You already know how damaging sugar can be to your smile. But did you know there’s an alternative to sugar that can give you your sweet fix without ruining your oral health?

Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous part of plants. But unlike sugar, which creates an acidic environment harmful to your smile’s tooth enamel, xylitol creates a neutral environment. In this environment, bad bacteria have trouble sticking to teeth, preventing cavities instead of causing them.

That’s why xylitol is sometimes used as the main cavity-fighting ingredient in toothpaste. There are also brands that specialize in candy sweetened with xylitol, like Ice Chips and Dr. John’s Candies. You can even find xylitol candy for sale on Amazon and in some natural health food stores.

If you’re going to be doing some baking for Halloween, or in November and December, xylitol can also be substituted for sugar at a 1:1 ratio. No one will notice the change, but everyone will benefit.

Do you have questions about xylitol and how it can benefit your smile? Talk to Dr. Duane Keuning and Dr. Greg Riley of Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic. We can explain more about how sugar can damage your smile and how xylitol works as a substitute. We can also recommend a treatment plan to help you with any oral health problems.

Explore our services or call us today. We serve patients from Juno Beach, North Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Tequesta.