The hard, protective tooth enamel is softened and dissolved by acids, or a pH below 7.
The mouth's pH falls when we eat or drink, weakening the enamel.
Undiluted saliva is rich with minerals that will repair damaged enamel, and it restores a neutral (7) pH to the mouth.
Even drinking water dilutes the saliva so it cannot effectively repair the teeth.
The villains: Strep mutans, anaerobes, & dry mouth
Streptococcus mutans is largely responsible for making cavities. As it grows, it creates acids, which can burrow through the tooth enamel and form a cavity.
Strep mutans takes about 12 hours to mature. Then it wraps sticky protein strands around itself that anchor onto the teeth, creating a protective biofilm of plaque. Plaque can solidify over time into tartar or 'calculus.' Plaque can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis (gum inflammation).
Gingivitis causes the gums to swell and pull away from the teeth, forming 'pockets.' Once this happens, other bacteria in the mouth called anaerobes (they don't like oxygen) can settle into the pockets where there is less oxygen, set up biofilms, and create even more irritation. A worsening spiral is now in motion.
Anything that decreases salivary flow results in dry mouth and will prolong how long the mouth is in an acidic condition.
Xylitol's role
Xylitol stimulates salivary flow. Taken after meals and drinks, it more quickly reestablishes a neutral pH in the mouth, thereby decreasing enamel deterioration.
Xylitol directly kills Strep mutans and anaerobes (as they absorb xylitol, but cannot process it and get stuck in an endless energy drain cycle).
However, xylitol can be utilized as food for good oral bacteria, so it is a prebiotic.
Many studies show that xylitol intake correlates with fewer cavities, presumably because over time, it kills bad bacteria and promotes the growth of good bacteria.
The complete mouth care system
One-time treatments cannot effectively change the oral bacteria composition, as the crevices harbor the bacteria, protected by their biofilms. Only consistent treatments over time seem to accomplish a significant shift in bacterial composition.
Closys kills anaerobes by mixing with saliva and creating oxygen down in the gum pockets where the anaerobes are hiding. It has a neutral pH and helps harden teeth before you will scrub at the enamel with a toothbrush.
Only Crest Regular toothpaste has been shown to remineralize teeth.
Massaging the gums with your toothbrush can reverse gum recession.
Listerine targets Strep mutans while it is still immature, before it can create plaque.
Act contains fluoride, which is shown to speed up tooth remineralization. It also has a neutral pH to help harden the teeth after the Listerine treatment.
Coming soon
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