Collaborative WHO xylitol field studies in Hungary. II. General background and control of the dietary regimen

The consumption of sucrose and xylitol and the exposure to fluoride (F) were analyzed in a field study aimed at assessing the value of peroral xylitol as a caries-preventive measure. The coverage of the general background referred to the conditions of 689 institutionalized children observed for a 3-year-period. The material in the dietary substudy consisted of 286 subjects aged 8-13 years. The intake and excretion of F was monitored at all institutions in a total of 380 children. The frequency of the consumption of sucrose was high, its intake increasing over the weekend in comparison with weekdays. The consumption of the xylitol-containing products did not reduce the frequency of sucrose intake. Varying and fluctuating levels of exposure to systemic F was registered, as also reflected in the urinary F/creatinine quotient.