol prevents cavities and for the best xylitol products for teeth.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol. It can be found in plants, fruits, and vegetables. Even the human body produces small amounts of xylitol via our metabolism. Xylitol is processed from birch trees and certain plant fibers.

Chemically, xylitol contains traits of both sugar molecules and alcohol molecules. It has a similar sweetness to sugar, but with 40% fewer calories. Most importantly, xylitol does not cause tooth decay and even reduces decay causing bacteria found in saliva.

For that reason, xylitol is often used in sugar free candies, gum, mints, and toothpaste. As a refined sweetener, xylitol contains no vitamins, minerals, or protein. It also does not raise blood sugar levels.

Benefits of Xylitol

There are several benefits of xylitol for oral health.

• Replace processed sugar – Processed sugar is a huge danger to our dental health, and luckily xylitol is an excellent natural replacement for it.
• Reduce bacteria in the mouth – Most sugars break down, becoming food for harmful bacteria that causes tooth decay. Xylitol, on the other hand, cannot be digested by bacteria. That means there will be less bacteria in the mouth.
• Stronger teeth – Bacteria is the culprit for weakened tooth enamel, as it produces acids that eat away at teeth. But with xylitol producing less bacteria in the mouth, you’ll have a more balanced pH and stronger teeth.
• Neutralize pH levels – Xylitol prevents bacteria from producing acids. This gives oral pH a chance to rebound to it’s healthy, natural state, which is neutral, or slightly alkaline.
• Less calories – Xylitol is great for those counting calories, or watching their blood sugar. It contains 40% less calories than table sugar and has a very low glycemic index. That means that it does not increase blood sugar levels or create an insulin spike.
• Increase savlia flow – Xylitol increases saliva flow in the mouth, which can be helpful for those suffering from xerostomia (dry mouth).

Does Xylitol Remineralize Teeth?

De-mineralization occurs when calcium and phosphate are dissolved out of the teeth. This happens when exposed to acidic saliva. As a result, bacteria is able to thrive in the weakened enamel.

Since xylitol is known to promote stronger teeth and neutralize acids, many people wonder, does xylitol remineralize teeth? Studies have shown that xylitol is able to remineralize deeper layers of enamel.

It is important to note that xylitol does not remineralize surface layers of enamel. However, fluoride is able to remineralize surface layers, but not deeper layers. So, an oral health routine containing both xylitol and fluoride is best for remineralizing teeth.

Best Xylitol for Teeth

Because of the many benefits of xylitol for teeth, many products now contain the ingredient. If you are looking for the best xylitol for teeth, there are a few options for you to choose from.

Xylitol Sweetener

Xylitol sweetener is used as a substitute for processed sugar in cooking. It looks and tastes like sugar, but has far less calories and does not damage teeth like processed sugar. It is a great alternative for people with diabetes and those who are working on weight loss and better oral health.

Now Foods Xylitol Sweetener is an excellent sugar substitute that can be used for cooking, baking, and sweetening drinks. This xylitol is derived from non-GMO ingredients, is keto friendly, and vegan. Taste wise, it has about the same sweetness as table sugar, but with a fraction of the calories and a low glycemic impact.

Xylitol Gum

Xylitol gum is an excellent way to incorporate xylitol into your routine. While chewing regular gum with sugar is bad for your teeth, xylitol gum acutally helps to prevent cavities. The best way to use xylitol gum is to wait until 20 minutes after eating or drinking. Chew the gum for 5 minutes to increase saliva flow and wash bacteria out of the mouth.

PUR Gum is a popular brand of xylitol gum. Many people believe it is the best xylitol for teeth because it is so easy to use. This brand in particular is great because anyone can use it – it is vegan, non-GMO, sugar free, gluten free, soy free, peanut and nut free, keto, and diabetic friendly.

Xylitol Candy

If you or your child has a sweet tooth, xylitol candy is a great alternative to sugar laden sweets. Zollipops are sugar free lollipops that are made with xylitol, so they are actually good for your teeth.

These candies are perfect to give to kids for a treat or after a meal. You won’t have to feel guilty that you are giving them harmful sugar. Instead, these treats neutralize acidity in the mouth, as well as raise pH levels. By reducing acidity, your kid’s teeth will be cleaner and stronger.

Summary

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that is derived from plants, fruits, and vegetables. As an excellent replacement for processed sugar, xylitol is able to reduce bacteria in the mouth, resulting in stronger, healthier teeth. The best xylitol for teeth are found in sweeteners, gum, and candy.