“Here, take this,” I said, figuring it should at least soothe his throat, considering the gum had helped his father who had dry mouth earlier that year.Within one hour, he came to me and asked, “Do you have more of that gum?”“Sure, but why?” I asked.“Because my nose cleared up and I stopped sneezing,” he stated.
I froze in disbelief. We immediately scanned the internet to purchase Xlear xylitol sprays and nasal wash. I knew of these products from dental journals and meetings. However, I never investigated the research on xylitol’s effect on upper respiratory health.
My son’s problematic health history was common with those children who suffer from allergies. He had ear infections since birth. At three months old he had to take numerous antibiotics. Also, at three months old he was only the second youngest child to surgically have tubes placed in his ears by a very prestigious ENT, only to be followed by two hospitalizations with general anesthesia. He constantly endured ear infections and strep throat.
