Effects of 3 months frequent consumption of hydrogenated starch hydrolysate (Lycasin®), maltitol, sorbitol and xylitol on human dental plaque

Abstract

Lozenges containing hydrogenated starch hydrolysate (Lycasin), maltitol, sorbitol or xylitol were consumed 4 times daily during 3 months by 4 groups of persons (in all 85 subjects). In the maltitol-, sorbitol- and xylitol-group the plque wet weights were of the same magnitude before and after the test period. In the Lycasin-group, a higher value was found after than before the 3-month period (p less than 0.01). The acid production in suspensions of dental plaque material from Lycasin, maltitol and sorbitol expressed as per cent of that from glucose was approximately the same before and after the test period. From xylitol no acid production could be demonstrated either before or after the 3-month period. There were no statistically significant differences between the plaque pH-changes induced by rinsing with 50% solutions of Lycasin, maltitol, sorbitol or xylitol before and after the test period. However, there was a tendency (p less than 0.05) towards lower pH-values induced by the maltitrol and sorbitol rinse after the 3-month period compared with before. No difference in the relative numbers of facultative anaerobic streptococci. Streptococcus mutans or facultative anaerobic lactobacilli before and after the test period was found.

Long-Term Effect of Xylitol Gum Use on Mutans Streptococci in Adults

“…Use of maltitol lozenges for 3 months did not influence the levels of MS in plaque [Birkhed et al, 1979]. Thus, long-term use of maltitol for more than 3 months may promote the growth of MS. A more apparent effect of polyol has been described following the use of sorbitol.…”

Sugar Alcohols: What Is the Evidence for Caries-Preventive and Caries-Therapeutic Effects?

“…This effect was found to depend on the frequency of chewing and the initial level of mutans streptococci and seemed to persist after the habitual use of xylitol had stopped . However, a 3-month experiment in which 2 lozenges were sucked (in total 4 g of xylitol) 4 times daily showed no reduction of the numbers of mutans streptococci in dental plaque [Birkhed et al, 1979]. Tenovuo et al [1997] did not find a reduction of the numbers of salivary mutans streptococci after 1 month's regular use of 3 xylitol lozenges a day.…”

“…Some studies, however, suggest that sorbitol might be as effective [Wennerholm et al, 1994;Söderling et al, 1989;Birkhed et al, 1979]. Moreover the quantitative effect -a reduction of 10-20% in plaque index -should not be overemphasized from a cariological point of view [Birkhed, 1994].…”

Cariological Studies of Individuals with Long-Term Sorbitol Consumption (Short Communication)

“…Sorbitol is used as a low-cariogenic sucrose substi tute in many products, such as chewing gums and lo zenges [Birkhed et al, 1984], Studies suggest that an excessive use of sorbitol-sweetened products results in an increased production of acid from sorbitol in plaque [Frostell, 1965;Gülzow, 1971;Mäkinen, 1976;Birkhed et al, 1978Birkhed et al, , 1979, an increased number of mutans streptococci in plaque and saliva [Loesche et al, 1984], and an increased total number of sorbitolfermenting microorganisms in plaque [RateitschakPlüss and Guggenheim, 1982], Other studies indicate that an intake of sorbitol (2-3 times daily) does not promote caries [Bänöczy et al, 1981;Glass, 1983;Möller and Poulsen, 1973]. Some people use sorbitolflavoured products often and might run a caries risk.…”

“…At a follow-up exami nation, approximately 2 years later, the caries regis tration, case history, and dietary interview were re peated. Further, a saliva sample was also collected on this occasion for determination of mutans strepto cocci and lactobacilli counts [Gold et al, 1973;Birkhed et al, 1979] and of sorbitol-fermenting mi croorganisms on a sorbitol-agar [Cornick and Bowen, 1972]. One of the subjects was examined a third time after another 13 months.…”