Is Stevia Bad for Your Teeth? Here’s What You Should Know

Unlike sugar, which feeds harmful, cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth, stevia doesn’t pose the same risk. Stevia doesn’t ferment in your mouth or produce acids that wear away at your enamel. It even has some protective benefits for your oral and overall wellness.

That makes stevia a safe alternative for anyone looking to satisfy a sweet tooth or test out a natural toothpaste that harnesses the benefits of herbal sweeteners. 

How Does It Affect Oral Health?

Stevia, a natural sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant in South America, doesn’t trigger the same harmful chain reaction as sugar. 

Since cavity-causing bacteria can’t break down stevia for fuel, your mouth’s pH stays balanced and avoids the enamel-damaging acids that come from sugar. [1] This helps prevent demineralization for long-term tooth strength. 

Research also shows stevia may have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, reducing bacterial growth linked to plaque and gum issues. [2] 

Dental & Overall Wellness Benefits

Choosing stevia over sugar can make a big difference for your teeth. Since it doesn’t feed cavity-causing bacteria, it helps reduce plaque buildup and lowers your risk of cavities and gingivitis. By keeping your mouth’s pH balanced, stevia supports stronger, healthier enamel. 

Some research also points to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in stevia’s glycosides, which may help lower your the of gum disease. [3] Bacterial buildup can trigger inflammation in the gums, leading to conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis.

Beyond oral health, stevia is a safer sugar alternative for people with diabetes, as it doesn’t raise blood sugar or insulin levels. Some studies suggest that it may even reduce blood sugar. [4] Stevia is also calorie-free, so it may be helpful for weight management as you lower your sugar intake.

Finally, it’s naturally plant-derived, making it appealing to those seeking more natural alternatives to artificial sweeteners. 

Stevia vs. Sugar

Sugar is one of the main drivers of tooth decay. Harmful oral bacteria like Streptococcus mutans thrive on fermentable carbohydrates like sugar, producing acids that lower your mouth’s pH. [5] 

High acidity erodes your tooth enamel, the hard protective layer on your teeth, making your teeth more vulnerable to dental caries, plaque buildup, and sensitivity. They can also throw your sialo-microbial-dental complex out of balance and increase your risk of erosion and decay.

Stevia has a neutral effect. Oral bacteria can’t metabolize it, so it doesn’t produce the harmful acids that can cause damage. Choosing stevia instead of sugar protects your teeth, lowers your risk of cavities, and supports a healthy oral hygiene routine.

Stevia is a more natural alternative to Splenda or sucralose. While both are non-fermentable, Splenda is an artificial sweetener created through chemical modification. Stevia comes directly from the leaves of the stevia plant. 

Is Stevia Better Than Xylitol?

Xylitol has long been promoted as a tooth-friendly sugar-free sweetener because it strengthens tooth enamel and helps fight cavities. However, I’ve read too many studies about xylitol's potential side effects to support its long-term use. Xylitol can contribute to some heart-related concerns and gastrointestinal issues that can affect your oral microbiome. [6]

There’s no contest when you compare it to Stevia, which boasts all of the oral health benefits I’ve mentioned without the issues linked to sugar alcohols like xylitol. 

Why Revitin Chooses Stevia Leaf Extract

Revitin's oral microbiome-targeting formula includes stevia leaf extract. This natural, herbal sweetener helps combat cavities and plaque, supporting a balanced mouth and better oral health. 

When used in toothpaste, it provides a little sweetness without the side effects of chemical alternatives. Every ingredient in Revitin, a fluoride-free strategy for solid oral health, serves an important purpose. Ingredients include:

• Calcium carbonate to support remineralization. 

• Chondrus crispus to support a balanced oral microbiome.

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an anti-inflammatory enzyme for healthy tissue repair.

• Vitamin C to protect against oral infection.

• Xanthan gum for healthy bacterial flora.

FAQs

Do you need to brush your teeth after consuming stevia?

If you're using stevia as your preferred sweetener in food, you should still brush your teeth after consuming it. While it doesn’t feed cavity-causing bacteria or produce harmful acids, regular brushing and flossing are essential for removing plaque in a dental care routine.

This is assuming you’re not using a product like Revitin, which already contains stevia leaf extract and is designed to support your oral microbiome alongside daily brushing! 

What is the healthiest sweetener for your teeth?

The healthiest sweetener for your teeth is stevia. It doesn’t feed cavity-causing bacteria or produce acids that wear away enamel. Unlike acidogenic regular sugar, corn syrup, or fructose, stevia is non-fermentable, keeping your mouth pH stable and reducing plaque buildup.

Will bacteria consume artificial sweeteners like aspartame?

Oral bacteria don’t metabolize aspartame in the same way as sugar. Aspartame, a popular addition to diet soft drinks, is non-cariogenic, meaning it doesn’t contribute to enamel erosion or cavities. 

However, unlike natural sweeteners like stevia, aspartame doesn’t offer antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory benefits. Much like saccharin, it may also come with some side effects of its own. [7] While it’s safer for teeth than table sugar (sucrose), it’s still not as beneficial as the more natural options. Some say it has a more chemical aftertaste compared to stevia, too.

Sweeten Your Smile Naturally With Revitin

Stevia leaf extract helps protect enamel, reduce plaque, and support gum health, all without the side effects of artificial additives. 

Choose Revitin for a toothpaste combining powerful ingredients like stevia leaf extract and prebiotics for sustainable dental health. Revitin was developed by a top biologic dentist and designed to nurture your oral microbiome and promote oral care and overall wellness. 

Sources

1. AlKanderi, S., AlFreeh, M., Bhardwaj, R.G., et al. (2023). Sugar substitute stevia inhibits biofilm formation, exopolysaccharide production, and downregulates the expression of streptococcal genes involved in exopolysaccharide synthesis. Dentistry Journal, 11(12), 267. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10742993/

2. Xu, C., Lan-Kyn, Y., Yu-Bin, B., et al. (2024). Antibacterial activity and mechanism of Stevia extract against antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli by interfering with the permeability of the cell wall and the membrane. Frontiers in Microbiology, 15, Full text: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1397906/full

3. Han, W., Jiao, Y., Mi, S., et al. (2023). Stevioside reduces inflammation in periodontitis by changing the oral bacterial composition and inhibiting P. gingivalis in mice. BMC Oral Health, 23(1),550. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10416424/

4. Zare, M., Zeinalabedini, M., Ebrahimpour-Koujan, S., et al. (2024). Effect of stevia on blood glucose and HbA1C: A meta-analysis. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 18(7), 103092. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39098209/

5. Lemos, J.A., Palmer, S.R., Zeng, L., et al. (2019). The Biology of streptococcus mutans. Microbiology Spectrum, 7(1), 10.1128. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6615571/

6. Witkowski, M., Nemet, I., Li, X.S., et al. (2024). Xylitol is prothrombotic and associated with cardiovascular risk. European Heart Journal, 45(27), 2439-2452. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11492277/

7. Choudhary, A.K. & Lee, Y.Y. (2018). Neurophysiological symptoms and aspartame: What is the connection? Nutritional Neuroscience, 21(5), 306-316. Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28198207/