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What is
xylitol?
Xylitol is a sweetener that
occurs naturally. It can be found, for instance, in berries, fruit,
vegetables and mushrooms. The Finnish name for it, "koivusokeri",
or "birch sugar", derives from the fact that the best way to
make xylitol industrially is from birch, by chopping up and rendering
down the structural fibre of the wood, xylan.
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How does xylitol
differ from other sweeterners?
Chemically speaking, xylitol is
not actually a sugar, but a sugar alcohol. It differs from other
sweeteners such as sorbitol, fructose and glucose because the xylitol
molecule has five, instead of six, carbon atoms. Most bacterias in mouth
are unable to make use of such sugars.
Xylitol is much sweeter than
sorbitol, for instance. Assessed in terms of calories, its sweetening
power is the same as that of sucrose. It is also similar to sucrose in
its technical and nutritive properties. Xylitol is an important supplement in helping to reduce the risk of tooth decay, and everyone interested
in healthy teeth should be familiar with its properties and effects.
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Where does
xylitol occur in nature?
Xylitol occurs in small amounts
in natural form, especially in fruit, berries, vegetables and mushrooms.
For example raspberry, strawberry, yellow plum and endive contain
xylitol. Xylitol also occur in human tissues.
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Where was xylitol
discovered?
Xylitol was discovered almost
simultaneously by German and French chemists way back in the late 19th
century. In the Soviet Union it has been used for decades as a sweetener
for diabetics, and in Germany in solutions for intravenous feeding. In
China, xylitol has been used for various medical purposes.
The dental significance of
xylitol was "discovered" in Finland in the early 70's, when
scientists at Turku University showed it could prevent caries.
Xylitol-Jenkki, the first
xylitol chewing gum in the world, was launched by the Finnish company
Leaf in 1975.
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What is xylitol's
tooth-friendly effect based on?
When you use xylitol gum or mints, the acid
attack that would otherwise last for over half an hour, is stopped.
Because the bacteria in the mouth causing caries are unable to ferment
xylitol in their metabolism, their growth is reduced. The number of
acid-producing lactobacilli and streptococci may fall as much as 90%. No
acid is formed because the pH of saliva and plaque does not fall. After
taking xylitol, the bacteria do not adsorb well on the surface of the
teeth and the amount of plaque decreases.
Research has shown that the use
of xylitol gum or mints also helps correct incipient damage to the enamel. Saliva in
itself protects the mouth and teeth. Stimulated saliva in particular
contains all the components needed to correct incipient caries. If sugar
is only taken a couple of times a day, the saliva can do the job alone.
But most people take sugar so often that the mouth's own defensive
mechanisms are not enough.
Saliva containing xylitol is
more alkaline than saliva stimulated by other sugar products. After
taking xylitol products, the concentration of basic amino acids
and ammonia in saliva and plaque may rise, and plaque pH rises as
well. When pH is above 7, calcium and phosphate salts in saliva
start to precipitate into those parts of enamel where they are lacking.
Thus, soft, calcium-deficient enamel sites begin to harden again.
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Is xylitol safe?
Yes it is. JECFA, a joint
expert committee of WHO and FAO, confirmed in 1983 the fact, already
known by scientists, that xylitol is a safe sweetener for foods. Also
FDA confirmed this fact in 1986.
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How much xylitol
should one eat per day?
The oral benefits of
xylitol stem partly from the affected bacteria population in the mouth
and partly from the properties of saliva. Xylitol is a natural and
convenient way of supplementing daily dental care. Research shows that
a mere 5-10g/ day is enough. In practice, this means 3-8 pieces of
chewing
gum a day. The pieces should be chewed immediately after a meal or a
snack. If you eat more snacks, you of course need more frequent help
from xylitol.
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How does Spry Gum differ from other xylitol chewing gums?
Spry Gum is sweetened with
xylitol only. Frequent eating of foods high in sugars and starches
can promote tooth decay. Xylitol, unlike other sugars, may reduce the
risk of tooth decay.
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Can I give my dog xylitol?
Since the release of a report on xylitol and dogs published in the
October 1, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA), Xlear has regularly been asked about the company's
position on the sweetener as it relates to man's best friend. We've written an FAQ
to address these questions specifically.
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Why is xylitol
an important aid in caries prevention?
Xylitol is one of the most
important alternatives to sugar. Xylitol is more than a mere substitute;
it is a therapeutic sweetener. That is why xylitol chewing gum and mints
play an important role as instruments of dental care.
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Is it possible
to replace daily teeth cleaning with xylitol usage?
Healthy mouth and teeth are a
important part of healthy everyday life. That is why it is important to
take good care of them. To keep a beautiful and healthy smile brush you
teeth daily and visit your dentists regularly.
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Is it dangerous
to swallow the chewing gum?
No, it is not--but xylitol
chewing gum, like other chewing gum, is not meant to be swallowed.
If it does get swallowed, it will be transported naturally among other
food
through
intestines.
The
best way to dispose of your chewing gum is to wrap in a piece of paper
and throw it in a waste basket.
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