What Is It?
Xylitol is a rather ubiquitous ingredient in oral hygiene products like mouthwashes and toothpastes. It’s also in gums,mints,and candies. It is an additive in sugar-free items. It’s made from an alcohol that occurs in many varieties of fruits,vegetables, and woods including birch.
The final product we know is whitish or clear and crystal-shaped. It’s got a pleasant and sweet taste. While this product is popular as a sugar replacement, it’s been found to have benefits for overall dental and oral health.
How Can This Product Benefit Oral Health?
There’s a reason this product has made its way into toothpastes and other oral hygiene products. It has been shown to be effective in improving the condition of the mouth in numerous ways, such as:
Hinders Or Destroys Bacterial Biofilm
The bacterial biofilm in our mouths is a layer of bacteria that can coat our teeth,gums, and tongue. Biofilms are found in wet areas, so our mouths are perfect for growth.
When the biofilm layer goes unchecked, we can experience halitosis,cavities, or plaque overgrowth. This product in essence starves the bacteria before they begin to grow by altering the pH of the mouth and not giving them the acid they need to thrive.
This change in oral pH takes away plaque’s ability to bind lactic acid to the tooth enamel and helps avoid cavity-causing acid buildup. By not allowing the biofilm to gain a foothold, this product can act as a preventative measure in oral healthcare.
Stimulates Saliva Production
This product can stimulate production in the salivary glands. The correct amount of saliva is immensely important for oral and even overall bodily health. The correct amount of salivary production can help by:
- Killing unhealthy bacteria
- Maintaining pH/ neutralizing acids
- Helps repair tooth enamel with minerals contained in it
- Aids in digestion by providing amylase
- Makes swallowing possible
- Avoiding dry mouth
If we lack sufficient salivary production, we may experience prolonged dry mouth. This condition can cause numerous health problems including:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Improper digestion
- Gum disease/infections
- Tooth decay
- Halitosis
As we can see, having proper saliva production can make a significant difference in avoiding unpleasant health issues. Using this product can help boost production and keep these issues at bay.
Anti-Adherence Properties
In order for most bacteria and viruses to reach pathogenic levels, they must gain traction by adhering to the host cells and breeding. This product has anti-adherence properties. It’s able to make the host cells, in this case our teeth, unable to be attached to by the potentially pathogenic bacteria. The bacteria in the mouth and natural biofilm layer will be unable to breed and grow. This will prevent enamel decay, cavities, and numerous other oral health issues. This product can protect your smile and your oral health in general.
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