Dental Benefits of Xylitol

Despite the improvement in dental health achieved through the use of fluoride, caries incidence is still widespread and cause for concern in many countries.  Decreasing sugar intake and finding practical means of combating its detrimental effects remains a priority in controlling the incidence of caries.

One way to achieve this goal is to provide confectionery sweetened with dentally safe sugar substitutes.  Xylitol is particularly recommended for this purpose since in addition to not causing cavities it actually:

• Helps reduce the development of cavities (dental caries)
• Resists fermentation by oral bacteria
• Reduces plaque formation
• Increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel (remineralisation) 
• Compliments fluoride in oral hygiene products

Xylitol has been recommended by several dental associations worldwide through endorsement of sugar-free confectionery products in which xylitol constitutes at least 50% of the total sweetener.