Xerostomia During the Holidays: Using Xylitol as a Sugar Replacement to Improve Dry Mouth Symptoms

Anyone who struggles with their sugar intake knows that the holiday season presents a singular challenge; the sheer frequency and abundance of meals, rich desserts, and seasonal treats can make it hard to avoid sugar. But if you suffer from xerostomia, minimizing your sugar intake is an important part of symptom management.

 

Sugar is a well-known risk for oral health problems, and so is xerostomia. When people with dry mouth consume a lot of sugar, the risk of oral health problems increases exponentially. 

 

Fortunately, there are many sugar substitutes that can allow you to enjoy holiday treats without the harmful effects of sugar. Xylitol, in particular, not only acts as a sugar substitute but can actually improve oral health. When combined with other targeted approaches, such as our flagship product, the SaliPen, replacing sugar with xylitol can significantly improve dry mouth symptoms and protect oral health throughout the holiday season and year-round.

 

Understanding the Link Between Sugar and Xerostomia

Xerostomia is the clinical term for dry mouth, a condition in which the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva or don’t produce high-quality saliva. While a lack of saliva may seem innocuous, it can result in a host of symptoms that impact everything from diet to sleep to quality of life. 

 

What causes the salivary glands to malfunction? Any one of these factors:

• Medication
• Treatment for cancer in the head and neck region
• Injury
• Disease, including Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid disease

 

While the above factors can cause the salivary glands to malfunction, various lifestyle habits exacerbate the issue; sugar intake is one of them. 

 

In a previous blog post, we discussed several ways that sugar increases the risk of oral health problems in people with dry mouth:

 

• A lack of saliva means that sugar isn’t washed out of the oral cavity; this can lead to more dental caries and plaque accumulation. This is especially dangerous when eating sticky sweets, which stick adamantly to dry surfaces.
• Certain bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar, which is harmful to anyone. But in people with xerostomia, the lack of saliva allows these bacteria to proliferate, leading to increased oral infections, including gum disease and oral thrush. 
• Excessive consumption of sugar can lead to nerve damage, further impairing the salivary glands. 

 

Xylitol: An Ideal Sugar Substitute for People with Dry Mouth

Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol naturally present in small amounts in many fruits and vegetables. Its sweetness is similar to that of sucrose, but it has about 40% fewer calories and a much lower glycemic index, so it won’t cause blood sugar spikes. 

 

Xylitol promotes good oral health by:

 

1. Increasing saliva flow rates: Xylitol gum, lozenges, and sprays can stimulate saliva production. When there is more saliva in the mouth, it washes away sugar and bacteria. It also makes it easier to talk, chew, and swallow. 

 

1. Reducing bacteria: Chewing xylitol chewing gum can lead to a significant decrease in bacteria associated with dental caries and periodontitis. This leads to long-term caries protection, decreased plaque buildup, balanced pH, and even enamel remineralization. Studies showed that xylitol lozenges can reduce dental caries by 10% in high-risk populations.  

 

Of course, it’s important to bear in mind that these studies refer to moderate xylitol intake; research indicates that adults can safely consume between 10 and 30 grams of xylitol per day. To best protect against dental caries, between 5 and 10 grams per day is recommended. 

 

Pro tip: Whether you’re going away for the holidays or hosting, offer to make at least one dessert, so you know you’ll have a sugar-free treat to enjoy. Xylitol can be used in baking, for mixing drinks, and can be found in various brands of gum, mints, and hard candies. 

 

Additional Lifestyle Habits to Minimize Dry Mouth Symptoms

In some cases, dry mouth is reversible, and in other cases, it’s not. If you suffer from ongoing or irreversible xerostomia, the following habits can help. While they won’t cure dry mouth, they can offer temporary relief or reduce the risk of oral health issues, sleep disruptions, and discomfort. 

 

• Hydration: Water is the basis of saliva production; make sure you drink enough so that your salivary glands have as much raw material as possible from which to create saliva. 
• Humidification: Dry mouth at night is usually worse than during the day, as the body naturally produces less saliva once the sun goes down. Use a humidifier in your bedroom to keep moisture in the air and reduce nighttime dryness. This can also result in more comfortable sleep. 
• Good oral hygiene practices: Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, floss as much as possible, and go for regular dental checkups during the year to avoid unpleasant surprises during the holidays. 
• Reduce caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine consumption: These substances can worsen dry mouth symptoms and are best to avoid. Like sugar, alcohol might be hard to steer clear of during the holidays; if you can’t avoid it altogether, try lower alcohol options, non-alcoholic beer, or mocktails. 

 

Clinical Dry Mouth Treatments

While certain habits and health guidelines are important parts of dry mouth management, they’re not a miracle cure for dry mouth. Clinical intervention is typically necessary to treat the underlying cause of dry mouth: a lack of saliva.

 

Fortunately, there are several effective dry mouth treatments on the market today:

1. The SaliPen: This small, handheld device is ideal for people seeking a non-pharmacological, on-demand solution, especially when traveling during the holidays. The SaliPen applies low-level electrostimulation directly to the lingual nerve and salivary gland parenchyma, increasing saliva flow within seconds. Because it works locally and does not rely on systemic absorption, it can be used multiple times daily without tolerance or drug interactions.
2. Medication: Pilocarpine or cevimeline tablets stimulate the salivary glands pharmacologically, but often come with side effects such as sweating, dizziness, nausea, and more.
3. Artificial saliva: Sprays, gels, lozenges, and gum act as saliva substitutes, temporarily increasing moisture in the mouth artificially. While these don’t treat the root cause of xerostomia, they offer temporary symptom relief. 

 

Consult with your healthcare specialist about a comprehensive dry mouth treatment plan based on your medical history and current conditions. Often, the most effective treatment plan is one that covers as many bases as possible. 

 

Wishing you a happy holiday season that is both enjoyable and oral-health-friendly.

 

– The Saliwell Team

 

FAQs

Why is sugar problematic for people with dry mouth? 

People with dry mouth have a lack of saliva, which creates an unfavorable oral health environment. Sugar doesn’t get washed away, and bacteria proliferate, creating greater risk for dental caries and oral infections. 

 

Is xylitol safe to use every day, and how much is recommended? 

Yes, the FDA considers xylitol safe for daily use. Studies showing oral-health benefits use 5–10 grams per day, spread across 3–5 exposures (e.g., after meals). Adults can tolerate up to 30 grams daily without digestive upset.

 

Can I bake with xylitol the same way I bake with regular sugar? 

Yes. Granulated xylitol can be substituted 1:1 for sugar in almost all recipes, including baked goods and drinks. 

 

Is cutting out sugar and using xylitol a cure for dry mouth? 

No, following a sugar-free, xylitol-rich diet is not a cure for dry mouth. What it can do is reduce the risk of dental caries and oral infections. This type of diet is best used in conjunction with clinical dry mouth treatments such as the SaliPen, medication, and artificial saliva.

 

Where can I purchase the SaliPen?

You can purchase the SaliPen here.