Xylitol and Oral Health Care

YLEO Class notes from Kiannaa Leighland 3/11/13 (edited by Beau Miakinkoff)

3744What is XYLITOL?

When we think of sugar, we usually think of sucrose, but sugars are not all the same.  Your body DOES know the difference and behaves accordingly.(just like essential oils are not all created equal or for that matter good for you.  Xylitol is a natural food just like sucrose is a natural sugar from plants. Xylitol is just as sweet as sucrose, but at the same time, it has virtually no propensity to cause caries (caries is the medical term for cavities). In fact, for most of us, regular use of xylitol-containing products, such as gums, candies, lozenges, toothpastes, and other items, can halt tooth decay in its tracks and may even promote the healing of cavities that are already underway. (Fluoride can not do this once the cavity has formed—fluoride is chemically manufactured. The actual form of fluoride that comes from the earth is called fluorine. Fluoride is chemically made and has been shown to be a carcinogen to the body).

If young children begin using xylitol-sweetened gums, candies, and toothpastes during the year before
they start to lose their “baby teeth,” as long as they take reasonable care of their teeth, they may be
protected against caries for the rest of their lives!

Xylitol works so well because it interferes with the bacteria that cause tooth decay, halting their growth and preventing them from sticking to tooth surfaces. It is ideal for children, because xylitol-sweetened foods taste just as good as those sweetened with sucrose. The primary goal of any good hygienic strategy is to minimize the ability of Streptococcus mutans in the mouth to damage tooth enamel. Brushing physically removes them from tooth surfaces and some antiseptic mouthwashes are designed to kill them. Dental sealants protect tooth enamel and fluoride, which as a number of serious drawbacks as a preventive measure has, nevertheless, been shown to help strengthen tooth enamel. (Whether or not fluoride actually reduces the rate of tooth decay is still a matter of debate and there are some data sources that indicate it is not contributing at all to reducing tooth decay.)

How strong is the scientific evidence supporting the use of xylitol?  Serious anticaries research using xylitol goes back more than 25 years. In a review of that research, Dr. Catherine Hayes of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine concluded that the favorable evidence for xylitol was so strong that “it would be unethical” to deprive people of its dental protective effects.

Bacteria-produced acid dissolves tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body. At the same time though, it is highly vulnerable to low pH (acidic) attack. For the same reasons that acid rain corrodes away the details from outdoor marble statues, bacteria-generated acid – in high enough concentrations—can literally dissolve away tooth enamel by a process known as de-mineralization. De-mineralization goes on all the time at a very low level, but it’s balanced by a complementary process called re-mineralization. Obviously, in order for re-mineralization to succeed, S. mutans, which produce the acids that cause de-mineralization, must be kept under control.  Sucrose, high fructose corn syrup,
dextrose, corn syrup and many others cause an acidic condition in the mouth and S. mutans thrive. Xylitol causes an alkaline environment and thus re-mineralization occurs, which means that caries are stopped in their tracks!
Please do not confuse Xylitol with artificial chemical sweeteners such as saccharine (e.g., Sweet’n Low and aspartame (aka: aminosweet), Equal, NutraSweet and many of the new ones that are now available in the grocery stores) which are created in laboratories and have no business being in the human body. These super sweet crystals are synthetic chemicals that happen to have a very sweet taste.  In a few cases, they have been linked to a variety of serious, even life-threatening illnesses.
By contrast, xylitol is a natural sugar derived from sources such as fruit, berries, vegetables, birch wood, corn residues, straw, seed hulls, and nutshells, but we couldn’t eat enough of these to obtain sufficient xylitol to produce a beneficial dental effect. Xylitol dissolves rapidly (quicker than sucrose) and has a pleasant, refreshing, cooling sensation, a clean sweet taste, with no aftertaste. (For more scientific information go to the booklet Xylitol Dental & Upper Respiratory Health by Jonathan Wright, MD & Lane Lenard, PhD from Abundant Health at www.abundanthealth4u.com )

How safe is Xylitol? In the amounts found in and recommended for dental health, xylitol is EXTREMELY safe.  However, if xylitol is consumed in very large amounts (more than 20 grams per meal or more than 60 grams per day), it can cause diarrhea. So use diarrhea as your guide, but your body will also adapt to the higher levels eventually. The amounts recommended for dental protection (up to 12 grams per day) should never cause anyone any problem.

