It’s no surprise that sugar is bad for your teeth. It’s something we’re all aware of, and it’s part of the reason we brush our teeth at the end of the day – to get rid of sugars on our teeth than can feed bacteria overnight.
Sugar alcohols (you’ll recognize their names because they typically end in -ol) have been getting a lot of attention lately because they react differently in our mouths and bodies than regular sugar does.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that’s found in a number of fruits and vegetables. It’s considered to be a natural sweetener, and is even produced to a small extent inside the human body.
What makes xylitol a better alternative to sugar for your teeth is that it helps prevent tooth decay. Oral bacteria that are responsible for plaque feed on glucose. When these bacteria feed on Xylitol instead of glucose, the amount of plaque produced is significantly reduced. As the bacteria ingest Xylitol they become unable to process glucose afterward, causing them to die.
For this reason, studies have determined that Xylitol is good for dental health. It also helps prevent tooth decay and has a positive effect on inflammatory gum diseases like gingivitis.
Preliminary studies also suggest that Xylitol can help with the absorption of calcium, which helps strengthen teeth.
Based on this data, we’ve added Xylitol to our newest line of all-natural, fluoride-free Naturapeutic Toothpaste.
It’s available in 3 different formulas, and 2 flavours that are 100% safe to swallow for kids. Check out the full line of all natural toothpaste and body products at Green Beaver when you use your MoveCamp discount code (sign up here to get your code today).