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Sweetener xylitol can prevent decayDear Dr. Reitz: I enjoy chewing gum, but don't want to end up with a mouth full of cavities. Does chewing gum with artificial sweetener cause tooth decay? - Mary Dear Mary: Other than regular brushing and flossing, chewing gum that contains the artificial sweetener xylitol is the best thing you can do for your teeth. Discovered 100 years ago, the naturally occurring sweetener xylitol inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Found in nature, obtained from sources such as birchwood, nut shells and straw, xylitol is not fermentable by the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay. Although the caloric value of xylitol is similar to other carbohydrates, it appears the human body does not absorb the available calories as readily. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria ferment carbohydrates and produce acid, which dissolves and removes the calcium from the tooth. Substituting xylitol for sucrose not only kills the bacteria but allows calcium in the saliva to re-mineralize the tooth. In addition to dental benefits, children chewing xylitol gum had a reduced rate of middle ear infections likely due to its ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Newborn babies usually receive their first oral bacteria from their mother during normal infant care such as food taking and kissing. A study in Finland found that a mother using xylitol gum transmitted fewer bacteria to her child, resulting in 70 per cent less decay in the child's primary teeth. People suffering from dry mouth benefit from chewing xylitol gum by helping to stimulate salivary flow and reducing cavities that often result from inadequate saliva. To reduce decay it's suggested you consume 12 grams of xylitol per day which is about two pieces of gum five times per day. Chewing gum for at least five minutes after every meal has been found to reduce tooth decay by as much as 50 percent. Xylitol has a long history of safety, however ingesting too much can have the unpleasant side effect of causing diarrhea. The laxative effect usually occurs when more than 60 mg of xylitol are ingested, far more than you will get with chewing gum. By now it should be obvious that I am excited about the dental benefit of adding xylitol to your diet. The cavity fighting potential is also gained by using the brand name sugar substitute Ideal to sweeten beverages. With long-term xylitol use there will be a shift in your oral bacteria to a more xylitol resistant type. This is a benefit, because xylitol resistant bacteria tend to be harmless. The column is written by John Reitz, DDS, and does not represent the opinion of the Pennsylvania State Dental Board. Dr Reitz answers questions from readers. E-mail them via his Web site at reitzdds.com or mail to John Reitz, DDS, 30 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610 John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
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