Effect of xylitol on dental caries and salivary Streptococcus mutans levels among a group of mother-child pairs.
Recent researches have focused on xylitol as convenient and effective method to inhibit cariogenic bacteria. The purpose of the present study is to assess the effect of xylitol on plaque accumulation, caries activity and salivary Streptococcus Mutans in a group of Saudi mother-child pairs.


METHODS
The study sample included 60 mother and child pairs selected on the basis of having high salivary streptococcus mutans levels. The study sample was randomly divided into experimental group (30 pairs) and control group (30 pairs). The experimental group was given xylitol treatment and the controls received fluoride varnish. Both groups were examined to assess caries, plaque and salivary streptococcus mutans levels. Xylitol treatment in the form of chewing gum for mothers and tablets for children was consumed three times/day for three months. All subjects received oral hygiene instructions, dietary counseling and restorative treatment. The results showed that the number of mothers and children with high streptococcus levels in the experimental group decreased to a statistically significant level at the end of the three month period, similarly, the control mothers showed the same trend. A statistically significant decrease in plaque scores was evident only among the children S experimental group. The caries level of children and mothers showed no statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups. The factors which significantly affected the streptococcus mutans count in children after three months were the child' dmft at baseline the preventive method used and the mother'salivary streptococcus mutans level.
Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Azza G
AG
Hanno
Najlaa M
NM
Alamoudi
Abdullah S
AS
Almushayt
Mohammed I
MI
Masoud
Heba J
HJ
Sabbagh
Najat M
NM
Farsi
D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002638:Chewing Gum; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013607:Tablets; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002638:Chewing Gum; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D013607:Tablets; D014993:Xylitol