The effects of funoran-containing xylitol chewing gum on dental plaque

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of the addition of funoran to xylitol chewing gum in dental plaque. In a double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial, 36 health adults (21–30 years old), who volunteered after informed consent, with >105 colony-forming units/ml mutans streptococci (MS) at baseline, were assigned randomly into one of three parallel study groups: xylitol+funoran gum (group A), sucrose gum group (group B), and control group (no gum have been provided; group C). The pH value, flash weight, and MS of dental plaque were recorded at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment. A statistically significant reduction (p<0.05) of salivary MS was displayed in group A after the intervention when compared with baseline. The weight of plaque was reduced after 2 weeks of treatment (p=0.032) in group A. There was no significance in plaque pH value before and after the treatment in any group. Daily funoran-containing xylitol chewing gum application significantly reduced the dental plaque volume and caries pathogen counts in the oral cavity, suggesting that the use of funoran-containing xylitol chewing gum may be a useful adjunct for caries control.