Edulcorants Effect in Caries Risk Schoolchildren

Effect of a Daily Dose of Snacks Containing Mannitol or Stevia Rebaudiana as Sweeteners in High Caries Risk Schoolchildren

This double-blind RCT aimed to evaluate the effect of sugar-free snacks on caries risk in 6-9 years-old schoolchildren. Considering a 20% difference among groups, the number of subjects needed per group was set in 87. Two-hundred-seventy-one children at risk for caries measured through Cariogram were selected and randomly assigned to three groups consuming twice a day snacks containing Stevia or Maltitol or sugar for 42 days. Parents filled out a standardized questionnaire regarding personal, medical and oral behavioural information. Bleeding on probing, plaque pH and cariogenic microflora were assessed at baseline (t0), after 21 (t1) and 42 days of snacks' use (t2) and 120 days after the end of use (t3). Cariogram was also repeated at t2.

Inclusion Criteria:

• more than 1 initial carious lesion in the enamel (ICDAS 2-3),
• but no manifest lesion in the dentine,
• a salivary MS concentration ≥10^5 CFU/ml.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with a history of systemic diseases and antibiotic therapy within 30 days before baseline were excluded.