EFFECTS OF FREQUENT MOUTHRINSES WITH PALATINOSE AND XYLITOL ON DENTALPLAQUE

The aim was to evaluate the effects of frequent mouthrinses with palat inose, xylitol and a mixture of palatinose and xylitol on plaque pH, p laque formation and cariogenic microorganisms. 15 subjects refrained f rom toothbrushing during 3 test periods and rinsed 15 x daily for 4 d with 10 ml of: (1) 50% palatinose, (2) 37.5% palatinose + 12.5% xylito l, or (3) 50% xylitol. A contrast period with no mouthrinses was also carried out. The 4 periods were carried out in a randomized order with a cross-over design. After the 4-day periods, 3 parameters were measu red: (1) plaque pH during the first 30 min after a mouthrinse with pal atinose, a mixture of palatinose and xylitol or xylitol alone, directl y followed by a 2nd rinse with 10% sucrose; (2) number of mutans strep tococci and lactobacilli in plaque and saliva; (3) plaque index. The m ost pronounced pH drop for the sugar substitutes was found when rinsin g with 50% palatinose after the palatinose period, and the least pH dr op with 50% xylitol after the xylitol period. The sucrose rinse gave s imilar pH fall after all 4 periods. The microbial data showed no diffe rences between the 4 periods, but the mutans streptococcus counts in s aliva decreased after the xylitol period in contrast to the 3 other pe riods. Regarding the plaque index, xylitol gave lower scores compared to the other 3 periods.