How does xylitol prevent cavities?

Xylitol is a 5-carbon sugar that is commonly found in birch tree sap and naturally occurring in some fruits and vegetables.  Xylitol works to prevent cavities in a number of ways:

• Bacteria cannot break down xylitol into acid as they do from all other fermentable sugars (i.e. sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose, etc.).
• When bacteria intake xylitol, they don't intake as much other fermentable sugars, reducing acid production.
• Xylitol helps prevent the bacteria from adhering to the enamel, which prevents them from reproducing.
• Xylitol, used in conjunction with fluoride, can be more effective at repairing and remineralizing teeth than fluoride alone.

Xylitol actually works to control the number of acid-producing bacteria in the mouth, which can in turn prevent cavities, and is available in many forms, from gums and mints to toothpastes and mouth rinses.

Expert Advice

• Xylitol is usually measured in grams, and studies show the recommended therapeutic dose is 6-11 grams per day.
• Alkaline dental products that combine xylitol and fluoride may be more effective.
• If you ingest more than 25-30 grams in one day, you may have an upset stomach and/or diarrhea.
• Xylitol can be very harmful, even potentially fatal, to dogs, as they cannot metabolize it like people can.