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# Oral xylitol syrup helps prevent early childhood caries
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/oral_xylitol_syrup_helps_prevent_early_childhood_caries/
- Published: 2008-07-07T00:21:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T12:19:00.000Z
- Description: In a Marshall Islands trial, children aged 6 to 15 months took daily xylitol syrup and 76 percent finished free of tooth decay, against 48 percent of controls. The report notes side effects went unreported and that xylitol, like most sugar alcohols, can act as a laxative.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Supplements, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

SUNDAY July 6, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Xylitol may be a new weapon to fight tooth decay in toddlers, according to a new study presented during the 86th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research.The trial was conducted in the Republic of the Marshall Islands involving children ages 6 to 15 months to determine whether the substance can prevent early childhood tooth decay. In the trial, participants were given daily oral doses of xylitol in fruit-flavored syrup.Researchers found that among those who received xylitol, 76 percent were free of tooth decay by the end of the study as compared to 48 percent of the children in the control group who did not receive the syrup.Researchers were from the Northwest/Alaska Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparities and the Department of Dental Public Health Sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle.Xylitol is a naturally occurring non-cavity-causing sweetener, commonly used by people with diabetes. Earlier studies have already shown that this substance is tooth-friendly and even prevents tooth decay.Finnish studies conducted in the 1970s found that those who used chewing gum with xylitol had 1.04 decayed, missing, or filled teeth compared to 2.92 in those who used chewing gum with sucrose, according to Wikipedia. Another study showed that the xylitol group had their risk of cavities reduced by 70 percent compared to those who did not use xylitol. The Food and Drug Administration reportedly has allowed the claim that xylitol-based products do not promote dental cavities.It is unknown whether the use of xylitol caused any side or adverse effects in toddlers in the current trial. Caution needs to be exercised because xylitol, like most sugar alcohols, can have a laxative effect, according to Wikipedia.The free online encyclopedia also cited a study saying that dogs ingesting foods containing high doses of xylitol experienced low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can be life-threatening.For more information on xylitol, read [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylitol?ref=foodconsumer.org)

By Jimmy Downs, and edited by Heather Kelley.  
July 6, 2008 - 11:39:50 PM