The effect of tablets composed of various mixtures of sugar alcohols and sugars upon plaque pH in children.

Changes in plaque pH were examined following ingestion of tablets composed of of sorbitol (S) or xylitol (X) combined with various levels of dextrose (D), fructose (F), or sucrose (U). Pure S and X tablets caused a slight pH rise. The 3:1 ratios of S:D,, S:F, X:D, and X:F caused slight lowerings to plaque pH means of 6.3, 6.8, 6.7, and 6.7, respectively, while 3:1 S:U caused the pH to drop to 5.6. All the 1:1, 1:3 and 0;1 ratios caused large drops in plaque pH.