Low concentration of xylitol improves children tooth protection against Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation

Abstract

Objective: Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease in childhood. It is a social disease, which causes search for effective methods of its prevention. Due to its inhibitory action on Streptococcus mutans, xylitol is a readily used supplement. The purpose of the study was a determination of the effect of 0.01% concentration of xylitol on monospecies S. mutans biofilm formation.Design: Clinical strains were acquired from 64 children aged 4.7 ± 0.81 years. The study group included children with caries and patients without carious lesions. The isolates identified using a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer. The effect of 0.01% xylitol on monospecies biofilm formation after 8, 24, 48 and 72 h of culturing was evaluated. The produced biofilms were evaluated by determining the biofilm biomass, microorganism concentration and analyzing structure in a scanning electron microscope. Results:The biofilm biomass treated with xylitol was, at every time point, significantly lower (p < 0.001), in both study groups of children compared to the biofilm not treated with xylitol. A statistically significant decrease in the biofilm-forming capacity with xylitol in CFU/mL was obtained after 48 h in both groups. Conclusions:The anti-biofilm efficacy of xylitol at low concentrations, justifies its use in caries prevention in children.

Effect of Polyols and Selected Dental Materials on the Ability to Create a Cariogenic Biofilm–On Children Caries-Associated Streptococcus Mutans Isolates

“…A number of in vitro studies indicate antimicrobial effect of xylitol [50][51][52][53]. These results are harder to observe in in vivo studies line described by Soderling et al where xylitol consumption did not show reduction in the amount of S. mutans in participants' saliva [54].…”

Evaluation of Solutions Containing Fluoride, Sodium Trimetaphosphate, Xylitol, and Erythritol, Alone or in Different Associations, on Dual-Species Biofilms

“…Similar results have been previously reported for single- and dual-species biofilms of S. mutans and C. albicans at mature formation stages [ 30 , 31 ]. Conversely, biofilms at early formation stages (8–24 h) were shown to be more susceptible to treatments with xylitol and erythritol compared with mature biofilms [ 12 , 32 ]. Therefore, the time for biofilm formation in the present study (96 h) might also have influenced the results obtained concerning the effects of xylitol and erythritol.…”