Tagatose: A Tooth-Friendly Sugar?

by | Apr 16, 2025 | News

Tooth decay affects around 2.3 billion people worldwide, making it one of the most widespread health concerns.1 Excess sugar consumption is a major contributor to oral diseases—but cutting sugar out entirely isn’t a practical or necessarily healthy option. Fortunately, tagatose offers a naturally sweet alternative that not only tastes good but also actively supports dental health.

 

How Tagatose Protects Teeth

Tagatose has been shown to benefit oral health in several key ways. Most notably, it helps prevent the demineralisation of tooth enamel. In contrast, regular sugar (sucrose) feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth, which then produce acid. This acid erodes enamel over time, leading to cavities.

The bacteria also extract minerals from teeth to form plaque—a sticky biofilm that shields them while further weakening tooth enamel. The yellowing often seen in teeth is not just staining, but a visible sign of mineral loss.

One of the biggest differences between sucrose and tagatose is that only about 20% of tagatose can be metabolised by oral bacteria, resulting in significantly less acid production.2

Tagatose can help prevent tooth decay in three main ways:

  • It stops the growth of Streptococcus mutans, bacteria that cause cavities.3
  • It limits the bacteria’s access to fructose, another sugar they use to grow. This restricts their growth and ability to stick to teeth in slimy biofilms.4
  • It increases the number of beneficial mouth bacteria such as S. oralis.5

One study explored the effect of tagatose on three different types of mouth bacteria in the mouth. The researchers examined the saliva of 18 healthy volunteers and found that those with higher levels of tagatose in their saliva had fewer dental problems. 6

 

Approved for Oral Health

Tagatose’s ability to maintain tooth mineralisation, by decreasing bacterial tooth demineralisation, has been approved by the European Food Safety Authority.7 This represents a significant step in the recognition of the beneficial health profile of tagatose. Of course, you still need to brush your teeth and practise good oral hygiene.

Tagatose containing toothpaste is one of the ways that tagatose can be incorporated into your dental hygiene routine. Researchers found that tagatose has the potential to both prevent and remove plaque and with consistent use alters the balance of subgingival bacteria (the bacteria that hide in the gums and cause bad breath and gingivitis).8

All in all, tagatose offers an innovative solution to protecting teeth and oral health while still enjoying your favourite sweet foods. It offers a smart, science-backed solution that could help transform both dental care and the way we enjoy sugar.

If you’re seeking to reduce the harmful effects of sugar on your teeth for you and your children – without having to give up your family’s favourite foods – tagatose is a natural alternative worth considering.