The Role of Xylitol in Caries Prevention

Abstract

Xylitol is actually a very valuable tool for increasing our overall health. To put it plainly, xylitol is a sugar substitute that is far better for your body than typical white refined sugar. It is often considered a “diabetic sweetener” and is basically as sweet as sucrose, but has 33% less calories. Caries is one of the common infections that occurs in the oral cavity and affects populations across developed and developing nations. Studies show that dental caries is still a major health problem in most industrialized countries affecting 60–90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults. Xylitol seems to be having the properties that reduce levels of mutans streptococci (MS) in the plaque and saliva and enhance it’s preventive effect on dental caries. Xylitol becomes well known of it’s Antibacterial Properties in addition to it’s role as an alkalizing agent. It increases the alkalinity and decreases the acidity in the body and mouth. Alkalinity is not a good situation for bacteria because it cannot grow in that condition. Therefore, it has been long praised for its ability to wipe out bacterial infections and colonies of all kinds throughout the body. Xylitol helps prevent tooth decay by reducing plaque formation. Blocks the acids that demineralize tooth enamel. Halts the growth of acid producing bacteria. Reduces gingival inflammation. Raises the pH level to be more alkaline. Xylitol belongs to the chemical group called “polyols”, more commonly known as sugar alcohols. Oddly enough, they are neither sugar nor alcohol, but their chemical structure resembles something in between.