What is xylitol?

Xylitol (birch sugar) is a natural sweetener that is widely used as a replacement for sugar. Xylitol is about as sweet as sugar but contains about 40% fewer calories. Because xylitol is not converted into acid during consumption, it is harmless to the teeth. In fact, due to its special properties, Xylitol even prevents tooth decay. Finnish studies show that it is 85% less likely to take caries by using xylitol instead of sugar.

Where does xylitol come from?

Xylitol was discovered in Germany by chemist Emil Fischer. Xylitol was first produced in Finland in the nineteenth century, where it was extracted from the bark of birch trees. During World War II, there were widespread sugar shortages in Finland, which made xylitol popular as a substitute sweetener. Years later, Finnish experts discovered that Finns who had started consuming xylitol had much better health than those who did not.

Nowadays xylitol is extracted from the fibers of many types of fruit and vegetables. Corn cobs are the most common source for xylitol and China is the most important producer. 

Invisible cavities

Research shows that many children with seemingly healthy teeth, nevertheless have cavities (or worse) that ultimately have to be treated. As a parent of two, I see this in daily life around me, also with my own youngest daughter. Although we thought we were doing the right things, she unfortunately turned out to have very bad teeth. As a result, various molars had to be drawn and facings set at a young age. That turn of events hit us pretty hard.

That is why I started to do online research and I found that xylitol can be a useful addition as preventive treatment against tooth decay. I discovered that dental professionals in Finland recommend daily use of xylitol because of its preventive effects against caries.

To achieve the best effect, Xylitol can best be consumed during the very early stages of tooth decay. In this first stage, most starting holes are not yet visible to the naked eye. Bacteria damage the tooth from the inside behind the tooth enamel. And the holes only become visible until the tooth enamel is already irreparably damaged.

X -rays with children can be taken from the age of 4 to 6 years. Unfortunately, not every dentist does this preventively but only on the basis of the need for treatment. So if children have never had X -rays, dental problems can come to light as a very unpleasant surprise in one instant moment. With all the unpleasant consequences that come with it.

So, how does Xylitol work? 

Xylitol ensures that the bacteria responsible for tooth decay die. Moreover, Xylitol complains that bacteria adhere to the tooth enamel as a plaque. Xylitol also stimulates the production of saliva and promotes the remineralization of the teeth and molars.

 

Studies from 2006 showed a large reduction in plaque for five weeks after taking about 6G Xylitol per day. It is therefore recommended to maintain approximately 6 g per day as a recommended daily amount.

Please note that consumption of xylitol must be part of a complete daily oral hygiene routine:

• Use as little food and drinks as possible that is bad for teeth. In particular limit your consumption of sweets and sour food/drinks;
• Ensure that there is at least 2.5 hours between each eating/drinking moment to have the teeth repaired; If your are really disciplined about this that will really make a difference!
• Clean and floss twice a day. Use a good toothpaste with fluoride;
• Brush your teeth with a good powerful electric toothbrush;
• Have dental checks performed by the dentist every 6 months. Have small X -rays take small X -rays every few years to detect any starting cavities;

 

There is a lot of information on the internet about the use of xylitol as a tool against tooth decay. Although there are also critical sounds about the preventive effect of xylitol, most studies indicate that Xylitol does indeed contribute to tooth decay. Xylitol is therefore recommended by health institutions as a means against tooth decay and for improving and maintaining good oral health.

There are strong indications that Xylitol middle ear infection (acute otitis media, AOM) can help prevent in children, but this has not been proven to be illegal. 

Xylitol stimulates saliva production. That is why Xylitol is an ideal remedy for dry mouth and it gives you a fresh breath!

 

Xylitol is an ideal sugar replacement in a lot of foods.

But does Xylitol also have disadvantages? 

Yes there are a few things to take into consideration about xylitol.

 

First, xylitol can be toxic to dogs, just like chocolate. So do not feed your dog products containing xylitol and store xylitol holding products out of reach of your pets.

A second thing to take into account is that excessive consumption of xylitol (35g per day or more) can lead to a bloated feeling, a laxative effect and intestinal complaints. This is also the reason that the packaging of chewing gum and pastilles containing xylitol states that excessive consumption can have a laxative effect. However, this excessive amount is only reached when consuming more than 39 pastilles per day. Please note, that for people with irritable bowel, these effects can start from 4 to 5 chewing gums.

 

Last, people can be allergic to xylitol, but that is very rare.

How do we guarantee the quality of our xylitolpastilles?

Xylitol factories perform internal laboratory testing before distributing their raw xylitol to their customers who process it further, such as the manufacturer of our xylitol pastilles.

 

They have our xylitol pastilles tested for, among other things, the presence of heavy metals, arsenic, bacterial contaminants such as salmonella and e. coli, as well as yeasts and molds. All products must be free of these contaminants before we put our brand to them.

 

The manufacturer of our xylitol pastilles also performs quality testing in their process. The results of the manufacturer’s quality testing are recorded in quality documentation. We require a quality certificate for every batch of xylitol pastilles we receive to ensure that it meets our quality standards.

Below you find a collection of links to online information on xylitol

• Allergieplatform.nl over xylitol
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• Vraagdetandarts.nl over xylitol
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• Xylitol for preventing acute otitis media in children up to 12 years of age
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• Developing Public Health Interventions with Xylitol for the US and US-Associated Territories and States

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• The effect of xylitol on dental caries and oral flora

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• Policy on Use of Xylitol in Pediatric Dentistry

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• Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs

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• California Dental Association - Xylitol - The Decay-Preventive Sweetener

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• Xylitol, Sweeteners, and Dental Caries

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• Xylitol candies in caries prevention: results of a field study in Estonian children

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• Are the mutans streptococci still considered relevant to understanding the microbial etiology of dental caries?

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• Prevention of dental caries gum in pre-school children during 12-months

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• Xylitol in preventing dental caries: A systematic review and meta-analyses

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• Effect of sorbitol, xylitol, and xylitol/sorbitol chewing gums on dental plaque

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• Effect of xylitol-containing chewing gums on lactic acid production in dental plaque from caries active pre-school children

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• Xylitol in preventing acute otitis media

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• Xylitol for Prevention of Acute Otitis Media in Children | AAFP

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• Xylitol Research and Evidence

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• Xylitol’s role in preventing cavities might be exaggerated, new research suggests

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• Xylitol - Wikipedia

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