Xylitol

Xylitol for children
Studies have shown that xylitol consumption is especially important for emerging teeth. Xylitol consumption is particularly necessary if early signs of caries can be seen or the child shows early colonisation of caries bacteria. Xylitol products can be given to children from two years upwards. Small products have been designed for small children, while school children may use products designed for adults. A gradual introduction to xylitol until the effective dose is reached is recommended, since xylitol has a mild laxative effect.

Xylitol for adults and senior citizens
Xylitol makes plaque less cariogenic and easier to brush off, that is why adults also benefit from xylitol. Senior citizens, mentally retarded patients, patients with dry mouth or orthodontic braces may have problems with plaque control. In such cases, xylitol is of benefit. The suppression of mutans streptocooci obtained by chlorhexidine rinses is maintained if xylitol is consumed after the use of chlorhexidine. Mothers and caretakers of infants form a special target group of xylitol. Caries is an infectious disease. Small daily saliva contacts may lead to an early colonisation of the child’s teeth with mutans streptococci, increasing the child’s risk for caries. If the mother regularly consumes xylitol when the child’s teeth are emerging the risk of early mutans colonisation decreases 5-fold, which leads to significantly lower caries occurrences .

Xylitol prevents middle ear infections
Xylitol inhibits pathogens associated with acute otitis media, a middle ear infection .
Daily doses of 8.4-10 g per day significantly reduced the occurrence of middle ear infections.
This effect was not obtained if xylitol was only consumed during a respiratory infection.

Xylitol is also produced by the human body, from 5 to 15 grams per day, as an intermediate in the normal metabolism of glucose.
Xylitol exhibits dental health benefits which are superior to other polyols, in all areas where polyols have been shown to have an effect so far. Furthermore, it´s specific effects on oral flora and on mutans streptococci add to its caries-preventive profile and gives xylitol an important role in preventive dental care. In addition, it has also been found through research that regular consumption of xylitol-containing products by children can reduce the occurence of Acute Otitis Media (middle ear infection). As a result of the benefits related to the usage of Xylitol, it has been granted Functional Food Status in Finland.

The safety of xylitol has been proven in long-term clinical studies and has been confirmed by all the major regulatory bodies worldwide. Xylitol is approved for use in food and especially in oral hygiene products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Currently xylitol is approved in more than 60 countries. Xylitol is metabolized independently of insulin and is slowly absorbed. Therefore it is suitable for diabetic patients as well. Xylitol is considered a low glycaemic ingredient, having a glycaemic index of approximately 8.5. Just like any polyol sweetener such as sorbitol, xylitol may induce laxative effects. However, the amounts required for sufficient
every day dental care (5-10 grams) do not cause such effects. Xylitol has been evaluated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/ World Health Organization (WHO), Joint Expert Committee of Food Additives (JEFCA) and the EU Scientific Committee for Food (SCF). JEFCA allocated an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for xylitol of “Not Specified”, which represents the safest category into which JEFCA can allocate a food additive.
Xylitol has been approved for food within the European Union (EU) since 1994. The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has approved xylitol for use in “foods for Special dietary purposes”. The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has approved the use of xylitol for food application since 1997.