Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsSide EffectsOther IngredientsPopular Brands

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Benefits

Side Effects

Other Ingredients

Popular Brands

Xylitoltoothpaste is a type of toothpaste that contains xylitol, a sugar alcohol sourced from birch trees and other types of hardwood trees and plants. Xylitol is believed to improve dental health; it tastes sweet, but unlike sugar, it isn’t converted into acids in the mouth that can promote tooth decay.

Said to slow the growth ofStreptococcus mutans(the bacteria most closely associated with tooth decay), xylitol toothpaste is often touted as a natural approach to cavity prevention.

This article discusses the potential benefits and side effects of xylitol toothpaste, as well as other ingredients to be aware of and popular brands available.

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Three toothbrushes in a white cup

Benefits of Xylitol Toothpaste

Research on xylitol toothpaste has yielded mixed results:

Can xylitol cause cavities?Unlike other sugars, xylitol does not promote tooth decay and should not cause cavities.However, whether xylitol toothpaste is more effective than standard fluoride toothpaste for preventing cavities is unclear.

Can xylitol cause cavities?

Unlike other sugars, xylitol does not promote tooth decay and should not cause cavities.However, whether xylitol toothpaste is more effective than standard fluoride toothpaste for preventing cavities is unclear.

Side Effects of Xylitol Toothpaste

Xylitol toothpaste shouldn’t be ingested or left in the mouth without rinsing.

Xylitol toothpaste shouldn’t substitute for standard care in treating a dental condition (such asperiodontitis). If you are considering trying xylitol toothpaste, talk to your dentist first.

Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs.If your dog eats xylitol toothpaste, it is important to take the dog to a veterinarian immediately.

Other Ingredients Commonly Added to Xylitol Toothpaste

Although xylitol is the primary ingredient, other ingredients may be added to the toothpaste, such as:

Some products simply list “sugar alcohol” under inactive ingredients.

For optimal dental health, the National Institutes of Health suggest brushing your teeth every day with a fluoridetoothpasteand cleaning between your teeth every day with dental floss or another type of between-the-teeth cleaner. It also recommends limiting your consumption of sugary foods, avoiding tobacco use and smoking, and seeing your dentist or oral health professional on a regular basis.

Popular toothpaste brands that contain xylitol include:

Xylitol is also used as an ingredient in dental care products like chewing gum, lozenges, tablets, and breath mints.

Summary

Although it’s too soon to tell whether xylitol toothpaste can significantly cut your risk of cavities, it’s possible that xylitol products may be of some benefit when used in conjunction with standard measures to prevent cavities, including brushing your teeth every day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth daily, and seeing your dentist regularly.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Riley P, Moore D, Ahmed F, Sharif MO, Worthington HV.Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2015;(3):CD010743. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010743.pub2Chi DL, Tut O, Milgrom P.Cluster-randomized xylitol toothpaste trial for early childhood caries prevention.J Dent Child (Chic). 2014;Jan-Apr;81(1):27-32.Evans A, Leishman SJ, Walsh LJ, Seow WK.Inhibitory effects of children’s toothpastes on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis and Lactobacillus acidophilus.Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2015;16(2):219-26.FDA.CFR- Code of federal regulations Title 21.FDA.Xylitol and dogs, a deadly combination.Sensodyne.What’s in toothpaste?FDA.Paws off! Xylitol is toxic to dogs.NIH.Fluoride and dental health.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Riley P, Moore D, Ahmed F, Sharif MO, Worthington HV.Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2015;(3):CD010743. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010743.pub2Chi DL, Tut O, Milgrom P.Cluster-randomized xylitol toothpaste trial for early childhood caries prevention.J Dent Child (Chic). 2014;Jan-Apr;81(1):27-32.Evans A, Leishman SJ, Walsh LJ, Seow WK.Inhibitory effects of children’s toothpastes on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis and Lactobacillus acidophilus.Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2015;16(2):219-26.FDA.CFR- Code of federal regulations Title 21.FDA.Xylitol and dogs, a deadly combination.Sensodyne.What’s in toothpaste?FDA.Paws off! Xylitol is toxic to dogs.NIH.Fluoride and dental health.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Riley P, Moore D, Ahmed F, Sharif MO, Worthington HV.Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2015;(3):CD010743. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010743.pub2Chi DL, Tut O, Milgrom P.Cluster-randomized xylitol toothpaste trial for early childhood caries prevention.J Dent Child (Chic). 2014;Jan-Apr;81(1):27-32.Evans A, Leishman SJ, Walsh LJ, Seow WK.Inhibitory effects of children’s toothpastes on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis and Lactobacillus acidophilus.Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2015;16(2):219-26.FDA.CFR- Code of federal regulations Title 21.FDA.Xylitol and dogs, a deadly combination.Sensodyne.What’s in toothpaste?FDA.Paws off! Xylitol is toxic to dogs.NIH.Fluoride and dental health.

Riley P, Moore D, Ahmed F, Sharif MO, Worthington HV.Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2015;(3):CD010743. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010743.pub2

Chi DL, Tut O, Milgrom P.Cluster-randomized xylitol toothpaste trial for early childhood caries prevention.J Dent Child (Chic). 2014;Jan-Apr;81(1):27-32.

Evans A, Leishman SJ, Walsh LJ, Seow WK.Inhibitory effects of children’s toothpastes on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis and Lactobacillus acidophilus.Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2015;16(2):219-26.

FDA.CFR- Code of federal regulations Title 21.

FDA.Xylitol and dogs, a deadly combination.

Sensodyne.What’s in toothpaste?

FDA.Paws off! Xylitol is toxic to dogs.

NIH.Fluoride and dental health.

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