Cavities are no fun–everyone knows that. Not only can they be extremely painful depending on the amount of tooth decay that is present, but they can also rack up dental bills, which is something that no one wants. For some people, no matter how much you brush your teeth, floss, or use mouthwash, cavities can still erupt, but learning about new and more natural ways to prevent them–or potentially reversing them–can be beneficial.
Many people often look for ways to prevent or reverse the tooth decay that is already in their mouth and more natural methods can be better for your oral and overall health. Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that has many benefits on your body, including your oral health where it can help to prevent cavities.
Xylitol is a natural remedy for many that struggle with cavities, but knowing if they can reverse them is a topic worth discussing!
What is Xylitol?
Getting familiar with this natural sugar alcohol could help you have a better understanding of what it can do for your oral health!
There are many ways that we can work to improve our overall oral health, but many people are opting for more natural methods that can have a lot of benefits–and are healthier too. Xylitol is a known natural sugar alcohol that can have a ton of health benefits to the human body and even works towards improving oral health too.
Xylitol: What is it?
For many people who are looking to improve their oral health and prevent cavities, you may stumble upon xylitol, which is a natural sugar alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables–some being strawberries, raspberries, lettuce, cauliflower, spinach, plums, mushrooms, and even carrots. While the amount of xylitol is generally low in these fruits and vegetables, it can also be commercially extracted and produced from birch wood or corn cobs, which are then put into a capsule form as supplements to take. Xylitol is described as a sweet substance, but unlike sugar, it doesn’t cause tooth decay and works towards preventing cavities–which is a reason why lots of folks take it.
What Forms Does Xylitol Come in?
There are many forms of xylitol when it comes to taking it. Lots of people opt for supplement form, but it is also available in chewing gum, candies, mints, toothpaste, and even mouthwash–making it an easy and effective way to add it to your daily oral hygiene routine.
What Are the Benefits to Taking Xylitol?
There are a few reasons why someone would take Xylitol supplements, or opt for more fruits and vegetables that contain the natural sugar. Not only can xylitol help prevent cavities, but it can also do the following:
- Reduces spikes in blood glucose
- Maintains insulin levels in the body
- Improves dental health
- Is found in many toothpastes and mouthwashes
- Prevents tooth decay
- Reduces plaque on teeth
- Increases immune system proteins
- Prevents ear infections
- Has antioxidant properties
Are There Risks to Taking Xylitol?
A common concern that you have with any health related supplement is if there are any risks to taking it. If taken the correct, moderate dosage, then you should not experience any side effects. There are some common side effects that some people do tend to experience when taking xylitol, which include gastrointestinal issues. This could be anything from gas, bloating, and even diarrhea, which mainly occurs from taking a higher dosage.
These side effects are common due to your body only being able to partially absorb xylitol. It can be fermented by your gut bacteria, which can then cause gastrointestinal issues. Some people may experience these side effects even in small doses of xylitol, so it’s important to consult your doctor before taking it to see if it’s right for you.
How Can Xylitol Improve Your Oral Health?
Many people take xylitol to improve their oral health, so it’s crucial to learn about the benefits that it can have!
Xylitol can have a ton of positive benefits to your body, but most importantly–your oral health. Many people opt for taking xylitol supplements in order to help prevent tooth decay, among other reasons too. It’s crucial to learn more about xylitol and how it can greatly improve your oral health, which can greatly benefit you over time.
Helps to Prevent Cavities
The number one reason why people take xylitol supplements is to help prevent cavities. The natural sugar alcohol in xylitol can prevent harmful bacteria from metabolizing, which causes cavities–meaning that it won’t break down your teeth like regular sugar. With normal sugar, the bacteria can break down and erode your teeth, but with a more natural option like xylitol, it will prevent it from happening.
Maintains Natural pH in Your Mouth
Your mouth has a slightly alkaline pH–around seven–and it’s normal to maintain this for your overall oral health. Maintaining a balanced pH helps prevent your teeth from demineralizing, which is the breakdown of your enamel, and it helps to prevent harmful bacteria from sprouting. Xylitol helps to prevent enamel erosion that comes from certain acids, throwing off the pH balance of your mouth and causing cavities to form.
Helps With Saliva Production
Saliva production is crucial for your oral health where it helps to get rid of built-up food particles and even washes away harmful bacteria. Xylitol is also available in gum form, and by chewing a piece, it can help to produce more saliva by providing direct stimulation of the salivary glands. Chewing gum is a mechanical stimulation that affects the salivary glands due to the physical act of chewing–promoting the production of more saliva.
Can Xylitol Reverse Pre-existing Cavities?: What You Need to Know
Xylitol can help to prevent cavities, but knowing if it can reverse pre-existing tooth decay is important!
Now that you know and are familiar with what xylitol is and how it can improve your overall oral health, can it reverse pre-existing cavities? It’s important to consider the benefits of xylitol and how it can prevent tooth decay, but it’s crucial to know that it cannot reverse pre-existing cavities and eliminate them.
Xylitol Can’t Reverse Cavities, Only Prevent Future Ones
There are many wonders that xylitol can have on your overall oral health, such as significantly decreasing your chances of tooth decay and preventing future cavities. Many individuals are told by their dentists from routine check-ups that they have tooth decay that will eventually turn into a cavity. While this is a cause for concern, it is impossible to reverse the damage that is already done.
While it is frustrating, xylitol can’t reverse cavities, but it can help prevent their formation and slow down the progression of them. While you may have the start of a cavity, daily xylitol dosages can slow down the process by interfering with the growth of harmful bacteria, reducing plaque build-up, and even provide minerals that can help to repair any enamel damage present. Xylitol can even help reduce the severity of any current cavities too.
Steps You Can Take
While xylitol can’t reverse cavities, it’s important to have a daily oral hygiene routine that you can strictly follow to keep your oral health in tip-top shape. It is essential to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss, and use mouthwash every day. It is also crucial to continue to see your dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings every six months, which will help to eliminate any plaque build-up that could be harmful over time, or even do fluoride treatments to keep teeth healthy.
Other steps that you can take to help keep your teeth healthy and clean is to have a well-balanced diet where you limit sugary and starchy foods and drinks that can increase tooth decay. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are calcium-enriched examples of food that can help to strengthen your teeth and gums for an overall healthy smile.
Cavities are no joke, and the pain that comes with them is never fun to experience. It’s important to take all of the precautions necessary to keep your smile healthy and strong with a proper diet and strict oral hygiene routine. Xylitol is a supplement that can help to make your teeth stronger and prevent future tooth decay, and although it can’t reverse pre-existing cavities, it can slow down the process over time.
If you’re in the Washington, PA area and are struggling with cavities, tooth decay, or have a nagging pain in your mouth––consider contacting Elizabeth L. Wakim—where exceptional smiles start here!
Dr. Elizabeth Wakim, DDS, is the founder of Enhanced Wellness. She’s a compassionate and highly-regarded dentist with her own practice in Washington, Pennsylvania, known for providing modern, comprehensive dental care, botox and facial aesthetics with a focus on patient comfort and anxiety reduction, serving general, cosmetic, and pediatric dentistry needs.
