Xylitol toothpaste is super popular because it’s natural and prevents cavities. Used in combination with xylitol lozenges, breath mints or gum, it can also reduce plaque and strengthen tooth enamel. Its popularity is part of the problem – with so many toothpastes jumping on the xylitol bandwagon, how do you identify the one that’s right for you?
Well, that’s where we can help. In this article we tell you what xylitol is, how it works, whether it’s safe and 3 key facts you need to take into account when choosing a xylitol toothpaste.
We’ve also done all the hard work and summarized the five of the best xylitol toothpastes. Each one addresses other needs to help you find a toothpaste that meets all your oral health requirements.
And we provide quick reviews to help you further narrow down your choice.
What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol. It comes from hardwood trees and plants. It tastes like sugar.
How does Xylitol Prevent Tooth Decay?
Xylitol tastes like sugar, but doesn’t act like sugar
Cavity causing bacteria love sugar. When sugar ferments, bacteria feed off it, multiply and produce acid which erodes tooth enamel and causes tooth decay and other oral health problems.
But xylitol does not ferment, so cavity causing bacteria can’t use it. In fact, they waste energy trying to get rid of it, lose their ability to stick to teeth, starve and die off. But that’s not all. The mouth’s natural pH level is restored, more saliva is produced and tooth enamel is remineralized (strengthened). This stops cavities forming in the first place.
Various studies have supported the use of xylitol to prevent cavities.
So all in all it’s good news… as long as you use enough xylitol – often enough!
How to Find a Good Xylitol Toothpaste
Finding the right xylitol toothpaste, and using xylitol to its maximum advantage, involves understanding three key facts:
- Xylitol must be among the first ingredients shown. If it’s too far down the ingredients list there won’t be enough of it to work.
- Xylitol needs to be in contact with your mouth often enough, and in in big enough doses, to work. So, you should consider using other xylitol products during the day – like gum, mints or lozenges.
- Lastly, you should think about whether you want to combine the benefits of xylitol with fluoride.
Xylitol alone, or with Fluoride?
Xylitol reduces the growth of bacteria that cause cavities, can prevent plaque from forming, stabilize the pH value in the mouth and help to strengthen tooth enamel.
If you want to boost this enamel strengthening capacity, you may want to consider combining the power of xylitol with fluoride. Fluoride helps to harden enamel and repair existing damage, as well as preventing future damage.
There are some concerns over the addition of fluoride to toothpaste. If you share these, xylitol only toothpaste could be the solution you are looking for. Our best xylitol toothpastes include both fluoride and fluoride free options to help you identify the right product for you.
Is Xylitol Safe?
Xylitol has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. The main side-effect of xylitol is that, in large amounts, it can cause gas, loose stools or diarrhea.
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. If your dog eats xylitol in any form, you must seek veterinary assistance immediately.
Best Xylitol Toothpastes
Squigle Enamel Saver Toothpaste
Pros
- 36% by weight of Xylitol – the most available in any brand
- Inhibits plaque growth and protects against cavities
- Sodium lauryl sulfate free
- Relieves canker sores, dry mouth and ulcers
- Contains fluoride
- Very mild flavour
- No artificial colors, flavours or sweeteners
- Patented foaming system is mild enough to be used in artificial tears
Cons
- Cost
- Ingredients are not listed on the product (but we have included them below)
Is Squigle Enamel Saver Toothpaste right for me? Squigle enamel saver has the greatest xylitol content of any brand on the market. Combined with sodium fluoride it will both prevent cavities and repair damage already done. It has very positive reviews on Amazon and is especially good for relieving sore or dry mouth conditions. If you are serious about xylitol, this is a product well worth considering. It is expensive but has more xylitol for your buck than its competitors so is worth the investment.
Ingredients 0.24% sodium fluoride, 36% xylitol, water, silica, glycerin, poloxamer, cellulose gum, flavor, anatase, Methocel, glycyrrhizin, sodium hydroxide.
- ✔ CONTAINS FLUORIDE WITH VERY MILD PEPPERMINT - To prevent mouth ulcers and canker sores, just make this...
- ✔ STOPS CANKER SORES AND MOUTH ULCERS - Prevents Bad Breath, Gum Disease, chapped lips and perioral...
- ✔ MILD ABRASIVE - Squigle Enamel Saver's mild abrasive removes stain and plaque, leaves tooth enamel intact....
