The Science of Xylimelts
What is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth (clinically termed xerostomia) is a condition, rather than a disease, in which the salivary glands, for one reason or another, no longer produce normal saliva flow. This can be a side effect of medication or a symptom of a disease such as Sjogren’s and is known colloquially as cottonmouth, doughmouth, or pasties. Dry mouth can make it difficult to eat or talk, cause bad breath and cavities, as well as leaving the mouth more vulnerable to infection. Over 1800 medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC), have a side effect of dry mouth, including amphetamines, anithistamines, and antidepressants.
What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a carbohydrate that is found in plants such as raspberries, corn, oats, mushrooms and the birch tree. A natural sweetener, it is comparable to sucrose in sweetness but contains fewer calories. Xylitol was first used in large quantities in Finland in the 19th century, where it was extracted from birch trees. Very quickly, it became a popular sugar substitute in Europe and is now used as the primary sweetener in chewing gums all across Europe and east Asia.
What are the Oral Care Benefits of Xylitol?
Xylitol is a carboydrate that cannot be processed by harmful bacteria in the mouth that cause plaque, tooth decay, gum disease, and ear and sinus infections. These bacteria will consume xylitol but will not be able to digest it and essentially starve to death. Held in the mouth, xylitol also stimulates saliva flow.
Additionally, xylitol has 40% fewer calories than sucrose and absorbs more slowly into the blood stream, reducing incidence of hyperglycemia. Studies have shown that individuals who chew gum sweetened with xylitol experience a lower rate of ear infections, tooth decay, gum disease and plaque. Similar studies have indicated that new mothers who chew xylitol gum experience a lower rate of tooth decay in their young children.
What Makes XyliMelts a Better Choice?
Clinical studies suggest that the benefits of xylitol are greatest when there is a continuous concentration of xylitol in your mouth. You must chew 2 to 3 pieces of gum 3 times a day (that’s 6-9 pieces of gum a day!) to obtain the full benefits of reduced plaque, tooth decay, gum disease and ear infections. Because XyliMelts is an adhering disc that releases effective concentrations of xylitol over time, you don’t need to consume as much xylitol to achieve the same effect. This also means hours of relief for a dry mouth as the disc coats and moisturizes, releasing soothing oral lubricants and stimulating saliva flow. XyliMelts for Dry Mouth is the only treatment for dry mouth that can be used while sleeping, when dry mouth is at its worst.
Interested in Learning More About xylitol? Browse the Links Below:
Xylitol.org – general xylitol information
Xylitol facts compiled by the U.S. Army