Is Xylitol safe during pregnancy?
Sugar substitute in toothpaste, gum and mints. Normal oral-care amounts are not a known concern; studied in new mothers to cut cavity germs.
PregnancyUse with care
BreastfeedingGenerally safe
EvidenceLimited
What the sources say
A family-medicine review says xylitol can be used by high-risk mothers in the early postpartum period to reduce passing cavity-causing bacteria to their babies, and that routine dental care in pregnancy is safe. No pregnancy-specific studies on xylitol were found. Limit: normal amounts in toothpaste, gum or mints, not large supplemental doses.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
birch sugar, d-xylitol
Sources
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.