title: Sorbitol adaptation of dental plaque in people with low and normal salivary-secretion rates.
abstract: Caries-related bacteriological and biochemical factors were studied in 12 persons with low and 11 persons with normal salivary-secretion rates before and after a four-week period of frequent mouthrinses with 10% sorbitol solution (adaptation period). After the adaptation period, an increase in total numbers of sorbitol-fermenting bacteria and mutans streptococci was found in plaque samples from both groups. The pH drop in dental plaque in situ after a mouthrinse with sorbitol was more pronounced after the adaptation period, especially in the group with the low salivary-secretion rate. Increased acid production in plaque from sorbitol was also observed in the two groups in vitro. The composition of the fermentation end-products was affected by the sorbitol exposure. It is suggested that in subjects with diminished natural protection against caries development, such as patients with low salivary-secretion rate, a cariogenic potential of sorbitol should be considered when this polyol is included in products that might be used frequently.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Microbiology, University of Lund, School of Dentistry, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalfas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Svensäter
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Birkhed
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edwardsson
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012472:Salivation; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000378:metabolism*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes; D013012:Sorbitol; D005947:Glucose