The study was designed to determine whether maternal xylitol consumption through regular chewing of xylitol gums can affect the salivary mutans streptococci (MS), dental caries, and dental plaque levels of their children.
Method: Study sample included 60 mother and child pairs with high salivary mutans streptococcus (MS) levels. Samples were randomly divided into experimental group (30 pairs) and control group (30 pairs). Mothers in the experimental group received xylitol chewing gum treatment three times/day for three months, whereas the controls received fluoride varnish. Both groups received oral hygiene instructions, dietary counseling and restorative treatment. All children were examined after 6, 12 and 18 months from the initiation of the study to assess caries, plaque and salivary mutans streptococcus (MS) levels.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
Mothers in the experimental group were instructed to chew 1 pellet of xylitol gum (Fennobon Oy, Yrittäjäntie, Finneland -gum, 3 times ) for a period of 3 months. control mothers did not receive any medications. All mothers received oral hygiene instructions and restorative treatment when needed. Offspring of both the experimental and control groups did not receive any medication and were followed for at 6,12, 18 and 24 month from initiation of mothers consumption. month
The control group participated in a preventive program under the supervision of the Pediatric Dentistry Department. The program activities consisted of oral hygiene instructions, fluoride varnish application (Duraphat 5% Na F ,Ultradent Products, Utah, USA) and restorative treatment when needed.
King abulaziz University, Dental University Hospital
Jeddah, P.O Box 80209, Saudi Arabia
Assesment of mutans streptococci count in off-spring
Collection of saliva samples was carried out for microbiological screening after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months from the initiation xylitol consumption .Un stimulated saliva samples were collected from each child for salivary bacterial level screening. Saliva sampling was performed before conducting the clinical examination between 9-11 am. Children were not allowed to eat or drink for 2 hours before sampling. Saliva was collected with the pipette supplied by the dentocult (CRT) kit. (Ivoclar Vivadent, Lichtenstein). Saliva sample was not taken if the child has received antibiotics within 1 month prior the examination. Screening of stimulated saliva samples for mutans streptococcus (MS) level were carried out using the dentocult method (CRT). Findings of 105 CFU or more of MS indicates a high caries risk, whereas findings less than 105 CFU is considered low caries risk.
Time frame: 24 month
Assesment of Caries level in off-spring
Clinical examination was carried out for dmft score for deciduous teeth after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months from the initiation maternal xylitol consumption. The diagnosis of dental caries was based on the WHO criteria 1987. .
Time frame: 24 month
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