In nature we find Xylitol in a large number of fruits, berries and vegetables. Xylitol may also be produced from tree bark & coconut shells. The Xylitol is refined into crystals, looks like sugar, and has identical sweetening strength to sugar.

When Xylitol is dissolved in the mouth a cooling - refreshing - effect is experienced.

Besides Xylitol being a sugar replacement, thus lowering the instances of tooth decay, it has further unique effects.

1. Xylitol stints the growth of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth and
   
   
2. Xylitol inhibits the development of plaque. The pH value in the mouth is much higher when using Xylitol gum than when using a non-Xylitol gum. This is in addition to the passive prevention of decay caused by saliva production when chewing gum.

Many clinical and field trials have been carried out on Xylitol over the last twenty-five years. The General Medical Council published a summary of these trials. It confirms that Xylitol dramatically decreases the instances of tooth decay. An extensive survey, carried out in 1995, found that children using Xylitol gum had only a quarter of new instances of tooth decay as compared with those not using the Xylitol gum.

Xylitol has already been authorized by the Food and Drug Administrations in the United States of America, Canada, and Australia, throughout the European Union, Switzerland and various other countries.

The British Dental Health Foundation and also the Dental organizations of Canada and Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Belgium have all recommended the use of chewing gum with Xylitol.

A recent study of three hundred and six children shows that sugarless gums containing Xylitol may be effective in preventing ear infections. The study was published in Pediatrics, a publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and in the British Medical Journal.

 

"They saw anywhere from a twenty-percent to a forty-percent decrease in the incidence of ear infections." says Dr. James Fortman.

"GUM THAT STOPS CAVITIES! Secret Ingredient: Xylitol, a sweetener that bacteria hate." Prevention Magazine, December 2000

"I recommend chewing xylitol gum or sucking on xylitol mints after meals and sweet snacks. Xylitol really works to prevent tooth decay..." Dr. Julian Whitaker, MD

"Daily usage of xylitol will greatly reduce a child's chances of developing acute ear infections... In a study, children given xylitol products had 40% less ear infections and required fewer antibiotic prescriptions than other children." American Academy of Pediatrics, September 2000

"Clinical studies have shown xylitol to reduce dental cavities by up to 82%" Functional Foods Magazine, December 1999