Reports in the Inside Dental Assisting magazine, advise parents of healthy children older than five years who are at high risk for cavities, about the benefits of chewing sugar free polyol gum after meals for ten to twenty minutes to prevent cavities. A polyol low calorie sweetener such as xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol, not broken down by the bacteria in the mouth, does not contribute to tooth decay. It is also recommended that sucking candies that contain xylitol such as sugar free lozenges or hard candy after meals may reduce cavities in children.
Dr. Capps does this at night when having a chocolate craving! He uses the gum.