Dear Dr. Ellie,
I stumbled across your website during a search for information on tooth erosion. I have two questions: Can Xylitol reverse tooth erosion or just prevent it? Do many people experience bloating or diarrhea from the daily use of Xylitol? Thanks. I found your website very interesting and informative.
I will answer your second question and then answer about erosion.
You need watch carefully and note the difference between sorbitol and xylitol. Be afraid of sorbitol for a number of reasons.
Sorbitol is an cheap artificial sweetener used in many products often in products combined with xylitol. Xylitol is an expensive and natural sweetener
Xylitol is recognized (even produced) by the human body and is very well tolerated. Xylitol simply works like fiber in the diet. Because of this, you could notice some mild laxative effect if you are not used to fiber in your diet.
Sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol and many other ‘sugar alcohols’ are six carbon sugar alcohols different from xylitol. They are very poorly tolerated by the digestive system.
The body does not recognize these sugar alcohols and they can produce symptoms of gas, boating, diarrhea and other nasty things. I believe these sugar alcohols may also cause symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.
In the mouth we know that the harmful bacteria of gum disease and dental cavities learn how to use sorbitol quickly. Sorbitol can provide the bacteria of dental disease with the energy to thicken and grow. Plaque may get thicker and gum disease worsen when sorbitol is eaten regularly.
LOOK at the INGREDIENTS on labels even the very tiny print if it says sorbitol be suspicious. If you have gum disease, acid reflux or heartburn remove any sorbitol from your diet, drinks or chewing gum and replace these products with regular sugar or xylitol!
Erosion of teeth…..could be on the outside surfaces or on the biting surfaces….on some teeth or all around your mouth. Most erosion is caused by gastric acids bulimia or acid reflux diseases.
Stomach acid literally dissolves the surface of teeth. You need to figure out if this is the cause of your problems.
If not, there are other possible causes lemonade or sucking lemons or other citrus fruits. Drinking soda (even diet) if you have a dry mouth or allergies that make you breathe through your mouth. Gatorade or other sports drinks if you are an athlete especially one that participates in winter sports. Sucking sour lozenges or chronic use of an acidic mouth rinse like Listerine especially if you have a dry mouth for some reason.
The reason you have to figure out the cause of your problems is that you need to know when you are at most risk and protect your teeth at this time.
I would definitely suggest products with 100 percent xylitol and also my mouth rinse program maybe leaving out the Listerine at first if your teeth are very sensitive. Let me know if you would like to talk more about this. Used in this system you can repair enamel up to a point and remineralize teeth to expect quite good results. Without looking at the damage I cannot tell you how much repair to expect but things won’t get worse!
I am here to help,
Ellie Phillips DDS
Dental Health for Everyone!
26 Corporate Woods
Rochester NY 14623