Isfahan University of Medical SciencesDental Research Journal1735-33279320120821The effect of sugar-free and sugar chewing gums on plaque deposition10901090ENPradeepTangadeDepartments of Public Health Dentistry, Kothiwal Dental College and Research Centre, Kanth Road, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. ptangade@rediffmail.comAnmolMathurShikhaChaudharyRahulGupta20120821Background: Chewing gum is a habit practiced regularly by a relatively high proportion of individualsin many countries including India, and its use has increased within the last decade. The aim of thisstudy was to determine the effects of sugar-free and sugar chewing gums on plaque deposition.Materials and Methods: The study is a double blind clinical trial involving 16 healthy volunteers(divided into 2 groups) in a 4-day plaque regrowth model. On day one, subjects received professionalprophylaxis, suspended oral hygiene measures, and commenced chewing their allocated product.Gum chewing was one piece chewed for 30 minutes 3 times a day. On day 5, subjects were scoredfor plaque with the help of Silness and Loe Index.Results: Results show sugar-free group have a lesser mean plaque score of 0.98 as compare tosugar group (1.23), though this difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion: The sugar-free gums can be used as an adjunct to mechanical oral hygiene measures.Key Words: Dental plaque, oral hygiene, sugar-free chewing gum