Reducing Childhood Plaque With Candy

The Surprising Way to Help Reduce Plaque on Children’s Teeth

According to scientists at the University of Washington in Seattle, gummy candies containing xylitol can potentially help prevent plaque buildup on young children’s teeth. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol often used as a sweetener and has been shown to reduce the levels of a bacterium called “mutans streptococci,” which is associated with tooth decay and periodontal disease. While there are chewing gums containing xylitol available on the market today, they are often considered unsuitable for children.

Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle set out to test the effects of xylitol when it is administered in a different method, specifically gummy bear snacks. Researchers chose 154 children at random ranging in age from first through fifth grade at two elementary schools. These students were split into three groups – two of the groups received gummy bears with different levels of xylitol as a sweetener and the remaining group received gummy bears with a different type of sweetener.

Before the experiment, researchers took a sample of the children’s plaque to determine the baseline for the presence of Streptococcus mutans as well as two other bacteria – Lactobacillus and Streptococcus sobrinus. The children in the test group received four gummy bears three times during the school day. After six weeks of the experiment, the researchers saw significantly decreased levels of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus from the readings taken for the group’s baseline samples.

Interestingly, the researchers saw a decrease in overall plaque in the groups of children who received gummy bears with higher doses of xylitol as well as those children who received gummy bears with the alternative sweetener. Conversely, they also saw an increase in the presence of plaque for those children who received gummy bears with lower doses of xylitol. Researchers believe that in order for xylitol to be effective for elementary school aged children, an effective delivery of the substance must be identified—and in this case gummy bears proved more effective than chewing gum.

With the development of xylitol gummy bears still in the works to help children fight plaque, parents can still take an active role in preventing plaque in more traditional ways. Children should be encouraged to brush their teeth twice a day and also practice good flossing habits by doing so on a daily basis. Proper oral care is the first step in fighting plaque in both children and adults.

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