Xylitol Caries Prevention — NDEB AFK MCQ

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EasyCommunity Dentistry & EpidemiologyXylitol Caries PreventionNDEB AFK

Which of the following substances in the diet has been shown to reduce the incidence of dental caries when consumed in sugar-free chewing gum?

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Correct answer: E — Xylitol

Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that has demonstrated caries-preventive properties in multiple clinical trials. It is non-fermentable by S. mutans (disrupts bacterial metabolism through a futile xylitol-phosphate cycle), stimulates salivary flow when used in chewing gum, and may promote remineralisation through calcium-phosphate-xylitol complexes. Regular use of xylitol-containing chewing gum (5-10 g/day, typically 2 pieces after meals) has been shown to reduce caries incidence by 30-60% in clinical trials.

Reference: Fejerskov & Kidd – Dental Caries: The Disease and Its Clinical Management, 3rd ed., 2015