The effect of polyol-combinant saliva stimulants on S. mutans levels in plaque and saliva of patients with mental retardation |
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Authors: | Kauko K Mäkinen MS PhD Kauko P Isotupa DDS Taina Kivilompolo RDH Pirkko-Liisa Mäkinen MS PhD Satu Murtomaa DDS Juhani Petäjä DDS Jukka Toivanen DDS Eva Söderling MS PhD |
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Institution: | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI;Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland;Pello County Health Center, Pello, Finland;Uusikaupunki, Finland;Rovaniemi Rural County Health Center, Rovaniemi Rural County;Rovaniemi Town Health Center, Rovaniemi Rural County |
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Abstract: | The effect of chewable saliva-stimulants on Streptococcus mutans levels in dental plaque and paraffin-stimulated whole saliva among participants who were mentally disabled was investigated. Over 64-days, 98 participants chewed one of four saliva-stimulating tablets five times/day. The tablets contained one of the following: xylitol (X) or sorbitol (S), or 1:1 mixtures of xylitol and erythritol (XE) or sorbitol and erythritol (SE). Consumption of xylitol and sorbitol in Groups X and S was 5.4 grams/day/ subject, and of each polyol in Groups XE and SE, consumption was 2.7 g/day/subject. Interproximal dental plaque and stimulated whole saliva were sampled at baseline, at Day 36, and Day 64. There was a statistically significant reduction of S. mutans in plaque and saliva counts in Groups X and XE. The percentage of S. mutans in total streptococci increased significantly in dental plaque in Group S but decreased in the other groups. The results suggest that xylitol-containing saliva stimulants may be more effective than sorbitol-containing products in controlling some caries-associated parameters in people who are mentally disabled. Also a relationship may exist between the pentitol-type xylitol and S. mutans , and erythritol may exert a specific biochemical effect on this organism, although further studies are needed. |
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Keywords: | Dental caries Mutans streptococci disabled xylitol sorbitol erythritol |
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