Can consumers who already use fluoride products in their oral health routine choose certain sugar-free gum, lozenges and hard candies to get some added protection against cavities?
A new report says that adding some nonfluoride products to a cavity prevention strategy that includes using fluoride products might add more protection against cavities.
An expert panel convened by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs recommends that sugar-free chewing gum, lozenges and hard candy sweetened with sucrose-free polyols (xylitol or polyol combinations) and a prescription varnish with chlorhexidine and thymol could help prevent cavities when used in a comprehensive cavity prevention program that includes good eating habits and the use of fluoride-containing products like toothpaste, dental sealants and varnishes that contain fluoride as well as community water fluoridation.
