Table of contents:
- What is xylitol?
- How does xylitol gum work in preventing cavities?
- But, is it true that xylitol gum is effective for dental care?
Xylitol is widely used as a sugar substitute sweetener in various "sugar free" gum products. Manufacturers claim that the xylitol content in this healthy gum can help strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. Are the benefits of xylitol gum proven medically or are they just seduction of cheesy advertisements? Check out the explanation here.
What is xylitol?
Xylitol is a natural carbohydrate, which looks and tastes like regular granulated sugar. But if granulated sugar is made from sugar cane, xylitol is a product of the extraction of wood-fibrous plants, such as Birch (Betula pendula / papyrifera). A variety of fruits and vegetables also naturally contain xylitol, including prunes, strawberries, and cauliflower. In sugar-free gum products, this natural sweetener is extracted from more renewable sources, such as corncob or hardwood.
In addition, xylitol is also lower in calories than regular granulated sugar: only 2.4 kcal / gram compared to granulated sugar which contains 4 kcal per gram. And when eaten, this sweetener provides a cold sensation in the mouth, but leaves no trace of taste at all. It is inversely proportional to the pungent sweetness of granulated sugar which sometimes after being eaten can make eneg .
How does xylitol gum work in preventing cavities?
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth eat away the remaining sugar from our food that sticks to the teeth, so the bacteria can multiply and produce acids that erode the tooth enamel. Acid waste is what over time causes cavities.
Meanwhile, xylitol is a natural sweetener that is antibacterial. These sweeteners work by inhibiting the growth of cavities-causing bacteria, and prevent the bad colonies from sticking to the teeth. Unlike sugar, bacteria cannot process xylitol as a food source. Xylitol cannot be broken down as easily as regular sugar because it is basically a plant extract. What this sweetener does is to help keep the pH level in the mouth neutral, so that no acid is formed.
The dental health benefits of xylitol gum also include increased saliva production. The saliva itself protects the mouth and teeth from decay. If you only eat a few spoons of sugar a day, saliva can still work optimally to block bacterial growth. But the truth is, sugar has become a life partner for most people so that the work of the mouth's natural defense system alone will no longer be sufficient.
Research has shown that using xylitol helps repair tooth enamel decay. Saliva that contains xylitol is more alkaline than saliva which is stimulated by other sugar products. After consuming xylitol gum, the concentration of amino acids and ammonia in saliva and plaque will go up, and the plaque pH will go up as well. When the pH is above 7, the calcium and phosphate salts in saliva begin to coat the weak enamel and regain strength.
But, is it true that xylitol gum is effective for dental care?
One study showed that the bacteria that cause cavities can be passed from parents to newborn children, so it's no surprise that tooth decay and / or cavities are one of the most common problems in young children.
A Scandinavian study reported that children who routinely brushed their teeth with fluoride toothpaste that also contained xylitol for 3 years had a 13 percent reduction in the risk of cavities on their permanent teeth when compared to regular toothpaste.
However, the evidence supporting xylitol gum for maintaining oral health is considered insufficient. The researchers found that there was little or no evidence of the benefits of this natural sweetener in preventing tooth decay found in other products, including syrups, lozenges, and sugar-free gum. In fact, excessive consumption has been linked to a laxative effect, which can lead to diarrhea if you consume more than 50 grams a day.
In essence, the evidence for the benefits of xylitol for teeth is still uncertain. Perhaps the potential effect looks promising on children's toothpaste, but not necessarily as good as sugar-free gum. For a guaranteed way to maintain healthy teeth, dentists emphasize the importance of regularly brushing your teeth twice a day, brushing your tongue, rinsing, and flossing every day - in addition to chewing sugar-free gum.
