Is The Sweetener Xylitol Safe for My child?

You may have seen the ingredient Xylitol in sugarless gum, candy, or other foods your child likes to eat. It is even an ingredient in some toothpastes and mouthwashes. How much do you know about it?  Are artificial sweeteners safe for my child? 

Xylitol is a polyalcohol (or sugar alcohol), which adds sweetness to many foods.  It is often recommended by Pediatric Dentists for those patients who experience a high rate of dental decay.  There are a number of studies which show it to be safe when used in moderation.

Some Xylitol facts:

• Xylitol is a ‘sugar alcohol’ which has the same sweetness as Sucrose with 1/3 less calories.
• It is naturally found in the fiber of many fruits and vegetables
• Most of the commercially used Xylitol is extracted from corn cobs
• It has a low glycemic index, making it desirable for those who are avoiding sugar, such as Diabetics.
• Xylitol is non-fermentable, which means that the bacteria that causes cavities actually starves when exposed to it.
• It is antimicrobial – and inhibits plaque formation
• It inhibits enamel demineralization
• Chewing xylitol gum has actually been shown to reduce the incidence of infections of the Eustachian tube of the ear.
• Streptococcus Mutans (the bacteria that causes cavities) is reduced immediately by the use of Xylitol chewing gum.
• Studies show that a parent chewing gum with Xylitol may significantly reduce the transmission of Streptococcus Mutans to a child (for more information on this bacteria, see https://www.caringtreechildrensdentistry.com/spit-out-that-pacifier/) Further, the effects may be lasting; a mother chewing Xylitol gum for two years may reduce the bacteria for up to 5 years.
• Because Xylitol needs to stay in contact with the teeth to be effective, the best choices are gum and candies.

Where can you find Xylitol?

Xylitol is found in gum, candy, toothpaste, and can also be purchased in bulk as a sweetener.  Most grocery stores stock some items containing Xylitol.  Health food stores can have a more varied selection, as well as stocking it in bulk. If you can’t find what you are looking for at those locations, there are many options online.  Some well-known brand names are Dr. John’s Candies, Nature’s Hollow (many products including muffin mixes, sugar-free honey and syrup) Spry gum, and Orbit sugar-free gum are just a few. If you purchase Xylitol in bulk and plan to use it in baking, be sure you consult a recipe specifically designed for its use.  It tends to absorb more moisture than sugar, which could leave your cakes and cookies as dry as sawdust.  Yeast cannot metabolize Xylitol, so it will not work in yeast breads.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry weighs in:

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes the benefit of supervised, moderate use of Xylitol in children who are at high risk of developing cavities. They are recommending labeling requirements that clearly show the Xylitol content so Pediatric Dentists can ensure both safe and therapeutic levels for their patients.  They further hope to develop protocols regarding the use of Xylitol to determine optimal dosages and help improve the oral health of children.

For an in-depth look at the AAPD policy on Xylitol, read here: http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/P_Xylitol.pdf

A few cautions:

• Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs.  If you have pets in the house, make sure any products containing Xylitol are kept away from them.  Caution children not to share any sweets containing Xylitol with pets.
• In large quantities, Xylitol has caused gastric upset, including stomachache, gas and diarrhea.  Children should be monitored to ensure they don’t overdo this sweetener.

If you have questions regarding the use of Xylitol for your child, please ask your child’s Pediatric Dentist.  She will help you make the most appropriate decisions for your child’s specific oral health needs.