THE ANTICARIOGENIC EFFECTS OF XYLITOL ON MUTANS STREPTOCOCCI IN CHILDREN WITH MIXED DENTITION

Park, Jae-Hong

Journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 2007;34(4):632-638.
Published online November 30, 2007.

THE ANTICARIOGENIC EFFECTS OF XYLITOL ON MUTANS STREPTOCOCCI IN CHILDREN WITH MIXED DENTITION

Jae-Hong Park

Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University

혼합치열기 어린이에서 mutans streptococci에 대한 자일리톨 껌의 항균효과에 관한 연구

박재홍

경희대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실, 구강생물학연구소 Xylitol

Correspondence: Jae-Hong Park, Tel: 82-2-958-9379, Fax: 82-2-965-7247, Email: pedopjh@khu.ac.kr

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of xylitol chewing gums on mutans streptococci (MS) counts in saliva. Sixty two children 6 to 11 years old were randomly assigned into one of three groups. Stimulated saliva specimens were plated in duplicate on conventional selective culture (mitis salivarius kanamycin bacitracin agar) for mutans streptococci. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplication was performed to identify MS. After the 4-month period a significant decrease of the MS counts occurred in the group B (two gum 3 times a day; P < 0.05) but not in group A (one gum 3 times a day) and control group (didn't receive xylitol gum). According to qualitative evaluations, xylitol use did reduce the levels of MS in mixed dentition children. It has been suggested that a daily intake of 2 tablet for 3 times a day (about 10g) is needed in order to obtain a clinical anticariogenic effect.

Key Words: Xylitol, mutans streptococci, Stimulated saliva, Dental caries