Xylitol cavity prevention: The long-term residual effect.

The long-term cavity prevention effect of having used xylitol.

Some of the preventive effects associated with the use of xylitol seem to be outright magical. As an example, studies have demonstrated that the act of having habitually consumed xylitol products over the long-term imparts a continued cavity prevention effect for the user, even for some months and years after they have completely stopped consuming it. As evidence of this, consider the findings of Hujoel (1999).

This study selected a study population of 288 six-year old children which were divided up into different groups, one of which consumed xylitol chewing gum on a daily basis over a two year time period. At the end of this two-year period the children's exposure to xylitol was terminated.

During the course of the next five years (a five-year period that began at that point in time when the habitual use of xylitol gum had been ceased) the children were evaluated by dentists for the presence of tooth decay. Their findings were that the children who had had the xylitol exposure experience a 59% reduction in their tooth decay rate, as compared to the group of children who received no exposure.

Just so we make this point clear, the children who received this anti-cavity effect had chewed xylitol gum regularly for a two-year period and then stopped this activity. Then over the course of the next five years, a time frame when these children received no exposure to xylitol at all, there was a residual effect from having had the xylitol exposure that provided a 59% reduction in cavities. Pretty astounding wouldn't you say?

Different teeth will experience different degrees of protection.

When these researchers evaluated their data more closely they noticed that the long-term residual cavity-prevention effect that the xylitol exposure (chewing gum) had provided varied for different teeth. And, in regards to this fact, it was the timing of the xylitol use that turned out to be critical factor in determining the level of protection that was afforded. Their study's findings revealed the following.

Residual long-term cavity protection effect provided for teeth that had already erupted prior to the use of xylitol: None.
Residual long-term cavity protection effect provided for teeth that didn't erupt until one full year of habitual xylitol consumption had been completed: A 93% reduction in cavities.
Residual long-term cavity protection effect provided for teeth that erupted after two years of habitual xylitol exposure: An 88% reduction in tooth decay.

These facts bear repeating. Amazingly, the simple act of habitually chewing xylitol-sweetened gum is capable of providing anti-cavity protection for children's teeth, even for several years after they have quit using it. Mysteriously, this effect is only bestowed upon certain teeth, specifically those teeth that don't erupt until at least one year after xylitol usage has been begun (including those teeth that erupt long after the use of xylitol has been ceased). And, curiously, this same xylitol exposure does not provide this long-term tooth decay prevention for teeth that erupt before the first year of xylitol usage has been completed. Seems confusing doesn't it?

The long-term residual effect of xylitol usage explained.

These mystical anti-cavity effects are easily explained in light of the following theory.

Research studies have determined that the initial bacterial colonization of a tooth's surface takes place at that time when it first erupts (comes through the gums and is exposed to the oral environment). Once this initial colonization has taken place, these bacteria become the dominant inhabitants of the tooth's surface (such as in a groove or pit) for the remainder of the person's life.

This means that the type of bacteria associated with this initial infection of a tooth's surface plays an important role in determining the life-long risk for the tooth in regards to experiencing tooth decay. Fissures initially colonized by non-cariogenic bacteria (bacteria that can't cause cavities) typically will not be replaced by cariogenic bacteria later on.

Since the long-term habitual use of xylitol produces an effect on the population of cariogenic bacterial living in a person's mouth (either by way of reducing their numbers or helping to select for less virulent strains of them) its use helps to insure that the bacteria that initially colonize a tooth's surface will be benign types.

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The long-term residual effect created by previous xylitol consumption.

The long-term cavity prevention effect of having used xylitol.

Different teeth will experience different degrees of protection.

The long-term residual effect of xylitol usage explained.