Use of chewing gum containing 15% of xylitol and reduction in mutans streptococci salivary levels

Abstract

Frequent use of Xylitol may decrease the S. mutans levels. However, very little is known about whether this effect on the levels of cariogenic bacteria is maintained after the interruption of short-term usage of xylitol. This study aimed at evaluating changes in mutans streptococci (MS) salivary levels after using a chewing gum containing xylitol. Twelve volunteers harboring ≥ 10 5 CFU MS/ml saliva levels were asked to chew Happydent-xylit  for 5 minutes, 5 X/day, for 30 days. Saliva samples were collected at baseline, at 30 days after xylitol usage began, and at 30 days beyond its interruption. MS salivary levels were estimated. The average salivary levels of MS in the ten subjects who completed the study were 13.17 (NL-CFU) at baseline (A). After the 30 days experimental period (B), this average decreased to 9.45 (NL-CFU). Nine of ten subjects studied showed a reduction in MS salivary levels in relation to baseline, whereas salivary levels were maintained in the remaining subject. At thirty days beyond the interruption of xylitol usage (C), the average levels of MS were still reduced to 10.31 (NL-CFU). Multiple sample comparison using the Bonferroni test revealed that the decrease in MS levels observed from baseline (A) to the time immediately after 30 days of xylitol usage (B) was statistically significant (p < 0.05), and those levels were still decreased between baseline and 30 days beyond the interruption of xylitol usage (C). So, the use of xylitol induced a reduction in MS salivary levels after a short period of usage which persisted beyond its interruption.

Use of Polyols in Oral Biology Research

“…Another Chinese study reported that maltitol chewing gum may lead to similar reduction of dental plaque as xylitol chewing gum (Li, 2010). Several recent studies have confirmed the generally accepted idea that xylitol exerts a special growth-retarding effect on MS (Ribelles et al, 2010;Paula et al, 2010;Fraga et al, 2010;Duane, 2010;Söderling et al, 2011;Campus et al, 2011). The study by Duane (2010) demonstrated that children receiving 4.24 g xylitol daily (in five chewing episodes) in the form of chewing gum showed reduced bacterial counts even when the gum contained hexose-based polyols.…”

Xylitol Content in Dental Care and Food Products Available on the Polish Market and Their Significance in Caries Prevention

“…Bleeding from the gums during probing in individuals applying chewing gum with xylitol increased by 0.26; in individuals not using chewing gum -by 0.36 [30]. According to Fraga et al [31], a high frequency (5 times a day) of applying chewing gum containing 15% of xylitol, despite the low daily total intake of xylitol (1 g), depletes the amount of SM in saliva. After 30 days of discontinuation, a decrease in the count of SM in saliva was noted, compared to the first evaluation where SM ≥ 10 5 CFU mL/saliva.…”

Einflüsse der Ernährung auf die Mundgesundheit

“…Dabei nehmen die Bakterien Xylit zwar in demselben Ausmaß wie normale Saccharose auf, sie sind aber nicht in der Lage, diese Substanz zu verstoffwechseln und daraus Energie zu gewinnen. So reduzierte sich durch einen regelmäßigen Xylitverzehr die Anzahl der Mutans-Streptokokken im Speichel und in den Plaquebelägen [25,26,27]. Die Aufnahme erfolgte oftmals über xylithaltige Kaugummis, wobei diese Maßnahme in einer Studie von Alamoudi et al [26] einen weitaus größeren kariespräventiven Effekt hatte als die Flouridprophylaxe.…”