Investigators at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry found that chewing gum containing xylitol, an extract from the bark of birch trees, for at least 5 minutes after meals can suppress the growth of harmful bacteria that cause cavities. The finding, published in the July 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, offers new treatment possibilities for people with recurring cavities. The chief cause of cavities is the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, said lead researcher Dr. Gary Hildebrandt. Other organisms take over once it gets started,'' he told Reuters Health. For people who have problems fending off cavities despite cutting down on sweets and using fluoride products, attacking the bacteria that start the cavity could help, Hildebrandt said.
Antimicrobial rinses kill the bugs, but their numbers can bounce back within hours.
Hildebrandt had 151 people with elevated levels of the bacteria rinse twice a day for 2 weeks with an antimicrobial mouthwash, called chlorhexidine. The test subjects were then divided into three groups of about 50 each. To be effective, the gum has to have xylitol as its sole sweetener, Hildebrandt said. Many brands of gum may contain xylitol in addition to other sweeteners. Hildebrandt hopes that this type of product will become generally available in the future.