| Title |
Xylitol Chewing Gum May Reduce Enamel Erosion If Chewed Concurrently With The Presence Of An Acidic Agent |
| Clinical Question |
In an adult population does the use of xylitol gum prevent enamel erosion? |
| Clinical Bottom Line |
Xylitol chewing gum may reduce enamel erosion if chewed concurrently with the presence of an acidic agent. |
| Best Evidence |
|
| PubMed ID |
Author / Year |
Patient Group |
Study type
(level of evidence) |
| 18195513 | Chunmuang/2007 | 84 extracted human 3rd molars | in vitro Lab study | | Key results | No significant difference was found between xylitol and xylitol + fluoride combined with the orange juice (p<0.05); these 2 groups resulted in the smallest erosion depth and the highest surface hardness. Post-treatment with xylitol was not significantly different than no intervention (p<0.05), resulting in the largest erosion depth and lowest surface hardness. | |
| Evidence Search |
"Xylitol"[Mesh] AND "Tooth Erosion"[Mesh] |
Comments on
The Evidence |
This lab study used 7 test groups, all similar at the start and with 100% completion. All groups were treated the same. The study was not double-blind. No statement was made regarding competing interests. |
| Applicability |
This in vitro study did not reveal any potential harm to patients. The benefit of reduced enamel erosion indicates that xylitol is a good recommendation for patients with enamel erosion, but only if the xylitol is present in the mouth at the same time as the acidic agent, which reduces the applicability of this evidence. While this study demonstrates that xylitol gum could be used to reduce erosion, there are concerns with the practicality of recommending this, as patients may be unable or unwilling to chew gum at the same time that the acidic agent is present. |
| Specialty |
(General Dentistry) (Dental Hygiene) (Interprofessional CATs) |
| Keywords |
xylitol, erosion
|
| ID# |
2398 |
| Date of submission |
02/28/2013 |
| E-mail |
mcmahans@livemail.uthscsa.edu |
| Author |
Sarah McMahan |
| Co-author(s) |
|
| Co-author(s) e-mail |
|
| Faculty mentor |
Georgiana S. Gross, MPH |
| Faculty mentor e-mail |
grossg@uthscsa.edu |
| |
|
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?) |
| None available | |
 |
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs) |
| None available | |