Use of LCS in Dental Caries

Abstract

Dental caries (Decay) is an oral disease, caused by the interaction of bacteria, mainly Streptococcus mutans, and sugary foods on tooth enamel. Dental Caries (DC) is increased when the consumption of sugar is frequent and unhealthy eating habits are practiced. They can begin early in life, progress rapidly in those who are at high risk, and often goes untreated. Dental caries has multifactorial aetiology in which microorganisms have a significant role to play by altering the pH of saliva caused due to fermentation of carbohydrate. The impact of low-calorie sweeteners contrary to sugar is non-cariogenic, as they do not participate in the fermentation processes by the microorganisms that are naturally present in our mouth. Low calorie sweeteners can help in decreasing the tooth demineralization if they are consumed instead of sugars by maintaining the salivary pH. This paper reviews the role of low-calorie sweeteners in dental caries.