Antibacterial Effect of Probiotic Yogurt Compared to Xylitol

Comparison of Antibacterial Effect of Probiotic Yogurt Against Xylitol-containing Chewing Gum on Salivary Streptococcus Mutans Count, Bacterial Adherence and Salivary pH in Geriatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study will be conducted to evaluate the antibacterial effect of probiotic bacteria in yogurt in decreasing streptococcus mutans count in saliva and plaque, decreasing bacterial adherence and increasing salivary pH compared to xylitol-containing chewing gum after three months.

The subjects will be assigned randomly into two equal groups to receive either probiotic yogurt or xylitol-containing chewing gum for three months. The probiotic yogurt is (Activia; Danone, Egypt) containing Bifidobacterium (7x107 CFU/g). The subjects assigned to probiotic yogurt group will be instructed to eat 100 g of the provided yogurt 10 minutes after dinner and not to brush their teeth until one hour later. The subjects assigned to the xylitol-chewing gum group will be instructed to chew the provided gum three times daily for five minutes after each meal.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Above 50 years old.
• Have sufficient cognitive ability to understand consent procedures.
• Males or Females.
• Co-operative patients.
• High caries risk patients (≥105 CFU for streptococcus mutans count)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under antibiotic treatment
• Milk intolerant
• Consuming any other probiotic product
• Habitual consumers of xylitol products
• Use antibacterial mouthwash
• Lack of compliance
• Any systemic condition affecting salivary secretion