Effect of a xylitol chewing gum on plaque quantity and quality
Keywords:
Dental plaque, xylitol, sucrose, chewing gum, invertaseAbstract
AbstractThe aim of the present study was to further investigate the plaque-reducing effect of a xylitol-containing chewing gum. Ninety-six dental students were divided randomly into three groups: a sucrose group (n = 32), a xylitol group (n = 36) and a control group (n = 28), using a sucrose-containing chewing gum, a xylitol-containing chewing gum, or no chewing gum, respectively, during a three-day experimental plaque growth period with restricted oral hygiene. The fresh weight of plaque collected in the xylitol group was 40 % lower than in the sucrose group, along with a significantly lower mean plaque index. The use of the xylitol chewing gum induced low invertase-like activity in plaque extra-cellular phase together with low carbohydrate content. These results concur to indicate advantageous effects through the use of a xylitol-containing chewing gum.
Acta Odontologica Scandinavica publishes high quality original research papers as well as critical reviews relevant on diseases of the oral cavity, their treatment, epidemiology and associated biomaterials and their development.
