Caries-risk-reducing effects of xylitol-containing chewing gum and tablets in confectionery workers in Finland.

Two-hundred and thirty-two workers who had taken part in a comprehensive study on occupational risks in the Finnish confectionery industry and who were still in the same employment, were tested for their willingness to use xylitol-containing products for caries prevention and for the effects of voluntary use of these products on their caries-promoting salivary characteristics. Xylitol-sorbitol chewing-gum and xylitol tablets were provided at the places of work for free use over a three-month period. The consumption was measured, the workers were asked for their opinions of the xylitol, and the effects of the products used on salivary characteristics were studied by means of a caries-risk index. Eighty-six per cent of the workers on the production lines reported having used xylitol-containing products during the study period. About 70 per cent consumed on average either 6.9 pieces of chewing-gum (range 0-20) or 1.2 tablets (range 0-15) per day. Eighty-one per cent thought that use of xylitol was good for their dental health. Five per cent thought the opposite. Use of xylitol-containing products was found to increase salivary flow and salivary buffer capacity of the subjects. A decrease in the number of workers with high salivary S. mutans count was observed. On examining shifts from risk groups to non-risk groups, a statistically significant positive change was noted. The results indicate that an ordinary commercial xylitol-containing chewing-gum can be used to decrease caries risk factors in confectionery workers.