There is no question—if you want to reduce (or even eliminate) dental cavities in the future, and perhaps reverse some just developing now, use xylitol chewing gum or mints! One caution note…as Iwas looking for Xylitol gum and mints—I found most have titanium dioxide in them and some with dye—so PLEASE READ the LABELS!!! Young Living’s gum, Slique, ingredients are Frankincense Gum Resin, Gumbase, Isomalt, Xylitol, Spearmint, Peppermint, Color—Red cabbage juice, Turmeric.  Xylitol is extremely safe and better for diabetics for keeping the blood sugars level.  Lower in calories and decreases Streptococcus mutans. Xylitol also helps prevent common childhood ear infections known as acute otitis media (AOM), asthma, sinusitis, upper respiratory infections, and allergies (for
more information please go to the booklet Xylitol–Dental & Upper Respiratory Health).
What essential oils can I use to build up my gums and also rid my mouth of bacteria? Lavender and Thieves are the two essential oils which have proven to help in this area!

Lavender—Steam distilled from the flowering top. Lavender is a universal oil that has traditionally been
known to balance the body and to work wherever there is a need. If  in doubt, use Lavender. The top Two Constituents of lavender are

1.) Alcohols up to 58%–alcohols are commonly recognized for their antibacterial,
anti-infectious, and anti-viral activities. They are somewhat stimulating and help to increase
blood circulation. Because of their high resistance to oxidation and their low toxicity levels, they have
been shown to revert cells to normal function and activity. They create an uplifting quality and are
regarded as safe and effective for young and old alike.

2.) Linalol greater than 41% –Linalol can help relieve discomfort. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal,
antiseptic (5x phenol—phenols eradicate free-radicals), anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, and sedative.
Body systems affected—Cardiovascular System, Emotional Balance, Nervous System, and Skin.
Aromatic Influence—It promotes consciousness, health, love, peace and a general sense of well-being.
Application—Apply to Vita Flex Points and direct on area of concern and/or diffuse.
Frequency—Emotional and Spiritual; approximately 118 MHz.

Thieves—Is a blend of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus radiata, and Rosemary. The highly anti-viral, antiseptic properties of the single oils contained in this blend help protect the body from many things, but we are going to focus on sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, strep, and periodontal (gum) disease. So using products with Xylitol (such as Slique Gum, Thieves toothpaste, and Kids toothpaste), and with Thieves blend (such as the Thieves essential oil or Thieves Mouthwash) can greatly enhance the alkalinity of your mouth and prevent tooth decay, tooth enamel de-mineralization and gum disease.

Body Systems Affected:  Immune System

Aromatic Influence:  Diffuse this blend of oils periodically for 20-25 minutes at a time to help protect the body’s Immune System.

Application:  Massage bottom of feet, throat, stomach and intestines for the Immune System.  It may be helpful to to dilute with one or more drops of V-6 oil if you have sensitive skin.       For gums—put on clean index finger and apply directly to gums.

Frequency:  Emotional and Spiritual; approximately 150 MHz.

Comments:  Studies conducted by Weber State University in Ogden, UT during 1997 showed the antibacterial effectiveness of this blend against airborne microorganisms. One study showed a 90% reduction in the number of gram positive Micrococcus luteus organisms after diffusing Thieves for 12 minutes. After diffusing Thieves for a total of 20 minutes, there was a 99.3% reduction. Another study against the gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a kill rate of 99.96% after just 12 minutes of diffusion. Pseudomonas aeruginosa—is a bacterium that is found in animals & humans and grows on/in skin, water, soil, etc. and most antibiotics do not eradicate it. Very dangerous for those with auto-immune disorders.  Micrococcus luteus—is also a bacterium that grows on/in skin, water, soil, etc. and can be deadly for people with auto-immune disorders. Very dangerous for those with auto-immune disorders.

PRODUCTS SUGGESTED:
#3295 Inner Defense– to keep the immune system up & running to its best ability
#3575 Lavender–most versatile essential oil and has been known to stop receding gums
#3423 Thieves –defend & protect the gums & jawbone from bacteria
#3683 Thieves Mouthwash—defends & protects the gums & jawbone from bacteria
#3737 Thieves Dentarome Toothpaste—original – to defend and protect the gums & jawbone
#3738 Thieves Dentarome Plus Toothpaste—to defend and protect the gums & jawbone
#3744 Thieves Dentarome Ultra Toothpaste—with Xylitol – to build up teeth and gums
#3687 KidScents Toothpaste with Slique, Thieves and Xylitol—to build up teeth and gums
#4579 Slique Chewing gum with Xylitol—kills streptococcus mutans bacteria and re-mineralizes teeth & stops cavities even after they begin forming, also helps with middle ear infections in children.

order your Oral Health Care products


No Comments (yet)

Leave a Reply

Comments RSS Subscribe to the Comments RSS.
Trackback Leave a trackback from your site.
Trackback URL: http://whitedragontherapies.com/xylitol-oral-health-care/trackback