Sorbitol compared with xylitol in prevention of dental caries.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize published data on the comparative efficacy of sorbitol and xylitol for prevention of dental caries.


METHODS
Published double-blind comparative trials, using sorbitol and xylitol products, identified by MEDLINE (January 1966-December 1998) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (January 1970-December 1998) searches.


RESULTS
Clinical trials generally used sorbitol and xylitol gums, which patients chewed three to five times daily for 20-40 months. Xylitol was superior to sorbitol in two longer, secondary dentition trials (30-63% reductions), but not in two primary dentition trials.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that xylitol-containing gums may provide superior efficacy in reducing caries rates in high-risk populations.
Gales
M A
MA
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, USA.
Nguyen
T M
TM
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014993:Xylitol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013012:Sorbitol; D014993:Xylitol