Spry--improving oral health
Studies have repeatedly shown that the incorporation of xylitol-rich products in sufficient quantities (8-10 grams of xylitol) into your daily routine has substantial oral health benefits.
When used regularly, Spry products provide a rich source of dental xylitol that has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce the occurrence of cavities and improve overall oral health.
Update (1/13/09):
Women who chewed xylitol gum experienced a significantly reduced colony count of the bacterium responsible for causing oral cavities, researchers have reported in the journal Current Microbiology.
Few studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of xylitol on the virulence and structure of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), the bacterium that causes oral cavities. This bacterium thrives in the low pH (high acid) conditions of the mouth, easily adhering to teeth and producing plaque. Consequently, researchers conducted a study in humans to evaluate changes in the form, structure and virulence of S. mutans in response to long-term consumption of gum containing xylitol. Participants were voluntarily recruited for a women's oral health prevention program, classified into two groups (a control and a xylitol group), and then followed for one year. Ten salivary samples were randomly selected from each group.
In the xylitol group, the colony counts of S. mutans decreased steadily over time. In addition, the adherence of the colonies in the xylitol group became weak, and the size of the colonies decreased compared to the control. The secretion of sticky substances from the surface of S. mutans colonies also decreased in the xylitol group. Furthermore, in the women consuming xylitol gum, there was a decrease in the expression of the gttB gene, which reduced the production of extracellular polysaccharides that are necessary for the growth of S. mutans.
The researchers concluded that chewing xylitol gum over a long period could reduce the size and growth of S. mutans colonies.
|