Can using Xylitol as a sugar replacement help Improve my Dental Health?

After watching a movie marathon of Angelina Jolie movies, I became obsessed with my teeth. That woman has a million dollar smile! I mean, regardless whether they’re her natural teeth or not, Jolie’s smile is just amazing: teeth perfectly aligned as size and shape matters, and their whiteness degree is simply blinding. OK, so maybe she has a dentist that can perform miracles, but that’s as far as a miracle can go. I can pay thousands of dollars too (hypothetically)!

However, as science says, improving your dental health doesn’t depend solely on the dental procedures which should be done regularly. There’s the diet, the careful choice of drinks and most importantly, avoiding teeth enemy number one: sugar. Yes I know, you’re screaming about the sugarless coffee you should start taking tomorrow morning but wait: there’s an alternative. The day is saved thanks to xylitol.

What exactly is xylitol?

I did a little research, and aside from the fact that it doesn’t spike blood sugar or insulin, there are other powerful benefits of xylitol oral health for example. I was surprised to find out that xylitol is actually a natural substance! It’s also a substance produced by the body, but only in very small amounts, which is why it’s beneficial to take it additionally as well. As a sugar replacement, xylitol is derived from fibrous parts of plants and as such has a very beneficial influence on the PH level of the mouth, fighting bacteria and keeping the mouth fresh and clean. It’s a lot sweeter than white, refined sugar and can be used for sweetening drinks, cakes and other baked goods.

How does it help my teeth?

Since it helps keep a neutral PH level in the mouth, xylitol is actually very beneficial from that aspect. Here’s the science: mouth saliva is normally alkaline, but when you consume sugar it gets acidic. In an acidic environment, bacteria find it easy to thrive and start to live of the sugar you just took. That way they become strong and able to produce a stinky, slimy substance that sticks on your teeth called plaque. Plaque weakens your tooth enamel making your teeth vulnerable and susceptible to tooth decay. Xylitol here acts as the ideal alternative to sugar which is the main cause of the problem. It doesn’t create an acidic environment and thus, bacteria are unable to develop and create plaque. The mouth remains alkaline and bacteria-free which means there are no causes for teeth problems! Add to that the fact that xylitol is sweet and an even better sweetener than white refined sugar, and it becomes completely unclear why would you still doubt whether to start using it or not.

Taking into consideration this main advantage, it makes sense researching the matter even further. If you decide to use xylitol oral health related benefits will definitely not stop here. Consequently to healthy teeth and gums, you’ll gain a fresher breath, a whiter smile and less frequent visits to the dentist.