Army's "Look for Xylitol First" program

Dental Assistant, The, March-April, 2004 by Pamila Richter, Jeffrey Chaffin

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Xylitol can be used in many ways such as in candy, gum, mouthwash, or toothpaste. Since companies are continually changing their formulas, it is best to teach your patients always to look at the ingredients list and not just a particular brand. What could be a great xylitol gum today can be completely changed and still wear the same brand name without xylitol. Dentifrices containing 10% xylitol sweetener have been shown to reduce caries in a number of recent studies. (4) Although it has not been studied for effectiveness, a mouthwash is available in a popular health brand line.

Who Should Use Xylitol?

While Xylitol is safe for the whole family, chewing gum in general, is not recommended for children younger than three years of age. As children approach the cavity-prone early teen years, they should be encouraged to use xylitol gum. People with dry mouth (xerostomia) as a side-effect of medications, diseases such as Sjogrens Syndrome, or age-related reduced salivary flow could benefit from regular use of xylitol chewing gum. Of course, caries-prone adults of ally age who chew gum regularly should be steered toward those containing xylitol. However, the inherent fun of chewing gum is not centered on health benefits. The unique flavor profiles in which the gum is often made, like lemon, berry and power mint, are enhanced by a cooling effect that the xylitol contributes to the product.

Why Isn't Xylitol Well Known in the United States?

Part of the problem of why xylitol is not as popular in the United States may stem from the sugar-alternatives rather unusual name. In Canada, where xylitol is used extensively in familiar, dentally positioned chewing gum, xylitol is called Dentec. The United States continues to use the chemical name, and xylitol companies have yet to give it an also-known-as handle as they have for aspartame (Nutrasweet).

The awareness about xylitol is strong in Europe and Asia. Xylitol containing sugar-free gums are the number one sellers in Japan and Korea. In Europe, where xylitol has been incorporated in the candy industry for 30 years, xylitol gums and candies are everywhere to be found often marketed to mothers who give the candies to their children.

As U.S. manufacturers expand their product lines toward healthy and low-calorie goods, and as we continue to exchange delicacies with Europe, more xylitol-containing products are sure to appear. This will be a win-win situation for the American population since caries is not promoted by the consumption of these products. Remineralization of demineralized tooth structure will also occur. Don't forget to encourage your patients to "Look for Xylitol First"!

References

(1.) Hayes C. The effect of noncariogenic sweeteners on the prevention of dental caries: A review of the evidence. J Dent Educ. 2001: 65(10); 1106-9.

(2.) Trahan L. Xylitol: a review of its action on mutans streptococci and dental plaque--its clinical significance. Int Dent J. 1995: 45; 77-92

(3.) Alanen P, et al. Xylitol candies in caries prevention: results of a field study in Estonian children. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2000: 28(3);218-24.