If you suffer from bad breath, you've probably tried brushing and flossing repeatedly. You've popped breath mints, rinsed with mouth washes, and so on. But have you tried xylitol?
This oddly-spelled sweetener, relatively new to the market, is the darling of dentists due to its antimicrobial properties. When used in the right amounts, xylitol can really put the kibosh on S. mutans, a leading decay-causing bacteria.
But even better for those with halitosis is this: xylitol also discourages the overgrowth of anaerobic sulfur-producing bacteria: or, those baddies that live on the back of our tongues, producing offensive sulfurous compounds.
While xylitol alone may not eliminate a bad breath problem, it can be a potent tool. Many bad breath sufferers also deal with periodontal disease. This vastly multiplies the unwelcome bacteria in their mouths, leading to more and more odor. Xylitol helps keep this in check.
So, how do you go about adding this helpful substance to your routine? You need to keep consistent levels of xylitol in your mouth. Chewing on xylitol gum or xylitol breath mints five or six times a day is a common approach for people on the run.
On the other hand, if you don't mind a few strange looks, you can simply buy a jar of xylitol from the health food section and pinch out of bit throughout the day. Personally, I go this route whenever I've let my oral hygiene slack a little and I can feel my gums getting soft and red. A bit of xylitol for a day or two (along with careful brushing), and they whip right back into shape.
Dosing for Dental Health
The recommended amount of xylitol for an oral plan of attack is about five to 10 grams a day. Typically, you won't get this amount from the "xylitol gums" or mints available at the checkout counter -- they often contain minute amounts. Instead, go with specialized formulations, designed to deal with a serious oral problem. Therabreath's VOX mints contain substantial amounts of xylitol. Spry Dental is another reputed brand.
Too Much of a Good Thing?
It's important to get enough xylitol if you're attacking a periodontal problem or battling halitosis. But don't throw away your table sugar just yet. More than 60 grams of xylitol a day is considered unhealthy for diabetics, since xylitol raises your blood sugar just like the regular stuff. Plus, some reports suggest it can be hard on your liver when ingested in large quantities. So, best to stick with the recommended 10 grams or less.
Which brings us to another point -- xylitol is deadly toxic to dogs, who lack the enzymes to process it. Not only does it cause a disastrous drop in canine blood sugar, it then often quickly leads to liver failure. Even a mint or two could poison an adventurous dog. So store your xylitol-containing products with utmost care if you've got four-footed friends around the house.
Persistent bad breath is a difficult problem, but you can manage it ... and cure it. Stop by Cures for Bad Breath at http://www.curesforbadbreath.com to learn more about cures for bad breath and download the free Bad Breath Bible.