Sweet Substitute Prevents Decay

Yum! Candy that fights cavities

Children everywhere may have scored a major coup this week in the eternal battle with parents over the consumption of candy, after new evidence found sweets made with the sugar substitute xylitol could actually reduce the risk of cavities.

But the findings are already creating some worry among leaders of Canada's dental industry who are concerned candy companies could overstate the limited advantages of the sugar substitute to boost their products.

Although xylitol has been found to reduce the bacteria that cause cavities and tooth decay, some experts fear the evidence could dilute messages children receive about the critical importance of brushing, flossing and a proper

diet.

"You're talking about a very small benefit," said Larry Levin, president of the Ontario Dental Association. "I think you always run the risk that people can misinterpret what that message is."

A study published this week in the journal BMC Oral Health and led by a researcher at the University of Washington found that children who ate Gummi Bears made with the teeth-protecting sugar substitute xylitol showed a decrease in the amount of bacteria that can cause cavities.

Xylitol is commonly used to make sugarless chewing gum, which has been associated with a decrease in cavity-causing bacteria in those who chew it. Since many children are considered too young to chew gum, researchers used Gummis to determine whether candy could carry the same bacteria-fighting benefits as sugarless gum.

They found that children who ate four xylitol Gummi Bears three times a day during school hours showed a decrease in the amount of plaque bacteria. The findings have led to the start of a clinical trial that will explore whether it's feasible to distribute Gummis made with xylitol in schools to combat tooth decay, according to the researchers.

But it's possible that kind of initiative could erroneously convince parents and children that candy made with xylitol is an adequate cavity-fighting tool that could even substitute or replace proper brushing and flossing, according to Dr. Levin.

"I think it's good to see it in proportion, that this xylitol chewing gum [and candy] is just a small adjunct to overall good health," he said. It's not going to counteract meals containing naturally occurring sugars that can also contribute to tooth decay, he said.

Introducing cavity-fighting candy may also confuse some children over the presence of sugar in other types of candy, said Euan Swan, manager of dental programs at the Canadian Dental Association.

"A young child might beconfused if they don't realize the Gummi Bear is a special [sugarless] Gummi Bear," he said. "They might go on eating other candy that has sugar in it."

Source: TheGlobeandMail.com