Effect on plaque of a xylitol-containing chewing-gum: A clinical and biochemical study

Abstract

The effects on plaque induced by single or repeated use of xylitol-and sucrose-containing chewing-gums were studied on twenty subjects refraining from tooth-brushing for three days. Mechanical removal of plaque by chewing during a single period was shown to yield no significant differences between gravimetric values obtained before and after chewing. Daily use of a xylitol-containing chewing-gum reduced by 47% the weight of plaque formed in comparison to a sucrose-containing product, and by 20–41% in comparison to conditions when no chewing-gum was used. The use of a xylitol chewing-gum induced a lower invertase-like activity in plaque extra cellular phase. Results at variance with the gravimetric data were obtained by using a stained plaque scoring system; the eventual inadequacy of such plaque scoring systems was discussed.

Key Words:

• Dental plaque
• xylitol
• sucrose
• chewing-gum
• invertase
• plaque index