LPR, gum, and TMJ...what about xylitol mints?

Hi all,

I'm in the process of being diagnosed with likely LPR. I've seen many who find a measure of relief with gum. I have never been diagnosed with TMJ, but I do have a popping jaw, and occasional right ear pain/pressure. (More on that in another post. My first "episode" that I now believe was LPR occured around the same time I had a horrible flare-up of pain in my right ear, right eye, and neck. That was back in June of this year. Both went away fairly quickly and never happned again until this January. The LPR symptoms have started again and taken on a whole life of their own, and the ear is not *that* bad, but is somewhat flared up again! Interesting seeing the posts linking LPR and TMJ.)

Anyhow...I'm wanting to try the xylitol gum for help with LPR symptoms, but I'm afraid it'll exacerbate my ear issue. I've seen at least one person who mostly sucks on the gum and just keeps in under the tongue or back of mouth. What about xylitol mints? I'm thinking of a cinnamon or fruit flavor. Will it just dissolve too fast to be of any lasting value?

Also, what about flavors...I haven't seen much discussion about flavors at all. I know I should avoid mint. Is cinnamon likely to exacerbate LPR?

Finally, and this wasn't in my title....for those of you who use DGL, do you do powder or lozenges. How many do you take, are there kinds without artificial flavorings? Which varieties in general are considered the most helpful for LPR sufferers?

Thanks!

Xylitol is an excellent product for dental health, but the medical microbiologist I work with in controlling my GERD feel that sugar alcohols including xylitol may not be the best for gerd. But I'm not sure how much you actually ingest while chewing gum, so it may not matter. Gum chewing makes us produce more saliva, which is ph neutral, so that can help reduce LPR symptoms. I frequently chew mint gum flavored with xylitol, and my symptoms are well controlled.