The Xylitol Gum Blog

Technorati Tags: aspartame free gum, xylitol gum, zapp gum

First off, thanks to Bert for the expert answer on my earlier question about xylitol.

Ok, so here’s the background. I have the worst teeth. I always have cavities. My mouth at this point is more fillings & crowns than natural tooth! So back when I was a teenager & in college I admit to neglecting my brushing and flossing, but now that I’m an adult I’ve been really diligent with the brushing & the flossing for years now. When I go for cleanings, my dentist says my teeth are very clean.

Former dentists said cavities were caused by not brushing enough. If you’re getting cavities, you must need to brush more. My current dentist (who I love) was the 1st one to tell me that some people, despite good brushing habits, are just more prone to them. He mentioned weak enamel and having more bacteria in the mouth as possible reasons. He gave me some Chlorhexadine mouthwash to use to help reduce bacteria, but basically said, "you’ll keep getting cavities, your teeth are just weak, live with it."

Which sucks, so I started doing my own research. Somebody on this site suggested GC Tooth Mousse Plus, which I purchased 1 month ago. I put it in a custom bleaching tray and leave it on my teeth for 30 min every night before I go to bed. Then I happened to be on my Aetna health insurance website, and saw a blurb about xylitol and an Aetna discount to buy xylitol products from a company called Epic Dental. So, I bought some Xylitol mouthwash and tons of gum.

So, my questions are:
If Tooth Mouse & xylitol gum really work (if they do???) then why didn’t any of my dentists ever suggest them? Because they’re so new? Bad dentists? Because maybe the products don’t really work that well?

And is there anything else I can do? I plan to continue the GC Tooth Mouse plus every day before bedtime, as well as chew 2 pieces of xylitol gum after every meal. Or would I be better off to chew 1 piece after each meal, and a piece after any snack, so long as I get 6 pieces in a day? Any other suggestions? I’m so afraid I’m going to end up in dentures (like my dad- ugh!). I’ve already needed 2 teeth pulled an am hoping to save enough $ to get implants. But if my teeth are going to be a lost cause anyway, I don’t know if the implants are going to be like throwing good $ after bad. What do you think? Any hope for someone like me?
And should I continue w/the Chrlorhexadine mouthwash? How often? Instead of or in addition to the xylitol mouthwash? Or is that really overkill?

Yeah. Your’e on the right track. your research is doing you well.

Xylitol is a natural sugar, but it cannot be used by bacteria for fermentation (and the creation of acids - i’m sure you know how dental decay starts). Instead of being used by bacteria, it kills them (I think).

Tooth Mousse has a fancy chemical in it (casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate) that helps to remineralise the teeth, and it also prevents future decay.

Unfortunately, though, I would say that you have done most of the damage to your teeth already, and you cannot get decay in fillings.

So keep up with the xylitol gum, and the tooth mousse at night. Brush lots and floss between the teeth. Remember that chlorhexidine (if your’e still using it) interacts with some of the ingredients in regular toothpaste, so you should wait about half an hour between each. Other treatments you might like to try is fluoride treatments (though tooth mooth PLUS has some in it) This can be done in your trays, or in the form of high concentration mouthwashes (200-9000ppm)

God luck!

I have always been very prone to cavities despite brushing my teeth and flossing regularly. When I go to the dentist for cleanings, he barely has to do anything because I do such a good job keeping them clean. My gums are very healthy too. But I always have cavities anyway. My dentist says that some people just have weaker enamel and more tooth-destroying bacteria in their mouth than others. But other than giving me some Chlorhexadine (prescription) mouthwash, he basically said there’s nothing I could do.

So, I’ve been researching on my own. I recently ordered some GC Tooth Mouse Plus and have been using that every night. But now I’m reading about xylitol. I just ordered some xylitol gum. But it kinda sounds like a scam. Did I fall for a scam, or is xylitol the real thing? Can it really help prevent cavities? Has anyone used it? Does the xylitol gum taste decent, or does it have a nasty chemical aftertaste like some artificial sweetners (I know it’s natural, not an artificial sweethner, but still…)?

Suggestions?

It is most definitely NOT a scam!

Xylitol is the best non-fermentable sweetener. it is a 5 carbon sugar alcohol that looks, tastes like, has about the same relative sweeteness as sucrose but 40% fewer calories.

It accumulates intracellularly in Mutans streptococi (specific bacteria for development of cavities), and inhibits its growth. It appears to promote the conversion of mutans streptococci to less acidogenic strains. Selects strain are less adherent to teeth. Xylitol-sweetened gum, in addition to stimulate saliva flow, also exerts an antimicrobial effect in plaque (Edgar 1998)

Enhances remineralization (Winston & Bhaskar 1998)
With a high intake there are some gastrointestinal effects…osmotic diarrhea

Long-lasting effects have been demonstrated up to 5 years after 2 years of using xylitol chewing gum. Use of xylitol gum by mothers (2-3 times per day) starting 3 months after delivery and until the child was 2 years old, reduced the MS levels in children up to 6 years of age At 5 years of age, the xylitol group had 70% reduction in caries (cavities) as compared with the varnish and chlorhexidine groups.
Its available in many forms (eg, gums, mints, chewable tablets, lozenges, toothpastes, mouthwashes, cough mixtures).
Xylitol chewing gum has been shown to be effective as a preventive agent; Other xylitol products that have not been studied uncertain efficiency.

I’m aware of that NZ border and customs are pretty strictly and all food, wood, plant etc. are prohibited, but may I bring xylitol chewing gum and some throat candy with me? Do I have to declare those?

You won’t be allowed to bring in anything that contains honey so check if they contain it.
Most sweets are okay but you have to declare ALL food and they will allow it or confiscate it depending on it’s acceptability.
Biosecurity New Zealand lists the following food items as ‘risk goods’ for which restrictions apply:

• Meat and meat products

• Eggs and egg products

• Fresh produce

• Fresh fruit

• Dairy products

• Honey and bee products

• Seeds and plants or plant material

• Animal remedies

• Some Chinese medicines

Which ones would you recommend?

Trident !!!!!!!
my favorite since i was a kid

I’m after a gum that contains xylitol and don’t want to go hunting for a health food shop. Can I find one in the supermarket? Or maybe my local chemist?

It’s a sweetener but natural.
The site below has loads of xylitol gums for sale in Aus..

is it sold in shops like boots and superdrug? or any other shops?

A lot of gums have it I know Orbit with Xylitol has it and they sel lthat in newsagents, supermarkets, sweet shops, etc…

I found out he ate it this morning and he has been fine all day. Someone help me :’(

He will be just fine.

My 9 lb. Havanese x Toy Poodle ate a whole pack of extra gum w/ Xylitol. What should I do? He hasn’t been acting any different but I am worried. I don’t think the gum will digest and might cause issues. Please help me!

This just happened to me.. I called animal poison control - call your vet or an emergency vet immediately.. Don’t wait.. This can cause liver failure especially if your dog is small

Don’t let $ stop you from calling - you don’t want to lose your baby!!
Good Luck!

I was just outside and was chewing gum for a good 10 - 15 minutes, i coughed really bad, and my gum went flying out my mouth, and my dog ate it. Would it be okay?
I know the affects of dogs eating gum as it contains Xylitol which is poisoness to dogs, but seeing as i was chewing on it for 15 minutes would it affect him at all?

Small dog/ big dog, full stomach, empty stomach……. should be ok but keep a close eye on him as you are right about the xylitol. Did you ever think of why you are eating it when it kills animals though? Kind of scary stuff to be ingesting! You can get gum at the health food stores that are all natural and just as good!