Review Article

Sugar Alcohols, Caries Incidence, and Remineralization of Caries Lesions: A Literature Review

Figure 4

The zigzag structure of xylitol (a) and that of a xylitol-Ca complex (b) assumed to exist also in salivary environments and generally under physiologic conditions in the human body. The double-headed arrow in (a) reflects the special interaction between the oxygen atoms shown. The complex formation can facilitate the transport of Ca through membrane pores and also against weak Ca gradients. This structure may aid in the transport of Ca through the gut wall.
981072.fig.004a
(a)
981072.fig.004b
(b)