Do you choose the Hubba Bubba or do you prefer the dental care chewing gum of which you received a bag from your dentist? Sensible people choose the latter. It is not as cloyingly sweet, and therefore less tasty in the opinion of some, but it is better for your teeth, and you will have to use it for the rest of your life! This is due to xylitol: the most commonly used sweetener in sugar-free chewing gum.
Xylitol in chewing gum
- Xylitol: commonly used sweetener
- Xylitol is better for your teeth
- Xylitol in diabetes
- Be careful with dogs!
- CB12 Boost: chewing gum from the toothpaste compartment
Xylitol: commonly used sweetener
Xylitol is a sweetener used in various products to replace sugar. This sweetener comes from the fibers of various fruits and vegetables. It tastes sweet and has nothing to do with the fruit or vegetable from which it comes. Surprisingly, it mainly comes from cauliflower, plums, raspberries and strawberries. The sweetness of xylitol is more or less the same as sugar, but fortunately for dieters, it contains almost half as many calories. But it also has another advantage: the xylitol in chewing gum is not converted into an acid during chewing. For this reason, it is much better for your teeth to take chewing gum that contains xylitol than, for example, sorbitol or regular sugar.
Xylitol was first made in the 19th century in Finland. Then it was extracted from the bark of the birch tree. The product was a godsend for diabetics who could therefore eat tasty sweet things without having to fear for their blood sugar levels. Only at the end of the 20th century did it also gain fame and popularity as a sweetener that is better for the teeth. Nowadays, almost all chewing gum contains xylitol. Most of it is made in China, and there is great demand from the European and American markets.
Xylitol is better for your teeth
Xylitol is widely purchased by consumers in chewing gum because of its fresh taste. The cause of this lies in the endothermic process during production. But increasingly, the effect on the teeth is becoming the most important reason for people to purchase this product.
The figures don’t lie. Turku University in Finland conducted extensive research into it in the 1970s. The conclusion of this study was that people who eat chewing gum with regular sugar had about 85% more cavities than people who only consumed chewing gum with xylitol. It was not true that all sugar had to be excluded from chewing gum, just a partial replacement with xylitol was enough. Scientifically speaking, it is the bacterium Streptococcus mutans that is destroyed by the substance xylitol, the very bacterium that causes caries. Xylitol also comes to the rescue when plaque threatens to form and threatens the enamel, because it also attacks it and thus partially renders it harmless. A third advantage is that xylitol stimulates the production of saliva, which is anti-bacterial and can promote the remineralization of molars and teeth.
Of course, this effect cannot be achieved by eating chewing gum containing xylitol once a week. You should think more of 5 to 10 grams of xylitol per day. This can therefore be found in chewing gum, but a number of manufacturers known for toothpaste have also developed lozenges and acids with the same active substance in recent years. This can serve as a refresher after a bite to eat, but is also good for your teeth. Don’t give children a false start by giving them bright blue or bright green gumballs. These are often sources of a lot of sugar that they sometimes have in their mouths for hours.
Xylitol in diabetes
The absorption of xylitol by the body is a lot slower than with sugar. This will prevent an increase in blood sugar levels and this in turn contributes to the prevention of hyperglycemia as a result of an insufficient insulin response. Useful to know for people with diabetes.
Be careful with dogs!
Xylitol is in no way harmful to humans, but this does not apply to dogs, for these animals ingestion can be fatal. It can cause hypoglycemia. If you suspect that your dog has ingested xylitol, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately. It is therefore also important to keep chewing gum out of the reach of dogs and when feeding biscuits, be careful that they do not contain xylitol.
CB12 Boost: chewing gum from the toothpaste compartment
CB12 Boost is a chewing gum that can be purchased at the drugstore in the toothpaste section and is therefore unique in its kind. This chewing gum contains zinc, sodium fluoride and xylitol and has a number of special properties. For example, it ensures that you get more saliva in your mouth, it neutralizes sulfur gases, reduces plaque formation and prevents cavities. It also guarantees fresh breath for at least 12 hours after use.