Premium
Effect of maternal use of chewing gums containing xylitol on transmission of mutans streptococci in children: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Author(s) -
Lin HsiKuei,
Fang ChiaEn,
Huang MaoSuan,
Cheng HsinChung,
Huang TsaiWei,
Chang HuiTing,
Tam KaWai
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of paediatric dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.183
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1365-263X
pISSN - 0960-7439
DOI - 10.1111/ipd.12155
Subject(s) - xylitol , medicine , saliva , confidence interval , incidence (geometry) , dentistry , randomized controlled trial , meta analysis , dental plaque , relative risk , chewing gum , food science , chemistry , physics , fermentation , optics
Background Mutans streptococci ( MS ) are the major causative bacteria involved in human dental decay. Habitual consumption of xylitol has been proved to reduce MS levels in saliva and plaque. Aim To evaluate the effect of the maternal use of xylitol gum on MS reduction in infants. Design A structured literature review and meta‐analysis. A random effects model was used to assess the relative risks of the incidence of MS in the saliva or plaque of children who were 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months old. Results We reviewed 11 RCT s derived from 5 research teams that included 601 mothers. Our results indicated that the incidence of MS in the saliva or plaque of the infants was significantly reduced in the xylitol group (risk ratio: 0.54; 95% confidence interval: 0.39–0.73, at 12–18 months) and (risk ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.40–0.79, at 36 months) compared with the control groups. The long‐term effect of maternal xylitol gum exposure on their children's dental caries was controversial. Conclusion Habitual xylitol consumption by mothers with high MS levels was associated with a significant reduction in the mother–child transmission of salivary MS .