Dental considerations in sucralose use

Sucralose is a new type of non-caloric, high-intensity sweetener recently approved for use by the U.S. FDA. Its availability may expand the number of palatable, low-sugar foods and beverages currently on the market. A series of studies has been conducted to assess whether sucralose has cariogenic potential. These include an examination of oral bacterial metabolism, experimental caries in animal models, and the effect of sucralose-containing solutions on human plaque pH in situ. The sum of these studies demonstrates that sucralose is non-cariogenic. Sucralose-based sweeteners that contain bulking ingredients, which allow them to pour and measure more like sugar, do have cariogenic potential due to the presence of added fermentable carbohydrate; however, the data suggest that both the currently marketed sucralose granular and packet products are less cariogenic than sugar. Thus, when used to replace sugar, both sucralose and the tested sucralose-based sweeteners may be useful in the dietary management of caries.