Sorbitol Compared with Xylitol in Prevention of Dental Caries

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.