Xylitol-Why It Is In Your Gum

Utah Voters continue to be divided on fluoridated water; recent studies have shown that a middle ground for both sides could be found through the benefits of xylitol sweetened gum. The benefits of xylitol have been proven to reduce the risk of dental cavities in children and adults.
Provo, UT (PRWEB) May 21, 2007-Tooth Decay rates in Utah continue to be among the highest in the nation; however recent scientific evidence shows that xylitol can prevent and in some cases rebuild damaged teeth.
So what is Xylitol? Xylitol is a natural sweetener that has a similar molecular structure to that of sugar. It has fewer calories per grams than sugar and shares a similar taste. Only 51% of Utah citizens have drinking water with levels of fluoride that are capable of preventing tooth decay. While 58% of children in Utah, six through eight years old, have at least one filling or an untreated cavity. These statistics are among the highest in the nation.
Xylitol sweetened candy or gum has been proven effective in stopping tooth decay. The International Dental Journal has published several research studies citing that xylitol not only stops tooth decay from occurring but also contributes to remineralization of the teeth. These papers can be found at FDI World Dental. Xylitol should be considered, “as part of an overall strategy for tooth decay reduction,” as cited by the California Dental Association.
The barriers facing Utah residents’ adoption of xylitol include the high prices of xylitol sweetened products. There is also an absence of products that could be recommended in private practice settings because of the slow adoption of xylitol’s
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benefits. Current marketers see xylitol as a product to potential consumers and not as a preventative agent.
The most effective products containing xylitol is primarily chewing gum but the cost per day is quiet high. Most products containing xylitol are poorly labeled so consumers and dentist cannot judge properly whether they should be advocated. Bulk purchases are the only way that the Utah can benefit because then the products could be purchased at a lower price and thus, easier to distribute among low income families.
Private dentists who are hired to treat low income mothers and their children in Oregon have been using xylitol as part of the dental treatment, but compliance rates are low and they advocate that their needs to be more research done on the methods that would be most effective.
Xylitol sweetened gum is not included on the formulary of Medicaid. The National Institute of Health consensus conference in March of 2001 was the first to recommend xylitol for the fight against tooth decay. The American Dental Association has not released a formal statement on the use of xylitol but the American Academy of pediatric Dentistry is developing one. These are the main reasons that it is unlikely that government insurance programs will feel impelled to provide low cost access to xylitol containing products, despite recent successful studies about the benefits of xylitol.
Dr. Larry Bybee is an accomplished Dentist who has published several articles on xylitol and is available for questions concerning xylitol and its effectiveness.

Contact:
Dr. Larry Bybee
Email: larrybybee@kiddsdental.com
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