Do you chew gum or suck on mints or candies that contain xylitol?
Yes — Low to moderate risk No — Moderate risk Xylitol is a natural sweetener. It is found in fruit such as strawberries, plums and pears. Because Xylitol looks and tastes like sugar, some food and candy manufacturers use it as a sweetener. Xylitol is a tooth-friendly sweetener for two reasons. First, the decay-causing bacteria in your mouth are not able to feed on xylitol like they feed on simple sugars. This means the bacteria can’t use xylitol to produce acids that can cause tooth decay. Second, research has shown that using products that contain xylitol, such as sugarless gum or candy, can help to protect teeth against decay. Xylitol has been found to hinder the growth of the bacteria that lead to tooth decay. Xylitol also makes it difficult for these bacteria to stick to the surfaces of the teeth, where they begin the decay process. Chewing gum or sucking mints or candies that contain xylitol also promotes the production of saliva. This acts as a natural rinse for your teeth and ne
