Effect of a Novel Sweetener on the pH of Dental Plaque.

Bacteria that live in the mouth can digest fermentable carbohydrates such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose to make acid. This acid can cause demineralization of the tooth and lead to dental caries or decay. Noncariogenic carbohydrate sweeteners, such as sugar alcohols, can be used to replace fermentable carbohydrates in foods, thereby decreasing the risk of caries. In order for a sweetener to be labeled as a noncariogenic sweetener, the FDA requires that when present in food, the food should not lower the dental plaque pH below 5.7 either during or up to 30 minutes after consumption. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a new developmental sweetener can be fermented by the bacteria in the mouth and lead to acid production. This will be done by measuring the pH of dental plaque following consumption of the sweetener.