M A Gales1, T M Nguyen. 1. Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To summarize published data on the comparative efficacy of sorbitol and xylitol for prevention of dental caries. DATA SOURCES: Published double-blind comparative trials, using sorbitol and xylitol products, identified by MEDLINE (January 1966-December 1998) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (January 1970-December 1998) searches. DATA SYNTHESIS: Clinical trials generally used sorbitol and xylitol gums, which patients chewed three to five times daily for 20-40 months. Xylitol was superior to sorbitol in two longer, secondary dentition trials (30-63% reductions), but not in two primary dentition trials. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that xylitol-containing gums may provide superior efficacy in reducing caries rates in high-risk populations.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize published data on the comparative efficacy of sorbitol and xylitol for prevention of dental caries. DATA SOURCES: Published double-blind comparative trials, using sorbitol and xylitol products, identified by MEDLINE (January 1966-December 1998) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (January 1970-December 1998) searches. DATA SYNTHESIS: Clinical trials generally used sorbitol and xylitol gums, which patients chewed three to five times daily for 20-40 months. Xylitol was superior to sorbitol in two longer, secondary dentition trials (30-63% reductions), but not in two primary dentition trials. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that xylitol-containing gums may provide superior efficacy in reducing caries rates in high-risk populations.
Authors: T Tapiainen; T Kontiokari; L Sammalkivi; I Ikäheimo; M Koskela; M Uhari Journal: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Date: 2001-01 Impact factor: 5.191