Xylitol is a powerful 5 carbon sugar. The human body is able to digest this sugar without using insulin. It changes the glycemic index only slightly - nothing like regular table sugar!
However, the bacteria in our mouth that cause dental disease are completely unable to feed off xylitol.
In Finland, where they have been using xylitol for over 5 decades - since WWII, they have found that it decreased the incidence of dental disease - gum disease and cavities.
My personal testing of my saliva with pH strips verified that the pH of my saliva increased after chewing some xylitol gum.
This can be very helpful to your dental health. A higher pH allows your tooth enamel to remineralize better because the mouth is more basic - allowing calcium and phosphate to enter the tooth enamel. An acidic mouth facilitates just the opposite.
You can see why it would be a good idea to chew some xylitol after drinking an acidic soda beverage or coffee.
That bacteria that cause gum disease can not utilize xylitol either.
It is theorized that over time, chewing 6 to 10 grams of xylitol per day will allow for a shift in the kind of bacteria that inhabit your mouth.
If true, this can further aid you in your fight to stop the progression of dental disease.
So, now you have a basic education about the power of xylitol.
* This post is for information purposes only and does not intend to advise on, diagnose or suggest treatment for any disease. If you have or think you might have a disease or health problem, visit your dentist or doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products on this site.
Xylitol is a naturally occurring 5 carbon sugar. Bacteria that cause dental disease are unable to process it. In addition, chewing xylitol gum can change the pH of your saliva - perhaps making it more conducive to the remineralization of teeth!