How to Use Xylitol
Xylitol in your diet
If you are diabetic, xylitol may be your best and healthiest sugar-alternative for all your sweetening needs! It is a far better choice for baking than any of the artificial and processed sweeteners (Xylitol has a glycemic index of 7 and zero carbs).
The difference between sorbitol and xylitol:
Sorbitol is incorporated in many diet products, and diabetics should be careful about this, since sorbitol can feed dental plaque and contribute to gum disease (which destabilizes blood glucose). Xylitol will help stabilize blood glucose and keep your mouth healthy – which is good for body and teeth! Check out this book about xylitol: Sweeten Your Life the Xylitol Way by Karen Edwards
Xylitol for infants
Babies can be at risk for thrush and Candida infections in their mouths. Xylitol is a quick anti-fungal solution. Dissolve a quarter teaspoon of granular xylitol in a few ounces of water and wipe over the area or put the solution in a baby bottle as a drink. Do this twice a day until thrush has gone.
Xylitol for babies
Children born by Caesarian section are at greater risk for cavities as they lack the inborn protection naturally acquired by children born vaginally. If your family has a history of bad teeth, or if you or your spouse has bad teeth – think about protecting your baby by using xylitol. You can incorporate xylitol into your own diet before the baby is born.
When the baby is born you can start to wipe the baby’s gums with a solution of xylitol in water or use a xylitol tooth wipe. Research shows this will help stop cavities – so xylitol is important even before teeth erupt into the mouth.
Xylitol for children
It can be challenging to get toddlers to clean their teeth and studies show that it is impossible to rely on brushing and flossing to stop cavities. Toddlers often drink juice and like sweets – so baby teeth need help. Children with great teeth at age 4 are 85% more likely to have nice teeth as adults – so start incorporating a little xylitol at the end of each meal daily. One teaspoon per day is a good amount – split up between 4 or 5 meals.
Xylitol for everyone!
Children and adults of all ages can enjoy xylitol – a little each day. On a spoon, as a candy, gum or even brushed on teeth – even a toothbrush dipped in xylitol crystals! You can dissolve xylitol in milk, water or yogurt and enjoy this as a drink after or between meals. Strive for 5 exposures daily, preferably after meals. Research shows that between one and two teaspoons daily is the ideal amount to protect teeth and stop cavities.
Hi Dr. Ellie,
I’ve recently found your websites, and I’m already a fan. Just a quick question… You suggesting taking Xylitol dissolved in milk, water or yogurt, would it also be acceptable to dissolve it in tea with milk, or would it be better to drink the tea, and then have some xylitol in water afterwards?
Thanks,
Moara
It would be far better to drink the tea – then have the xylitol afterwards!
Tea contains polyphenols that are a bit like “acids” and you need to protect your teeth from them – (after enjoying the tea!).
Thanks so much Dr. Ellie. Good to know!
Dr Ellie where can I buy Xylitol in the UK, London?
Xylitol in London used to be available in Tesco and in Sainsbury’s under the label Perfect Sweet.
It would be nice to hear back with confirmation that this is still the case!
It is available in sainsburys as perfect sweet in london but i couldnt find it at tescos.
Hi Dr Ellie!
I found xylitol in a health store near where I live. It was not cheap though I have to say, almost £8 for xylitol crystals. The powder was cheaper but I went for the more expensive crystals. Anyway, I haven’t tried Tesco’s or Sainsbury’s yet but I will have a look in Tesco’s and let you know.
P.S. My tooth did calm down after about a week and a bit of using Xylitol and Retardex Mouth rinse. My dentist recommended that I either remove the tooth or have a root canal which I was not happy about due to my previously bad experience. And I couldn’t understand why I had this tooth pain when the x-ray showed I had no signs of decay or needing a root canal. It was very sensitive to hot liquids which I noticed. My dentist thought the filling I had was possibly too deep which may have been a possible cause.
Anyway, Dr Ellie I’m glad I did some research now on your website but are there any long term effects of using xylitol? I’ve heard it can upset the stomach for example. Is there any or have there been any clinical studies done on the long term effects?
Thanks
Also this sounds stupid but if Xylitol is a natural sweetner how come it doesn’t harm your teeth seeing as it is made up of natural sugars?
Sugar does not actually harm teeth – this is a long, enduring myth! You could rub sugar directly onto clean teeth and cause no harm – but the problem with sugar is that it is able to feed plaque germs.
Harmful plaque germs are called Streptococcus mutans.
When strep. mutans germs feed on sugar, they get energy to grow, multiply and form sticky tendrils.
These tendrils allow the cells to attach to teeth and to each other, allowing colonies to form a thick mass that becomes visible on teeth as plaque.
