Abstract
BackgroundStevia 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 MethodsA 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) ResultsReduction 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. ConclusionsStevia containing chewing gum is equally effective to Xylitol chewing gum in reducing salivary S. mutans counts. Key words:Stevia, Xylitol , S. mutans.
Highlights
Chewing gums increase the stimulation of salivary flow rate and is an effective vehicle for delivering therapeutic agents
There was reduction in S. mutans count from baseline to 1 hour (P>0.009) and 15 minutes to 1 hour (P>0.047) in stevia group and baseline to 15 minutes (P>0.005) and baseline to 1 hour (P>0.005) in xylitol group
There was reduction in S. mutans count from 15 minutes to 1 hour (P>0.047) in stevia group and baseline to 15 minutes (P>0.047) in xylitol group in crossover trial group
Summary
Chewing gums increase the stimulation of salivary flow rate and is an effective vehicle for delivering therapeutic agents. A natural sweetener, has been used in diabetic patients, is a subject of dental research. It has attracted attention as a useful natural substance to treat a variety of aliments due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties [3]. 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. 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. Conclusions: Stevia containing chewing gum is effective to Xylitol chewing gum in reducing salivary S. mutans counts
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