Effect of glucose polymers in water, milk and a milk substitute on plaque pH in vitro

Glucose polymers are widely used as an energy supplement in dietetic practice and are increasingly being used in commercially available products, such as some infant formulae and dried baby foods. Information on the effect of glucose polymers on dental health does not exist, yet is essential in order to advise how these carbohydrates should be incorporated into the diet with least risk to dental health. This study aimed to investigate whether glucose polymers taken as 10% solutions in water, in cow's milk, or in a solution of a milk substitute (Calogen) are acidogenic and, if so, whether these solutions decrease plaque pH to levels associated with enamel demineralization. The solutions alone and with 10% sucrose served as negative and positive controls, respectively. Plaque was collected from the teeth of 14 adult subjects before and at 3, 7, 11, 15, 23 and 27 minutes after rinsing the mouth with one of the solutions. pH curves were compiled and acidogenicity expressed as: pH area, minimum pH reached, maximum pH decrease and length of time below pH 6.0. Glucose polymers caused a decrease in plaque pH but, for some of the measures of acidogenicity, to a significantly lesser extent than sucrose. Glucose polymers showed equal acidogenicity when given in water, milk or Calogen. In view of their potential cariogenicity, advice for mode of consumption of glucose polymers and products containing glucose polymers should be the same as that for non-milk extrinsic sugars.