Effect of Xylitol and Maltitol Chewing Gums on Plaque Reduction and Salivary pH Modulation: A Retrospective Study in Pediatric Patients

Objectives: This clinical study aimed to evaluate the effects of two different sugar-free chewing gums on bacterial plaque reduction and salivary pH modulation in pediatric patients. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed data from 100 children aged between 7 and 14 years who had previously participated in an investigation on plaque control and salivary pH. The Plaque Control Record Index (PCR) had been assessed in all participants using a plaque-disclosing agent, and salivary pH had been measured with a litmus test. The children had been randomly assigned into two groups: 50 had chewed a xylitol-containing gum, while the remaining 50 had chewed a maltitol-containing gum for five minutes. PCR and salivary pH values recorded immediately after chewing were reviewed for analysis. Results: Both chewing gums significantly reduced Plaque Control Record (PCR) values on dental surfaces (p < 0.001), indicating a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-treatment values. Salivary pH increased in both groups, suggesting a buffering effect associated with gum chewing. While the maltitol gum also reduced plaque accumulation, it showed greater variability in efficacy compared to the xylitol gum. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two gums in terms of salivary pH modulation. Conclusions: The findings highlight the beneficial effects of sugar-free chewing gums in reducing bacterial plaque and increasing salivary pH. These effects appear to be independent of the specific type of gum used, supporting their potential role as an adjunctive measure in oral hygiene maintenance.