Not quite the tooth fairy

Much commented on in the press is a systematic review of the benefits of sugar-free products for dental health. The researchers found something of a swings and roundabouts situation: while sugar-free products may help to prevent dental caries, they often also contain acidic flavourings and or preservatives that are damaging to dental enamel. The article goes on to discuss the status of health claims for food: one of the sweeteners singled out for analysis, xylitol, has been approved for marketing as "tooth friendly" and is a common ingredient in chewing gum. The study's authors warn that "the term sugar-free may generate false security because people may automatically believe that sugar-free products are safe on teeth." A recent review of non-fluoride preventive measures for dental caries from the American Dental Association (ADA) considered the evidence for using sugar-free chewing gum preventively was not overly strong. This did not, however, prevent an article in Dentisty.co.uk from suggesting that xylitol had been given the "thumbs up," while the ADA's study merely notes that in high risk patients these treatments may be useful adjuncts to usual care including changes in diet and use of fluoride.