Latest update September 17th, 2026 10:25 AM
DENTALHEALTH…XYLITOL – The Sugar Substitute
By Dr. Neromini Fagu
Tooth decay is considered the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults but it is also very
Dr. Neromini Fagu
preventable. In addition to proper brushing, flossing and regular visits to your dentist, we also need to look atour diet. We all know that sugary foods contribute to tooth decay but for most of us giving up these foods is not an option. Researchers are constantly looking at alternatives to traditional sugars and one such alternative is Xylitol.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener extracted from berry-type fruits, the fibrous parts of plants such as corn cobs and even hardwoods. It looks and tastes just like the table sugar we have grown to know and love. Xylitol is also produced naturally by the body in breaking down carbohydrates and the average adult produces about fifteen grams per day. Unfortunately, this process occurs in the gut, so we do not get any oral advantages.
Research has shown that the use of xylitol has many applications. In the medical industry, the addition of xylitol to various products have been shown to be more effective in helping to prevent ear infections in children, sinus infections in adults and asthma and allergies in both young and old.
Xylitol works by preventing harmful bacteria from sticking to the various tissues. Xylitol is also a healthy alternative for diabetics as it has about a third of the calories as table sugar and the body does not require insulin to metabolize it. Xylitol has been used as a sweetener in the food industry since the 1960’s. The Finnish Dental Association officially endorsed the use of Xylitol in 1988, followed by the Swedish Dental Association in 1989, the British in 1990 and several states in the US in 2008.
Dental Benefits of Xylitol
In order for tooth decay to occur certain factors must be present including a substrate (sugar) and bacteria. Most of the carbohydrates we eat are made up of simple sugar units such as fructose and glucose. The tooth decay causing bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, use these units as a food source.
The process of tooth decay begins when bacteria in our mouth break down the sugars and produce acids which can eat away at the enamel on the teeth. This “acid attack” causes tooth decay and cavities to begin to form. Some of the benefits of Xylitol are:
· Prevents Plaque Build-Up – Xylitol is not a good food source for S. mutans because it is not digestible by the bacteria. Because bacteria are not metabolizing the xylitol, they will die and break away from the biofilm and not stick to the teeth.
· Repair damaged enamel – Xylitol promotes the flow of saliva which contains enamel repairingcalcium and phosphate.
· Stimulate saliva flow – Saliva also helps to wash away food particles and bacteria from the teeth and also prevents dry mouth which is a contributory factor for tooth decay.
· Increase pH level – When the pH is above 7, calcium and phosphate salts in saliva start to move into those parts of tooth enamel that are weak.There are many products available that contains Xylitol. These include toothpastes, mouthwashes, breath mints, tooth whiteners, chewable vitamins, and candies. For Xylitol to be effective in reducing tooth decay, research shows that how often you use it is more important than how much you use. However, as with most things, moderation is the key and too much Xylitol can have unpleasant gastric side effects.
It is not possible to completely cut outsugar in our diets but we can try to limit the amount we consume in order to maintain good oral health. We can also explore the use of products with sugar substitutes that can have a positive impact on our oral health.
For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.
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