[Adentol (natural sweetener) and caries prevention].

Numerous epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies have established, without doubt, the correlation between the consumption of dietary sugars and caries prevalence. The increase of the sugar consumption in Yugoslavia is in direct correlation with caries activity in children. One of the aims of preventive programmes is to improve the diet habits through the use of non-cariogenic sugar substitutes. Adentol is a hydrogenated glucose syrup obtained from the enzymic hydrolysis of corn starch, made by D.P.,"HPK" Bosanska Dubica-Yugoslavia. Its chemical content is very similar to that of Lycasin 80/55 (Roquette Frères-France). Published data on its behaviour in acid production in vitro and in dental plaques, its effect on the oral microorganisms and the process of remineralization of initial caries lesions, suggest that hydrogenated glucose syrup (Lycasin, Adentol) is less fermentable in oral cavity and without cariogenic properties. Substitution of dietary sugars by Adentol in confectionery and syrup medicines is likely to be of significant benefit to dental health.