Effect of Xylitol Chewing Gum on Presence of Streptococcus mutans in Saliva

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Oral disease ranks third among the most serious diseases in the world, after cancer and cardiovascular disease. Vietnamese population has suffered from various dental and oral diseases, of which the most common have been identified to be cavities and inflammation around the teeth. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using xylitol gum on the status of Strepptococus mutans bacteria in saliva. METHODS: The study design was an uncontrolled clinical study conducted at the Hanvinco Texture Factory (Hanoi). Two hundred and fifty-four subjects between the ages of 18 and 63 were included in the clinical trial. These subjects brushed their teeth for 2 weeks before providing a saliva sample for S. mutans. The 80 subjects with the highest number of salivary S. mutans were recruited for the further analysis (at least 104 CFU/ml). After each clinical intervention, participant chewed Lotte xylitol gum after each meal, two capsules each time and 1 time in the evening (total 4 times/day), continuously for 4 weeks. Saliva samples were quantified for S. mutans by real-time PCR method. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis of S. mutans bacteria in saliva of 254 subjects showed that 19.7% had S. mutans detected within 105 CFU/ml of saliva. These result shows that nearly 20% of the subjects examined have a high risk of tooth decay. After continuous use of xylitol chewing gum 4 times a day for 4 weeks by 80 subjects, it showed a decrease in the number of S. mutans in the saliva of participants, and the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The use of xylitol chewing gum taken 4 times/day is effective in reducing the number of S. mutans bacteria in saliva when combined with brushing your teeth.