Sweet Paradigm Shift
D
r. John Peldyak couldn’t have planned the timing
of his presentation better. On February 14, Valen-
tine’s Day, Dr. Peldyak, along with several other
researchers and health professionals, opened the first of 3
half-day seminars at Xlear’s 3rd Educational Conference
on Xylitol in Cancún, Mexico with a sweet introduction
to xylitol.
“Manage the Damage”
Dr. Peldyak’s presentation started with the pass-
ing out of goodie bags. He instructed the audience to
reach into the bag and pull out 2 silver dimes. “Take
the 2 dimes in your right hand, and now transfer them
to your left hand,” said Dr. Peldyak. Pausing for ef-
fect, he added, “And that is shifting our paradigms.” A
light-hearted joke, this example also underlined a more
serious key point in Dr. Peldyak’s presentation. He em-
phasized the need to reframe old mindsets; to go from
“manage the damage” to health promotion.
Xylitol, according to Dr. Peldyak, is one way health
professionals can begin to reshape their mindsets when
approaching tooth decay and other health issues. Spe-
cifically, Dr. Peldyak cited xylitol’s ability to reduce
bacterial cohesion and adhesion in the mouth and nose.
The Xylitol Way
From fructose to sucrose to processed starches, such
fermentable carbohydrates can lead to tooth damage.
“On teeth, it’s all just sugar,” Dr. Peldyak said. Xylitol,
on the other hand, is a polyol or sugar alcohol, which is
“essentially nonfermentable by oral bacteria.” And un-
like common dietary sugars (-ose ending), xylitol features
1 less carbon atom (5-carbon structure) and no reactive
carbonyl group. “It doesn’t matter whether it comes
from birch trees or corn cobs,” said Dr. Peldyak. “The
end result is still the same—xylitol.”
Sweet Tooth
“Tooth decay progresses when damaging factors
prevail over protective factors,” said Dr. Peldyak. Xyli-
tol, however, is one preventive factor that is providing
health professionals with a new way of combating tooth
decay. Bad bacteria must either “shape up or ship out,”
according to Dr. Peldyak. He added that sucrose is the
most damaging sugar to teeth in part because bacteria
get energy out of sucrose. The waste product is acid,
which dissolves tooth mineral.
Xylitol, on the other hand, blocks tooth-damaging
factors, according to Dr. Peldyak. Additionally, he said
that xylitol stimulates saliva, making products such as
Xlear, Inc.’s Rain Oral Mist a great option for the pre-
vention of dry mouth and caries.
Dr. Peldyak also mentioned that xylitol can benefit
patients with gingivitis or periodontitis as it can reduce
plaque quantity and virulence. Another beneficial time
to use xylitol according to Dr. Peldyak is during tooth
Dental Learning
eruption. He said that xylitol enhances early mineral-
ization and blocks colonization by cariogenic bacteria.
Since a baby can receive cariogenic bacteria from the
mother’s mouth, Dr. Peldyak suggests that moms use
xylitol, such as in the form of xylitol gum. Xylitol can
also be used on the baby’s pacifier as seen in Spry Tooth
Gel.
How Much? How Often?
According to Dr. Peldyak, the daily range for xylitol
is recommended to be between 4 and 12 grams. How-
ever, he does advise, one should allow time to adjust to
larger xylitol intake.
He said that xylitol should be used at least 3 times
a day, although aiming for 5 times a day is preferred.
Xylitol should be used after each meal and snack as a
supplement to toothpaste every morning and night. Dr.
Peldyak went on to say that when it comes to basic care,
“xylitol is an essential adjunct.”
From its ability to prevent tooth decay to its mouth
moisturizing properties, xylitol has offered clinicians
and patients an effective way to reshape old mindsets
and start to promote proper oral care. With xylitol,
patients no longer have to be helpless victims of tooth
decay. “Proactive self care, that’s the beauty of xyli-
tol,” said Dr. Peldyak, who concluded his lecture with a
Valentine’s Day appropriate handout. “In conclusion,”
said Dr. Peldyak, grinning as he pulled mini chocolate
hearts out of the goodie bags, “Take heart.” The audi-
ence sweetly obliged. —Elyse Fetherman
John Peldyak, DMD
Dr. Peldyak received his Doctor of Dental Medicine
degree from Southern Illinois University in 1980.
Since then he has been in private practice den-
tistry. Dr. Peldyak was a member of the University
of Michigan research group (1986-1992), which
investigated use of sucrose substitutes for caries
prevention. Dr. Peldyak is the author of Sweet Smart
(Alternative Sweeteners, 1996).
www.dentallearning.net