25 Sep Sugar Alternatives That Are Good for Your Teeth
Artificial (or non-nutritive) sugars like xylitol provide sweetness with few to no calories and have less of an impact on blood sugar. Compared to naturally occurring sugars, like cane sugar, artificial sweeteners can even be better for your teeth!
If you’re curious about artificial sweeteners, how they’re made, whether or not they can cause tooth decay, and what sugar alternatives are better for oral health, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a closer look at sugar substitutes and how they affect your teeth.
Do Artificial Sweeteners Cause Tooth Decay?
Let’s tackle the most important question first. Will sugar alternatives hurt your teeth?
We all know that sugars are bad for your teeth. All types of sugar—cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar—promote tooth decay by feeding the bacteria in our mouths. But what about sugar substitutes?
Good news! Most artificial sweeteners do not cause tooth decay.
In fact, sugar substitutes like xylitol can actually help reduce the risk of cavities by inhibiting the growth of decay-causing bacteria. We’re going to focus on xylitol for a bit here, because it’s a wonderful sugar alternative when it comes to choosing an option for better your oral health.
Xylitol as a Sugar Alternative
- Xylitol can help fight tooth decay, because it inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause plaque formation. Because these bacteria cannot metabolize xylitol for energy, it stunts their growth, resulting in less plaque accumulation on your teeth.
- Xylitol was approved by the FDA in the early 1960’s.It’s regularly used in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and chewing gum.
- It’s natural and derived from plant-based sources like corn cobs, beech, and birch bark.
- Xylitol does not significantly impact blood glucose levels. Because it is absorbed slowly and metabolized differently than sugar, there is only a minimal increase in blood sugar levels.
Understanding Artificial Sweeteners
What are the differences in all the sugar substitutes? Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose, differ primarily in their sweetness intensity and caloric content – with some being much sweeter than sugar and virtually calorie-free.
If an artificial sweetener’s name ends in “-ol” that means it’s a sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol have fewer calories than regular sugar, typically around 1.5 to 3 calories per gram.
Most artificial sweeteners are non-cariogenic, meaning they won’t contribute to tooth decay! However, not all of them have equal benefits. For example, aspartame may not harm your teeth, but some reports have linked it to other health conditions like migraines and depression.
Three Sugar Alternatives That Are Better for Oral Health
- Our number one sugar alternative is xylitol—you know why by now.
- In second place is erythritol. It’s another type of sugar alcohol, so it’s far less likely to cause cavities when compared to regular sugars. It’s also less likely to cause digestive issues than some other sugar alcohols.
- Naturally derived from plant leaves, stevia is our third recommendation. It doesn’t cause tooth decay, and it is generally considered to be good for your teeth.
Complete Dental Care in Sun Lakes, Arizona
At Sun Lakes Dentistry, we aim to keep you informed on dental health topics, like understanding how certain food choices could cause tooth sensitivity. Using sugar substitutes like xylitol is a great way to protect your dental health, but don’t forget that you also need regular dental care.
Whether it’s a complete exam and cleaning, a full-mouth restoration, or anything in between, we promise to provide you with exceptional care so you can leave with a smile. Come see us at Sun Lakes Dentistry for all your dental needs.
Photo by engin akyurt from Unsplash on 8.13.2024 | used under the creative commons license