1. The Health Benefits of Xylitol
By John Peldyak, D.M.D.

2. Introducing… A treasure over 100 years in the making!
Natural Sweetener
Sugar Replacement
A treasure over 100 years in the making!

3. What fewer than 1% know Xylitol sweetener is good for your health
Xylitol can stop tooth decay
Annoying and potentially serious health problems can be avoided
How to find the right products
How Xylitol can help control weight
You can prosper financially by recommending the products you enjoy

4. What Is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a naturally-occurring carbohydrate (polyol) that tastes like sugar (sucrose) but has remarkable dental and general health benefits.

5. Xylitol Features Sweet, cooling, no aftertaste
Naturally-occurring in human metabolism
Low calorie (40% less than sugar)
Low Glycemic (about 10 GI)
Low insulin usage to metabolize
Energy source (Used in IV Nutrition)
Prevents tooth decay
Prevents ear and upper respiratory infections
Slows stomach emptying – increases satiety (feelings of fullness)

6. Glycemic Index
Xylitol supplies a steady flow of energy

7. The Miracle of Xylitol A 5-Carbon Structure
Other common dietary carbohydrates are
based on a 6-carbon saccharide structure

8. Xylitol History Discovered in 1890’s
Sugar Shortages during WW II prompted search for New Sweeteners
Used as Preferred Sweetener in Diabetic Diet (Russia, Germany)
Approved by World Health Organization and F.D.A.
Remarkable Dental Benefits were Demonstrated in Finland in the early 1970’s

9. Turku Finland Studies Turku: Total Sugar Replacement
Professor Kauko Mäkinen
University of Turku, Finland
University of Michigan

10. Superiority of Xylitol
“These studies are remarkably consistent, in the terms of the magnitude of the effect observed as well as the consistent demonstration of the superiority of Xylitol… in decreasing the risk of dental caries.”
Hayes, Catherine D.M.D D.M.S c: The effect of Non-Cariogenic Sweeteners on the Prevention of Dental Caries: A review of the evidence Journal of Dental Education October 2001/Vol.65/No. 10pp

11. Decay Prevention with Xylitol
Numerous clinical trials have shown xylitol to be
effective in reducing dental caries (tooth decay)
DMFS Increment
-45%
-63%
-55%
-61%
> -100%
> -100%
FINLAND
TURKU
1973-4
WHO
HUNGARY
1981-4
MONTREAL
1985-6
YLIVIESKA
FINLAND
1982-4
BELIZE
ESTONIA
= Control = Xylitol
Values represented as % reduction
compared to control group.

12. Belize Study – Xylitol is Best...
For tooth decay prevention

13. Dental Studies – The Results
Xylitol decisively changes oral microflora and reduces risk of tooth decay
Protection above and beyond recognized “state of the art” prevention programs
Long-lasting protection
Teeth that erupt during Xylitol use are especially well-protected

14. How much? How often? Frequency more important than amount
4 to 12 grams (teaspoon is 4 grams)
3 to 5 pieces of gum/day
Active Strep Mutans infection require at least 6 grams (8 or more pieces of gum)
“Strive for five” uses each day
After each meal and snack

15. Dental Disease & Health
Studies show a correlation between poor dental health and cardiovascular disease
Many health problems averted with good dental health

16. Mouth & Nose Xylitol reduces bacterial adhesion in the mouth & nose
Where Health Begins
Xylitol reduces bacterial adhesion in the mouth & nose
Xylitol enhances natural defenses

17. Xylitol & Ear Infection
In studies Xylitol chewing gum reduced ear infections by 42%
May decrease need for antibiotics
Bacterial
Adhesion
Findings

18. This is your WAKE UP call!

19. Tooth Decay – medical model
Caries
Demineralization process
Low Salivary Flow
Low Salivary pH
Infection, Harmful Bacteria
Mutans Strep
Lactobacillus
Treatment:
Disinfection
Remineralization
Cavities
Physical destruction of Tooth Structure (Holes)
Treatment:
Amputation

20. Tooth Decay – Caries Process
Germs eat sugar
Sugar is digested (Fermented) for Energy
Waste product is Acid
Waste product is “sticky” polysaccharide
Acid breaks down enamel
Germs stick to teeth causing plaque & trapping acid

21. Risk Factors for Tooth Decay
Sweetened Medicines
Bottles and “Sippy Cups” with:
milk
sugary liquids (including fruit juice)
Braces and Dental Hardware
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
Exposed Root Surfaces
Frequent Snacks of Fermentable Carbohydrates (sugars/starch)

22. Stop the Germs!
Stop the Acid Attack!
Stop Tooth Decay!
WITH

23. Xylitol Changes Plaque
“Xylitol affects the ecology of dental plaque and thereby reduces the rate of dental caries.”
Bradshaw DJ, March PD: Effect of sugar alcohols on the composition and metabolism of a mixed culture of oral bacteria grown in a chemo stat Caries Research 28: 1994 pp

24. Using Xylitol, Plaque Becomes…
Less Acidic
Less Irritating to Soft Tissues
Less Inflammatory
Less Adhesive
Less Harmful

25. Xylitol Plaque Reduction
Instructed to chew 1 piece of Xylitol Gum, 3x daily
No additional changes in oral care
Result: substantial plaque reduction in 1 week
Before After 1 Week

26. Xylitol Reduces Bacterial Regrowth
After Oral Disinfection
Hildebrandt GH, Sparks BS. Maintaining mutans streptococci suppression with xylitol chewing gum. J Am Dent Assoc. 2000;131:

27. Mother/Child Studies
Mothers Use Xylitol & Children Benefit
“Parents who use Xylitol are less likely to transmit the Strep Mutans infection to their children.”
Peldyak, John DMD; Makinen, Kauko K. PhD: Xylitol for Caries Prevention. Journal of Dental Hygiene Volume 67 Number IV Fall 2002, pp

28. Mother & Child 1 2 3 4 5 6 Age (Years) DMFS Score Chlorhexidine1 2 3 4 5 6
Age (Years)
DMFS Score
Xylitol
Fluoride
Chlorhexidine

29. Use Xylitol When?
“The eruption of teeth are considered a risk period for infection with S. Mutans.
This is a very important time to have a Xylitol program in effect not only for immediate protection but also for the long term residual effects of Xylitol”
Larry W. Bybee DDS; L. R. Misner, Jr. DDS.

30. The One – Two Punch
Mother and child both use Xylitol-rich products to enhance dental benefits.
Cleansing
Tooth Gel
Xylitol Gum, Mints
Toothpaste, etc.

31. Problem: Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
Cause:
Age
Prescription drugs
Medical treatments
Very uncomfortable
Lack of saliva leads to caries & root caries

32. Dry Mouth Solutions Xylitol is excellent saliva stimulant
Stimulated saliva is less acidic
Use Xylitol products such as:
Lemon Mints with Calcium
Cleansing Gel
Spray
Mouthwash
Toothpaste

33. Conclusion
“…since the evidence suggests a strong caries protective effect, it would be unethical to deprive subjects of its potential benefits. Given that several of the criteria for causality are met, it is concluded that Xylitol can significantly decrease the incidence of dental caries.”
Hayes, Catherine D.M.D., D.M.Sc: The Effect of Non-Cariogenic Sweeteners on the Prevention of Dental Caries: A review of the evidence Journal of Dental Education October 2001/Vol.65/No. 10pp