The tooth protecting sugar substitute xylitol has been incorporated into gummy bears to produce a sweet snack that may prevent dental problems. Giving children four of the xylitol bears three times a day during school hours results in a decrease in the plaque bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is frequently used as a sweetener. It has been shown to reduce levels of the harmful mutans streptococci bacteria known to cause tooth decay. Xylitol chewing gums are not considered to be suitable for younger children.
A recent study demonstrates that six weeks of xylitol gummy bear snacking, the levels of harmful MS bacteria in the children’s plaque was significantly reduced.
However, I have seen studies and reports that dogs die from ingesting a small amount of xylitol. Thus I do not think that these xylitol gummy bears will be effective. If you have a dog, you probably should not purchase products with xylitol especially if you have children.
For more information on xylitol poisoning in dogs visit http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp
Adapted from materials provided by BMC Oral Health
I didn’t know they has this! And to think that dogs die from the same thing that keep children safe. such a paradox.
My Singapore Dentists last blog post..Dental fillings amalgam vs composite
So because dogs die from xylitol you’re questioning the effectiveness of xylitol for a function for which it has already been proven??
Or am I totally misreading what you mean when you wrote:
“A recent study demonstrates that six weeks of xylitol gummy bear snacking, the levels of harmful MS bacteria in the children’s plaque was significantly reduced…. However, I have seen studies and reports that dogs die from ingesting a small amount of xylitol. Thus I do not think that these xylitol gummy bears will be effective.”?
I mean, I could see having doubts BEFORE a study was done, but after the study you’re going to need more evidence than “dogs, who become ill from any number of foods humans can digest just fine, also shouldn’t have xylitol.”
LIz, you are totally off. My singapore dentist is just admiring the nature of physiology and pharmacology. He is simply commenting on the uniqueness of species in terms of metabolism of certain compounds … how xylitol is not a harmful metabolite in humans, however, it it metabolized in dogs to be toxic. I agree with him, physiology and genetics is pretty amazing.