RELEASE OF CARIOSTATIC AGENTS FROM A NEW BUFFERING FLUORIDE-CONTAINING AND XYLITOL-CONTAINING LOZENGE TO HUMAN WHOLE SALIVA IN-VIVO

A new buffering lozenge (sucking tablet) was developed for patients su sceptible to dental caries and erosion, in particular for those with r educed salivary secretion. As active ingredients this lozenge comprise s of a combination of xylitol, fluoride, calcium, phosphate, zinc and buffering compounds. To test the lozenge's activity in vivo, the relea se of ingredients was monitored in 19 healthy subjects for 22 min afte r sucking the lozenge was completed. In subjects with a normal salivar y secretion rate the lozenge caused only a slight stimulation of saliv a flow, but a significant elevation both in salivary pH and buffer eff ect was observed. Furthermore, fluoride, calcium and phosphate were ef fectively released into whole saliva with peak values 2-4 min after us e. The same salivary parameters were also quantitated after 1 month's regular use (3 lozenges/day) but no consistent longterm changes were f ound. Salivary mutans streptococci and total anaerobic microflora did not change significantly during the long-term use. The results show th at the buffering fluoride- and xylitol-containing lozenge, which also releases calcium and phosphate, is active in vivo but its serviceabili ty as a remineralizing agent, in particular for elderly patients with reduced salivary flow rate, has to be analysed separately.