It’s the middle of the day and you’re hungry. You could eat that apple you brought for an afternoon snack, but there’s also that box of cookies in the break room. And not just any cookies—homemade double fudge cookies.
That apple’s lookin’ pretty dinky now, isn’t it?
But before you go hog wild on those cookies, stop and think about all that sugar you’ll be eating. You’ve always heard your dentist say sugar is bad for your teeth, but do you know why? It’s because sugar energizes bacteria and leads to the production of acid, which destroys the enamel protecting your teeth from decay.
Brushing can help protect you, of course, but that happens just twice a day—if that much. So what can you do in the meantime?
How about having a little Xylitol?
What Is Xylitol?
Xylitol is found naturally in many fibrous fruits and vegetables and is used to sweeten sugarfree gums and mints. But it’s not just a low calorie sweetener—it’s also a cavity fighter.
Your body doesn’t digest Xylitol the way it does sugar. Instead of stimulating bacteria, Xylitol actually makes it harder for bacteria to cling to your teeth. And because it promotes a neutral pH level, you don’t have to worry about losing enamel.
That means consuming Xylitol can actually help you improve the health of your smile.
How to Use Xylitol
Using Xylitol gums or mints only once a day or once a week won’t do much to help your smile. Xylitol.org recommends using Xylitol products a minimum of three times a day and as much as five, for full effect. This means using Xylitol gums, mints, or candies in between meals and even using a brand of toothpaste that also contains the sweetener.
Used in combination with regular flossing and a quality mouthwash, Xylitol can help fight cavities and improve the health of your smile.
To find out more about Xylitol and its benefits, please visit Xylitol.org.