Ingredient guide ›

Xylitol

The tooth-friendly sweetener.

What it does

A sugar alcohol that makes toothpaste and mouthwash taste sweet without sugar.

Good to know

Mouth germs can't use it to make acid like they do with sugar. A Cochrane review (2015) found only weak evidence that it adds cavity protection in toothpaste.

Often found in: Toothpastes, Mouthwashes, Kids toothpastes

Around the world

• United States: No FDA limit. The FDA doesn't approve cosmetic ingredients before sale. Source
• EU and UK: No special limit in the EU or UK. Source
• Canada: Not on Health Canada's Hotlist of restricted ingredients. Source
• Australia: No limit in Australia's Poisons Standard. Source

Sources

• Xylitol-containing products for preventing dental caries in children and adults (Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015) (Medical)
• EFSA: Health claims for sugar-free chewing gum sweetened with xylitol (2011) (Independent)