Effect of xylitol tablets with and without red propolis on salivary parameters, dental biofilm and sensory acceptability of adolescents: a randomized crossover clinical trial

Abstract

The effect of xylitol tablets with (XPT) and without (XT) red propolis on salivary parameters, dental biofilm and acceptability of adolescents was evaluated through a blinded randomized crossover clinical trial. Healthy volunteers were allocated in the XPT and XT groups with a 30-day washout period for consumption of two tablets/dayfor seven days. An increase in salivary parameters was only observed immediately after tablet consumption, without differences between XPT and XT. The results for total microorganisms were similar, but XT was better in controlling Streptococcus spp. Rothia dentocariosa and Streptococcus salivarius were the most frequent in the biofilm and saliva, respectively. XPT and XT showed similar acceptability, with the highest purchase intention for XT. Although propolis did not enhance the properties of XT, further studies testing different protocols and follow-up are necessary; XT controlled Streptococcus spp. in biofilms, which demonstrate its potential for clinical application.

Keywords:

• Biofilms
• propolis
• saliva
• xylitol

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge financial support from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES, Finance code 001) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), the patients who participated in this research, and to Misses Juli Guimarães and Amanda Alves, who assisted with the data analysis.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) – Finance code 001, and by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ).