Reduced Caries Formation
In clinical and field tests, the consumption of xylitol between meals was associated
with significantly reduced new caries formation, even when participants were already
practicing good oral hygiene. Results clearly establish that use of xylitol-sweetened
foods provides additional help in the battle against tooth decay. It also inhibits
the growth of S. mutans, the primary bacterium associated with dental caries.
In a two-year study conducted at the Ylivieska Health Center in Finland, children
aged 11-12 who consumed 7 to 10g of xylitol daily in chewing gum showed a 30 to
60% reduction in new dental caries development compared to the control group not
chewing gum.
The possible long-term caries-preventing effects of xylitol have been studied as
a follow-up to the Ylivieska study. Re-examination of the subjects 2 or 3 years
after discontinuation of the use of xylitol revealed a continued reduction in caries
increment in the post-use years of about 55%. In teeth erupting during the first
year of the use of xylitol chewing gum, the long-term caries preventative effect
was over 70%. The results suggest that the value of xylitol may be highest during
periods of high dental activity such as eruption of new teeth.
A 40-month (1989-93) cohort study on the relationship between the use of chewing
gum and dental caries was performed with 4th grade students in Belize, Central America.
Nine treatment groups were included: control group (no gum); four xylitol groups
(range of xylitol consumption 4.3-9.0g/day); two xylitol/sorbitol groups (total
polyol consumption 8.0/9.7g/day); one sorbitol group (9.0g/day); and one sucrose
group (9.0g/day). Compared with the no-gum group, sucrose gum usage resulted in
a marginal increase in caries rate (relative risk 1.20). Sorbitol gum reduced the
caries rate (relative risk 0.74). The four xylitol gums were most effective in reducing
caries rates (relative risks from 0.48-0.27). The most effective gum was a 100%
xylitol pellet gum (relative risk 0.27). The xylitol/sorbitol gums were less effective
than xylitol, but reduced the caries rates significantly compared to the no-gum
or sorbitol gum groups. The results suggest that systemic usage of polyol-based
chewing gum reduces caries rates in young subjects, with xylitol gums being most
effective.
A three-year clinical dentifrice caries study was conducted with 2,630 children
initially aged 8-10 years in the San Jose, Costa Rica metropolitan area. The study
evaluated the efficacy of a 0.243% sodium fluoride/silica/10% xylitol dentifrice
when compared to a 0.243% sodium fluoride/silica dentifrice which contained no xylitol.
After the three-year period, subjects using the xylitol-containing dentifrice had
a statistically significant reduction in decayed and filled dental surfaces (12.3%
reduction; P
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