What do you really know about xylitol? As a naturally occurring sugar, typically processed from birch trees and corn cobs, xylitol has gained popularity as a sugar substitute and potential dental hygiene game changer. If you’re grasping to understand how anything sweet can improve your oral health and shocked that your dentist is talking about it, you’re not alone. We’re here to give you the facts and answer the question: Does xylitol prevent cavities?
How does xylitol prevent cavities?
Most people don’t realize that dental caries (or cavities) are the result of an infectious and transmittable disease caused by one of the many oral bacteria living in your mouth called Streptococcus mutans. When this particular bacteria feeds on the sugar you eat, it produces acid that contributes to tooth enamel erosion, plaque production, gum disease, cavities, and eventual tooth loss. How does xylitol prevent cavities?
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