Suchergebnisse

Xylitol as a chemical compound -- Determination of xylitol -- Aspects related to the production of xylitol -- Occurrence and significance of polyols -- Xylitol in dentistry -- Xylitol in dietetics and medicine -- Conclusion -- Addendum -- List of animal and human studies (excluding dental studies) -- References.

ABSTRACTThe effect of chewable saliva‐stimulants on Streptococcus mutans levels in dental plaque and paraffin‐stimulated whole saliva among participants who were mentally disabled was investigated. Over 64‐days, 98 participants chewed one of four saliva‐stimulating tablets five times/day. The tablets contained one of the following: xylitol (X) or sorbitol (S), or 1:1 mixtures of xylitol and erythritol (XE) or sorbitol and erythritol (SE). Consumption of xylitol and sorbitol in Groups X and S was 5.4 grams/day/ subject, and of each polyol in Groups XE and SE, consumption was 2.7 g/day/subject. Interproximal dental plaque and stimulated whole saliva were sampled at baseline, at Day 36, and Day 64. There was a statistically significant reduction of S. mutans in plaque and saliva counts in Groups X and XE. The percentage of S. mutans in total streptococci increased significantly in dental plaque in Group S but decreased in the other groups. The results suggest that xylitol‐containing saliva stimulants may be more effective than sorbitol‐containing products in controlling some caries‐associated parameters in people who are mentally disabled. Also a relationship may exist between the pentitol‐type xylitol and S. mutans, and erythritol may exert a specific biochemical effect on this organism, although further studies are needed.

An exploratory study investigated the root caries incidence in Department of Veterans Affairs patients with exposed root surfaces. For a period of six to 30 months, the subjects were systematically assigned to groups which used chewable dragées or chewing gums that contained either xylitol or sorbitol as bulk sweeteners. The mean treatment time was 1.8 years (standard deviation = 0.8). The consumption levels of both polyols was up to 8.5 g daily, used typically in five episodes during a 16‐hour period. The subjects were examined every six months in connection with their standard scheduled visits at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The risk for a root‐surface lesion in the xylitol group was only 19% of that for a surface in the sorbitol group (relative risk, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.06–0.62; p <0,0065). Simultaneous study in periodontal patients showed that both polyols significantly reduced the gingival index scores, and slightly (but not significantly) reduced the plaque index scores. Collectively, both studies suggest that frequent daily consumption of chewable, saliva‐stimulating products containing essentially nonfermentable or slowly fermentable dietary carbohydrate sweeteners (xylitol and sorbitol) may have an oral‐health‐improving effect in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center patients. It is necessary to evaluate if these procedures would be efficacious in larger and expanded patient cohorts.