Skin & Hair Glossary of ingredients & terms. Defining what skin & hair ingredients are and how to best use them. Updated regularly.
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X
- Xylitol
- Xylitol is an ingredient included in some dental chewing gums to block bacteria’s ability to stick to teeth, stopping the cavity-causing process. Xylitol reduces decay-causing bacteria and bad breath for a healthy smile. Regularly chewing gum with Xylitol after a meal reduces the overall levels of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth. (1) The American Dental Association states that chewing sugar-free gum after meals and snacks rinse off and neutralize the enamel-harming acids released by bacteria. According to the ADA, “both the act of chewing and the flavor of the artificial sweeteners in the gum stimulate ten times the normal rate of saliva flow.”
References
- American Dental Association, Scientific Panel Issues Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations: Sugar-Free Polyol Gum, Lozenges and Hard Candy, Nonfluoride Varnishes Help Prevent Cavities
https://www.ada.org/en/press-room/news-releases/2011-archive/september/scientific-panel-issues-evidence-based-clinical-re