There have been efforts that inhibit development of dental caries by sugar substitution. But, it is controversial if xylitol has anticariogenic effect in the presence of sucrose. And there are few papers dealing with the combined action of xylitol and...
There have been efforts that inhibit development of dental caries by sugar substitution. But, it is controversial if xylitol has anticariogenic effect in the presence of sucrose. And there are few papers dealing with the combined action of xylitol and sucrose. For the purpose of resolving this controversy, the author investigated the effect of xylitol on enamel demineralization and on adhesiveness of S. mutans to hydroxyapatite in the presence of sucrose.
Five experimental solutions were prepared as follows: (S: sucrose, X: xylitol)
Group 1: BHI broth Group 2: BHI + 1 % S
Group 3: BHI + 0.75% S+0.25% X Group 4: BHI + 0.5% S + 0.5% X
Group 5: BHI + 0.25% S + 0.75% X Group 6: BHI + 1 % X
Each solution was inoculated with 100㎕ of S. mutans JC-2. And saliva coated hydroxyapatite beads were put into each experimental solution. And then each solution was incubated at 37℃ under anaerobic condition. After incubation, the adhesiveness of S. mutans on hydroxyapatite was evaluated. The Vickers hardness numbers were measured on extracted human primary teeth, and these teeth were dipped into the same experimental solution and incubated at 37℃ under anaerobic condition for 48hours. Surface microhardness were measured again after incubation.
The obtained results were as follows;
1. In the presence of sucrose, xylitol can reduce the adhesiveness of S. mutans on hydroxyapatite surface from the ratio of 25% sucrose to 75% xylitol(P<0.05).
2. In the presence of sucrose, xylitol can reduced demineralization of primary teeth enamel surface from the ratio of 50% sucrose to 50% xylitol(P<0.01).