Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018 Oct 19;6(10):1888-1894.
doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2018.336. eCollection 2018 Oct 25.

Sugar Substitutes: Mechanism, Availability, Current Use and Safety Concerns-An Update

Megha Gupta  1
Affiliations
Review

Sugar Substitutes: Mechanism, Availability, Current Use and Safety Concerns-An Update

Megha Gupta. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. .

Abstract

Background: Dental caries has continued to be the major oral disease in the past, as well as the present scenario. Cariogenic sugars in the presence of specific bacteria Streptococcus mutans over a period have been attributed as the major etiologic agent for dental caries. The association between sugar consumption and dental caries has been well documented.

Aim: Hence, the dental profession shares an interest in the search for safe, palatable sugar substitutes.

Methods: Therefore, the use of a suitable sugar substitute can help in combating dental caries.

Results: Out of the various sugar substitutes available, xylitol is the most widely used. It is available in various forms. It decreases the plaque formation, bacterial adherence and inhibits the growth of Mutans Streptococci.

Conclusion: This article provides a comprehensive review of the sugar substitutes, present-day availability, role in the prevention of dental caries and their safety concerns.

Keywords: Artificial sweeteners; Cariogenicity; Dental caries; Sugar substitutes; Xylitol.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Newbrun E. Cariology. 3rd edition. Quintessence Publication; 1989.
    1. Nikiforuk G. Basic and Clinical Aspects. Karger Publication; 1985. Understanding dental caries, Etiology and mechanisms.
    1. Thylstrup A, Fejerskov O. Textbook of Clinical Cariology. 2nd edition. Munksgaard: Copenhagen; 1994.
    1. Chattopadhyay S, Raychaudhuri U, Chakraborty R. Artificial sweeteners –a review. J Food Sci Technol. 2014;51(4):611–621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0571-1 PMid:24741154 PMCid: PMC3982014. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Roberts MW, Wright JT. Food sugar substitutes: a brief review for dental clinicians. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2002;27(1):1–5. https://doi.org/10.17796/jcpd.27.1.bl98u70371655hp8 PMid:12413163. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources