Popular chewing gum brands such as Orbit and Trident advertise that chewing their gum promotes oral health due to the presence of xylitol. This compound has interested oral health researchers since the 1970 s, but recent advances in research have been used to market it to the public as a prophylactic. Xylitol is a sugar that cannot be fermented by virtually any bacterial species, including Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), the main contributor to dental caries (tooth cavities). The sugar alcohol negatively affects the pathogen in two different ways: it decreases plaque adhesiveness and inhibits growth. I have analyzed experiments from leading oral health researchers that aimed to determine how xylitol affects S. mutans, the optimal dose of xylitol for S. mutans inhibition, short-term and long-term benefits of xylitol, and limitations of xylitol being sold to different socioeconomic classes. While legitimate platforms for xylitol distribution still need to be expanded, the benefits of xylitol are literally worth salivating over. As governments look to improve health care practices for their citizens, xylitol products should be considered as a legitimate means of reducing oral health maladies.Honors CollegeThesis (B.?.
