Xylitol-containing products prevented tooth decay when compared with non-xylitol products. This review concluded that xylitol should be a part of an overall strategy to decrease and prevent dental caries.

REFERENCE

ALHumaid J, Bamashmous M. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2022 Apr 8;12(2):133-138. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_164_21. PMID: 35462747; PMCID: PMC9022379.

Habitual consumption of xylitol demonstrated a decrease in Strep. Mutans levels.

REFERENCE

Söderling E, Pienihäkkinen K. Acta Odontol Scand. 2020 Nov;78(8):599-608. doi: 10.1080/00016357.2020.1788721. Epub 2020 Jul 7. PMID: 32633595.

In 16 studies discussed dental plaque, the researchers investigated xylitol, and 15 studies showed a significant reduction of MS in dental plaque compared to consumption of other types of low-intensity sweeteners, dietary sugar, and no treatment.
The result of the meta-analysis suggested that the consumption of xylitol was more effective than no treatment in reducing cariogenic bacteria especially Strep. Mutans in both dental plaque and saliva in preventing dental caries. In addition, no adverse effects were found in any of the included studies.

REFERENCE

Liang NL, Luo BW, Sun IG, Chu CH, Duangthip D. Int Dent J. 2024 Oct;74(5):987-998. doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2024.02.008. Epub 2024 Apr 10. PMID: 38599933; PMCID: PMC11561516.

Specifically, xylitol users had a lower decayed/missing/filled teeth score by an average standardized mean difference of –1.09 versus no-xylitol groups. The authors concluded that xylitol is an effective strategy as a self-applied caries-preventive agent. They noted xylitol’s effect was linked to reducing Mutans streptococci levels and that its benefit was observed across ages. Notably, one included large trial in caries-active adults hinted that xylitol lozenges might particularly help prevent root-surface caries in adults and further investigations are required in this area.

REFERENCE

Chandrashekar Janakiram et al., 2017, J. Natural Science, Biology and Medicine. 

The effectiveness of fluoride supplements in preventing tooth decay was examined in this systematic review in both children and adults. It was found that there is evidence that fluoride supplements prevent caries in adults.

REFERENCE

The Journal of America Dental Association
Full reference info to go here...

This meta-analysis examined various fluoride modalities (self-applied, professionally applied, and water fluoridation) in adults (age ≥20). It found that fluoride exposure significantly reduces tooth decay in adults of all ages.

REFERENCE

Griffin et al. (2007). J Dent Res.86(5):410-5.

This review suggests that the use of fluoride supplements is associated with a reduction in caries increment when compared with no fluoride supplement in permanent teeth. The effect of fluoride supplements was unclear on deciduous teeth. When compared with the administration of topical fluorides, no differential effect was observed. We rated 10 trials as being at unclear risk of bias and one at high risk of bias, and therefore the trials provide weak evidence about the efficacy of fluoride supplements.

REFERENCE

Tubert-Jeannin S, Auclair C, Amsallem E, Tramini P, Gerbaud L, Ruffieux C, Schulte AG, Koch MJ, Rège-Walther M, Ismail A. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Dec 7;2011(12):CD007592. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007592.pub2. PMID: 22161414; PMCID: PMC6876544.

This systematic review evaluated the caries-preventive effect of dietary fluoride supplements in permanent teeth. It was found that in several studies, fluoride supplements significantly reduced caries increments in permanent teeth​ suggesting that it would prevent caries in the permanent dentition in young adults.

REFERENCE

Ismail & Hasson (2008). J Am Dent Assoc. 139(11):1457-68.