ORAL CARE 51
Analysing the benefits of erythritol in oral care
n Dr Teresa Berninger, Thomas Bernsmeier – Jungbunzlauer, Switzerland
Even 2000 years ago, the Romans understood the need to clean their teeth and used crushed ashes, soda and myrrh as their dentifricium. In the 19th century the addition of flavourings and abrasives such as marble powder and soap powder led to a more sophisticated formulation. The most simple polyol, glycerine, was added as a humectant and sweetener at the end of the century and the “toothpaste” went into industrial production. At the same time the cariogenic nature of oral bacteria was discovered, along with a scientific understanding of the damaging effect of the metabolism of sucrose and organic acids on the enamel. Polyols are applied as a bulk sweetener in
a large number of oral care products globally. Polyols cannot be metabolised by oral bacteria and the findings of some new studies suggest that erythritol in particular displays better functionalities than other polyols. The efficiency and properties of sugar alcohols are dictated by their chemical structure. They have some functions in common but their chemical profile determines the efficiency of specific anti- caries properties. Sorbitol and xylitol are the main polyols used in toothpaste, mouthwash and dental chewing gums. In recent years, oral care products containing xylitol – and latterly erythritol – have increasingly been available on the global market. Even the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) recognises that the use of polyols as a sugar replacement in food items contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralisation (EU Commission Regulation 432/2012).
Typical functional ingredients in toothpaste Fluoride
The American Dental Association (ADA) states on its Mouth Healthy website that this common ingredient is “nature’s cavity fighter”. Fluoride makes the enamel of the teeth harder and more resistant to acid damage. The forms most often used are sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate or stannous fluoride.
Abrasives
The most common abrasives remove plaque, debris and stains. Used in combination with the toothbrush, they help to polish teeth to a shine. Today’s abrasives typically include calcium carbonate, hydrated silica gels and hydrated aluminium oxides. The purpose of the abrasive ingredients is to scrub the surface of the teeth without scratching or damaging the tooth enamel.
Table 1: Physicochemical properties of erythritol compared to standard polyols for oral care (xylitol, sorbitol).
Erylite®
Solubility at 25°C [g/100 g]
Heat of solution (= cooling effect) [kcal/kg]
Sweetness (vs sucrose) Origin
June 2019 36 -43 0.6 – 0.7
Xylitol 66
-36.5 1
Sorbitol 230
-26 0.6 Yeast fermentation Catalytic hydrogenation Catalytic hydrogenation Detergents
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the most common detergent used in toothpastes. SLS creates a bubbly foam like that produced by soap and shampoo.
Polyols as humectants and sweeteners Glycerol keeps the toothpaste from drying out, gives it a consistent texture and helps produce a nice smooth paste when squeezing the tube. Sorbitol, used with glycerol, has a dual role: it holds the toothpaste together and it is a sweetening agent. Erythritol and xylitol also offer excellent properties for toothpaste application in a unique way described below.
Erythritol – made naturally by biofermentation
Erythritol is a naturally-occurring sugar alcohol (polyol) that is manufactured from glucose using a natural fermentation process. It is a great alternative to other polyols and bulk sweeteners due to its unique attributes: it is calorie-free, and it has a high digestive tolerance of around 0.8 g/kg bodyweight. Systemic effect studies demonstrate that erythritol is readily absorbed, not metabolised, and excreted in urine. Thanks to this metabolic profile, it is noncaloric, non-glycaemic, non-insulinemic, and more easily tolerated without gastrointestinal side effects.1 Unlike other polyols, erythritol is naturally present in many foods such as
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