title: Effect of xylitol gum on the level of oral mutans streptococci of preschoolers: block-randomised trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the influence of xylitol chewing gum consumption on mutans streptococci level of 3-4 years old Japanese preschoolers.
  
  
  METHODS
  248 participants were examined regarding caries-related factors at baseline and were followed up at 6, 9, and 12 months after the baseline: assessors were blinded, subjects were open labelled and blocked parallel randomised; 142 were selected to use xylitol gum for 3 months (from months 6 to 9) and 106 were controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  161 participants were analysed (xylitol n = 76, control n = 85). Nineteen caries-related variables, including xylitol gum consumption, were analysed for any association with the main outcome, plaque mutans streptococci scores development within the intervention period, by logistic regression. Six showed statistically significant associations by univariate analysis (P < 0.05). However, only xylitol gum consumption remained a significant negative association (P < 0.05) by multiple analyses. Interestingly, over 10% xylitol group children experienced diarrhoea, which was larger than previous investigations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Xylitol gum is effective in avoiding increased plaque mutans streptococci in young children.
authors: Department of Oral Health Sciences, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan. seki-m@dent.nihon-u.ac.jp
authors: Mitsuko
authors: M
authors: Seki
authors: Fumiyuki
authors: F
authors: Karakama
authors: Takayuki
authors: T
authors: Kawato
authors: Hideki
authors: H
authors: Tanaka
authors: Yoji
authors: Y
authors: Saeki
authors: Yoshihisa
authors: Y
authors: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D002638:Chewing Gum; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014993:Xylitol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002638:Chewing Gum; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D014993:Xylitol