The effect of polyol‐combinant saliva stimulants on S. mutanslevels in plaque and saliva of patients with mental retardation

The effect of chewable saliva‐stimulants on Streptococcus mutanslevels 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. mutansin plaque and saliva counts in Groups X and XE. The percentage of S. mutansin 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.