The more sugar you consume – the quicker these acid-forming and damaging germs multiply.
When Strep mutans is in contact with xylitol, it absorbs it through the cell wall in the same way that it absorbs other sugars.
The germs cannot process xylitol since it has a different carbon structure from sugar.
(Xylitol is a five-carbon-pentose sugar – whereas regular sugar is a six-carbon-sugar).
The germs cannot use xylitol to grow and multiply, and cannot stick onto teeth (since they cannot produce the sticky tendrils) If the population of plaque germs is slowly “fed” xylitol each day – over time they stop growing, and start “slipping” off teeth.
Xylitol makes plaque stop forming and makes it slippery – so it falls off your teeth and allows them to get healthier.
Xylitol also stimulates a flow of mineral-rich saliva in the mouth – to bring calcium to teeth – to make them stronger and shinier.
I am so upset this week as I had to receive 3 crowns and 3 fillings. I never saw this coming. I quit drinking sugary drinks years ago, but my problems have only worsened. I brush at least twice a day, although I know I could do a better job with flossing. That’s all I’m told to do plus use a fluoride rinse. My dentist recommends a Rotadent toothbrush for $130… I have some items you recommend in your kit and will get the others. When I asked my dentist about xylitol, he said it is helpful and can decrease cavities by 70%. If it is so helpful, why don’t dentists suggest it to anyone? To keep people coming back?? I have seen 3 in Las Vegas and none have mentioned xylitol. I will try anything to prevent future cavities or gum issues because I absolutely cannot endure more pain from procedures or pay for additional work. I really hope the products you suggest will help me.
Everyone should be upset about the fact that the benefits of xylitol have been proven for years and years.
In 2001 the studies were presented at an Evidence-Based dental conference, and xylitol was shown to eliminate 98% of plaque, and thus prevent cavities and gum disease.
The history of xylitol dates back hundreds of years and it has been used as a public health measure in Europe for decades.
The US military adopted the use of xylitol gum to stop cavities during the first Gulf War!
(Look For Xylitol First Program: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15116453)
My system of care involves specific mouth rinses and xylitol – it is amazing.
You need to use it exactly as recommended – using the exact products.
50% of the benefits come from xylitol and 50% of the benefits come from the mouth rinse system.
This is a complete recipe to help you (even without flossing!!)
However, if you do not follow it exactly – you will not get the expected results.
I hope you will give this a try – then read my book and understand that we must spread this message around the country – as a grass roots movement.
Any ideas from anyone out there?
Hello, I just finished reading your book (got it off Amazon) and immediately ordered the kit from your website so I can start the plan. I recently went to the dentist for the first time in a few years and I have lots of 5 and 6 pockets, plus a small cavitiy that they wan’t to “monitor”. They want to do a thorough periodontal treatment but I first want to try your plan and see what kind of difference it can make. I will let you know in ~6 months if there is a positive change.
Couple questions I have before I start the plan…first is about Xylitol – does it need to be ingested to get the full benefit? Or can you simply rub on your teeth or swish it around with some liquid to get the same effect?
Secondly, I got a Sonicare toothbrush and Waterpik for Christmas, do you think these are effective and will work with your plan? Also the Sonicare comes with a UV sanitizer for the brush heads, do you think it actually works or is important to use?
Thank you I learned a lot from your book and I’m hoping it turns out to be as good as it sounds!
I am often asked the most important feature of my system. The
answer is to follow the system exactly – using the exact products that
I recommend. The details are posted on http://www.DrEllie.com – and I
often suggest purchasing a kit – to ensure the right products. Then
you can match exactly when they go to purchase more (FYI – you’ll
only find Closys at Walgreens).
The amount of xylitol is important and frequency and timing helps. I
suggest 4 grams of crystals in a bottle of water to sip during exercise
or in the morning – every day. This is important for periodontal
healing. Then have some xylitol mints or gum after meals – to control
plaque after meals. I guess you don’t have to drink the liquid – but
xylitol does have digestive health benefits. If you don’t care about
these – I guess the answer is yes, it will work on your teeth and then
you could spit it out.
Use any toothbrush that feels good. Make sure you clean all around
your gums – at the exact place where the teeth and gums meet. I am
not happy with the Waterpik – it appears to me that you will not get
the same amount of healing as you would just with good swishing
and brushing!
social networking is a good way to spread the idea. Facebook is great!
Dr Ellie – another quick question if you don’t mind: I drink a lot of tea so if i was to rinse my mouth afterwards with xylitol in cold water would this hot and cold process be bad for my teeth in the long run?
I prefer to suggest you eat a xylitol mint or gum after the tea, or just have a few granules from a spoon.
