A Comparative Evaluation of Sucrose, Sorbitol and Sugar Free Chewing Gum on Plaque pH in Children after Sucrose Challenge

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease. Ingestion of various dietary sugars plays dominant role in the caries etiology. Clinical evidence shows that the use of sugar -free chewing gum does not lead to caries, presumably because the sugar substitutes used do not lead to the production of metabolic acids in plaque at a rate sufficient to cause a fall in pH and to attack the teeth. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of sucrose and sorbitol chewing gums and sugar free chewing gum on acidogenicity of plaque after sucrose challenge. Methodology: 78 volunteers (48 boys and 30 girls) aged 6-14 years were randomly divided into 3 groups comprising 26 children in each group. In the present controlled trial, three types of chewing gums: sucrose based, sorbitol based and natural gum were used. One type of chewing gum was used in each group. Plaque pH was recorded before and after sucrose challenge at different time intervals. Same experiments were repeated along with other chewing gums. Results: The sucrose challenge decrease the plaque pH, however all the types of chewing gums used in the present study prevented the decrease in plaque pH caused by sucrose challenge. The effects were statistically significant (p<0.01). The prevention of the fall in plaque pH was observed to be less by sucrose gum as compared to the effect caused by sweetener gum and natural gum. Conclusion: It is concluded that the use of sugar free chewing gums prevents the fall in plaque pH caused by sucrose challenge. The patient should be instructed to use a sugar free gum within 5 minutes of eating and to continue chewing for at least 20 minutes.

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