Fluoride dentifrice containing xylitol: in vitro root caries formation

Area of Science:

• Dental research
• Cariology
• Biomaterials science

Background:

• Root caries is a significant dental issue, particularly in aging populations.
• Xylitol is a sugar alcohol with known anti-caries properties.
• Fluoride is a well-established agent for caries prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of experimental xylitol dentifrices, with and without fluoride, in preventing root caries formation.
• To compare the anti-caries effects of fluoride-only, xylitol-only, and combined fluoride-xylitol dentifrices.
• To evaluate the impact of these agents on in vitro root caries lesions.

Main Methods:

• Human root surfaces were prepared and divided into four treatment groups: control, fluoride-only dentifrice, xylitol-only dentifrice, and combined fluoride-xylitol dentifrice.
• Teeth were exposed to twice-daily treatments for seven days.
• In vitro root caries were induced using an acidified gel, and lesion depths were measured using polarized light microscopy.

Main Results:

• Both Aquafresh Advanced (fluoride) and Diamynt (fluoride and xylitol) significantly reduced mean lesion depths compared to the control and xylitol-only groups (P<0.05).
• The experimental xylitol dentifrice without fluoride showed no significant difference in lesion depth compared to the no-treatment control.
• There were no statistically significant differences in mean lesion depths between the Aquafresh Advanced and Diamynt groups.

Conclusions:

• Dentifrices containing both fluoride and xylitol, or fluoride alone, are effective in reducing in vitro root caries formation.
• Xylitol alone, at the tested concentration, did not demonstrate significant anti-caries efficacy in this in vitro root caries model.
• Combined fluoride-xylitol dentifrices offer comparable protection against root caries to fluoride-only dentifrices.