Comparative evaluation of Stevia and Xylitol chewing gum on salivary Streptococcus mutans count – A pilot study

Abstract

Background Stevia is a natural sweetener which is used as sugar substitute. It has been suggested that stevia may be anticariogenic. However, there is limited research in this regard. Hence, the present study was designed to assess reduction in S. mutans in stevia and xylitol chewing gums. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of stevia and xylitol chewing gums on salivary Streptococcus mutans count. Material and Methods A randomized triple blinded clinical study with a crossover design included twenty healthy children aged 8-13 years with decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft)/DMFT index score ≥ 3. Before the test, unstimulated saliva was collected. Children divided into Group I and II were given Stevia and Xylitol chewing gums respectively. Saliva samples were then collected at 15 min (just after spitting) and after 1 h. The amount of S. mutans in saliva was evaluated using a selective media (TYCSB). The data were subjected to statistical analysis using statistical software IBM SPSS statistics 20.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) Results Reduction in S. mutans was seen from baseline to 1 hour in both groups in trial and crossover design though intergroup comparison was not statistically significant. There was reduction seen from baseline to 15 minutes and 15 minutes to 1 hour in xylitol and stevia group both in trial and crossover design which was statistically significant. Conclusions Stevia containing chewing gum is equally effective to Xylitol chewing gum in reducing salivary S. mutans counts. Key words: Stevia, Xylitol , S. mutans.

Health Benefits and Application of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in Dentistry

“…They reported that stevia is equally effective to Xylitol chewing gum in reducing salivary S. mutans and increasing salivary flow rate and salivary pH. Stevia due to its bitter aftertaste is less accepted in children as compared to Xylitol 29,30 .…”

Efecto de la Stevia rebaudiana en el crecimiento del Streptococcus mutans

“…Además, reportan que la Stevia en diversas concentraciones aumenta el pH y disminuye la producción del ácido en el Streptococcus mutans (14) . Como también la reducción del recuento salival del Streptococcus mutans, y además aumenta el flujo lo cual evitara que se adhiera la bacteria y el aumento del pH salival para así lograr un efecto anticariogénico (5)(6)(7)15) . Por consiguiente, coincide con nuestra investigación que disminuye el factor de riesgo cariogénico del Streptococcus mutans (16) .…”

“…En las hojas los principales constituyentes fitoquímicos son los Esteviosídeos, Dulcosido A, Steviol, Rebaudiosidos A, B (dulcosido B, C, D, E, F), Steviolbiosida (2) . Las hojas de Stevia procesadas en polvo de color blanco cristalino que lo denominaron Esteviosídeo que es un esteroide glucósido, un ácido diterpenoica esterificado a una unidad de glucosa y combinado en enlace glucosídico a otras dos unidades de glucosa (3,4) , son considerados que puede prevenir las lesiones cariosas porque tiene la habilidad para inhibir el incremento y reproducción de las bacterias bucales y además no metabolizados por el Streptoccocus mutans (5,6) . Se debe impulsar el uso de los edulcorantes para incentivar la búsqueda de nuevas sustancias que no produzcan subproductos como el ácido láctico por el Streptococcus mutans.…”

Effect Of Three Types Of Chewing Gum On Oral Streptococcus Mutans And Lactobacilli Bacteria In School Children : A Controlled Clinical Study

“…Dental caries is considered one of the commonest oral diseases, which are usually induced through the metabolic activity of the microbial plaque through reducing pH of saliva (1,2) . Tooth caries occur when the hard tooth tissues are softened by the process of demineralization caused by the action of cariogenic bacteria on foods debris especially polysaccharides (3) .…”

“…Chewing gum considered a commonly practiced habit that could stimulate the saliva and increases the salivary flow rate (SFR) and it is also could act as the delivering vehicle for therapeutic agents (2) . However, chewing sweetened gum could involve the incidence of the carious process (8) .…”