Evidence guide
Sugar Substitutes and Teeth: Xylitol, Sorbitol and the Evidence
A practical guide to why non-sugar sweeteners are used in dental products and what current evidence supports.
Why sugar substitutes are relevant
Replacing fermentable sugars can reduce substrate available for acid production by plaque bacteria. Sugar-free gum can also increase saliva flow.
Xylitol is not a magic shield
The ADA notes possible cariostatic mechanisms but describes the overall research as equivocal. This is a good example of why plausible mechanisms and real-world outcomes must be separated.
Choose by use case
A sugar-free gum used after meals serves a different role from a swallowed supplement. Compare products based on how they are actually used.