The effect of chlorhexidine acetate/xylitol chewing gum on the plaque and gingival indices of elderly occupants in residential homes.
OBJECTIVE
A randomised, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effect of a chlorhexidine acetate/xylitol gum (ACHX) on the plaque and gingival indices of 111 elderly occupants in residential homes. A gum containing xylitol alone (X) and a no gum (N) group was included. Participants' opinions about chewing gum were also investigated.


METHODS
Subjects chewed 2 pellets, for 15 min, 2x daily for 12 months.


RESULTS
In the ACHX group, the plaque and gingival indices significantly decreased (p<0.001) over the 12 months. In the X group, only the plaque score significantly decreased (p<0.05) and in the N control group, both indices remained high and did not change significantly. The acceptance of both chewing gums was high but more participants in the ACHX group felt that the gum kept their mouth healthy (p<0.05). The effect of the ACHX gum on plaque and gingival indices was significantly greater than for the X gum.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term use of a chlorhexidine acetate/xylitol chewing gum may therefore support oral hygiene routines for an elderly dependent population.
Simons
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Dental Caries Research Group, Guy's, King's and St Thomas's Dental Institute, London, UK.
Brailsford
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S
Kidd
E A
EA
Beighton
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D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002638:Chewing Gum; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010512:Periodontal Index; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012112:Residential Facilities; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002638:Chewing Gum; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D014993:Xylitol