title: Effect of Chewing Xylitol Containing and Herbal Chewing Gums on Salivary Mutans Streptococcus Count among School Children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aims to assess and compare the reduction in salivary Mutans Streptococci counts after chewing Xylitol, herbal and placebo gums among high school children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted among 72 school children (12-15 years) from 3 randomly selected schools (blocks). Xylitol, herbal and placebo gums were randomly allocated to 3 blocks. Subjects were instructed to chew one pellet four times a day for 21 days. The mean reduction in salivary Streptococcus mutans count was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 100% Xylitol sweetened chewing gum "Xylitol"has shown statistically significant reduction in salivary Mutans Streptococci colony forming units at the end of 21 days (P < 0.01). The reduction was not statistically significant in herbal and placebo chewing gum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hundred percentage Xylitol sweetened chewing gum was found to be more effective in reducing salivary Mutans Streptococci count when compared to herbal and placebo chewing gums.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College, Visnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Sangeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chavan
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sardar Patel Dental College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Nagesh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lakashminarayan
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College, Visnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Umesh
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kemparaj
keywords: Gum base; herbal chewing gum; salivary Mutans Streptococci; xylitol