Effects of chewing gums sweetened with sorbitol or a sorbitol/xylitol mixture on the remineralisation of human enamel lesions in situ

Abstract

Intra-oral remineralisation of experimental caries-like lesions in human enamel, as determined by polarised light microscopy and quantitative microradiography, was promoted to a similar extent (% fall in delta Z, 18.6 and 19.0) by chewing a sorbitol or sorbitol/xylitol (3:1)-sweetened gum for 20 min after each of three meals and two sugary snacks daily. The results suggest that reported differences in the properties of the two sweeteners do not affect their ability to enhance remineralisation due to salivary stimulation.