EFFECT OF AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS OF SUCRALOSE ON PLAQUE PH

Purpose: To compare the effect on in vivo plaque pH of rinsing with an aqueous solution of sucralose (alone or in combination with maltodext rin or maltodextrin and dextrose) to the effect of rinsing with an aqu eous solution of sucrose. Materials and Methods: Each solution (four i n total) had a sweetness equivalent to two teaspoons of sucrose in 6 o z. of water. The four test solutions were administered randomly over f our test visits (one solution per visit) to 10 subjects presenting 2-d ay resting plaque. Before, and at specified time intervals over 60 min utes following the rinse, in vivo plaque pH was monitored at six desig nated sites using a Beekman 3500 digital pH meter. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Results: The mean pH minimum for the sucralose rinse (6.56) was significantly higher than the sucralose/maltodextrin (SM), sucralo se/maltodextrin/dextrose (SMD), and sucrose rinses (6.15, 5.84, and 5. 29, respectively). The mean delta pH (difference between resting and m inimum pH) for the sucralose rinse (0.45) was significantly lower when compared to the SM (0.79), SMD (1.14), and sucrose (1.69) rinses. The differences seen in mean pH minimum and mean delta pH for the SM and SMD groups vs. the sucrose group were also statistically significant. Mean areas under the pH vs. time curve for the sucralose, SM and SMD r inses were all significantly less compared to the sucrose rinse. Rinsi ng with aqueous solutions of sucralose, or of sucralose in combination with maltodextrin and/or dextrose (commercially available formulation s, of sucralose) was less acidogenic than rinsing with a sucrose solut ion of equivalent sweetness.