On the other hand, I don’t think the hot/cold is any problem either.
Dear Dr Ellie,
After 20 years of no problems Ive been told I have a dead molar tooth, an infection at the root, and need antibiotics or failing that, root canal treatment.
Do I have to go that way? Or will your regime work in this case?
Thanks
My system of care will stop tooth and gum damage, it will prevent any more damage and can it can even reverse tooth and gum damage – BUT it can’t bring a dead tooth back to life. Sorry!
If the tooth is painful a course of antibiotics may be useful, but be aware antibiotics are a panacea and do not deal with the problems of a dead tooth.
If you choose to keep this tooth (and you may want to discuss if you want or don’t want to keep it) then a dead tooth needs to be completely cleaned out and filled (a root canal). Then a crown must be made to seal the tooth from the liquids in your mouth.
Every tooth that has a root canal MUST be crowned.
Patients often do not realize this is part two and must be done ASAP!
It is a waste of time and money to root treat the tooth if it is not sealed properly with a crown, as soon as possible after the root canal has been done.
Budget and get the whole thing done as perfectly as possible – or opt to extract it. That is my advice.
Thanks so much for your advice Ellie. What are the pros and cons of a tooth extraction? It sounds easier just to pull the thing out!
It sounds simple to pull out a tooth. In England, at the time when I grew up, people gave “the gift” of dentures to young married couples!
If you visit a nursing home you will usually see plenty of people who have no teeth.
The problem is that tooth loss causes jaw-bone loss, which can change and deform the face, and make difficulties for eating.
Some recent studies show that less than 9 teeth creates other problems, in ways that are quite shocking.
We do not fully understand why this happens, but it appears that less than 9 teeth can have an impact on mental health.
So hang onto as many teeth (at least 10 of them) if you can!
Also remember that when you loose a tooth on one side of your mouth, say a lower molar – it is possible for the teeth either side of this gap will tilt and become less stable.
This can cause a “deck of cards” collapse around the missing tooth ~ especially for people with gum disease.
This way, one lost tooth can result in a bunch of lost teeth on the same side.
When you loose teeth on one side of your mouth, say the lower molars (as mentioned above) the opposing teeth will have nothing to bite on.
Unless the missing teeth are replaced with dentures or an implant , the upper teeth may continue to “grow” into the vacant space – getting “longer” and creating bite problems.
I am not an advocate for taking out teeth, but sometimes it seems a sensible alternative.
I usually recommend an extraction rather than an improperly filled root canal tooth or an infected or dead tooth.
The thing to remember is that after the extraction – you must take steps to keep the rest of your teeth healthy – and don’t let gum disease start a land-slide of problems in that area.
I am sold on your program for me. I want to recommend it to my daughter for my toddler grandchildren, but I am concerned about this “dose” of xylitol for growing children. Have any epidemiological or toxicological studies been completed?
Xylitol is common in Europe and Scandinavia and is used as a public health measure in preschools to prevent decay.
Pediatrician Ray Wagner has studied xylitol for many years and was involved in recent studies to show that even a tiny amount of xylitol wiped on baby gums and teeth early will stop cavities.
A very small dose may not eradicate strep mutans from the child’s mouth – yet the child does not get cavities – which is interesting.
Peter Milgrom at the University of Washington published dose related studies in 2002.
He showed 5-10 grams per day is the dose necessary to eradicate harmful plaque strep mutans from the mouth.
Xylitol has been FDA approved for use in any quantity as a food.
Xylitol was used during World War II in Europe to replace table sugar in the diet.
For many decades, diabetics have used xylitol as their exclusive sweetener.
I am recommending we stay within the limits necessary for ORAL HEALTH
This means between one to two teaspoons a day to eradicate plaque/cavity bacteria – less will probably work IF YOU HAVE PERFECT TEETH AND NO FILLINGS.
5 grams is the lower end of the dose that will help teeth.
As a child reaches pre-school age I believe this is the best method to use prior to the eruption of the permanent molars – far better than toxic sealants.
For a toddler between the age of 1-4, you will need a dose between a few grains to 5 grams.
The amount will depend on if your child is at risk for cavities or if your child has cavities.
For high risk or to stop cavities you will need the higher level (5 grams).
If your family have generally great teeth and the children are cavity-free then I suggest starting in the toddler years with 2 grams a day and up to 5 grams by school age.
thanks so much for your comprehensive reply!
What about the toxicity of fluoride? Can tooth health be achieved without it?
The story of fluoride is fascinating but complicated. Like many things, there are two sides to the story. On one side, fluoride can be toxic but on the other hand it may be the best way to save teeth and preserve general health.
