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Difference Between Fluoride & Xylitol

As KidsHealth from Nemours explains, fluoride is derived from the element fluorine, a common component of the earth's crust. Fluoride is commonly added to water supplies and used in topical dental products to help prevent cavities. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, xylitol is another substance that is helpful in preventing cavities. Unlike fluoride, xylitol is a natural sweetener, a five-carbon sugar alcohol mainly obtained from forest and agricultural materials.

  1. How Fluoride Works

    • Tooth decay occurs when bacteria break down sugars present in your mouth and produce acids capable of dissolving tooth enamel, according to KidsHealth from Nemours. Fluoride prevents these acids from damaging your enamel; it also helps to repair teeth that have already lost some enamel. Consuming fluoride (such as through fluoridated water) also allows your body to use fluoride in the construction of developing teeth.

    How Xylitol Works

    • While fluoride prevents cavities by counteracting the effects of the acids produced by bacteria, xylitol prevents cavities by limiting acid-producing bacteria. According to the California Dental Association, xylitol restricts the growth of bacteria that cause cavities; these bacteria are unable to break down xylitol like they are able to break down sugar. As a result, regular long-term use of xylitol leads your mouth to develop a population of bacteria that is largely exclusive of the type of bacteria that cause tooth decay.

    Access to Fluoride

    • According to the CDC, about 69 percent of Americans using public water supplies also ingest fluoride added to their tap water. (Some communities may have naturally occurring fluoride in their water.) People without access to fluoridated water can purchase fluoride dietary supplements. Fluoride products are also commonly used during visits to your dentist; people with an elevated risk of developing cavities may also be given products with high concentrations of fluoride that they can apply at home.

    Access to Xylitol

    • Like fluoride, xylitol is available in some toothpastes and mouthwashes, but it is also available in other types of products such as chewing gum, mints, chewable tablets and lozenges. Xylitol can also be purchased in a granulated form that can be substituted for sugar in many recipes. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, xylitol appears to be most effective when it is used or consumed at least three times per day to total a daily intake of between 4 and 10 g. As the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states, however, xylitol is toxic to dogs, so make sure that you keep all xylitol products in places your pet can't reach.

    Overexposure

    • According to the California Dental Association, the only known side effect of xylitol is diarrhea, which may occur when some individuals consume too much of the product. The KidsHealth website explains that in children under the age of eight, overexposure to fluoride can lead to enamel fluorosis, a condition in which a child's permanent teeth show varying levels of discoloration. Enamel fluorosis can usually be prevented by proper supervision of children during brushing.

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