Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in fruits and vegetables and is commercially produced using birch bark and corn cob. It is commonly used as a low-calorie sweetener. Xylitol is recognized as beneficial to oral health because it inhibits the growth of oral bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of cavities, and is often used in the production of chewing gum, breath mints, toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as chewable multivitamins, candies and pharmaceuticals.