What Does Xylitol Do?
When bacteria in the mouth come into contact with xylitol, they absorb it as if it were sugar, but cannot process it. When these acid-producing bacteria absorb xylitol, they cannot multiply, produce acids, or form sticky plaque.  Xylitol also increases the flow of mineral-rich saliva into the mouth, which helps flush away bacteria, wash away acidity, and bring minerals into weakened areas of enamel. Continuous use of small amounts of xylitol (especially at the end of each meal) will protect teeth from dietary acids, and create an environment undesirable for acid-producing bacteria.  After about 5 weeks of eating xylitol, plaque bacteria will be reduced or completely removed from teeth. After 6 months of xylitol use, acid-producing bacteria will be found in undetectable levels in saliva and on mucosal tissues of the oral cavity.

Who Can Use Xylitol?
Anyone can use xylitol: Pregnant women using xylitol can help their unborn children develop healthy mouths. Mothers transfer oral bacteria from their mouth to the teeth of their baby, so a mother’s healthy mouth can offer a baby up to 80% protection from cavities.

Infants can be exposed to xylitol even before teeth erupt. The easiest way to administer is to rub a solution of xylitol on the gums and/or teeth using a prepared xylitol wipe or a clean cloth or sponge dipped in a solution of xylitol in water.

Xylitol is available in a granular form that can be dissolved in water to create a solution. One 4 gram packet will easily dissolve in 4-6 oz of water to create a suitable solution. This solution can be applied throughout the day after the baby eats or drinks and before bed or naptime.

Children, teens, and adults should use xylitol to protect their teeth after every snack or meal and whenever they have a dry mouth. Xylitol is available as a candy, mint, gum, spray, wipe, and in granular form. While it is safe to consume over 100 grams of xylitol daily, you only need between 6 to 10 grams per day to rid the teeth of harmful bacteria.

Exposing teeth to fewer than 3 grams a day will not be sufficient to create positive oral health, and more than 10 grams a day does not improve dental health benefits. Positive changes appear to plateau at 10 grams a day.

Xylitol Benefits for Those in Special Circumstances

Diabetics and hypoglycemics will benefit from xylitol because it does not raise blood sugar and has a glycemic index of 7. Since it reduces plaque, it can help control gingival inflammation and limit periodontal problems for diabetics. Patients using the Zellies Complete Mouth Care System have improved their oral health noticeably and their blood chemistry has stabilized.

Athletes face threats to their dental health through the consumption of energy drinks and the heightened use of mouth breathing. Mouth breathing dries protective saliva, and the high sugar content of energy drinks promotes plaque build-up and accelerates enamel erosion. Regular use of xylitol will help protect teeth, remove mouth acidity and limit plaque formation.

Denture wearers, menopausal women, and cancer patients will all benefit from xylitol since they are more likely to experience mouth acidity, plaque build-up, tooth sensitivity, staining and weakness. 

Those unable to care for their mouths can use xylitol to help maintain oral health. Combat personnel, disabled children and adults, those that are ill or incapacitated, those afraid of dental care and those unable to afford dental treatments will benefit from Zellies Complete Mouth Care System.