Xylitol is a natural sugar found in plums, strawberries, and raspberries. It is often used as a sweetener to replace sugar. Xylitol has been used to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth and prevent ear infections. It can be chewed as a gum or taken as a syrup. Xylitol can also be taken as a powder or added to toothpaste. It can also be injected into the bloodstream by a healthcare provider.
Dosages
4 to 10 grams daily
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
It is likely safe to use xylitol and to take xylitol products orally in small doses for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. It may also not be safe to take by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
A. Cavities
A1. Riley P, Moore D, et al. Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(3):CD010743.
A2. Marghalani AA, Guinto E, et al. Effectiveness of Xylitol in Reducing Dental Caries in Children. Pediatr Dent. 2017;39(2):103-110.
A3. Wang Y, Li J, et al. Effect of non-fluoride agents on the prevention of dental caries in primary dentition: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2017 Aug 7;12(8):e0182221.
B. Ear infection
B1. Azarpazhooh A, Lawrence HP, et al. Xylitol for preventing acute otitis media in children up to 12 years of age. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(8):CD007095.
Last reviewed July 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC Last Updated: 3/26/2020