Dental Tribune Nordic Edition No. 3, 2016

oral bacteria and in the long term leads to caries prevention.12, 13 Xyli- tol increases salivary flow like other sweet products do.14, 15 It has other beneficial effects on oral health, including the decrease of plaque acidogenicity16, 17 and the reduc- tion of the amount of plaque.13, 18, 19 Xylitol is able to inhibit the growth of several bacterial species, es- pecially Streptococcus mutans,20–22 without disturbing the commen- sal oral microbiota.23, 24 The Euro- pean food safety authorities have recognised this and chewing gum with 100 % xylitol as a sweetener has a health claim of reducing caries in children. In order to ethically and repro- ducibly study the effects of xylitol and its mechanisms of action in comparison with sucrose, in vitro models are indispensable tools. Our team has developed an in vitro model of the oral cavity with con- stant temperature and mixing, using a constant-flow artificial sali- va as medium and hydroxyapatite- coated discs in whole human saliva as artificial teeth (Figs. 1a & b).25–28 We have used this dental simula- tor to successfully investigate the effect of sucrose and xylitol on growth and adhesion of Strepto- coccus mutans and S. sobrinus.27 This model can be used to evaluate planktonic bacterial growth and bacterial attachment of different bacteria on the artificial tooth surface. The results obtained thus far suggest that with this model it is possible to simulate the effects of sucrose and xylitol on the tested bacteria as previously observed in clinical trials. Sucrose increased theamountofallfourtestedplank- tonic and adhered S. mutans and S. sobrinus strains. Xylitol, how- ever, decreased all but one of the tested strains.26 Of course, the short-term in vitro evaluations described above cannot show direct effect on caries, a multifactorial disease that devel- ops slowly. Nevertheless, effects on the amounts of bacterial species that have been clearly connected to caries and can contribute to re- ducing the risk of maternal transfer of mutans streptococci to the in- fant are valuable.29–31 Furthermore, reducing the amount of attached or adhered bacteria can translate to less dental plaque with less harmful bacteria and in this man- ner reduce the acidogenic burden and prevent enamel dissolution. Recently, I presented our new- est findings at the FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Pozna´ n in Poland (Fig. 2). The model appears to be suitable for testing the influence of confectionary and confectionary ingredients on the colonisation of mutans streptococci and may thus be useful in the development of tooth-friendly products. Editorial note: A list of references is available from the publisher. 11 Dental Tribune Nordic Edition | 3/2016 TRENDS & APPLICATIONS Krista Salli has a master’s de- gree in bio- chemistry and is part of the Global Health and Nutrition Science team at DuPont Nutrition and Health in Kantvik in Finland. In her doctoral project, she is investigating cariogenic biofilm inhibition with xylitol. She can be contacted at krista.salli@dupont.com. “We have used this dental simulator to successfully investigate the effect of sucrose and xylitol on growth and adhesion of Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus.” www.dental-tribune.com The Dental Tribune International Magazines Shipping Address Name Address Zip Code, City Country E-mail Date, Signature PayPal Credit Card Credit Card Number Expiration Date Security Code CAD/CAM Clinical Masters* cosmetic dentistry** implants laser ortho** roots Journal of Oral Science & Rehabilitation*** Fax: +49 341 48474 173 E-mail: subscriptions@dental-tribune.com EUR 44 per year (4 issues per year; incl. shipping and VAT for customers in Germany) and EUR 46 per year (4 issues per year; incl. shipping for customers outside Germany). * EUR 12 per year (1 issue per year; incl. shipping and VAT for customers in Germany) and EUR 14 per year (1 issue per year; incl. shipping for customers outside Germany). ** EUR 22 per year (2 issues per year; incl. shipping and VAT for customers in Germany) and EUR 23 per year (2 issues per year; incl. shipping for customers outside Germany). *** EUR 200 per year (4 issues per year; incl. shipping and VAT). Your subscription will be renewed automatically every year until a written cancellation is sent to Dental Tribune International GmbH, Holbeinstr. 29, 04229 Leipzig, Germany, six weeks prior to the renewal date. I would like to subscribe to SUBSCRIBE NOW! AD Fax: +4934148474173

Dental Tribune Nordic Edition No. 3, 2016

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