What is the effect of aspartame on teeth?
Asparatame is considered an alternative sweetener. Alternative
sweeteners are essentially calorie-free and at least 30 times
sweeter than sucrose. There currently are five alternative
sweeteners approved for use in the United States: saccharin,
acesulfame-K, sucralose, aspartame and neotame. Aspartame is
composed of two naturally occurring amino acids (the building
blocks of protein) - phenylalanine and aspartate. Aspartame has a
flavor similar to sucrose, and also functions as a taste
intensifier and enhancer. Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than
sucrose and has no aftertaste. A packet of this sweetener is
equivalent in sweetness to two teaspoons of sugar (32 calories),
for just four calories. Products that contain aspartame must carry
a warning to people with phenylketonuria, a rare genetic disorder
that prevents proper metabolism of phenylalanine. Unlike the
alternate sweeteners saccharin, cyclamate acesulfame K, neotame and
sucralose, which have no nutritional value, aspartame contributes
calories. This is due to the fact that it can be used by the body
just as any other protein, but the amounts are so small that its
caloric value is insignificant. Aspartame does not contribute to
tooth decay.