Have a Sweet Tooth? Replacing Sugar With Xylitol Could Help Preserve Your Dental Health

The number of cavities and teeth lost due to disease and inflammation is steadily increasing worldwide, despite preventive measures such as water fluoridation and toothpaste that contains fluoride. 

Although protective, fluoride can’t keep up with the high sugar consumption of the average American household. 

Dental degradation occurs when the bad bacteria in your mouth produce acids that dissolve the hard tissues of your teeth. Sugars and starches are the main energy source for these types of bacteria, and they’re the culprit for mineral breakdown. 

From K. Cheyn Gunnerson, DMD, and our team of experts at Gunnerson Dental, here’s how you can fight tooth decay by replacing sugar with xylitol.

Stimulate saliva production 

Dry mouth is one of the reasons smokers are at a higher risk of developing cavities and gum disease. 

Saliva washes away the acids that eat at your enamel, offering protection against tooth decay. When you produce less saliva, acids from food and beverages spend more time on the surface of your teeth. 

Xylitol stimulates saliva production and reduces the harm from bacteria.

Remineralize your teeth

When xylitol increases the production of saliva, two things happen: Acids and plaque are washed away and calcium is carried to the teeth to restore the damaged enamel. 

Having enough calcium in your diet from bioavailable sources can also help protect your teeth. 

Fight against bacteria 

Xylitol displaces the bacterial buildup on the surface of your teeth. And with fewer bacteria stuck to your teeth, your teeth can stay cavity-free for a longer time. 

Some studies suggest xylitol may also help keep candida under control. Candida is a bacterium found in your digestive tract, but when under stress or after a treatment of antibiotics, candida can move up to your oral cavity and cause infections.

Preserve your dental health longer with xylitol 

Historical findings suggest that hunter-gatherers who ate a seasonal diet not only had almost no cavities, but they also had beautifully developed dental arches. 

Ideally, everyone would stay away from processed foods and prepare home-cooked meals from organic ingredients not only to keep their teeth beautiful but also to preserve their overall health. But the first step toward breaking an addiction with sugar is finding an alternative. 

To learn more about how you can remove sugar from your diet, contact us to schedule an appointment. At Gunnerson Dental, located in Payson, Utah, we can help you satisfy your sweet tooth with mints, sugar replacements, and xylitol supplements.

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