Does Xylitol Prevent Cavities?

At the dental office of Dr. Fabiola Camacho and Dr. Robert Burks., our goal is to educate our patients about the best oral hygiene tips for healthy teeth. We want to provide resources and information to avoid tooth decay so you can feel confident about your oral health. Many patients ask our dental team in Winter Springs, “can xylitol prevent cavities?’ To answer that question, our team is here to provide some insight from industry research.

What Is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is made from plants and does not break down like sugar does to cause tooth decay. Instead, the presence of xylitol in toothpaste or mouthwash can create a neutral pH in your mouth and prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth.

Decrease Bacteria, Decrease Tooth Decay

By using a toothpaste or mouthwash with xylitol, you can reduce the overall presence of bacteria in your mouth. Because bacteria cannot digest xylitol in the same way it can digest sugar, when xylitol is active in your mouth, bacteria levels can reduce by upwards of 90%! Without bacteria, there is no acid, and without acid, there is no tooth decay. If you can reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and on your teeth with xylitol, then you’ll be able to decrease future tooth decay.

Xylitol Can Strengthen Enamel

Studies have shown that xylitol may even be able to strengthen previously weakened enamel, therefore decreasing your chance to get cavities. Saliva with xylitol can create a positive environment in your mouth, with a pH above 7. When this occurs, calcium and phosphate automatically start moving towards areas that may be weak, like damaged enamel. With xylitol, soft calcium deficient spots on your teeth can actually begin to renew themselves and become harder over time. What are you waiting for? Buy a toothpaste with xylitol today!

Schedule Your Next Appointment With Our Winter Springs Dentist!

If you have questions or concerns about xylitol for yourself or your family, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Fabiola Camacho and Dr. Robert Burks. or our dental team. We want to ensure your teeth are strong and healthy, and that’s why we hope to equip you with the tools and resources to do so! To schedule your next general dentistry appointment, contact our Winter Springs dental office. We hope to see you soon!