[sithadmin]

It's sort of the opposite of a probiotic. In many organisms, including many non-human mammals, it short-circuits normal metabolic processes. Xylitol-sweetened products will easily sicken, and frequently kill cats and dogs, for instance.

[sebmellen]

Yes, you’re right, it’s more of an antibiotic, but it seems to have a balancing effect on the oral microbiome.

The research is still nascent and inconclusive, though. Here’s an interesting study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17263856/.

> Conclusions: The results suggest that chewing gum with xylitol or sorbitol/maltitol can reduce the amount of dental plaque and acid production in saliva in schoolchildren, but only the xylitol-containing gum may also interfere with the microbial composition.

[user_50123890]

You're not supposed to eat the xylitol, just get it onto your teeth. So use xylitol toothpaste.

[rapjr9]

There are Xylitol sprays also, advertised for moisturizing a dry mouth. Spray, swish, and spit it out and little will reach your intestinal microbiome. Best done right before a time when you won't be eating or drinking so the residue has some time to act on the bacteria on the teeth (e.g., right before a shower or before bed).