Look at the whole product
Check the ingredients and directions. A gum, a mint and a rinse serve different purposes.
KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR ROUTINE
Xylitol / The guide
A sweetener. A closer look. A smarter choice.
You’ll find xylitol in some sugar-free gums, mints and oral-care products. Here’s how to understand its place in your daily routine.
Get to know the basics
Product illustrationA LITTLE UNDERSTANDING GOES A LONG WAY
Sugar-free is part of the story.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. It is not a substitute for brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth or seeing your dentist.
ADA: Chewing gum ↗Keep expectations grounded
Sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva. Evidence for xylitol-specific cavity prevention is limited; avoid assuming a universal therapeutic dose.
Use with care
Sugar alcohols can cause digestive discomfort. Keep xylitol products away from dogs: xylitol is toxic to them.
01
Read the full label.
Know what else is in the product.
02
Keep the foundation.
Continue your everyday oral-care routine.
03
Ask what fits.
Discuss mints, gum or spray with your dentist.
Good questions.
Clearer answers.
Does every xylitol product prevent cavities?
No. A product’s overall formula and use matter, and xylitol alone is not a guarantee of cavity prevention.
How much should I use?
Follow the product label and your dentist’s guidance. This page does not prescribe a daily xylitol dose.
Can mints replace toothpaste?
No. Mints are an extra for your routine. Keep up brushing, cleaning between teeth and dentist-recommended care.
KEEP EXPLORING
YOUR DENTIST. IN YOUR CORNER.
Turn a question
into a conversation.
General education. Your dentist recommends care for your individual needs.
Online care complements in-person dentistry.