Salts of Fluoride
Fluoride is found in many different forms, called salts. The reactive “parent” of these salts is an element called fluorine. Fluorine is closely related to chlorine and these elements are next to each other on chemistry’s list of halogens. You do not want to breathe either chlorine or fluorine, not drink a solution of them, yet in tiny amounts their sodium salt may keep you healthy. Sodium chloride is sea or table salt and sodium fluoride is a similar salt and is the only kind of fluoride I recommend.
Why dentists like fluoride
Studies in the 1930s showed that fluoride occurs naturally in soil and water in many parts of the world. People living in areas with a tiny amount of fluoride in the water have strong teeth, but if the concentration gets higher, teeth develop white, yellow or brown stains. Dentists took this ideal amount for strong teeth and no staining, and added it to our water supplies. The problem is that they believed fluoride was built into forming teeth – but today we know that this is not how fluoride works.
How fluoride works
The correct use of fluoride can improve teeth at any age. As a dilute solution of sodium fluoride touches teeth, the fluoride pulls minerals (from mouth saliva) into tooth enamel. The minerals repair any enamel that is soft or damaged. In this way, fluoride keeps teeth strong and replaces any enamel crystals that are broken or damaged during eating, drinking or by mouth acidity. Rinsing with dilute sodium fluoride helps keep teeth shiny and protected, and may be the only way to avoid cavities and erosion in a dry or acidic mouth.
Other Benefits of Fluoride
New adult teeth in child’s mouth slowly develop a protective protein layer on their surface. Rinsing with dilute sodium fluoride speeds the development of this layer and shortens the formation time (from 12 months to about 3 or 4 months). Used with xylitol, fluoride can halt cavities in teeth and even repair them – naturally. Xylitol gets rid of cavity bacteria and fluoride re-grows enamel crystals for healing.
Without fluoride
Without dilute sodium fluoride, tooth enamel may flake or chip, especially around the gum or edges of fillings. This is why fillings “leak” or get “old” and break, and the reason that teeth are at risk of dying – and may need a root canal, crown or implant. Soft teeth get stained and worn, but dilute sodium fluoride can brighten teeth and prevent serious damage that requires dental treatments.
Dangers of fluoride
The toxicity of fluoride is from drinking too much or using the wrong kind of fluoride. Many cheap kinds of fluoride should be avoided. A tin-based salt of fluoride is stannous fluoride, which can cause tooth staining and other reactions in the mouth. Very young children often swallow toothpaste, so children should not use fluoride toothpaste until they are old enough to spit it out. Infants may get too much fluoride from formula milk, especially if powder is mixed with fluoridated water.
The only fluoride I recommend
There appears to be no benefit to drinking fluoride or taking supplements. The kind of fluoride that is in water supplies is not the kind that was originally agreed (sodium fluoride) but it is an aluminum industry by-product, which is potentially toxic. I do not recommend drinking fluoridated water.
Sodium fluoride in dilute concentrations can be rinsed around teeth or brushed onto teeth for its benefits, but then you spit the fluoride out. Studies show that there is no risk of absorption through the mouth when rinsing with fluoride. I recommend well-formulated toothpaste that contains sodium fluoride and other important ingredients for tooth healing.
True Mouth Health
More and more studies show the relationship between bad teeth, gum inflammation, and loss of teeth, with serious medical conditions including diabetes, heart attacks, arthritis, dementia and pre-term birth. Healthy teeth are important and unfilled teeth and healthy gums should be the goal.
To protect teeth from damage you need a good diet and correct oral hygiene practices. Unfortunately there are factors beyond our control that put teeth at risk for disease: mouth breathing, acid reflux, effects from medications, getting older, hormone changes and being exposed to germs from other people – to name a few.
Commentary
When you need more protection than diet can offer, you may develop cavities that require fillings. There can be great risk to health from silver or white fillings, and also if teeth fracture and require root canals or implants. These treatments can be prevented by a daily regimen that incorporates a small amount of dilute sodium fluoride, brushed and rinsed on teeth regularly.
The goal is to avoid toxic fillings and other treatments. The benefits appear to totally outweigh any concern, when using the correct kind of fluoride. My system and xylitol will maximize the benefits and offer a chance to enjoy ultimate oral health.
Thank you so much for your prompt reply and help. In the crest original toothpaste do you reccomend the paste or the gel? Thanks.
The paste definitely works well – although I suspect the gel is OK but I don’t have enough history of people using it to say for sure.(I recommend the paste)
I also wondered it the Fresh Burst (green) listerine is OK. It seems to be one of the simple formulas. Thanks.
I know that the Original Listerine works slightly better than the Cool Mint. I know the Cool Mint works.
I suspect the Fresh Burst is OK but I don’t have enough history of people using it to say for sure.