Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, including various berries, corn husks, oats, and mushrooms. It can be extracted from corn fibre, birch, raspberries, plums, and corn. Xylitol is roughly as sweet as sucrose but with two-thirds the food energy.

Xylitol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol has been used in foods since the 1960’s. It is a popular sweetener for the diabetic diet in some countries. In the U.S., xylitol is approved as a food additive in unlimited quantity for foods with special dietary purposes.

Over 25 years of testing in widely different conditions confirm that xylitol is the best sweetener for teeth. Xylitol use reduces tooth decay rates both in high-risk groups (high caries prevalence, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene) and in low risk groups (low caries incidence using all current prevention recommendations). Sugarfree chewing gums and candies made with xylitol as the principal sweetener have already received official endorsements from six national dental associations. http://www.xylitol.org/

How does Xylitol work to help teeth?

Xylitol is a "toothfriendly" sugar. In addition to not encouraging tooth decay (by replacing dietary sugars), xylitol may actively aid in repairing minor cavities caused by dental caries. Recent research confirms a plaque-reducing effect and suggests that the compound, having some chemical properties similar to sucrose, attracts and then "starves" harmful micro-organisms, allowing the mouth to remineralize damaged teeth with less interruption.

Xylitol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol

Xylitol works in 3 major ways. The first way is explained above and is due to its strong chemical molecular structure so cavity and plaque forming oral bacteria such as streptococcus mutans can not feed on it.

The second way xylitol works is by raising the oral pH to more alkaline. When the streptococcus mutans bacteria are fed by sugar, they produce acids (lower the pH below 7) that slowly but surely weaken the protective tooth enamel. Once pockets of the enamel are gone, cavities begin to form. Since these bacteria can not use xylitol, they decrease and the oral pH stays higher (above 7 is more alkaline). Instead of being destroyed in an acid pH, the tooth enamel in an alkaline pH tend to form, this is why xylitol helps to remineralize tooth enamel.

The third way that xylitol works is by stimulating saliva flow. Saliva is the mouth's natural defense against invaders like 6 carbon sugars but when too much sugar is ingested too often, the saliva can not defend the teeth because of the acid pH created by sugar usage. Again, saliva-containing xylitol is an effective substance to decrease bad bacteria and promote the growth of tooth enamel. Xylitol is an amazing therapeutic sweetener.

Why H2Ocean Uses Xylitol?

►Effective
Studies using xylitol as either a sugar substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in new tooth decay, along with arrest and even some reversal of existing dental caries. Xylitol provides additional protection that enhances all existing prevention methods. This xylitol effect is long-lasting and possibly permanent. Low decay rates persist even years after the trials have been completed.

►Natural
Xylitol is right here, inside, already. Our bodies produce up to 15 grams of xylitol from other food sources using established energy pathways. Xylitol is not a strange or artificial substance, but a normal part of everyday metabolism.

Xylitol is widely distributed throughout nature in small amounts. Some of the best sources are fruits, berries, mushrooms lettuce, hardwoods, and corn cobs. One cup of raspberries contains less than one gram of xylitol.

http://www.xylitol.org/