Q-litol™ – What Is It? Why Do We Use It?

Q-litol™ is a trademark of Perfect Smile Corporation.  It represents the unique combination of three vital ingredients in our oral care products, namely, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Xylitol, and Vitamin C.  Additionally, our CoQ10 is a patented form of CoQ10 known as “MicroActive® CoQ10 Complex” which has been proven to be much more bioavailable than standard forms of CoQ10.

Q-litol is formulated into our Toothpastes, Mouth Rinse and Chewing Gums.  Each of the three Q-litol ingredients has individually proven to be very beneficial in the fight against gum disease and tooth decay.  CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that promotes healthy cells and gum tissue by neutralizing free radicals that attack the body’s defenses.  Xylitol has been proven to be beneficial in fighting bacteria and tooth decay and also acts as a natural sweetener, which allows us to avoid using potentially harmful artificial sweeteners in all of our products.  Vitamin C is a proven antioxidant beneficial in promoting healthy gums, and studies show that the sodium ascorbyl phosphate form of vitamin C used in our toothpastes and rinse is highly bioavailable and may promote re-mineralization of tooth enamel.

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CoQ10 and MicroActive® CoQ10 Complex

CoQ10 was first identified by University of Wisconsin researchers in 1957 and has just recently become one of the fastest-selling nutritional supplements on the market.  CoQ10 is a naturally occurring, fat-soluble, vitamin-like compound found in every cell of the human body, acting as a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals that attack the body’s natural defenses and immune system.  The amount of CoQ10 produced and found in the human body typically decreases with age.  Clinical testing has shown that CoQ10 is effective in promoting healthy gums, maintaining good heart health, strengthening the immune system, and increasing energy levels.  Recent studies indicate significant improvement in all aspects of gum health with the application of CoQ10.  Although CoQ10 is produced naturally in the body, levels tend to decrease as we grow older.  Low levels of CoQ10 is cause for concern because it has been reported in people with heart failure, gingivitis, periodontal disease, hypertension, and cardiac disease, as well as in people undergoing chemotherapy and people taking statin medications.  The National Institutes of Health estimates that 80% of American adults have some form of gum disease.  A study by Dr. Edward Wilkinson of the Wilford Hall US Air Force Medical Center, discovered that people with diseased gums had an unusually large deficiency of CoQ10 and when treated by supplementation, the diseased gum conditions actually reversed.  This became the benchmark study, which led to more research and discoveries about the benefits of CoQ10 in treating gum disease.  Supplementation and using oral hygiene products containing CoQ10 can be an effective program in preventing and correcting deficiencies associated with gum disease.  Signs and symptoms of gum disease include inflamed and tender gums, gums that bleed from brushing, chronic bad breath, sensitive teeth, pus around teeth and gums, and loose teeth.

MicroActive® CoQ10 Complex is produced from a patented process (U.S. Patent #7,030,120) utilizing CoQ10 and natural cyclodextrins to create a water-dispersible and more bioavailable active ingredient for oral care products.  Laboratory studies using human gingival tissue indicate that the MicroActive form of CoQ10 is up to 10 times more bioavailable than standard powdered CoQ10.  The improved bioavailability feature means that gum tissue is more readily absorbing the CoQ10 thereby increasing the antioxidant activity which helps to promote healthy gums and fight gum disease.

To summarize:

• CoQ10 is essential for maintaining healthy cells.

• The amount of CoQ10 naturally produced by the human body decreases with age.

• A low level of CoQ10 has been associated with gum disease, heart disease, diabetes, strokes and other chronic conditions.

• Topical application of CoQ10 has been shown to halt and even reverse the effects of gingivitis and periodontitis.

• Perfect Smile’s MicroActive® CoQ10 Complex was shown to be up to 10 times more bioavailable than standard CoQ10 in a laboratory study using human gingival tissue.

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Xylitol

Pure xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar. Xylitol has been used in foods since the 1960’s and is a popular sweetener for diabetics.  While sugar wreaks havoc on the body, xylitol heals and repairs while protecting against chronic degenerative disease and providing anti-aging benefits.  Xylitol is an antimicrobial thus preventing the growth of bacteria. While sugar is acid-forming, xylitol is alkaline enhancing. Over 25 years of testing in widely different conditions confirm that xylitol is the best sweetener for teeth. Xylitol also reduces the quantity of plaque on the teeth, and the remaining plaque is less adhesive enabling easier removal when brushing teeth thereby contributing to a potential reduction in gum disease.  Using xylitol has proven to reduce tooth decay rates both in high-risk groups (high caries prevalence, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene) and in low risk groups (low caries incidence using all current prevention recommendations). Sugar-free chewing gums made with xylitol as the principal sweetener have already received official endorsements from six national dental associations.  Studies using xylitol as either a sugar substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in new tooth decay, along with arrest and even some reversal of existing dental caries. Our bodies produce xylitol from other food sources using established energy pathways. Xylitol is not a strange or artificial substance, but a normal part of everyday metabolism.  Some of the best sources are fruits, berries, mushrooms, lettuce, corn cobs and various hardwoods such as birch trees.  In the amounts needed to prevent tooth decay (less than 15 grams per day), xylitol is safe for everyone.

To summarize:

• Xylitol is a natural sweetener without the negative side effects of sugar.

• Xylitol is an antimicrobial that suppresses the growth of harmful strains of oral bacteria, especially the worst variety, Streptococcus mutans.

• Xylitol reduces the quantity of plaque and the remaining plaque is easier to remove, thus reducing the potential for gum disease.

• Numerous studies have shown xylitol to be effective against tooth decay, earning the support of the American Dental Association.

• Studies have shown that xylitol’s beneficial effect is long-lasting and possibly even permanent.

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Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate – Vitamin C

It is well known that low levels of vitamin C increases the risk for periodontal disease.  Deficiency of vitamin C is associated with defective formation and maintenance of collagen, loss of calcium from bone and slow wound healing.  In a recent study, researchers found that patients who consumed less than the recommended 60 mg per day were at nearly one-and-a-half times the risk of developing severe gingivitis as those who consumed three times the recommended amount.  In another study, German researchers studied non-smoking patients with low levels of vitamin C and periodontitis and found that after two weeks of eating two grapefruits per day, blood levels of vitamin C rose 50% and bleeding gum scores improved about 60%.  Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is inexpensive and easy to obtain but unfortunately, it is unstable and does not last very long.  Stable versions of vitamin C are expensive and Perfect Smile toothpastes and mouth rinse use Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP), a stable and long-lasting form of vitamin C.  SAP is water-soluble and is taken up by human cells much more effectively than synthetic ascorbic acid and once inside the cells it is easily converted to ascorbic acid and phosphate.  This greater bioavailability of SAP combined with the natural ability of gingival tissue to more readily absorb nutrients, provides a sound basis for the inclusion of this vital nutrient in Perfect Smile oral care products.

To summarize:

• Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the prevention of gum disease.

• By increasing blood levels of vitamin C, patients were able to reduce bleeding gum scores.

• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a stable and longer-lasting form of vitamin C that is more bioavailable than less expensive alternatives.

• Perfect Smile oral care products contain Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate for direct contact with highly absorbent gingival tissue.

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