Xylitol Content in Dental Care and Food Products Available on the Polish Market and Their Significance in Caries Prevention

Abstract

Sugar alcohols (or polyols), natural organic compounds, may be used in order to replace sucrose. There are many sugar alcohols administered in dental care and food products, such as maltitol, lactitol, sorbitol, mannitol, erythritol and xylitol.Xylitol (E 967) is a five-carbon sugar alcohol of crystalline structure and sweetness similar to sucrose and has the same relative sweetness, which is 1, and provides less energy compared to sucrose (2.4 kcal vs 4 kcal). It occurs naturally in certain fruits, such as plums, raspberries and strawberries, and in birch trees; it is also developed in the digestive reactions of the human body in the amount of 15 g/day. It can be industrially produced using products rich in xylans, such as corncobs and birch wood. Xylitol obtained in the reduction reaction of xylose in the presence of catalytic converters is used in the food and cosmetic industry as an ingredient of chewing gum, lozenges, sprays, mouth rinses, gels, toothpastes, wipes, candies and AbstractCaries pertains to most of the Polish community and is associated with a high intake of sucrose and monosaccharides. Their non-cariogenic analogue is xylitol -equally sweet as sucrose, but not metabolized by the majority of bacteria existing in the oral cavity. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the content of xylitol in dental care and food products available on the Polish market and their significance in caries prevention. The products were selected based on the literature, informational leaflets and information from manufacturers. The toothpastes and gels taken into consideration contain up to 25% xylitol, mouth rinses -25%, dental care sprays -35%, chewing gum -66-67% and candies -96%. A large number of dental care and food products recommended in caries prevention contain xylitol in diverse concentrations. If caries-producing sugars are replaced with non-cariogenic sugar alcohols, the frequency of caries may be diminished. On one hand, xylitol, as an acknowledged anti-carious agent, is included in many caries-prevention programs, in precise concentrations and regularly used, on the other hand -there is a lack of EBM (Evidence-Based Medicine) data indicating the effectiveness of xylitol, apart from those pertaining to fluoride toothpastes with the addition of xylitol. It is emphasized that more detailed trials are necessary to answer the question whether it is xylitol that is relevant in caries prevention or the alteration of habits -lessened sucrose intake or its complete substitution with a sweetener and the act of chewing, which stimulates salivation (Dent. Med. Probl. 2016, 53, 4, 542-550).

Effect of xylitol on Porphyromonas gingivalis: A systematic review

“…Furthermore, xylitol concentration and the vehicle used vary considerably between the commercially available products and the intervention used in the studies. In addition, chewing gum and lozenges contain xylitol in concentrations ranging from 66% to 96% (turska‐szybka et al, 2016 ). Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate if the results from these in vitro studies reflect real‐life effectiveness of commercial products in inhibiting P. gingivalis .…”

Anti microbial effect of prebiotic containing tooth paste against streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus: An invitro evaluation

“…49,50 Though xylitol is included in many dental prophylactic programs as an acknowledged anticarious agent, there is a shortage of evidence based data indicating the effectiveness of xylitol, apart from those pertaining to fluoride toothpastes with the addition of xylitol. 51 When children, were instructed to brush their teeth twice a day with xylitol toothpaste (0.2g xylitol/day), they had low levels of salivary (0.81ml) and plaque (0.89 CFU/sample) S.mutans after 6 months. 52 But the toothpaste also had triclosan along with xylitol, which would have added to its efficacy.…”

Artificial Saliva for Therapeutic Management of Xerostomia

“…[ 30 ] The spry dental defense system chewing gums incorporate xylitol, a sugar replacement with sweetness equal to sucrose. [ 31 ] Use of xylitol for a more extended period has proved to reduce Streptococcus mutans and in turn, decrease the susceptibility to caries. Biotene and BioXtra have chewing gums with protein enzyme systems in their oral hygiene and oral lubrication products.…”