The effects of sucralose, xylitol, and sorbitol on remineralization of caries lesions in rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether ingestion of sucralose, xylitol, sorbitol, or distilled water alone could enhance remineralization of early caries lesions in rats. Rats were infected by Streptococcus sobrinus, fed diet 2000 (Ziegler Brothers, Gardners, PA) ad libitum for two weeks, and, in addition, were offered drinking water sweetened by sucrose (10% w/v). A group of rats terminated at this time displayed significant levels of sulcal and smooth-surface caries. The remaining animals, for the ensuing three weeks, either continued on the same cariogenic challenge or received their essential nutrition by gavage and drank water, sweetened by one of the agents listed above, ad libitum. At the end of the additional three-week period, animals receiving sucralose, xylitol, sorbitol, or distilled water had fewer lesions than did the animals terminated after the two-week cariogenic challenge. The results show that removal of the cariogenic challenge allowed remineralization to occur and that no sweetening agent was superior to another in this respect.