Immediate effect of xylitol chewing gum and mouth rinse on salivary levels of mutans streptococci in adults with systemic sclerosis: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate effect of xylitol chewing gum and xylitol mouth rinse on mutans streptococci (MS) levels in the saliva of adults with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: before and after xylitol exposure. RESULTS: No significant difference in the change scores of MS levels between the two groups was observed at post xylitol exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Mouth rinse may provide an alternative mode of xylitol delivery for this population.