Effect of chewing xylitol containing and herbal chewing gums on salivary Mutans Streptococcus count among school children

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 signif icant 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. © 2015 chavan s.