Epic Dental Xylitol Toothpaste with Fluoride
Pros
- 31% of xylitol by weight, a high value
- Gluten, sugar and sodium lauryl sulphate free
- Refreshing spearmint flavor
- Contains fluoride
Cons
- Contains carrageenan (a natural seaweed product that can cause irritation)
- Contains sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (better than sodium lauryl sulphate but can still be an irritant)
Is Epic Dental Xylitol Toothpaste with Fluoride Toothpaste right for me? This is a product with a high percentage of xylitol so you will get more benefit from this than from others with lower content. Combined with fluoride it will help to repair as well as prevent cavities and reduce plaque. A fluoride free version is available but the xylitol content is less, at 25%. The taste is refreshing and stronger than Squiggle, it is also slightly cheaper. There are one or two slightly questionable ingredients (see cons above).
Ingredients Sodium Fluoride, Purified Water, Xylitol, Hydrated Silica, Vegetable Glycerin, Natural Flavors, Cellulose Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Calcium Glycerophosphate, Carrageenan, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA.
Spry Kid’s Xylitol Tooth Gel
Pros
- Fluoride free
- All-Natural Ingredients
- Safe enough to swallow
- Sodium lauryl sulfate free
- Xylitol is the second listed ingredient so the content is high
- 90% positive rating on Amazon
- Variety of mild flavors
- Suitable for adults
Cons
- Actual percentage of xylitol is not stated
- Lack of fluoride may be an issue for some
Is Spry Kid’s Xylitol Tooth Gel right for me? This is a delightfully natural gel product which is available in three great flavors, original, strawberry banana and bubblegum. Though it does not contain fluoride, the plaque/cavity reducing properties of xylitol are boosted by the addition of calcium. If you can get on board with the flavors, it’s suitable for adults too and safe enough to swallow. With its 90% five star rating on Amazon, it’s a definite for kids and a definite maybe for the whole family!
Ingredients: Purified water, xylitol, calcium glycerophosphate, cellulose gum, natural flavoring, grapefruit seed extract.
- Original Flavor is for those who want the oral health benefits without the flavor
- Sweetened with 100% xylitol to naturally promote oral health and ensure proper tooth development
- Fluoride-free formula is safe to swallow and can be used by kids 3 months and older
Spry Xylitol Toothpaste
Pros
- Cooling spearmint flavor
- High Xylitol content
- Aloe soothes irritation and moisturizes mouth
- Anti-Plaque and Tartar Control formulation
- Cranberry Extract adds protection against bacteria and irritation
- Foaming ingredients are not irritants
- Non-GMO Ingredients
Cons
- Recent change in formula has led to a change in taste that some users dislike
- Expensive and tube size is small
Is Spry Xylitol toothpaste right for me? Spry is a popular brand of toothpaste. There are lots of ingredients in the tube and the formulation is thoughtful. The foaming ingredients are not irritating and the addition of aloe helps to moisturize the mouth and relieve the symptoms of dry mouth. If you suffer from plaque or tartar build up, this is toothpaste has been put together with that in mind. Xylitol is fairly high up the list of ingredients, though the actual percentage is not given. It’s a pricey product and the tubes are small – but it is very favorably reviewed on Amazon.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Silica, Xylitol, Erythritol, Lauryl glucoside, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, zinc citrate, Cranberry fruit extract, aloe leaf juice, xanthan gum, cellulose gum, stevia, natural peppermint, sodium benzoate, titanium dioxide.
- With Fluoride
- Dental Defence System
- Anti-Cavity Natural Anti-Plaque Tartar Control
Now Xyliwhite Refreshmint Toothpaste Gel
Pros
- 25% xylitol
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate free
- Uses whitening power of baking soda and papain (from papaya)
- Fresh mint taste
- Fluoride, gluten and paraben free
- Safe for adults and children
Cons
- Contains carrageenan (a natural seaweed product that can cause irritation)
Is Now XyliWhite Refreshmint right for me? Baking soda is a hugely popular and effective ingredient for whitening teeth. XyliWhite boosts its power with the addition of papaya. If you want to add the natural powers of xylitol to this heady mix, then XyliWhite is a toothpaste you should definitely consider. It won’t break the bank yet contains a high percentage of xylitol so represents good value for money. And since it’s fluoride free and naturally formulated it can be used by the whole family.
Ingredients: Water, xylitol (25%), hydrated silica, glycerin, sorbitol, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium coco-sulfate, carrageenan (Chondrus crispus), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) leaf oil, peppermint (Mentha piperita) oil, spearmint (Mentha viridis) oil, papain, potassium sorbate.
- Cool, minty, refreshing taste
- Formulated with the purest ingredients
- Contains 25 percent xylitol