title: Comparative evaluation of the effects of xylitol and sugar-free chewing gums on salivary and dental plaque pH in children.
abstract: This research paper primarily focuses on the importance of use of xylitol among school children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the salivary and dental plaque pH changes after consumption of sugared and sugar-free (xylitol) chewing gums in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 school children were selected for this study and were divided into two equal groups and given both chewing gums for the experiment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children consuming the sugar-free (xylitol) chewing gum showed a marked increase in the pH of saliva and plaque when compared to their counterpart. All these values had a significant difference of P ≤ 0.0001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Xylitol is a safe all-natural sweetener which helps to reduce tooth decay. It plays a unique role in preventive strategies for better health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, UCMS and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shikhar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Suma H P
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Sogi
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Indushekar
mesh_terms: D002638:Chewing Gum; D002648:Child; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D014993:Xylitol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D002638:Chewing Gum; D014993:Xylitol