The Truth about Sorbitol

Sorbitol

Have you heard? We have been working away in our Brighton HQ to make truthpaste even better!

“But how?!” We hear you ask. Well we take the feedback of our customers and stockists very seriously. For a while now we’ve been looking into how to keep your Truthpaste fresher for longer, without compromising on that ‘dentist fresh’ feel that we get so many lovely reviews about. 

We don’t have such a thing as a secret ingredient at Truthpaste. Honesty has always been our policy. And in line with that very policy, we can share that our research and trials have lead us to add a touch of sorbitol to our ingredients list. 

What is Sorbitol?

Sorbitol is a form of carbohydrate - often referred to as a ‘sugar alcohol’ or ‘polyol’. Discovered in 1872 in the fresh juice of mountain ash berries by French chemist Joseph Boussingault, it is naturally occurring in fruits, vegetables and berries. It’s versatility has made it a popular ingredient in a multitude of products that we use today from cough mixture to chewing gum and skincare products for it’s thickening, moistening and sweetening properties. It’s often used as a sugar substitute for diabetics.

What is Sorbitol made from?

Whilst sorbitol a naturally occurring in fruit and vegetables, such as plums, apples and pears, it is also commercially produced using either potatoes or corn. When processed it appears as a fine white powder. Our sorbitol comes from French corn and wheat starches and is certified non-GMO.

Is Sorbitol good for teeth?

A common misconception with sorbitol, and to an extent xylitol, is the idea that, as a sugar substitute, it must be bad for your oral health by its very nature. On the one hand, no dentist is going to say that any sugar or sugar substitute when taken in excess is good for your oral health, which is quite correct! However, research and studies on sorbitol have an abundance of ‘good bacteria’ (known as S. cristatus) that work to fight various bacteria that can cause cavities and caries.

In particular, the S. cristatus were found to have a profound effect in fighting and treating chronic Periodontitis. You have probably heard this referred to as gum disease, a serious gum infection that can affect the soft tissue of the gums and in severe cases, lead to tooth loss. 

What is sorbitol used for?

Sorbitol is found in a great many oral care products, such as mouthwashes, gels and toothpaste. You will often find it used alongside xylitol. Both have been proven to benefit the teeth and gums in similar ways, but the crucial reason for including it in the ingredients of truthpaste is its ability to maintain freshness and moisture for longer. 

You will see our new and improved formula hit the virtual shelves of our website in a matter of weeks. Longer lasting and fresher tasting truthpaste, but with the same flavour and texture that has gained us the customer reviews that we are so proud of. We would love to know what you think!

Sources:

Rafeek, R. et al (2018) Xylitol and sorbitol effects on the microbiome of saliva and plaque. Journal of Oral Microbiology

Teo, G. et al, AM (2006). Silencing leaf sorbitol synthesis alters long-distance partitioning and apple fruit quality. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 

Commission of the European Communities (1985)  Reports of the Scientific Committee for Food concerning sweeteners. Sixteenth Series. Report EUR 10210 EN. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg.

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.(1982) Toxicological evaluation of certain food additives: sorbitol. Twenty-sixth report. WHO Technical Report Series 683, pp. 218-228. Geneva.

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