Effect of chewing gums with xylitol, sorbitol and xylitol-sorbitol on the remineralization and hardness of initial enamel lesions in situ

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of three chewing gums and
paraffi n on the remineralization and the hardness of demineralized enamel.
Materials and Methods: A total of 12 subjects wore intraoral palatal appliances with two
demineralized bovine enamel slabs. The study consisted of four experimental periods each
lasting 21-days, during which subjects were assigned to one of three gum-chewing regimens: gum
containing sorbitol, xylitol and a mixture of sorbitol and xylitol and with paraffi n as control. The
appliances were worn during gum-chewing for 20 min and then retained for 20 min 4 times/
day. The slabs were subjected to energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis and surface
microhardness measurements before in setting into the appliance and after the experimental
period. The data were subjected to analysis of variance for repeated measures. A P < 0.05 was
considered statistically signifi cant.
Results: Mineral analysis revealed no signifi cant difference between the baseline and after chewing
periods for all groups (P > 0.05). No signifi cant difference was found among the groups either for the
baseline measurements or after chewing periods (P > 0.05). All groups showed higher microhardness
values after the chewing periods than the baseline except for the Vivident Xylit group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The chewing of gum had no effect on the Ca/P ratio of demineralized enamel surfaces.
The hardening of the demineralized enamel surfaces may vary according to the type of chewing gum.
Key Words: Chewing gum, enamel, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, microhardness