Xylitol: Effects on the Acquisition of Cariogenic Species in Infants.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of xylitol gum (XG) on the acquisition pattern of 39 bacterial species, including mutans streptococci (MS), in infants. Methods: Ninety-seven mothers (MS counts >10(5) CFU/ml) were randomly divided into 4 groups and received; 1) XG (4.2 gm/day); 2) XG (6 months after baseline exams); 3) sorbitol gum (42 gm/day); or 4) no gum. Groups 1 and 3 chewed gum 3 times a day for 9 months. Microbiota of plaque and saliva samples from the mother-child pairs were analyzed by culturing and via checker-board DNA-DNA hybridization. Results: MS was isolated from 33% of the predentate infant (<= 5 months old) baseline saliva samples and from 41% of the saliva and 65% of the plaque samples at the final visit. At baseline, positive responses to "mother's checking of baby's food temperature using baby's spoon" and "starting a bottle after stopping breast-feeding" were significant predictors (P=.009 and P<.001, respectively) of infant's total streptococci counts. At the final visit (9 months later), there were no significant differences between treatment groups for infants' 39 microbial plaque species, including MS. Conclusions: Maternal use of xylitol gum did not result in statistically significant differences in the microbial plaque composition of 9- to 74-month-old infants. (Pediatr Dent 2009;31257-66) Received January 28, 2008 / Last Revision May 8, 2008 / Revision Accepted May 18, 2008