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unknown in the USA and Australia, primarily because cheap Bacteria help to create plaque and they also thrive within it. supplies of cane sugar made the more expensive xylitol less Unless removed, plaque formed along the gum line can lead to economically viable. gum disease. When left untreated, plaque at or below the gum Xylitol is a natural substance found in fibrous vegetables and line hardens into tartar. fruit, as well as in corn cobs and various hardwood trees like Periodontal disease takes two forms: simple gum inflamma- birch. It is a natural, intermediate product which regularly occurs tion, called gingivitis; and a more severe gum infection, called in the glucose metabolism of man and other animals as well as in _ periodontitis, which may lead to tooth loss and receding gums. the metabolism of several plants and micro-organisms. Xylitol is Gingivitis results from the build-up of plaque and tartar which produced naturally in our bodies; in fact, we make up to 15 grams irritate the gum or periodontal tissue. The more advanced state of daily during normal metabolism. gum disease, periodontitis, occurs when inflammation of the gums Although xylitol tastes and looks exactly like sugar, that is is accompanied by bone and ligament destruction. Bleeding gums where the similarities end. Xylitol is really sugar's mirror image. are usually the first indication that gum disease is developing, but While sugar wreaks havoc on the body, xylitol heals and repairs. obvious symptoms may not always be present. It also builds immunity, protects against chronic degenerative dis- Gum infection can also lead to other serious health problems. It ease and has anti-ageing benefits. Xylitol is considered a five- doubles the risk of stroke, triples the risk of heart attack, increases carbon sugar, which means it is an antimicrobial, preventing the the incidence of premature, low-weight babies and also con- growth of bacteria. While sugar is acid forming, xylitol is alka- tributes to bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema. In fact, the line enhancing. All other forms of sugar, including sorbitol, same bacteria that cause gum disease end up either directly or another popular alternative sweetener, are six-carbon sugars indirectly infecting your heart and arteries. A study conducted at which feed dangerous bacteria and fungi. the University of Minnesota in 1998 found that rabbits injected Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in —_ with tooth plaque developed blood clots which led to heart dis- 1963, xylitol has no known toxic lev- ease.” It seems that the bacteria first els. The only discomfort that some attack the bones and gums in the mouth sensitive people may notice initially and then enter the bloodstream through when taking large amounts is mild diar- . . small cracks in the gums. thoea or slight cramping. Xylitol Isa natural substance Eating sugar causes tooth decay by Since the body makes xylitol daily, found in fibrous vegetables creating a highly acidic condition in as well as the enzymes to break it . . the mouth. Acidity strips tooth enamel down, any discomfort usually disap- and fruit, as well as In of minerals, causing it to weaken and pears within a few days as the body's corn cobs and various making it more vulnerable to attack by enzymatic activity adjusts to a higher A 0 bacteria, leading to tooth decay or intake. _ . hardwood trees like birch. demineralisation, Ordinarily, saliva Xylitol has 40 per cent fewer calories bathes the mouth with an alkaline solu- and 75 per cent fewer carbohydrates tion that neutralises all acidity and than sugar and is slowly absorbed and actually remineralises the teeth. Saliva metabolised, resulting in very negligible also washes away leftover bits of food changes in insulin. About one-third of the xylitol that is con- and helps the digestion process. But when saliva turns acidic sumed is absorbed in the liver. The other two-thirds travels to the cause of too many sweets, bacteria in the mouth have a feeding intestinal tract where it is broken down by gut bacteria into short- frenzy. These nasty bacteria, along with carbohydrate waste, stick chain fatty acids. to the teeth and tongue and hold the acid close to the teeth where Xylitol looks, feels and tastes exactly like sugar and leaves no it eats away enamel. Virtually whatever food you ingest, the unpleasant aftertaste. It is available in many forms. In its crys- remaining particles become food for plaque-producing bacteria. talline form, it can replace sugar in cooking, baking or as a sweet- Using xylitol helps to raise plaque pH, thereby reducing the time ener for beverages. It is also included as an ingredient in chewing that teeth are exposed to damaging acids as well as starving harm- gum, mints and nasal spray. ful bacteria of their food source. Xylitol is a dentist's dream. It reverses all these destructive Xylitol and Oral Health effects of sugar on oral health. Xylitol is non-fermentable and Tooth decay and gum disease are serious problems. According therefore cannot be converted to acids by oral bacteria, thus it to the American Dental Association, 75 per cent of American elps to restore a proper alkaline/acid balance in the mouth. This adults over the age of 35 suffer from some form of periodontal alkaline environment is inhospitable to all the destructive bacteria, disease.' Needless to say, diet plays a major role in dental heath. especially the worst variety, Streptococcus mutans. It also When there is an excess of sugar in the diet, this weakens the inhibits plaque formation. immune system and creates an acidic environment; thus oral Using xylitol right before bedtime, after brushing and flossing, health suffers. The mouth is home to over 400 strains of bacteria. rotects and heals the teeth and gums. Unlike sugar, it can even Most of these are benign, but when sugar enters the scene it feeds be left on the teeth overnight. With proper use, xylitol actually the destructive strains, allowing them to proliferate. stops the fermentation process leading to tooth decay. Long-term Periodontal disease is basically caused by bacteria. These use suppresses the most harmful strains of oral bacteria, making a deposits permit the growth of bacteria that cause inflammation of _ long-lasting change in those bacterial communities. Xylitol even the gums. The bacteria also release minute amounts of toxins that has the ability to enhance the mineralisation of the enamel. It is break down gum tissue, thereby helping the infection to progress. most effective in treating small decay spots. Although larger cav- Plaque is an invisible, sticky film of saliva and food residue that ities won't go away, they can harden and become less sensitive. constantly forms on the teeth. Ongoing low-grade bacterial infec- Consistently using small amounts of xylitol tends to increase tion also burdens the immune system. protective factors in saliva. Xylitol stimulates saliva flow and Xylitol is a natural substance found in fibrous vegetables and fruit, as well as in corn cobs and various Xylitol and Oral Health Tooth decay and gum disease are serious problems. According to the American Dental Association, 75 per cent of American adults over the age of 35 suffer from some form of periodontal disease.' Needless to say, diet plays a major role in dental heath. When there is an excess of sugar in the diet, this weakens the immune system and creates an acidic environment; thus oral health suffers. The mouth is home to over 400 strains of bacteria. Most of these are benign, but when sugar enters the scene it feeds the destructive strains, allowing them to proliferate. Periodontal disease is basically caused by bacteria. These deposits permit the growth of bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums. The bacteria also release minute amounts of toxins that break down gum tissue, thereby helping the infection to progress. Plaque is an invisible, sticky film of saliva and food residue that constantly forms on the teeth. Ongoing low-grade bacterial infec- tion also burdens the immune system. 28 = NEXUS hardwood trees like birch. www.nexusmagazi ne.com DECEMBER 2002 — JANUARY 2003