The release of vitamin C from chewing gum and its effects on supragingival calculus formation.
The aims of this study were to evaluate (i): whether vitamin C in chewing gum, alone or in combination with carbamide, influences calculus formation, and (ii) whether carbamide affects the release, stability and uptake of vitamin C in a chewing gum. In two test series (Series I and II), 30 subjects, all calculus formers, participated. They were instructed to chew on five (Series I) or 10 (Series II) pieces of gum per day for a period of 3 months. The chewing gums were: vitamin C (60 mg, Series I), non-vitamin C (Series I) and vitamin C + carbamide (30 mg + 30 mg, Series II). In both series, no gum was used as a negative control. Calculus formation was scored on three lingual sites on the six anterior mandibular teeth according to the Volpe-Manhold index. The effect on plaque and gingivitis was also determined. A significant reduction in the total calculus score was observed after the use of vitamin C (33%) and vitamin C + carbamide (12%) gums compared with no gum use; this reduction was most pronounced in the heavy calculus formers. A reduced amount of visible plaque was also observed after use of vitamin C and non-vitamin C gum, but only the vitamin C gum reduced the number of bleeding sites (37%). In a separate study, the release, stability and uptake of vitamin C were evaluated using the iodine titration method in both saliva and urine after exposure to the following gums: vitamin C + carbamide (30 mg + 30 mg) and vitamin C (30 mg). There was no indication that carbamide affected the release, stability or uptake of vitamin C when used in a chewing gum.
Lingström
Peter
P
Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
Fure
Solveig
S
Dinitzen
Bettina
B
Fritzne
Christina
C
Klefbom
Carin
C
Birkhed
Dowen
D
D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D002638:Chewing Gum; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D004058:Diffusion; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004355:Drug Stability; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D007455:Iodine / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014508:Urea / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry
D002638:Chewing Gum; D004338:Drug Combinations; D014508:Urea; D007455:Iodine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid