Xylitol in caries prevention: what is the evidence for clinical efficacy?
Xylitol has attracted much attention as an alternative sweetener. Essentially all clinical studies concerning the effect of xylitol on caries development consent to its non-cariogenicity and to the beneficial effect of substituting sucrose with xylitol in chewing gums and sweets. However, claims of anti-caries or therapeutic effects, and superiority of xylitol over other polyols are still to be confirmed by well designed and conducted studies from independent research groups.
Scheie
A A
AA
Department of Oral Biology, Dental Faculty, University of Oslo, Norway.
Fejerskov
O B
OB
D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002638:Chewing Gum; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006019:Glycolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000378:metabolism; D013395:Sucrose / Q000378:metabolism; D014993:Xylitol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002638:Chewing Gum; D013395:Sucrose; D014993:Xylitol