The efficacy of xylitol based oral hygiene products on salivary parameters – An invivo study

Abstract

Xylitol, a five-carbon sugar polyol, is a white crystalline carbohydrate known since a century ago. The objective is  to assess the efficacy of xylitol based oral hygiene products (chewing gum, mouthwash, and toothpaste) on salivary parameters - pH, Resting Salivary Flow Rate (RFR) and Stimulated Salivary Flow Rate (SFR) among subjects with medium cariogenic risk.  The study recruited  sixty participants who were divided into 3 groups of 20 individuals each. Subjects in Group I, Group II, Group III were given xylitol toothpaste, xylitol mouth-wash & toothpaste, and xylitol chewing-gum & toothpaste respectively for 3 weeks. The salivary parameters - RFR, SFR, and pH were assessed before and after the use of xylitol-based products. All three groups showed an increase in the RFR, SFR, and pH after three weeks. RFR was found to be statistically significant in Group I (p=0.006), Group II (p=0.000), and Group III (p=0.000). SFR was found to be statistically significant in Group II (p=0.000) and Group III (p=0.000). pH was found to be statistically significant in Group I (p=0.002) and Group III (p=0.003). Xylitol is a well-known anti-caries agent, and it has been well documented in the prevention of caries. The present study was conducted in the light of these facts to compare the efficacy of different xylitol products concludes that chewing-gum is comparatively more effective than mouthwash and toothpaste.