Dental caries is an infectious-contagious disease of multifactorial
origin, which requires interference in one or more of its etiologic
factors for prevention. Within this context, the utilization of xylitol
is highlighted, which was initially studied as a sugar substitute
because of its similarity as regards the sweetening power and later was
also employed in other forms for caries prevention and control. The
purpose of this study is to describe, by means of a review of the
specialized literature, how xylitol can be used as an anticariogenic
agent, demonstrating its properties and possible mechanisms of action
in the prevention and control of dental caries. Analysis of many
studies on xylitol revealed that it is available in many forms: chewing
gums or tablets, mouthrinses, or even associated to toothpastes. Its
anticariogenic properties are related to the reduction in plaque
adhesion, remineralization of incipient carious lesions, and specific
reduction of S. mutans