Three clinical trials comparing xylitol- and sorbitol-containing chewing gums for their effect on supragingival plaque accumulation.

Studies have evaluated the effects of xylitol when administered in chewing gum, as a dietary substitute for sugar, in dentifrice and in mouthrinse. Three clinical trials were conducted to further investigate chewing gums containing xylitol or xylitol/sorbitol mixtures for their ability to reduce plaque accumulation when compared to a sorbitol containing gum. These studies all had two phases; supragingival prophylaxis with an assessment of plaque accumulation to be used for balanced assignment for the second phase, which assessed plaque regrowth following a second supragingival prophylaxis and various chewing gum regimens. In the first trial of xylitol/sorbitol versus sorbitol gum only, the combination gum had a significantly greater reduction in plaque growth. In the second trial, different regimens of chewing gums with xylitol/sorbitol and sorbitol alone were compared. The combined average of the plaque regrowth scores for the subjects chewing the xylitol/sorbitol gum was significantly better than that for the sorbitol gum alone. The final trial evaluated two regimens in two forms (stick and pellet) of a xylitol gum versus a sorbitol gum. Both xylitol-containing gum forms were statistically superior to the sorbitol gum in retarding plaque regrowth.