Exploration of singular and synergistic effect of xylitol and erythritol on causative agents of dental caries

Sci Rep. 2020 Apr 14;10(1):6297. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-63153-x.

Abstract

Non-cariogenic sweet substances, like sugar alcohols, are used to decrease the risk of caries by reducing the growth of dental plaque. The aim of our study was to reveal the impact of xylitol and erythritol on the growth and biofilm formation of cariogenic bacteria including as a novelty, set of clinical mutans streptococci and Scardovia wiggsiae and to assess the possible synergistic influence of these polyols. We found both xylitol and erythritol to express high growth inhibition effect on cariogenic bacteria. In synergistic effect experiments, 10% polyol combination with excess of erythritol was found to be more effective against growth of Streptococcus mutans and the combination with excess of xylitol more effective against growth of Streptococcus sobrinus and S. wiggsiae. In biofilm inhibition experiments, solutions of 10% polyols in different combinations and 15% single polyols were equally effective against mutans streptococci. At the same time, higher biofilm formation of S. wiggsiae compared to experiments without polyols was detected in different polyol concentrations for up to 34%. In conclusion, both erythritol and xylitol as well as their combinations inhibit the growth of different cariogenic bacteria. Biofilm formation of mutans streptococci is also strongly inhibited. When applying polyols in caries prophylaxis, it is relevant to consider that the profile of pathogens in a particular patient may influence the effect of polyols used.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacteria / drug effects
  • Bacterial Adhesion / drug effects
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Cariostatic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cariostatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dental Caries / microbiology
  • Dental Caries / prevention & control*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Erythritol / pharmacology*
  • Erythritol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Streptococcus mutans / drug effects
  • Streptococcus sobrinus / drug effects
  • Xylitol / pharmacology*
  • Xylitol / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Cariostatic Agents
  • Erythritol
  • Xylitol

Supplementary concepts

  • Scardovia wiggsiae