Journal of Dental Research, Vol 71, 1166-1168, Copyright © 1992 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
The effects of sucralose, xylitol, and sorbitol on remineralization of caries lesions in rats
W. H. Bowen and S. K. Pearson
Department of Dental Research, Rochester Caries Research Center, University of Rochester, New York 14642.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether ingestion of sucralose,
xylitol, sorbitol, or distilled water alone could enhance remineralization
of early caries lesions in rats. Rats were infected by Streptococcus
sobrinus, fed diet 2000 (Ziegler Brothers, Gardners, PA) ad libitum for two
weeks, and, in addition, were offered drinking water sweetened by sucrose
(10% w/v). A group of rats terminated at this time displayed significant
levels of sulcal and smooth-surface caries. The remaining animals, for the
ensuing three weeks, either continued on the same cariogenic challenge or
received their essential nutrition by gavage and drank water, sweetened by
one of the agents listed above, ad libitum. At the end of the additional
three-week period, animals receiving sucralose, xylitol, sorbitol, or
distilled water had fewer lesions than did the animals terminated after the
two-week cariogenic challenge. The results show that removal of the
cariogenic challenge allowed remineralization to occur and that no
sweetening agent was superior to another in this respect.
