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Mutans Streptococci Dose Response to Xylitol Chewing Gum

¹ Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, Northwest/Alaska Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparities, Box 357475, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 USA;
² Department of Pathobiology, University of Washington, Seattle; and
³ Regional Clinical Dental Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle

Correspondence: ^* corresponding author, dfrc{at}u.washington.edu

Xylitol is promoted in caries-preventive strategies, yet its effective dose range is unclear. This study determined the dose-response of mutans streptococci in plaque and unstimulated saliva to xylitol gum. Participants (n = 132) were randomized: controls (G1) (sorbitol/maltitol), or combinations giving xylitol 3.44 g/day (G2), 6.88 g/day (G3), or 10.32 g/day (G4). Groups chewed 3 pellets/4 times/d. Samples were taken at baseline, 5 wks, and 6 mos, and were cultured on modified Mitis Salivarius agar for mutans streptococci and on blood agar for total culturable flora. At 5 wks, mutans streptococci levels in plaque were 10x lower than baseline in G3 and G4 (P = 0.007/0.003). There were no differences in saliva. At 6 mos, mutans streptococci in plaque for G3 and G4 remained 10x lower than baseline (P = 0.007/0.04). Saliva for G3 and G4 was lower than baseline by 8 to 9x (P = 0.011/0.038). Xylitol at 6.44 g/day and 10.32 g/day reduces mutans streptococci in plaque at 5 wks, and in plaque and unstimulated saliva at 6 mos. A plateau effect is suggested between 6.44 g and 10.32 g xylitol/day.

Key Words: dental plaque • mutans streptococci • xylitol • clinical trials

Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 85, No. 2, 177-181 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/154405910608500212


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