How much preventive effect can xylitol provide?

The reduction in tooth decay that xylitol can provide is substatial.

The degree of anti-cavity protection created by the consumption of xylitol can be astounding. As evidence of this, take a look at the table below. The information it contains comes from the paper "The Rocky Road of Xylitol to its Clinical Application" [Makinen (2000)].

Study	Xylitol Dosing (grams per day)	Reduction in tooth decay.
Isokangas (1988)	7 to 10	59 to 84%
Scheinin (1975)	6.7	>82%
Makinen (1996)	up to 8.5	80%
Galiullin (1981)	30	73%
Makinen (1995)	up to 10.7	up to 73%
Makinen (1996)	up to 10.7	up to 65%
Kandelman (1988)	up to 20	58 to 62%
Alanen (2000)	5	50 to 60
Isokangas (1988)	7 to 10	30 to 57%
Kandelman (1990)	1 to 3.9	52%
Scheinin (1985)	14 to 20	37 to 45%

In all of these studies the simple act of consuming xylitol products resulted in a reduction in tooth decay rates of at least forty-five percent. And in the vast majority of studies significantly more, even in excess of 80%. This means, therefore, that in terms of public health benefits the importance of xylitol use can be placed on par with that of fluoride. (Neither of these methods is exclusive but instead can be used in combination with each other.)

It takes time to reach an optimal level of protection.

One might assume that the prevention figures in the table above indicate the type of decay rate reduction that they might expect during that time frame when they actively consume xylitol (in an appropriate amount using an appropriate dosing regimen) and this is true, with one caveat. The primary way in which xylitol creates it effect is by way of the effect it has on the bacteria that cause tooth decay, and this takes time to develop. In order to reach an optimal level of cavity protection, one must continue with their daily regimen for at least six months or so. On our pages we refer to this process as the "long-term habitual consumption of xylitol."

Additional benefits created by the long-term habitual consumption of xylitol.

Amazingly, there are other decay prevention effects associated with long-term, habitual xylitol consumption. One involves providing anti-cavity protection during a time frame you might find surprising. The other is the creation of protection for an unexpected but related group of people. Here's a brief outline of these additional benefits. The links provided will take you to pages that discuss each of these effects in greater detail.

The long-term residual effect of having used xylitol.

Studies have shown that if a person terminates the consumption of xylitol, the cavity prevention benefits that it has created can linger, for some months or even years.

Reduced tooth decay rates can be passed on to the children of mothers who consume xylitol.

If mothers use xylitol during the proper time frame, the children of these mothers can share in the preventive effect that her consumption has created.

---

---

Copyright © 2008 - 2010 DMHI, Inc. All rights reserved.
Usage of this website is subject to its Disclaimer and Terms and Conditions of Use.