Maltitol lozenges and tooth decay in children over four years
What it found
Lozenges containing maltitol paired with xylitol or erythritol did not reduce tooth decay in children.
The trial took place in schools over four years.
What they found
Studies in people
No extra cavity protection
Children who used lozenges with maltitol and xylitol, or maltitol and erythritol, did not get fewer cavities than those who only had regular dental care.
Starting cavities mattered most
Children who already had more tooth decay at the start were much more likely to get new cavities over the four years.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that in areas where tooth decay is already low, giving children these lozenges at school does not add extra protection beyond standard dental care.
How it was done
Past work on xylitol points to about a 50% drop in tooth decay, and lab tests suggest erythritol might also help teeth. The authors wanted to see if these sweeteners add any extra protection when children already get full dental care.
Five hundred and seventy-nine ten-year-old children from 21 schools were split into five groups. Four groups sucked lozenges at school for one or two years, while all groups got free dental check-ups and care. Researchers checked the children's teeth after four years, and analysed results for four hundred and ninety-six of them.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial was done in an area with naturally fluoridated water and low rates of tooth decay. It cannot show whether the lozenges would work differently in places where cavities are more common.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Carea Joint Municipal Authority for Medical and Social Services in Kymenlaakso, Finland
The paper
- Title
- The caries-preventive effect of xylitol/maltitol and erythritol/maltitol lozenges: results of a double-blinded, cluster-randomized clinical trial in an area of natural fluoridation
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Lenkkeri AM, Pienihäkkinen K, Hurme S, Alanen P (2012). The caries-preventive effect of xylitol/maltitol and erythritol/maltitol lozenges: results of a double-blinded, cluster-randomized clinical trial in an area of natural fluoridation. International journal of paediatric dentistry. doi:10.1111/j.1365-263X.2011.01182.xPubMed 21951305DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error