How to select xylitol rinses and mouthwashes.

Using xylitol rinse or mouthwash in the fight against cavities.

Rinsing can be a good way to create an effective oral exposure of xylitol. Lif Holgerson (2006) found that mouth rinse use can raise xylitol levels in saliva and dental plaque on the same order as chewing gum and candy products.

What products are available?

In similar fashion as with other forms of xylitol products we review on this site, we performed a web search so to identify some of the various brands of oral rinses that are available. Then, when evaluating the information regarding any one product, we were interested in learning its percent concentration of xylitol and seeing its list of ingredients.

Our web search fared quite poorly. While we did find a number of products, we could only find one rinse whose manufacturer readily documented its xylitol concentration. This product was Epic Xylitol Mouthwash. The concentration of this product is 25%. We commend Epic on making this information available. It reflects positively on them as a manufacturer. After all, how can a consumer gauge their daily xylitol exposure unless they know how much is in the products that they consume?

How much rinse to you need to use?

In the case of Epic's mouthwash, let's examine how much you would need to use in order to create a one-gram exposure of xylitol. It's simple enough to calculate that you would need to use four grams of the rinse to create a one-gram dosing. But how much liquid is four grams? Well, assuming Epic's rinse has a density similar to water, then a person would need to use on the order of one teaspoonful to create a one-gram oral exposure. That's a very small amount.

Choosing a xylitol mouthwash by way of reading its ingredient list.

Take a look at the ingredient list below. Notice that water is the main ingredient of this rinse (that's why we assumed above that Epic brand rinse has a density somewhat similar to water). Of course water needs to be the primary ingredient, xylitol is a solid at room temperature and therefore needs to be disolved into some liquid to make a rinse.

The best mouthwashes and rinses (highest in xylitol concentration) will be those where only water is listed before xylitol in the ingredient list. Look for the presence of sorbitol when checking a product out. If a product contains this second sweetener, it suggests that the manufacturer has chosen to skimp on the xylitol content, most likely because sorbitol is cheaper.

Why not make your own xylitol rinse?

Of course, the obvious question that comes to mind is why not make your own xylitol rinse? You certainly could. One tablespoon of granulated xylitol will weigh about four grams. This means you could take a smallish quantity of water, however much you wanted to rinse with. Mix in maybe 1/4 to 1/2 tablespoon of granulated xylitol. And then swish with your homemade concoction.

Commercial xylitol mouthwashes often have some ingredients in them that serve additional purposes. As we mention elsewhere on our site, the use of both fluoride and xylitol as preventive measures to prevent tooth decay are complimentary. A person should take advantage of both. To assist with this, some commercial mouthwashes are formulated with both.

Additionally, some xylitol mouthwashes will contain moisturizers and this can aid people who have a chronically dry mouth. So if this applies in your situation, then buying a commercial rinse might be a better choice than making your own.

<< Home: Xylitol products review.

---

---

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