Chewing gum containing xylitol, a sweetener with antimicrobial
properties, temporarily suppresses bacteria that cause tooth decay,
according to university researchers in a study published in the July
issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.
In the study, the gum was chewed after treatment with an antimicrobial
mouthrinse, chlorhexidine, was stopped. The mouth rinse is used to
reduce the bacteria (mutans streptococci) linked to increased risk for
tooth decay. However, without further intervention the bacteria tend to
quickly return to pretreatment levels.
"This study demonstrated that xylitol (made from the bark of birch
trees) chewing gum can be used to extend the suppression of mutans
streptococci," said authors Gary H. Hildebrandt, D.D.S., M.S., assistant
professor, and Brandon S. Sparks, MS, research fellow. Both are from the
School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota at Minneapolis.
In the study supported by a National Institutes of Health, National
Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research grant through the
University of Minnesota Oral Health Clinical Research Center, the
authors evaluated the effect of xylitol chewing gum on bacteria
re-growth. Procter & Gamble supplied a portion of the mouthrinse used in
the study.
The authors selected 151 subjects with elevated mutans streptococci
levels. The subjects rinsed with chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse
twice daily for two weeks and were randomly assigned to a test, placebo
or control group.
In the test group of 51 people, they chewed xylitol gum three times
daily after meals for a minimum of five minutes each time. The placebo
group of 50 people chewed a commercial sorbitol-aspartame and
saccharin-sweetened chewing gum three times daily after meals for a
minimum of five minutes. The control group of 50 did not chew any gum.
The study lasted three months.
"Use of xylitol chewing gum can retard return of oral bacteria after
chlorhexidine treatment," the authors concluded after the three-month
period. "Used in conjunction with other caries control strategies, such
as diet modification, fluoride and sealants, a xylitol-sweetened chewing
gum appears to be a helpful treatment for controlling tooth decay."
Results also showed that using chewing gum with a sorbitol-aspartame-saccharin
sweetening mixture or not chewing any gum was ineffective in maintaining
suppression of the tooth-decaying bacteria.
For more information about the American Dental Association's (ADA)
position on this and other oral health issues, visit the ADA Web site at
www.ada.org
