Xylitol and the bactericidal effect of chlorhexidine and fluoride on Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis.

The present study was made to investigate the effect of xylitol on the bactericidal and bacteriostatic action of chlorohexidine diacetate (CHX) and sodium fluoride (F) in ATCC strains of Streptococcus mutans and S. sanguis. Standardized bacterial cell suspensions were used in tests for bactericidal effect and for inhibition of growth and sucrose fermentation. The results showed no interference of xylitol with the antibacterial effect of CHX and F combinations. Xylitol did not show any additive effect either but appeared inert in the combinations used.

The effect of an experimental chewable antiplaque preparation containing chlorhexidine on plaque and gingival index scores.

This clinical cross-over trial investigated the effects of a chewable preparation containing chorhexidine-fluoride-xylitol, xylitol control tablets, or chlorhexidine mouthwash, twice daily, on plaque and gingival index scores of subjects refraining from mechanical cleaning of their teeth. Both preparations containing chlorhexidine were found to be efficient antiplaque agents when compared with the control. There was no statistically significant difference between the tablet preparation and conventional chlorhexidine rinsings with respect to the recorded parameters. Thus, an efficient antiplaque preparation can be made in tablet form, which may have advantages in instances where use of mouthwash solutions is impracticable.

The effect of a combination of chlorhexidine diacetate, sodium fluoride and xylitol on plaque wet weight and periodontal index scores in military academy cadets refraining from mechanical tooth cleaning for 7-day experimental periods.

45 subjects participated in a double-blind cross-over mouthwash study where a new tablet-form combination of chlorhexidine, fluoride and xylitol (XYLIHEX) was studied together with solutions of chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium fluoride (NaF). The preparation XYLIHEX was developed as a dental chemotherapeutic that could easily be added to the soldiers' kit to be used under circumstances where practising normal oral hygiene habits is restricted. For comparative purposes, XYLIHEX was prediluted in this study to make a solution. Before starting, professional prophylaxis was given to the subjects to bring their gingivitis index scores as close to 0 as possible. The subjects refrained from mechanical tooth cleaning for three 7-day test periods. Plaque wet weight and periodontal index scores were recorded before and after the test periods. The results showed that the preparations XYLIHEX and CHX did not statistically differ from each other in reducing plaque wet weight values and the recorded periodontal index scores. Both these preparations were statistically highly significantly more effective antiplaque agents than NaF, as expected.

Effect of caries in mentally handicapped children of addition of fluoride and bicarbonate-phosphate to dietary sugar products.

Mentally handicapped children, aged 5--15 years and living in institutions, received fluoride supplement in several sugar products of their diet; in candies, marmalades, jams, fruit juices and in sweet desserts corresponding to 10 mg F as NaF per kg of the sugar (sucrose or glucose) of each product. To two of the four daily candies was also added a NaHCO3 + KH2PO4 mixture (mole ratio 9.8/l, resp.) to substitute for 2.5% of the sugar of the candy. The control children received the respective products without the additives. After stepwise exclusions of subjects for various reasons, e.g. for the absence of permanent teeth, low initial caries activity, strong medication, Down's syndrome, etc., the mean DMFS-increment in the remaining 43 control subjects was 4.5 and in the 41 test subjects 2.6 lesions/100 surfaces at risk, i.e. 42% reduction. Caries arrestment had occurred in these test subjects after the first year, while in the respective controls it was continuously increasing. Among numerous oral and body parameters studied, only surface enamel fluoride in primary teeth was increased by the fluoride supplements and urinary phosphate and calcium excretion decreased.

The effect of magnesium and fluoride on nephrocalcinosis and aortic calcification in rats given high sucrose diets with added phospnates.

The study was conducted to observe in rats the possible modification of ectopic calcification by magnesium-orthophosphate-fluoride combinations, used as additives of diet for reduction of the cariogenicity of the sucrose. In rats, fed low magnesium diets, extra dietary orthophosphate (2%) considerably elevated the calcification of kidneys. Further additions of magnesium and fluoride partially reduced this adverse effect of phosphate. While the calcium content of the aorta in rats, fed low magnesium-high phosphate diet, was considerably elevated, the further addition of magnesium (40 ppm) partially reduced the calcifying effect of phosphate in aorta. Fluoride (15 ppm) together with magnesium (40 ppm) completely reduced it. The appearance of renal calculi caused by a low magnesium diet or by extra phosphate were similar according to light and electron microscopy except for the larger size in the latter case and occasional extratubular calculi found in groups with high phosphate-low magnesium and high phosphate with added magnesium diets.