They are sugar-free mints sweetened with xylitol, which is a sugar alcohol typically found in birch trees and corn [Harvard Health].

Sugar alcohols like xylitol are different than the table sugar you would find in a bowl of cereal or glass of orange juice.

They are low in calories, support oral health, and only lead to small rises in blood glucose, with a reported glycemic index (GI) of 7[Health Benefits of Xylitol]. Note that table sugar has a GI of 65!

Studies have demonstrated that xylitol offers a range of benefits for your teeth, gums, and overall oral health:

-Reduces the risk of tooth decay: Xylitol has been shown to lower the risk of tooth decay (also known as dental caries), which in turn decreases the likelihood of developing cavities [Health Canada Assessment].

- Reduces the risk of gum disease: Xylitol has also been demonstrated to reduce the risk of gum disease (periodontal disease), a condition that often begins with gum inflammation or bleeding, commonly referred to as gingivitis [2022 review paper]. The jury is still out on xylitol mints, but you be the judge!

- Alleviates dry mouth: The mere act of sucking a mint has been demonstrated to stimulate saliva production, which may help to relieve dryness in the mouth [Effect of Candy on Salivary Flow]. So why not have our xylitol mints!

In the morning when you wake up, you've probably rubbed your tongue against your tooth and felt a not so smooth surface on it. That is plaque. On plaque, there are a lot of bacteria that are responsible for producing the acids that lead to tooth decay, and potentially cavities.

Xylitol is great at killing those harmful bacteria in your mouth and reducing the stickiness of plaque on your teeth [Xylitol's effect on tooth decay and plaque].

We like to think of xylitol as a food source that "scams" those harmful bacteria. The bacteria spend a lot of energy eating and digesting the xylitol, only to discover they've essentially consumed empty calories, uh-oh. Eventually, overtime, these harmful bacteria are unable to reproduce and then die off.

As you can see, you definitely want xylitol on your side!

No, xylitol works by directly inhibiting the harmful bacteria (e.g., mutans streptococci) in your mouth from replicating, and so it only needs tocome in contact with the bacteria in your mouth to have an effect [How Xylitol Works].

Some dental professionals suggest consuming xylitol products over a period of 3 to 7 minutes per serving as a best practice [Ontario Dental Health Association]. This recommendation makes sense considering xylitol works due to exposure in the mouth. However, we haven't come across any studies that suggest what the optimal exposure time should be, but we'll report back soon!

For maximum dental benefits, an effective amount seems to be between 6 - 10 grams per day, with amounts greater than 10 g demonstrating diminishing to little benefits [Xylitol dosage].

For optimal benefits, divide your daily xylitol content into 3 to 5 servings to promote a fresher, healthier mouth throughout the day [Xylitol Frequency]. Pro tip, a perfect time to take a mint is after meals and snacks when bacterial activity is high.

Early signs of gum disease (or periodontal disease) include red, swollen or bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing. This stage is often referred to as gingivitis [Cleveland Clinic].

During later stages of gum disease, you may start to notice receding gums, loose teeth and persistent bad breath! If you notice any of these symptoms, please talk to your dentist.

Xylitol is safe for most people when consumed in moderation (< 30 g) [ Xylitol's effect on heart health].

However, excessive consumption may cause mild digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea due to its laxative effect [Xylitol's effect on digestion].

Xylitol is extremely toxic to pets, especially dogs, so ensure these mints and all other xylitol products are kept out of their reach [Xylitol toxicity in dogs].

Each of our mints contain 1 g of xylitol, which is twice as much as leading brands. We want to make achieving the 6g/day recommendation simple and effortless.

Our mints contain xylitol, gum arabic, magnesium stearate, natural pepperiment oil and carnauba wax.

Currently, we're focusing on Canadian deliveries but plan to expand soon.