Gummy bears against tooth decay
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in small amounts in many fruits and vegetables and is also produced industrially for use as a sweetener. It has been suggested that xylitol may have dental health benefits and help prevent tooth decay. Some studies in the United States have shown that xylitol may have properties that help prevent the formation of tooth decay.
These possible benefits include:
Inhibition of bacterial growth: xylitol may interfere with the ability of bacteria in the mouth to metabolise sugars, which reduces the production of acids that cause tooth decay.
Stimulation of saliva production: Xylitol may stimulate saliva production, which helps to neutralise acids in the mouth and maintain a healthier oral environment.
Reducing bacterial adhesion: Xylitol may interfere with the ability of bacteria in the mouth to adhere to the surface of teeth, reducing their ability to form dental plaque.
The study found that giving children four of these bears three times a day during school hours is effective after six weeks.
Among these studies was an experiment, where young children aged between 8 and 4 years were divided into three groups and given gummy bears (manufactured specifically for the research and not commercially available) containing Xylitol. One of the groups took 15.6g of Xylitol per day in the form of gummy bears,
Results with xylitol
At six weeks, all the children had reduced levels of the bacteria ‘Streptococcus mutans’, one of the causes of tooth decay, and also ‘Lactobacillus’, another culprit in dental damage. The efficacy was similar in all groups. The group taking xylitol showed the expected efficacy and surprisingly, the group taking maltilol showed an unexpected efficacy.
Regardless of these studies, chewing gum containing xylitol has become a fashionable consumer product in recent years and is distributed in Europe, Japan, Thailand, China and Japan.
Furthermore
We must not forget that it is crucial to use xylitol as part of a balanced diet and not to exceed the recommended amounts, as consuming large amounts of xylitol can cause gastrointestinal side effects in some people
