Research

It is now believed that the transmission of bacteria from caregiver to infant is the most significant cause of early childhood cavities.  Dental Aid is conducting a three-year research study to determine the effectiveness of using Xylitol (a natural sweetener shown to kill cavity-causing bacteria) to decrease the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria from mother to child. 

Mothers participating in the study have their bacterial levels monitored for one year and compared with mothers who declined to use Xylitol but agree to have their bacterial levels monitored. The oral health status of children born to participating women are monitored from ages 1 through 3, and are compared with the oral health status of mothers who declined to use Xylitol. At the end of three years, Dental Aid plans to produce a research paper containing publishable, peer-reviewed data in a journal as yet to be determined.