Treat sweet tooth to xylitol gum
For years, the legendary dessert case at Phillips European Restaurant in Brighton has satisfied our sugar cravings — and no doubt horrified a few dentists. Something you might not know: Co-owner Ellie Phillips is a dentist, and one of the products she’s selling now is meant to protect that sweet tooth from decay.
Phillips has devised a line of mints and gum containing the naturally occurring sweetener xylitol, which the Food and Drug Administration has said can carry the claim “does not promote dental caries” (cavities).
Others make stronger claims. As Phillips tells the tale, she began offering the products to her restaurant workers, who didn’t always keep up with their dental care. Now, she says, “they all have the most beautiful teeth as a consequence.”
That success story led to the launch of Zellies, now sold at Wegmans and online. The Zellies Web site (www.zellies.com) features links to studies citing xylitol’s dental benefits and to a blog where Phillips responds to questions.
“In Wal-Marts in China, you can find xylitol gum, but most people in America have never heard of it,” Phillips says.
Phillips, naturally, wants to change that best-kept-secret status. In January, she published a book, Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye, which advocates xylitol as part of a comprehensive dental regimen. The book “doesn’t denigrate dentists, but it does show people how they can take even better care of their own teeth,” she says.
A side benefit: Patrons at Phillips European can worry a little less about cavities while enjoying that wedge of double chocolate fudge torte.
Van Dussen is a Rochester-area freelance writer.
