Xylitol

In Victoria, even in Oak Bay, dentists are often faced with children who come to their office with many cavities. Part of this may be due to the fact that our water is not fluoridated. The other aspects combine genetics and diet. Most kids these days eat a lot of refined sugars, often through frequent consumption of candy.

In the last decade, dentists have begun to promote a natural replacement for sugar that is both found in nature and produced naturally in our bodies.

Xylitol, as this product is known, is not the same as aspartame or comparable products. As stated, it is a natural product. It can be used in the form of:

• chewing gum
• pacifiers (slow release)
• chewable tablets
• lozenges
• toothpastes
• mouthwashes
• gummy bears
• mints
• cough mixtures
• many others

In fact, it can also be used in a pure form to replace sugar for coffees, or even products such as barbecue sauce!!  In Dr. Pite’s clinic, there is a “candy jar” of xylitol-containing lollipops in flavours of strawberry, grape and sour apple.

Studies have demonstrated that use of xylitol can reduce the incidence of cavities in children 5yrs of age and under by 70%!

Required:  4-12 grams total/day, spread out over the day 3-5x

When? after and between meals for 5min

Xylitol products can be found at the following places in Victoria:

• Market on Millstream
• Fairway Market
• General Nutrition Care
• The Vitamin Store
• Lifestyle Market
• Pharmasave