Maintaining mutans streptococci suppression with xylitol chewing gum

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Dental caries treatment often involves suppressing oral mutans streptococci (MS) using chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthrinse.
• However, MS levels typically rebound quickly after CHX therapy cessation without continued intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of xylitol chewing gum in sustaining the reduction of MS levels following CHX treatment.

Main Methods:

• 151 subjects with elevated MS were treated with CHX mouthrinse for 14 days.
• Participants were then randomized to chew xylitol gum (n=51), sorbitol gum (n=50), or no gum (n=50) for three months.
• Salivary MS levels were quantified using serial dilution, anaerobic incubation, and colony enumeration.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in MS levels were observed at baseline or immediately after CHX therapy across the groups.
• After three months, the xylitol gum group exhibited significantly lower salivary MS levels compared to the sorbitol gum and no-gum control groups.

Conclusions:

• Xylitol chewing gum demonstrated an ability to extend the suppressive effects of CHX on oral MS.
• This approach suggests a practical method for achieving long-term caries-pathogen suppression and potential caries inhibition using commercially available products.