Dental and Medical Problems

Dent Med Probl
Index Copernicus (ICV 2021) – 132.50
MEiN – 70 pts
CiteScore (2021) – 2.0
JCI (2021) – 0.5
Average rejection rate (2022) – 79.69%
ISSN 1644-387X (print)
ISSN 2300-9020 (online)
Periodicity – quarterly

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Dental and Medical Problems

2016, vol. 53, nr 4, October-December, p. 542–550

doi: 10.17219/dmp/63933

Publication type: review article

Language: English

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Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 Open Access

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

Zawartość ksylitolu w produktach pielęgnacyjnych i spożywczych dostępnych na polskim rynku a profilaktyka choroby próchnicowej

Anna Turska-Szybka1,A,B,C,E,F, Paulina Anna Pasternok1,B,C,D, Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk1,E,F

1 Department of Pedodontics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

Abstract

Caries 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.

Key words

xylitol, caries prevention, chewing gum with xylitol, lozenges with xylitol, toothpaste with xylitol

Słowa kluczowe

ksylitol, profilaktyka próchnicy, guma do żucia z ksylitolem, pastylki do ssania z ksylitolem, pasta do zębów z ksylitolem

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