Effects of mouth rinses with xylitol and fluoride on dental plaque and saliva

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that xylitol, alone and in combination with fluoride, affects the salivary flow rate and micro-biota, dental plaque accumulation, gingivitis development, and the acidogenic pot ential of plaque. Three groups, each of 10 subjects, rinsed for 1 min 3 tim es daily over two 4-week periods, first with 10 mi water (control), and the reafter with either 0.05% NaF, 40% xylitol, or with 0.025% NaF plus 20% xyl itol according to a double-blind controlled design. They performed habitual mechanical tooth cleaning during the first 2 weeks of each period but abst ained from interdental cleaning during the final 2 weeks. While mouth rinsi ng was continued, all mechanical oral hygiene was discontinued the last 2 d ays of each period to permit plaque accumulation. The last mouth rinse was administered in the clinic before the final examination. The following para meters were assessed: (1) unstimulated and paraffin-stimulated salivary sec retion rates; (2) salivary micro-biota; (3) plaque index; (4) papillar blee ding; (5) plaque pH response to sucrose, and (6) lactate formation by denta l plaque. No statistically significant differences in any of the parameters were found. In conclusion, three daily mouth rinses with fluoride and xyli tol, separately or in combination, did not affect the salivary flow rate or micro-biota, dental plaque accumulation, gingivitis development, or the ac idogenic potential of plaque.