What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is an amazing alternative sweetener that is rapidly growing in popularity in the past few years. Extracted from plant and tree material, it is transformed from sugar to a primary alcohol form that yields astonishing health benefits. It is a safe alternative for Diabetics and people with Hyperglycemia because of its minimal effect on blood sugar levels, not to mention the oral health benefits of Xylitol.
Xylitol really rises above the rest when it comes to oral hygiene.
How Xylitol Benefits Oral Health
The oral health benefits of Xylitol fall into two main categories, prevention and repair.
Xylitol prevents tooth decay when you are replacing the sugars you would normally consume with this alcohol based alternative sweetener. When you consume sugar you are activating the bacteria in your mouth, prompting the bacteria to produce the acidic compound that eats away at our teeth causing cavities and decay. Xylitol does not prompt this response, it actually balances the acidity in your mouth which sets off a chain reaction of positive oral benefits.
The repair portion of Xylitols oral health benefits is due to its ability to balance oral PH levels. When these levels are healthy you will allow your mouth to protect itself quite effectively. Through saliva your body begins to remineralize tooth enamel which hardens teeth, preventing and repairing cavities or decay.
To achieve positive results regarding your oral health and Xylitol it is important to understand that it is only beneficial if you are replacing your sugar intake almost entirely, limiting sugar intake to once or twice per day. When our mouth is exposed to sugars on a frequent basis it does not allow for the balance of our saliva’s acidity, neutralizing its beneficial functions and leaving our teeth vulnerable.
Use Xylitol Instead of Sugar In Your Recipes
With Xylitol it is really a 1:1 ratio when replacing sugar. Use it in your favorite recipes and anywhere you would normally use sugar.
A great way to incorporate Xylitol into your daily routine is to use it in your morning coffee, on top of fresh fruit or in your child’s cereal. By replacing sugar you are improving oral health, normalizing blood glucose levels to treat and prevent diabetes, preventing unwanted sugar highs and lows while getting all the great taste of sugar.
Try this Xylitol Toothpaste Recipe
Homemade Natural Xylitol Toothpaste
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2 Tbsp. Xylitol
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2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
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2 Tbsp. Baking Soda
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1 Tbsp. Iodized Sea Salt (fine grain)
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2-3 Drops Essential Oil Of Your Choice (Peppermint is a classic favorite)
Simply mix the dry ingredients in a small dish
Add the coconut oil and essential oil drops
Mix well and enjoy[/box]
Oral Health Benefits of Xylitol in Conclusion
You can attain the oral benefits of Xylitol by replacing your daily sugar intake with Xylitol alternatives such as chewing gum, mints, candies and in your baking or cooking. Try the above mentioned natural Xylitol Toothpaste to achieve fantastic oral benefits without the harmful addition of fluoride or Saccharin.
If you have a favorite use for Xylitol we would love to hear it! Let other readers know how they can benefit from Xylitols many health benefits without sacrificing taste or unpleasant aftertastes.
