The Effects of Sucralose, Xylitol, and Sorbitol on Remineralization of Caries Lesions in Rats

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether ingestion of sucralose, xylitol, sorbitol, or distilled water alone could enhance remineralization of early caries lesions in rats. Rats were infected by Streptococcus sobrinus, fed diet 2000 (Ziegler Brothers, Gardners, PA) ad libitum for two weeks, and, in addition, were offered drinking water sweetened by sucrose (10% w/v). A group of rats terminated at this time displayed significant levels of sulcal and smooth-surface caries. The remaining animals, for the ensuing three weeks, either continued on the same cariogenic challenge or received their essential nutrition by gavage and drank water, sweetened by one of the agents listed above, ad libitum. At the end of the additional three-week period, animals receiving sucralose, xylitol, sorbitol, or distilled water had fewer lesions than did the animals terminated after the two-week cariogenic challenge. The results show that removal of the cariogenic challenge allowed remineralization to occur and that no sweetening agent was superior to another in this respect.

Sucrose substitutes and their role in caries prevention

“…Important benefits of sugar alcohols from a dental perspective include their non-and little fermentability by oral microorganisms 37,[42][43][44] (non-cariogenic nature) in human dental plaque and their ability to promote remineralisation of demineralised enamel 21,[45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54] . However, the general demerits of sugar alcohols, except erythritol, are side effects such as abdominal discomfort, flatulence, softened stools, and diarrhoea when taken in excess.…”

“…• Inhibition of insoluble glucan synthesis from sucrose by mutans streptococci 36,38 • Decrease in mutans streptococci numbers in whole saliva and plaque 3,65,[68][69] • Increase in the buffering capacity and pH of dental plaque 3,64,65,67 • Interference with enamel demineralisation and an increase in enamel remineralisation 3,21,[45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54] .…”

Xylitol and caries prevention — is it a magic bullet?

“…Remineralisation occurred in nearly all experiments where non-sugar sweeteners were used during the 'healing' phase but there was no clear indication that xylitol had any greater effect than other non-sugar sweeteners when evaluated in short-term studies. [72][73][74][75][76] Remineralisation is likely to be adequately explained by the increased flow of saliva, rich in calcium and phosphate, and by the shorter time that plaque pH is low and has the potential to cause demineralisation. Any specific anti-caries action of xylitol is therefore likely to be due to its effect on plaque and plaque organisms.…”

Evaluation of Novel Anticaries Adhesive in a Secondary Caries Animal Model

“…An important animal model for the study of caries study was originally investigated by Keyes [1954Keyes [ , 1956Keyes [ , 1958a, who set a template in 2 essential aspects, i.e., caries production and caries evaluation [Stookey et al, 1995]. As a template, the Keyes model was modified into different forms to match the various demands of experiments, but without changing its outline of caries production, idea of caries evaluation, and linear estimates [Bowen et al, 1988;Bowen and Pearson, 1992]. Besides this classic method, the detection of caries by means of various instruments was also developed.…”