Does xylitol in chewing gum protect teeth better than sorbitol which is so commonly used?
Xylitol offers a much higher level of mouth protection than sorbitol (6,12,14). Sorbitol is another polyol but it has a 6 carbon structure and because of this, sorbitol can support the growth of cariogenic mutans streptococci and other oral bacteria after adaptation, which cause plaque and tooth decay. Xylitol is not fermented by mouth bacteria and has been shown in many clinical studies to reduce plaque and tooth decay.
