The Effects of Xylitol Gum on the Bacterial Composition of Saliva and Plaque

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the short-term consumption effect of xylitol gum on the bacterial composition of saliva and plaque flora in a cohort of healthy adult individuals. Methods: A randomized controlled double blind study was carried out on 29 healthy volunteers recruited from the university student population after screening them for Mutans Streptococci group. These fulfilled the study criteria and successfully enrolled in the study. Experimental gum (Epic spearmint) and Control gum (Eclipse spearmint) were given to these cohort of students alternatively following which their saliva and plaque specimens (n=116, saliva n=58, plaque n=58) were assayed for their bacterial flora using standard microbiological procedures. Results: A hundred and ten bacterial organisms were recovered from plaque and saliva of these participants. The Mutans Streptococci group (Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus) were the most (68.2%) prevalent bacteria recovered. While Streptococcus mutans were mostly recovered in both groups, (12 vs 9), there was no statistically significant difference in the colony count of bacteria in each person before and after chewing sorbitol gum (p=0.125; Wilcoxon Signed Rank test). The trend was different with those that chewed xylitol gum as bacteria colony count in the saliva and plaque of each person before and after using xylitol gum showed significant decreases in the counts (p<0.001) in both cases (Wilcoxon Signed Rank test). Conclusion: The study confirms the fact xylitol reduces the oral bacterial flora which supports the argument that this helps reduce the prevalence of dental caries.