History of Xylitol
Around 1890
The 5-carbon sugar xylitol was discovered by Fisher and Stahe in Germany and by Betrand in France.
1943
Naturally occurring xylitol was found for the first time in nature (in some plants).
1962
A biochemical pathway involving xylitol was discovered in mammalian tissue that xylitol is a natural physiological carbohydrate.
1962
Xylitol was introduced in parenteral nutrition (infusion therapy). This demonstrated that large quantities of xylitol can be given to seriously ill patients (i.e. the human metabolic capacity for xylitol is high).
1963
The United States Food and Drug Administration approved of the use of xylitol for special dietary purposes. This endorsement is important as most nations have followed or observed this practice.
1970
The odontological importance of xylitol was discovered in Turku, Finland. In 1970 the first study on the effects of xylitol on dental plaque was started.
1972
The Turku Sugar Studies were started.
1975
The clinical conclusions of the Turku studies were published.
The first commercial xylitol chewing gums were launched almost simultaneously in Finland and in the United States.
1977
A patent for production of xylitol was approved in the United States.
1982-1989
The Ylivieska studies were carried out.
1983
JECFA (a joint expert committee of WHO and FAO) announced xylitol a safe sweetener for foods.
1988
The Finnish Dental Association gave the first xylitol endorsement in the world.
1989
The Swedish Dental Association (Sveriges Tandlakarforbund) gave its endorsement of the use of xylitol.
1990
The Norwegian Dental Association (Den Norske Tannlegeforening) gave its endorsement of the use of xylitol.
1992
The British Dental Health Foundation gave its endorsement of the use of xylitol.
1993
The results of the extensive, long term clinical trial in Belize were published. The large-scale field study went on for more than three years. The study provided new information on the effects of xylitol chewing gum and various other chewing gums in caries prevention.
Irish Dental Association gave its endorsement of the use of xylitol.
1994
Products containing xylitol were excluded from confectionary taxation in Finland as a result of a three-year campaign by school children in Vatiala, Finland.
Estonian dentists (Eesti stomatoloogide selts soovitab) gave their endorsement of the use of xylitol.
1996
Saku Koivu's xylitol school started in Finland. The school was aimed at forth-graders but can also be applied to daycare centers. It was a huge success right from the beginning.
The Dutch dentists gave their endorsement of the use of xylitol.
The use of xylitol has also become popular in many Finnish daycare centers, with gum pellets chewed after each meal.
1997
The results of the study on ear infections in Oulu, Finland, were published in the British Medical Journal. According to the results of the study, 100 % xylitol sweetened chewing gum significantly prevents children's ear infection.
Professor Kauko K. Makinenreceived the Finnish Dental Society's Apollonia Prize. The prize, which was awarded for the first time, is awarded as an acknowledgement for distinguished odontological research. One of cited grounds for the was Professor Makinen's distinguished contribution to xylitol research.
2000
Dentists from The Academy of Dental Resources develop a research facility to further study xylitol in their practices. Over the next six years, they develop patient treatment and diagnosis protocols based on extensive clinical studies and practice observations.
2006
The Academy of Dental Resources launches their “Xylitol Oral Health Program,” designed to help dental practices smoothly and efficiently integrate xylitol into their practices. They also develop training programs for patients and hygienists.
