Comparison of Antibacterial Effect of Probiotic Yogurt and Xylitol-Containing Chewing Gum in Geriatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

• Published in: Acta stomatologica croatica 2021-12, Vol.55 (4), p.380-389
• Main Authors: Shaalan, Omar, Gad, Hadier Mahmoud Ahmed, Riad, Mona Ismail
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; MeSH terms: Probiotics; Streptococcus mutans Author keywords: Geriatrics; Xylitol
• ISSN: 0001-7019; 1846-0410
• DOI: 10.15644/ASC55/4/5

To evaluate the effect of probiotic bacteria in yogurt on (MS) count, plaque adherence and salivary pH compared to xylitol-containing chewing gum in geriatric patients. Total number of 96 high caries risk geriatric patients were randomized into two equal groups (n=48). Group 1 (intervention group) received probiotic yogurt (Activia, Danone) once per day, and group 2 (control group) received xylitol chewing gum (Trident original) three times per day. The primary outcome was salivary count and secondary outcomes were interdental plaque count, salivary pH and bacterial adherence. For count in saliva and plaque, a statistically significant reduction in the level of MS over all the examined follow up periods of the study in probiotic yogurt group as well as xylitol gum group was found. An intergroup comparison for salivary MS count showed statistically significant difference between the two materials in a two week and a three month period of time and there was no statistically significant difference between both materials at one month time period. Salivary pH results showed statistically significant increase in pH in both groups along the follow-up periods. Bacterial adherence results showed statistically significant reduction in both groups. Probiotic yogurt is an effective antibacterial agent against salivary and plaque bacteria in geriatric patients.