Biomaterial Database

The effect of sugar alcohols on plaque and saliva level of Streptococcus mutans. 1984

W J Loesche

The usage of sucrose substitutes such as polyols in snack-type foods is a logical and practical means of reducing caries incidence without perturbing normal dietary eating patterns. S. mutans and L. casei can ferment mannitol and sorbitol, but are inactive towards xylitol. This ability of these cariogenic organisms to ferment the hexitols does not seem to be of concern when gums containing them are used at the normal rate. However, when hexitol gum usage is excessive, the S. mutans levels may increase. In contrast to the hexitols, excessive usage of gums sweetened with xylitol caused a significant decrease in the levels and proportions of S. mutans in saliva and plaque. While this effect on S. mutans may be an indirect one, this finding provides added evidence for the superiority of xylitol as a sucrose substitute in dentistry.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008353	Mannitol	A diuretic and renal diagnostic aid related to sorbitol. It has little significant energy value as it is largely eliminated from the body before any metabolism can take place. It can be used to treat oliguria associated with kidney failure or other manifestations of inadequate renal function and has been used for determination of glomerular filtration rate. Mannitol is also commonly used as a research tool in cell biological studies, usually to control osmolarity.	(L)-Mannitol,Osmitrol,Osmofundin
D002638	Chewing Gum	A preparation of chicle, sometimes mixed with other plastic substances, sweetened and flavored. It is masticated usually for pleasure as a candy substitute but it sometimes acts as a vehicle for the administration of medication.	Chewing Gums,Gum, Chewing,Gums, Chewing
D003773	Dental Plaque	A film that attaches to teeth, often causing DENTAL CARIES and GINGIVITIS. It is composed of MUCINS, secreted from salivary glands, and microorganisms.	Plaque, Dental
D004032	Diet	Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal.	Diets
D004463	Ecology	The branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their ENVIRONMENT, especially as manifested by natural cycles and rhythms, community development and structure, interactions between different kinds of organisms, geographic distributions, and population alterations. (Webster's, 3d ed)	Bionomics,Ecologies
D005285	Fermentation	Anaerobic degradation of GLUCOSE or other organic nutrients to gain energy in the form of ATP. End products vary depending on organisms, substrates, and enzymatic pathways. Common fermentation products include ETHANOL and LACTIC ACID.	Fermentations
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006863	Hydrogen-Ion Concentration	The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH	pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012463	Saliva	The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the SALIVARY GLANDS and mucous glands of the mouth. It contains MUCINS, water, organic salts, and ptylin.	Salivas