Use of chlorhexidine chewing gum significantly reduces dental plaque formation compared to use of similar xylitol and sorbitol products
The purpose of the study was to compare dental plaque formation following the use of chlorhexidine acetate-, xylitol-, and sorbitol-containing chewing gum in the absence of any other oral hygiene measures.
Fourteen dental students volunteered for this double- blind, three-way crossover study. All subjects were healthy. The students were assigned a random order of use of three chewing gum products before initiation of the study. Prior to each trial period the subjects received a professional cleaning which included polishing and flossing to obtain a zero plaque baseline. Regular dietary habits were encouraged. Each six-day trial period required each subject to chew two pieces of gum following the morning and evening meal and one piece following the noon meal. After each of the three meals, the subjects were instructed to use the products for 20 minutes for a total of one hour per day. A seven-day wash-out period between the three trial periods was utilized, during which the subjects returned to their regular oral hygiene practices. The Turesky modification of the Quigley and Hein index was used to assess the plaque formation on the facial and lingual aspects of the Ramfjord teeth. Recordings were made prior to and immediately after the trial periods.
The chlorhexidine (CHX) chewing gum showed significantly lower plaque values compared to the sorbitol and xylitol products. In addition, the CHX product significantly reduced plaque levels when compared to the study subjects¹ regular plaque control routines. The xylitol chewing gum showed significantly lower plaque values than the sorbitol product.
The results of this study suggest that regular use of chlorhexidine-containing chewing gum appears useful in the control of dental plaque formation. [D.S.S.]
Tellefsen, G., G. Larsen, R. Kaligithi, G. Zimmerman, and U. Wikesjo, J Periodont, 67:181, 1996